Abstract: A method of forming a corrugated fluoropolymer tube is disclosed. The method comprises the step of providing a tube comprising extruded fluoropolymer without corrugations or convolutions disposed on a mandrel. The mandrel has a first cylindrical portion and a flaring portion that extends to a second cylindrical portion, the second portion having an outer diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the first portion. The method also includes the step of moving the tube on a longitudinal axis along the mandrel thereby forcing an outer surface of the tube into flights disposed at a pitch angle on a plurality of thread rollers which are rotating, the plurality of thread rollers adjacent to and circumferentially distributed around the flaring portion and/or second cylindrical portion of the mandrel, wherein external force is exerted on the outer surface of the tube to form corrugations having adjacent peaks and roots.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing blown film web on a blown film line, film is heated above the takeoff device and then treated mechanically. This allows the film to be brought from initial heat to an easy-to-process temperature level with little energy. A horizontally oriented treatment roll path is provided between the takeoff and a reversing device is arranged above the takeoff. In both aspects, controlling is performed to achieve a uniform film gauge after stretching.

Abstract: A method of routing utility lines in a vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes forming a shell and an elongated umbilical comprising an elongated impervious sleeve and a core structure defining at least two elongated internal passageways extending lengthwise along the umbilical. The method includes sealingly connecting a first end of the sleeve to the shell at a first opening, and sealingly connecting a second end of the sleeve to the shell at a second opening. A vacuum is formed in an internal cavity of the shell. Utility lines are routed through at least one of the elongated internal passageways whereby portions of the utility lines are disposed inside the umbilical, and opposite ends of the utility lines extend out of the opposite ends of the umbilical.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process to regulate the film thickness of tubular film manufactured using a film blowing process, wherein the film is laid flat and repositioned using an oscillating take-off unit and subsequently monoaxially oriented in machine direction using an orientation unit. This process produces a film whose thickness profile has as few deviations as possible from the average film thickness across the film width. This result is achieved by setting the film thickness profile of tubular film produced with a film blowing line such that after orientation and as a result of deviations during orientation, a film thickness profile develops that is uniform across the entire film width.

Abstract: According to a fabrication method, an extruded tubular member HA is formed, using an extrusion die 23 which has an extrusion orifice 25 having an opening-side inner circumferential surface 25a having a circular section and a core-side die 26 disposed concentrically with the extrusion orifice 25, by extruding a tube material through an extrusion passage 27 defined between the opening-side inner circumferential surface 25 and a core-side outer circumferential surface 26d of the core-side die 26. As this occurs, a bent configuration is given to the extruded tubular member HA by changing contact areas where the tube material contacts the opening-side inner circumferential surface 25a and the core-side outer circumferential surface 26d in a circumferential direction so as to set velocities at which the tube material is extruded to different values in the circumferential direction by controlling the position of the core die 26 in rotating and axial directions relative to the extrusion orifice 25.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to silk-based drug delivery compositions for controlled, sustained delivery of therapeutic agent(s) as well as methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A fluid conduit includes a flexible member having a tubular wall for conveying a fluid and a circumferential structural member positioned adjacent to the tubular wall. The structural member is disposed about a central axis of the conduit so as to form a plurality of spaced segments along the wall. The segments are spaced apart relative to each other to define a gap therebetween. The gap is sized to be closed by contact between adjacent segments upon a predetermined flexure of the flexible member. A method of forming the fluid conduit includes forming a flexible member with a tubular wall and forming a groove about a central axis of the conduit in a portion of the tubular wall. The groove is formed by removing material from the tubular wall or compressing material on the tubular wall.

Abstract: Flexible, helically corrugated, seamless pipes and tubular conduits of indeterminate length. In some embodiments, these pipes or conduits are formed by a continuous corrugating process on a corrugator. In some embodiments, the pipes are collapsible and are configured to remain in the collapsed and un-collapsed state without the application of external force. Also disclosed are helical tubes include corrugations that follow a counterclockwise path and corrugations that follow a clockwise path. Also disclosed are dual helical tubes with helical corrugations configured such that a portion of each corrugation follows a counterclockwise rotation and another portion of the corrugation follows a clockwise rotation.

Abstract: Provided are a resin tube for a guide wire, a method for manufacturing a resin tube for a guide wire, and a guide wire, configured such that the resin tube makes point contact in the axial direction with an object of contact at working site, thereby reducing frictional resistance and yielding excellent sliding properties, while also being prevented from kinking and collapsing, and having excellent buckling resistance. The resin tube for a guide wire is characterized in that the outer shape of a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is polygonal, elliptic, or irregular, that the resin tube is twisted in a helical shape about a deep inner-core hole as the axis of twisting, the deep inner-core hole extending in the axial direction and allowing a core wire to be inserted therein, and that the resin tube is provided with a trunk section having an undulation on the outer surface caused by the twisted eccentric wall thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic elastomer extrusion apparatus and method. An apparatus 400 for in-situ extrusion of an elastomeric coating 410 on a profiled helical surface 450 can include a template (100, 200) forming a gap between the profiled helical surface 450 and an adjacent profiled helical surface (102, 202) of a template (100, 200) itself to extrude an elastomer therethrough. A tracking mechanism 302 and/or carriage 300 can allow a template to follow the contours of the profiled helical surface 350. The apparatus can include means for providing relative movement between the profiled helical surface and the template. The apparatus (500, 600) can include a cleaning module (502, 602), an adhesive application module (504, 604), an elastomer deposition module (506, 606), and/or a curing module (508, 608). Each module can further include a template (100, 200) and/or a tracking mechanism 302.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a separated tip catheter having a separated tip configuration includes the steps of: extruding an extrusion material through a die to form a catheter including a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a first lumen and a second lumen, the catheter body having a septum positioned between the first and second lumens; and feeding a strip into the die so that the strip is positioned between the first lumen and the second lumen along a length of the catheter, the strip having a first proximal section formed of a first material capable of bonding with the extrusion material and a second distal section formed of a second material incapable of bonding with the extrusion material.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a composite block of closed geometry, in the form of a continuous ring, based on fibers and on a crosslinkable resin, by continuous winding and superposition of several layers of a tape of reinforcement fibers embedded in a matrix based on a composition comprising a crosslinkable resin. The process comprises from upstream to downstream, the following steps: producing a rectilinear arrangement (12) of reinforcement fibers (11) and conveying this arrangement in a feed direction (F); degassing the arrangement (12) of fibers by the action of a vacuum (13); after degassing, impregnating said arrangement (12) of fibers under vacuum with said resin composition in the liquid state (17); passing the pre-preg thus obtained through a die (20) to make said pre-preg into the form of a tape (21) composed of reinforcement fibers (11) in their liquid resin (17) matrix, the thickness of said tape being less than 0.

Abstract: Provided is a tubular body manufacturing method including preparing a resin composition containing a crystalline thermoplastic resin and molding the tubular body, using an extrusion molding machine that includes a cylindrical portion and a transport member which has a shaft member and a protrusion and is divided into a supply portion, a compressing portion and a measuring portion, by melting, kneading and transporting the resin composition through heating of the heat source and rotation of the transport member, and then extruding the molten resin composition, in which, when ?Tm (° C.) is a difference between a crystalline melt finish temperature and a crystalline melt start temperature of the crystalline thermoplastic resin, D (mm) is a diameter of the transport member, and Lc (mm) is a length of the compressing portion of the transport member, a relationship of following Expression (1) is satisfied: (?Tm/10)?3<Lc/D<(?Tm/10)+1.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material apparatus suitable for fabricating a nanocomposite material from different materials is provided. The nanocomposite material apparatus includes an acceleration inner tube and a collection outer tube. The acceleration inner tube disposed along a rotation axis has a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer peripheral surface. Pipes for accelerating different materials is distributed within the acceleration inner tube. Each pipe includes an inlet, an outlet opening at the outer peripheral surface and a spiral trench connecting the inlet and the outlet. Nano materials having electricity are emitted from the corresponding outlets by accelerating different materials within the corresponding pipes.

Abstract: Porous hollow fibers comprising first pores having an average length in the range from 0.045 ?m to 120 ?m and an average width in the range from 0.030 ?m to 20 ?m, measured in a fiber direction, wherein the ratio of the average length of the first pores to the average width of the first pores is at least 1.5:1, second pores having an average length in the range from 0.1 nm to 99 nm and an average width in the range from 1 nm to 20000 nm, measured in the direction of the fiber in each case, wherein the ratio of the average length of the second pores to the average width of the second pores is not more than 1:1.5. Preferred application areas include use in fillings, in selectively permeable membranes, for the immobilization of enzymes and/or cells, for hemodialysis, and for storage of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for operating a rotary press, comprising a rotor rotatably driven about a vertical axis that has a die-plate and upper and lower rams which, while being guided vertically in guides of the rotor, interact with holes of dies in the die-plate wherein at least one compression station is provided and has an upper and a lower pressing roller past which the presser rams run along and by which they are moved towards the die-bore for the purpose of compacting the material in the die-hole, wherein the upper and lower rams are lifted subsequent to the compression procedure, causing the lower ram to eject a compact from the die and the compact to be stripped by a stripper in the direction of a discharge chute, characterized in that while an compact ejection procedure is under way the upper ram stands upright on top of the compact and is lifted therewith and the stripper seizes the compact laterally while the upper ram is still standing upright on top of the compact.

Abstract: The invention relates to device (30) and the procedure to grip, steer and pull outgoing profile (12) for continuous industrial production of profiles with rotating dies (10), which resolves the problems caused by adhesion, friction difference and unequal material flows mainly at start up. The device and procedure solves most problems that usually cause problems in the context of the billet changes which together with the start up is causing more than 90-95% of the problems in the manufacturing of profiles with rotating bodies.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a stent, from a tube with desirable mechanical properties, such as improved circumferential strength and rigidity, are described herein. Improved circumferential strength and rigidity may be obtained by inducing molecular orientation in materials for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device. Methods of inducing circumferential molecular orientation by inducing circumferential flow in a molten polymer are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting a concrete product with a substantially horizontal slipform casting process, wherein the concrete mix is fed at least in one step through a limited cross-section moving progressively along with the cast, whereby the height of the product forming part (1) is changed during the cast. The invention also comprises a product forming part (1) having an adjustable height.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use in rotomolding or slush molding applications of a composition comprising a polyolefin, a processing aid and optionally a UV-stabilizer.

Abstract: A valve in a mold as to provide a potential airflow pathway either way, the valving having at least a substantially closed condition from which it can be opened by a pressure differential in one direction that is below that which will cause it to open or fail to allow an airflow in the other direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production by extrusion of piping made of a cementitious material having a circular section and fine thickness, suitable for the channeling of liquids and gases at atmospheric operating pressure or slightly higher.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally a manufacturing process which results in a completely hydrogel polymer device that maintains lumen patency which allows for numerous applications. Catheters and stents are particular examples, and their composition, mechanical characteristics, and the significantly unique ability to conduct and allow fluids to pass from one end to the other without physiological rejection, inflammation, or manifestation of complications due to implant or otherwise undesirable outcomes when used for ambulatory and or therapeutic interventions is the purpose of the invention.

Abstract: An electric cable for conveying signals, the cable having a diameter of less than 2 mm and comprising at least one conductor in an insulating sheath, the sheath having a dielectric constant ? of less than 1.7. To achieve this, the sheath is made of PTFE and it includes at least one continuous cell.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing seamless thin-walled articles with thermoplastic material is disclosed, wherein the seamless thin-walled articles each having single opening are coated onto plural mold surfaces, which move along a track and respectively have a rotation. The method includes a molten and coating step to coat thermoplastic materials in molten state from at least two extruding mechanisms on the surfaces of the molds; a heating and cooling step to heat the thermoplastic materials by passing the molds, which rotate at the same time, through a heating mechanism to form thin-walled articles with even thickness, and then cool the thermoplastic materials; a lip rolling step to roll up the thermoplastic materials at the lower edge of the opening to form a lip; and a mold releasing step to release the thin-walled articles from the molds.

Abstract: Extruded, striped drinking straws are formed by coextruding at least two polymers of different color through a common extruder to form an elongated tube. An oscillator consisting of a pair of rolls supported for rotation about their central axes, extending normally to the extension of the tube, bear against opposed sides of the tube and are reciprocated in opposing directions so as to rotate the tube by a gear and spline mechanism. A straight puller draws the tube out of the extruder and through the twisting oscillator and a cutter forms the tube into straw lengths at the output of the puller.

Abstract: The ePTFE structure includes an ePTFE tubular structure having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis. The ePTFE tubular structure is formed from rotating the opposite ends relative to one another in a direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis. The ePTFE tubular structure has a node and fibril micro-structure in which substantially all of the fibrils are oriented in the direction of rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous, multicellular, hollow carbon fiber wherein the fiber structure includes a substantially hollow fiber and multiple internal walls defining multiple integral internal hollow fibers such that the fiber structure comprises a honeycomb-like cross section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hollow fiber made of a semipermeable membrane material, with the hollow fiber having exactly one restriction over its total length in which the inner diameter of the hollow fiber is reduced with respect to the section or sections of the hollow fiber adjoining the restriction. The present invention further relates to a hollow fiber bundle, to a filter and to a method for the manufacture of a hollow fiber or of a hollow fiber bundle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a guidewire having a discrete length. The method includes the steps of feeding a first end of a corewire into an extrusion device, gripping the first end of the corewire with a gripping apparatus, and extruding a first extrusion material onto an outer surface of the corewire while the gripping apparatus pulls the corewire through the extrusion device to form an extrusion jacket on the outer surface of the corewire. The corewire has a predetermined length corresponding to a length of the guidewire.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing of an asymmetric hollow fibre membrane, comprising the steps of extruding a polymer solution through the outer ring slit of a hollow fibre spinning nozzle, simultaneously extruding a centre fluid through the inner bore of the hollow fibre spinning nozzle, into a precipitation bath, whereby the polymer solution contains 10 to 26 wt-% of polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES) or polyarylethersulfone (PAES), 8 to 15 wt-% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 55 to 75 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 3 to 9 wt-% w ater the centre fluid contains 70 to 90 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 10 to 30 wt-% water, and the precipitation bath contains 0 to 20 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 80 to 100 wt-% water.

Abstract: A method for continuous extrusion of activated carbon tubular shapes used in a water filtration device and process for making same. A mixture of primarily activated carbon and polymeric binder is gravity fed into an extruder barrel through a slide to facilitate uniform feed. The binder is surface charged by a plasma process to attach to the carbon with a weak force. The barrel is heated by induction heating to provide high and constant heat source. A desired porosity in the carbon profile is achieved by varying the mesh size of the carbon and binder along with changing the pitch in the screw.

Abstract: A method of making a composite tubular article made up of at least two concentric members, the outer of said members being tubular and the inner of said members being at least cylindrical and preferably tubular, and struts disposed in supporting and positioning orientation between the inner and outer members, by extruding a moldable material into the desired profile; stretching the inner tubular member over a cooling mandrel and disposing a cooling sleeve over the outer tubular member under conditions sufficient to solidify the article; twisting and longitudinally pulling the solidified article, so that it rotates over the cooling mandrel and inside the cooling sleeve while it is moving down stream across the cooling mandrel, whereby causing the extrudate to be twisted into a helical shape.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for producing pipes having a transverse profile from thermoplastic material, mold segment halves are used on a molding path and are circulated in pairs. A main conveying device is provided for returning the mold segment halves, the main conveying device being designed like a gantry crane. A conveying bridge encompassing the molding path is provided with two conveying carriages which are displaceable at right angles to a direction of production and in opposite directions relative to each other and to which is in each case attached a downwards facing conveying arm comprising a holding device for in each case one mold segment half. Downstream of the downstream end of the molding path are provided parking positions for additional mold segment halves. Disposed downstream of the molding path is an auxiliary conveying device which is provided for removing the additional mold segment halves from the molding path in order to subsequently return them to the parking positions.

Abstract: The invention is an extrusion apparatus having a driven feed segment that is rotatably driven about central mandrel or within a housing member. Rotation of the driven feed segment subjects one or more streams of resin introduced onto a surface thereof to transverse shear during radial flow. One of more driven feed segments can be assembled with other components of conventional extrusion die assemblies. Extrusion die assemblies can include one or more driven feed segments rotated in the same or opposite direction of each other. The number of streams of resin and rotational speed of the driven feed segment can be controlled to produce microlayered film having in excess of 4000 layers.

Abstract: A percutaneous peel-away vascular introducer that includes an elongated tubular sheath having opposed proximal and distal ends, and a pair of diametrically opposed peel lines that extend along the length of the sheath from the proximal end thereof to the distal end thereof, wherein the diametrically opposed peel lines have an axially extending pitch. The introducer further includes a pair of spreadable handles associated with the proximal end of the sheath for splitting the sheath along the peel lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production by extrusion of piping made of a cementitious material having a circular section and fine thickness, suitable for the channeling of liquids and gases at atmospheric operating pressure or slightly higher.

Abstract: A tubular tissue scaffold is described which comprises a tube having a wall, wherein the wall includes biopolymer fibrils that are aligned in a helical pattern around the longitudinal axis of the tube where the pitch of the helical pattern changes with the radial position in the tube wall. The scaffold is capable of directing the morphological pattern of attached and growing cells to form a helical pattern around the tube walls. Additionally, an apparatus for producing such a tubular tissue scaffold is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a biopolymer gel dispersion feed pump that is operably connected to a tube-forming device having an exit port, where the tube-forming device is capable of producing a tube from the gel dispersion while providing an angular shear force across the wall of the tube, and a liquid bath located to receive the tubular tissue scaffold from the tube-forming device. A method for producing the tubular tissue scaffolds is also disclosed.

Abstract: High flow rate catheters, and related methods, are useful in dialysis and other procedures. A catheter according to the invention comprises a hub and a generally elongated conduit. The conduit has a substantially continuous and smooth wall. The conduit also defines at least one lumen and has a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the conduit. The proximal end is coupled to a hub and the distal end has an opening in communication with the lumen. The conduit has a conical shape which tapers along the length.

Abstract: A die head for an extruder including an outer shell, an inner cylindrical mandrel, an annular die gap at a discharge side of the die head, at least one intake opening for receiving a melted mass, at least one distribution element for distributing the melted mass to a central ring channel terminating in the die gap, an inflow channel connecting the at least one intake opening to the at least one distribution element. Further, at least one of the distribution element and the inflow channel are formed such that the distribution element is set into torsional motion around a longitudinal axis of the mandrel due to an flow of the melted mass, and the flow of melted mass is routed to the central ring channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extruding a multilayered article employs a shearing rod connected to the end of an extruder screw. The shearing rod is rotated along with the extruder screw and shears the polymer materials being advanced along an annular space between the shearing rod and the inner surface of a bore in a housing. A first melt stream of polymer material is advanced by the extruder screw into the annular space. A second melt stream of polymer material is fed (e.g., from a second extruder) through a passage in the housing into the annular space to join with the first melt stream therein. The rotation of the shearing rod shears the melt streams and swirls them together to produce a multiplicity of layers of the polymer materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming and an apparatus for forming a profiled helical tube (100, 200) by rotating a profile die (102, 202) during the extrusion process to impart a helical form to a profiled tube. A method of forming and an apparatus for forming a profiled helical tube (100, 200) can include a rotating or non-rotating profile die (202) with a helical extrusion gap (204). An extruded helical or non-helical tube 300 can be rotated by rotating the tube itself, for example, by rotating a haul-off mechanism (340, 340?).

Abstract: A solid-stranding method and apparatus for forming optical cables. Solid-stranding combines buffering and stranding operations, as well as performs the stranding operation while the flextubes are still hot so that they adhere together without additional binders. Optical fibers and/or wires are supplied to an extruder which forms flextubes around individual ones or groups of the optical fibers and/or wires. A central element may be supplied to, and go through, the center of the extruder. A rotating pulling device, such as a caterpillar, helically or in an SZ-manner solid-strands the flextubes around the central element—or solid-strands the flextubes to themselves when no central element is present—as the flextubes cool down. That is, solid-stranding includes buffering and stranding operations that are performed together without a water cooling stage therebetween. Thus, the flextubes adhere together, and may adhere to the central member, thereby forming a solid-stranded composite core.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing extruded honeycomb bodies with passages, in particular as catalyst carrier bodies for the cleaning of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. The passages are bounded by wall regions which are at least partly provided with structures. The honeycomb body is extruded with an extrusion die in such a way that an additional relative movement between the honeycomb body and the extrusion die takes place, leading to a deformation of the wall regions of the passages. An extrusion die for producing extruded honeycomb bodies includes a multiplicity of secured profiled pins and a housing, which together form an extrusion mask. The extrusion mask is variable during the production process, so that wall regions with the structures can be formed. Honeycomb bodies which have structures in the interior that are suitable for influencing a stream of fluid flowing through can therefore be produced in a manner which is simple in terms of production engineering.

Abstract: A tubular extruded member particularly suitable for use in medical devices such as intravascular catheters and guide wires, wherein the extruded tubular member includes multiple layers having biaxial helical orientation in different directions. A counter-rotation extrusion process may be used to orient the layers in different biaxial helical directions. The counter-rotation extrusion process provides orientation in two different circumferential directions in addition to a longitudinal direction. By combining the dual direction or biaxial helical orientation with multiple layers, different layers of the tubular member may be tailored to have the desired mechanical properties.

Abstract: An elongated composite tube made up of an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 44 (see FIG. 3) with a plurality of elongated helical ribs disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube in a supporting relationship to both. A slinky like toy made from the composite tube is also disclosed, as is a method of making both.

Abstract: A process for the production of polyolefin hollow articles comprises charging the polyolefin with a stabilizer combination comprising (a) at least one compound from the group of the organic phosphites or phosphonites, (b) one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of i.) hydroxylamine derivatives and ii.) amine oxide derivatives and (c) at least one compound from the group of the hindered amine stabilizers, filling this mixture into a mold, heating this mold in an oven to above 280° C., such that the stabilized polyolefin fuses, rotating the mold around at least 2 axes, the plastic spreading to the walls, and cooling the mold while still rotating, opening it and taking the resultant hollow article out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid initiator for carrying out anionic lactam polymerization. The liquid initiator contains a conversion product of isocyanate (1) with a protic compound (P) and a base (B) in an aprotic solvation agent (S).

Abstract: An elongate polymer member having molecular helical orientation formed by rotation immediately after passing through the extrusion head. The elongate polymer member is rotated downstream of the extrusion head in the molten state prior to solidification in order to impart the molecular helical orientation. Rotating the polymer member in the molten state allows the helical orientation to be imparted at the molecular level, and allows for more rotations per lineal foot of extrusion.

Abstract: An elongated composite tube made up of an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 44 (FIG. 3) with a plurality of elongated helical ribs disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube in a supporting relationship to both. A slinky like toy made from the composite tube is also disclosed, as is a method of making both.