Abstract: A blown film process for producing low gauge, latent elastic films with high cross-direction orientation includes preferentially regulating the temperature gradient of the film along the expansion length. The regulation of temperature along the bubble profile allows more effective “down gauging” of the film and improved melt strength of the hot film. The choice of raw materials is an important element in producing cross-direction-oriented, low gauge, latent elastic films. The method of this invention can be carried out as either a multiple-bubble process or a single-bubble process.

Abstract: Methods of making multilayer structures useful for packaging bone-in meat or other like products are provided. More specifically, the multilayer structures made by the methods provided have sufficient rigidity, strength, tear resistance and puncture resistance to contain bone-in meat or other like products. In addition, the multilayer structures made by the methods provided can easily seal to themselves or to other structures. Moreover, the multilayer structures made by the methods provided may be biaxially oriented and heat-shrinkable.

Abstract: Smokable films, in particular tubular films, comprising i) an aliphatic polyamide and ii) a block copolyetherester elastomer are provided. A process for manufacturing these films is also provided. The films of the invention show excellent water vapor permeability at high temperatures and barrier properties at room temperature. They are suitable for preparation of tubular casings, in particular smoked foodstuff casings.

Abstract: Provided is a resin guiding device for an inflation molding apparatus, which guides a molten resin extruded and blown into a tubular resin from an inflation molding die, to a pair of take-up rolls, wherein the resin guiding device comprises a pair of guiding members placed between the inflation molding die and the pair of take-up rolls, and the guiding members respectively have curved contact faces which are in contact with the tubular resin where the curved contact faces are mutually outward curved, and each of the curved contact faces has a shape corresponding to a rein shape so as to fold the tubular resin into a flat shape.

Abstract: An improved pipe belling process is shown which features a mandrel having a specially designed backup or forming collar. The backup collar has an exposed lip portion which forms a complimentary angle with the outer sloped surface of the gasket which it abuts. The complimentary angles of the backup collar and gasket form a wedge shaped contact area which serves to retain the gasket in its initial circumferential position on the working surface of the mandrel as the heated pipe is forced over the mandrel and gasket.

Abstract: Isopycnic or asymmetric mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes for gas separation can be made by a continuous spinning process. Mixed matrix membranes are characterized by a continuous phase of selectively gas permeable polymer in which are uniformly dispersed discrete absorbent particles such as molecular sieves that also have selectivity enhancing properties. The fibers can be monolithic in which the fiber wall is entirely mixed matrix, or composite in which an active mixed matrix layer is positioned adjacent to a supporting substrate layer. The novel mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes provide higher selectivity than dense film membranes of the continuous phase polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a co-extruded, tapered multi-layer shaft. A co-extruded, tapered multi-layer shaft may be fabricated by selecting a first material for the inner layer of the shaft and a second material for the outer layer of the shaft. The first and second materials are then co-extruded by a co-extrusion system including a puller with programmable tapering capabilities. The system forms a hollow tubing having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the tubing has the desired tapered characteristics. The result is a tapered tubular shaft having an inner layer and an outer layer.

Abstract: The present invention includes biodegradable plant protein composites.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding biodegradable material, the extrusion die comprising: a mandrel; an outer member positioned near the mandrel; an extrusion orifice between the mandrel and the outer member; a member in communication with at least one defining member of the extrusion orifice, wherein the member is capable of producing relative movement between the outer member and the mandrel, wherein the relative movement has a component transverse to an extrusion direction of biodegradable material through the extrusion orifice; a flow control device which controls flow of biodegradable material through the extrusion die; and a positioning device which positions the outer member and the mandrel relative to each other.

Abstract: Method for producing a nonwoven material comprising at least one layer of continuous filaments, such as spunbond- or meltblown fibers. A first web of continuous filaments (19) are laid on a wire (14) or other permeable support member having a resilient extensibility in the transverse direction and which substantially resumes its original dimension when the extension is discontinued, that the wire is stretched in the transverse direction to at least 120% of its original width when the continuous filaments are laid on the wire. The stretching is discontinued after the continuous filaments have been laid on the wire.

Abstract: Improvements in preventing heat- and moisture-shrink problems in specific polypropylene tape fibers are provided. Such fibers are basically manufactured through the initial production of polypropylene films or tubes which are then slit into very thin, though flat (and having very high cross sectional aspect ratios) tape fibers thereafter. Such fibers (and thus the initial films and/or tubes) require the presence of certain compounds that quickly and effectively provide rigidity to the target polypropylene tape fiber after heat-setting. Generally, these compounds include any structure that nucleates polymer crystals within the target polypropylene after exposure to sufficient heat to melt the initial pelletized polymer and upon allowing such a melt to cool. The compounds must nucleate polymer crystals at a higher temperature than the target polypropylene without the nucleating agent during cooling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a co-extruded, tapered multi-layer shaft. A co-extruded, tapered multi-layer shaft may be fabricated by selecting a first material for the inner layer of the shaft and a second material for the outer layer of the shaft. The first and second materials are then co-extruded by a co-extrusion system including a puller with programmable tapering capabilities. The system forms a hollow tubing having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the tubing has the desired tapered characteristics. The result is a tapered tubular shaft having an inner layer and an outer layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a hollow fiber membrane includes discharging a polyvinylidene fluoride solution comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride resin and a poor solvent at a temperature above a phase separation temperature into a cooling bath at a temperature below the phase separation temperature to coagulate the polyvinylidene fluoride resin. The hollow fiber membrane comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride resin having spherical structures that have an average diameter in the range of 0.3 to 30 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of sizing nonderivatized extruded cellulosic tubes by the use of a mandrel structure that includes a hollow sizing portion having openings which gather gas bubbles that may evolve at the interface between the extruded tube and the sizing portion and allows the gas to pass into the hollow interior of the mandrel. The mandrel contains a sizing portion larger than the extruded tube, which allows for improved sizing of nonderivatized extruded tubes that are used as casings.

Abstract: Thermoplastic multilayer composite, particularly in the form of a multilayer hose, a multilayer pipe or a multilayer container, containing at least one intermediate layer made of a molding compound on the basis of ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers between layers made of molding compounds on the basis of polyamide, the intermediate layer being bonded via at least one adhesion-promoting layer made of a molding compound on the basis of polyamide selected from the group of copolyamide 6/12, block copolyamide 6/12, polyamide 612, polyamide 610, a mixture of polyamide 6 and polyamide 12 with compatibilizer, a mixture of polyamide 6 and polyamide 11 with compatibilizer, with at least one neighboring layer made of a molding compound on the basis of polyamide 12, polyamide 11, polyamide 1010, polyamide 1012, or polyamide 1212.

Abstract: A process for orienting and drawing multiple-layer thermoplastic materials, in particular of a tubular type, wherein a tube exiting from a heating tunnel is brought up to an orienting temperature of a first material having the highest orienting temperature, while the material of the remaining layers is still in a plastic state. The first material is subjected to a first partial drawing process, while the remaining layers plastically deform to follow its expansion. The temperature of the tube is dropped to the orienting temperature of a second layer and a second layer is drawn, while at the same time continuing to draw the previous layer. Steps of dropping the temperature and drawing the second layer are repeated for the subsequent layers, until the maximum allowable degree of drawing is achieved for each layer.

Abstract: A hollow shrinkable fiber is manufactured by wet spinning a copolymer of acrylonitrile and a halogen-containing vinyl monomer, and then carrying out steam treatment, followed by drying treatment, and then heat treatment, thus forming a marrow-like or network-like hollow portion comprising a large number of voids in a core part of the fiber cross section. The void ratio of the fiber cross section is 10 to 50%, and the dry heat shrinkage percentage of the fiber is at least 15%. The fiber has a hollow form similar to that of natural fur, is excellent in terms of bulkiness, a lightweight feeling and warmth retention, and can be used as down hairs in pile products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mandrel structure for extruding a tube composed of a non derivatized cellulose. The mandrel includes a hollow sizing portion having openings which gather gas bubbles that may evolve at the interface between the extruded tube and the sizing portion and allows the gas to pass into the hollow interior of the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of making a radially expandable device having a body constructed of a generally inelastic, expanded fluoropolymer material. The body is deployable upon application of a radial expansion force from a reduced diameter, collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration having a pre-defined and fixed increased diameter. The body has a singular, unitary construction of generally homogenous material that is characterized by a seamless construction of expanded fluoropolymer material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and is preferably constructed through an extrusion and expansion process. The body is further characterized by a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils in which substantially all the nodes of the body are oriented generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: Improved polymer blends, and polymer blend membranes having improved mechanical properties are provided by alteration of the critical solution temperature of the polymer blend spinning solution through the incorporation of organic or inorganic complexing agents.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an environmental friendly paper from about 56% to about 80% by weight of inorganic mineral powders, about 43% to 18% by weight of polyethylene, and about 1% to 2% by weight of additives is disclosed. A composition for the manufacture of an environmental friendly paper, comprising about 56% to 80% by weight of inorganic mineral powders, about 43% to 18% by weight of polyethylene, and about 1% to 2% weight by additives is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an seamless tubular electrically-semiconductive film excellent in heat resistance, chemical resistance and mechanical property with excellent electrical resistance properties being applied thereto. The seamless tubular electrically-semiconductive film comprises carbon black having a volatile content of 10-25% which consists mainly of volatile acidic ingredients having a pH of not more than 4. Combination of the polyimide having a Tg of 210-350° C. and a surface oxidation-treated carbon black is preferred since the combination enables to easily obtain the film wherein a surface resistivity/volume resistivity ratio is not more than two digits, and variation in the surface resistivity caused by an applied voltage for charging is nor more than half a digit. The film is produced, for example, by centrifugal casting. The film is remarkly advantageous as an intermediate transfer belt in a color copying machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shrinkable film characterized by being a laminate film having at least one layer formed of a gas barrier resin composition satisfying the following expressions (1) and (2) and by having an average shrinking rate in its longitudinal and transverse directions after immersion in a 120° C. oil bath for ten seconds of 45% or more: ln(OTR/22.5)+0.0698(Tim−157)<−0.06  (1) T2−T1≦20  (2) (where in the expression (1), OTR and Tim are, respectively, an oxygen transmission rate (cc/m2·day·atm) of a 1-&mgr;m thick portion of a film formed of the gas barrier resin composition at 23° C. and a relative humidity of 0% and a melting point of the gas barrier resin composition, and in the expression (2), T1 is a haze (%) of a 30-&mgr;m thick film of the gas barrier resin composition left at 23° C.

Abstract: A method for producing a tube section from thermoplastic material, in which a tube section is extruded by means of an extruder which is provided with an extruder die having an inner core, which inner core defines an axial hollow space in the tube section, the tube section coming out of the extruder die downstream of the extruder die being internally cooled by means of an internal cooling member and externally cooled by means of an external cooling device.

Abstract: A process for making a thermoplastic film by the blown film extrusion process comprises extruding a molten thermoplastic polymer through a tubular die to form a tube of molten polymer, contacting the inner surface of the tube of molten polymer as it exits the die with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polysaccharide ether, inflating the tube of molten polymer to form a blown tubular film and then collapsing the blown film to a flat web. The thermoplastic film has on its surface a coating of a water-soluble polysaccharide ether.

Abstract: A laminate balloon comprising at least two layers of separately oriented thermoplastic polymer material, which are coextensive over the body of the balloon. The two layers may be made of different polymer materials, including an underlying layer made of a low compliant, high strength polymer, such as PET, and an overlying layer of a softer and more flexible polymer material relative to the first polymer material, such as a polyester-polyether block copolymer. The balloon structures have an additive burst pressure, meaning that they are stronger than a single-layer reference balloon corresponding to the underlying polymer layer. The balloons are characterized by a combination of flexibility and surface softness which allows catheters to track down into lesions relatively easily, puncture resistance, abrasion resistance and refoldability, in addition to low compliance and high burst strength. The balloons may be prepared with generally linear or with stepped compliance profiles.

Abstract: Use of at least partly cross-linked polyolefin plastic, which is oriented biaxially, as material for pressure pipes, is described. The pressure pipe is produced by extrusion with subsequent axial and peripheral orientation of the pipe, the pipe being at least partly cross-linked before the biaxial orientation. Preferably, the pipe is cross-linked to about 20-50% before orientation. By the at least partial cross-linking before orientation, this can be carried out at temperatures above the crystalline melting point of the plastic material.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for producing oriented plastic tube comprising the steps of extrusion, temperature conditioning, diametrical expansion and cooling, characterized by the step of inducing axial draw of the tube between first and second haul-off means located upstream of the expansion step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibrating device with at least one calibrating die (24), which has die faces (66) against which an extruded object fed therethrough is applied, in particular a section having several cavities, a sealing device (60, 62) being provided to seal off a gap (56) in order to form a cavity (59) and, having been formed, this cavity (59) is evacuated to a negative pressure lower than the ambient pressure, means being provided to form the gap (56) before the first end face (53) of the calibrating die (24) and at least one of the terminal edges (67) of the die faces (66) having part end faces (76) to form the gap (56) with a gap width (65) smaller than 1.0 mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer blend comprising high density polyethylene (HDPE), poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN), and a non-functionalised ethylene copolymer. This polymer blend is useful in extrusion blow moulding to make articles such as bottles.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin-walled polymeric tubular member for an intralumenal device, and the member produced thereby. The thin-walled tubular member extruded using the method of the invention is suitable for use a sleeve for a catheter shaft or balloon. The thin-walled tubular member has a single wall thickness of not greater than about 0.003 inch (0.0076 cm). In the method of the invention, the thin-walled tubular member is formed by co-extruding a thin-walled first polymer layer with a removable second polymer layer, and the two layers are separated by dissolution or physical removal of the second layer, to leave the first layer, with the first polymer layer forming the thin-walled tubular member. Because the method of the invention involves co-extruding a removable second polymer layer along with the thin-walled first polymer layer, conventional tooling dimensions in the extruder may be used.

Abstract: A seamless tubular composite film wherein a seamless tubular film comprising fluororesin with a film thickness of 5-20 &mgr;m stretched 2-10% in circumferential direction is fitted on the outside of a seamless tubular film comprising a thermosetting polyimide resin, or the precursor polyamic acid and heated at 200-400° C. for anchorage. In addition, in order to give thermal conductivity and antistatic properties leading to inhibition reduction of heating time and inhibition of adhesion of dirt, boron nitride and compatible thermal conductive agents may be dispersed in the polyimide resin, and carbon black and like electric conductive agent may be dispersed in fluororesin. The film is useful as toner fusing member, such as in electrophotographic copying machines and in laser printing.