Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention teach a method for post-mold treatment of a molded article and an apparatus for implementing the method. For example, a method of post-mold treatment of a molded article is provided. The method can be implemented in a molded article receptacle. The method comprises at a first instance in time, subjecting the molded article to a first type of post-mold treatment; and at a second instance in time, subjecting the molded article to a second type of post-mold treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish.

Abstract: A food serving utensil is provided for grasping food. The utensil includes two concave, bowl-shaped members oriented relative to each other to define a cavity. The bowl-shaped members are rotatably coupled at a hinge to allow opening and closing of the cavity using a single hand. The hinge is preferably made of a resilient material and extends over the bowl-shaped members to provide a gripping surface for operation. A lock is provided to lock the bowl-shaped members in a partially closed position. The locked position enables the food serving utensil to be easily stored in limited spaces such as a kitchen drawer. The lock is also preferably designed such that utensil will not open inadvertently while stored. The lock is released by pushing the bowl-shaped members toward each other, preferably in a specific location on the bow-shaped members. A method for making the utensil is provided.

Abstract: A device and process for conditioning plastic preforms (5) comprising a cooling turret (6) featuring faces fitted with many holders (7) for conditioning preforms (5). This turret rotates around a horizontal axis (X) and carries out a vertical traverse between a top position under an arm (3), which unloads the preforms from the mould, and a bottom position near the table for extracting the preforms (5) from the turret (6). Tie structure of the turret consists of two parallel bars (18, 19) and several joining plates (14) to which the bases of the holders (7) are attached.

Abstract: An article suitable for use as an insulating or coating material comprises a radiation-crosslinked composition comprising a polyethylene, a polypropylene and optionally an ethylene-propylene elastomer. The polyethylene component is selected from high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE) and the polypropylene component is either a homopolymer or copolymer. The composition is predominantly based on the polyethylene component and contains the polyethylene component in an amount of at least 50 percent by weight. The article is radiation-crosslinked to a sufficient degree that it possesses thermoset properties, such that when the article is heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, it is softened but does not become liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for periodically cooling injection mold has a cavity formed between a cavity insert and a core insert of the injection mold. The bottom of the cavity defines a perforation that extends and passes through a lower pushing plate. An ejector pin is received in the perforation. The bottom end of the ejector pin passes out of the lower pushing plate and is above the top surface of a lower fixed plate. A sensor switch that controls several electric valve actuators is located on the lower fixed plate and is below the ejector pin. The electric valve actuators control cooling liquid to flow into several cooling pipes that are configured in the cavity insert and the core insert respectively. A method for periodically cooling injection mold includes the steps of: closing the injection mold and pouring raw materials into the cavity to form a product; pushing the ejector pin downward along the perforation and the bottom of the ejector pin touching and pressing the sensor switch.

Abstract: High gas barrier, delamination-resistant polyamide compositions suitable for extended shelf-life packaging applications are provided. Also provided are polyamide compositions exhibiting high oxygen scavenging capability. The polyamide compositions comprise mXDA-IPA containing copolymers which provide excellent properties to the complete polyamide compositions. Also provided are direct blends of the polyamide compositions with other polymers. The polyamide products are particularly suited for producing barrier packaging articles such as monolayer or multi-layer films, sheets, thermoformed containers and molded bottles. Such articles are useful in a variety of oxygen-sensitive food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and health care product packaging applications.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a composite profile based on a thermoplastic organic material reinforced by reinforcing fibres includes making a multiplicity of continuous reinforcing yarns come into contact with a thermoplastic organic material and shaping the composite profile. Continuous yarns based on continuous glass fibres and on a first thermoplastic are brought together to be parallel and at least one consolidated tape is formed by heating them, in which tape the reinforcing fibres are impregnated with the first thermoplastic. The at least one tape is introduced into a die sized to the cross-section of the profile and at least one second molten thermoplastic organic material is simultaneously introduced into the die in contact with the tape, to obtain a profile of at least one second thermoplastic organic material reinforced by the at least one tape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a cryogen for cooling articles, particularly having applications for chilling extrusions. The apparatus and method including removing thermal energy from an article by conductive and convective heat transfer. The apparatus and method allows for heat transfer from an outer surface of an article, and from an inner surface of the article.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies related to a rotary automatic transfer rail for injection molding are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention includes a mold assembly. The mold assembly may include first, second, and third mold plates. The mold plates may be positioned generally parallel to one another. The mold assembly may include an automatic transfer rail assembly. The automatic transfer rail assembly may include a rail. The automatic transfer rail assembly may include a carrier. The carrier may have first and second members. The carrier may be translatable along the rail between a first closed position and an open position. The carrier may be rotatable about the rail. In some embodiments, molded articles need not be transferred from mold components to a robot and then back to different mold components.

Abstract: A cooling tube assembly for operating on a malleable molded plastic part. The cooling tube assembly comprising a porous tube/insert having a profiled inner conditioning surface, and a vacuum structure configured to cooperate with the porous tube. In use, the vacuum develops a reduced pressure adjacent the inner conditioning surface to cause an outer surface of the malleable molded plastic part, locatable within the cooling tube assembly, to contact the inner conditioning surface of the porous insert so as to allow a substantial portion of the outer surface of the malleable part, upon cooling, to attain a profile substantially corresponding to the profile of the inner conditioning surface.

Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is a method, molding machine, and computer-readable product for post-mold cooling a molded article (2), comprising balancing cooling rates between portions (2?, 2?, 2??) of the molded article (2).

Abstract: A method for removing supports from a three-dimensional objected formed by selective deposition modeling. The three-dimensional object is formed from a curable phase change material and the supports are formed from a non-curable phase change material. The curable phase change material contains between about 5% to about 25% of a non-reactive wax in order to achieve the desired phase change characteristics of the material. When removing the supports with heat, discoloration undesirably occurs in the three-dimensional object as the non-reactive wax migrates within the object. The method prevents wax migration by cooling the object slowly past the freezing point of the build material such that a temperature differential no greater than about 5° C. is present within the object. With the preferred build material having a freezing point of about 49.5° C., this is achieved by lowering the temperature between about 62° C. to about 52° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microstructured tool having a microstructured layer having a polymer and a microstructured surface; a nickel layer disposed adjacent the microstructured layer opposite the microstructured surface; and a base layer disposed adjacent the nickel layer opposite the microstructured layer. The microstructured surface may have at least one feature having a maximum depth of up to about 1000 um. Also disclosed herein is a method of making the microstructured tool using laser ablation. The microstructured tool may be used to make articles suitable for use in optical applications.

Abstract: A molded disc substrate obtained by injection molding is rotated at high speed before the molded disc substrate has solidified, and a gas is also made to flow in an outward radial direction along a bottom surface of the molded disc substrate while the molded disc substrate is rotating, and the rotation is stopped after the molded disc substrate has solidified. Thus, a disc substrate with little warping is obtained in a short time.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc plate. has the following operations of: molding a mold disc plate through an injection molding; and spinning the mold disc plate at a high spin speed. The spinning operation has at least one of the following two sub-operations of: reducing a warp of the mold disc plate with a centrifugal force caused during the spinning operation, and reducing a temperature of the mold disc plate during the spinning operation. Moreover, an apparatus of treating a disc plate has: a conveyer for conveying a mold disc plate obtained through an injection molding; a disc bench for receiving the mold disc plate conveyed with the conveyer; and a spin driver for spinning the disc bench when a temperature of the mold disc plate is higher than 90° C., to thereby spin the mold disc plate.

Abstract: Production of foamed materials in a horizontal machine, and said machine itself, reactants being fed to a conveyor at one end of the machine and foam produced being removed at the other end, wherein the foam is generated in an expansion chamber defined at its inlet by a closed reactant feed zone, at its outlet by a body of foam already expanded or partly expanded, and laterally and vertically by travelling webs, the webs giving a diverging cross section to the chamber.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus having a mold with an internal vacuum chamber and a quench for cooling a thermoplastic sheet while it remains on the mold. Because the quench cools the sheet, conventional cooling lines are eliminated from the mold. A preferred process of using the thermoforming apparatus includes drawing a heated sheet over the mold, creating a partial vacuum in the vacuum chamber of the mold to maintain the sheet on the mold and quenching the sheet on the mold in a quenching tank. A preferred process of manufacturing a mold with an interior vacuum chamber includes forming an impression of the mold in a casting media, suspending a vacuum line or vacuum cabinet within the impression and pouring molten material around the vacuum line or vacuum cabinet to form the mold at least partially surrounding the vacuum line or vacuum cabinet. Vacuum holes are drilled through the mold from the mold face to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blow molding an article having a concave base wherein a mold has a base component comprising a molding surface for forming at least a portion of the concave base and a path for conduction of heat transfer fluid through channels within the base component. Improved heat transfer is effected in the base component by locating the channels at a plurality of distinct depths therein.

Abstract: Expanded polystyrene particles having a polyvinyl acetate resin-based functional skin layer, and a process thereof are provided. The particle includes an inner expanded polystyrene layer; and a functional skin layer. The inner expanded polystyrene layer is formed by heating and expanding an expandable polystyrene bead or pellet, and the functional skin layer is formed by coating the surface of the inner expanded polystyrene layer with a functional coating composition having 10 to 99 wt % of a vinyl acetate based polymer and 0.1 to 90 wt % of at least one functional additive.

Abstract: A spun polyester fiber, a drawn polyester yarn, and methods for making them. Polyethylene terephthalate yarn is prepared by extruding a molten melt-spinnable polyethylene terephthalate having an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 0.8 through a shaped extrusion orifice having a plurality of openings to form a molten spun yarn; solidifying gradually said molten spun yarn by passing said molten spun yarn through a solidification zone which comprises (i) a retarded cooling zone and (ii) a cooling zone adjacent said retarded cooling zone where, in said cooling zone, said yarn is rapidly cooled and solidified in a gaseous atmosphere; withdrawing at sufficient speed said solidified yarn from said solidification zone to form a crystalline partially oriented yarn; and hot drawing said crystalline partially oriented yarn at a total draw ratio between about 1.5/1 and about 2.5/1 to produce a drawn yarn having an effective crosslink density (N) between about 10×1021 and about 20×1021 crosslinks per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: In stereolithographic apparatus and method, a mask is formed on a light-transmissible member (glass plate) on the basis of stereolithographic data for one layer of photohardenable resin; photohardenable resin of one layer is successively supplied to form an unhardened resin layer of photohardenable resin; if necessary, a film having light transmission is attached onto the unhardened resin layer so as to cover the unhardened resin layer in close contact with the unhardened resin layer; the light-transmissible member having the mask on or above the film; the unhardened resin layer is plane-exposed to light through the mask to harden the photohardenable resin of the unhardened resin layer; and the light-transmissible member and the film are evacuated from the hardened photohardenable resin layer after the exposure by the exposure means, thereby obtaining a desired three-dimensional object through stereolithography. As the photohardenable resin may be used having a melting temperature ranging from 5 to 90° C.

Abstract: A bench-top molding process is disclosed in combination with an apparatus designed to heat a molding composition. In accordance with the present invention, the molding composition contains a thermoplastic elastomer and a plasticizer. The thermoplastic elastomer can be, for instance, a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer. The plasticizer, on the other hand, can be mineral oil. The block copolymer can be chosen in conjunction with the plasticizer so as to have a bubble rise rate when heated equal to at least one half of the bubble rise rate of glycerin at room temperature. By having a bubble raise rate in the above range, it has been found that no significant amounts of air will be trapped in the molding composition when formed into a casting.

Abstract: A method of stretching films in which all or a portion of the width of the film is cooled during or just after stretching so as to improve the uniformity of the film. The includes stretching a polymeric film in a tenter that grasps the film with a plurality of clips along the opposing edges of the film and propels the clips to thereby stretch the film. The tenter includes driven clips and idler clips, with at least one idler clip between respective pairs of driven clips. The cooling is done so as to improve the uniformity of the clip spacing relative to the spacing obtained at otherwise identical process conditions without such cooling.

Abstract: A cooling system for removing heat from the layers of a three-dimensional object built in a layerwise manner from a build material in a solid freeform fabrication apparatus. The cooling system provides an air duct that delivers a uniform sheet of air flow over the layers of the three-dimensional object while it is built. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A spinning process for poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and an analytical method wherein the process provides an aging resistant poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn and the analytical method provides predictability to the process.

Abstract: A method of highly efficiently producing pneumatic tires, wherein both bead portions (B) of a green tire (G) are supported by a pair of holders (24, 50) and opposite axial ends of a bladder (25) are tightly attached to the holders (24, 50), respectively. The holders (24, 50) are joined to each other and a fluid is supplied into the bladder (25), to preliminarily inflate the bladder (25) within the green tire (G). The green tire (G) is transferred into a vulcanizer, together with the holders (24, 50) and the preliminarily inflated bladder (25). A heat medium is supplied into the bladder (25), to vulcanize the green tire (G) and form a vulcanized tire (K). The preliminary inflation of the bladder (25) at a location outside of the vulcanizer eliminates or shortens the waiting time within the vulcanizer, thereby improving the overall work efficiency and productivity at a tire factory.

Abstract: Oriented films are prepared. A thermoplastic vulcanizate, prepared by mixing at least 20 wt % of a thermoset rubber by weight of the total composition into a thermoplastic polymer are disclosed. After the mixture is prepared the thermoset rubber is entrained as discrete particles within the continuous thermoplastic polymer phase. The resulting composite is subjected to a stress either by pulling, blow molding, or any other film-forming process as is known in the art. This stress causes the continuous phase polymer molecules to become aligned or oriented in the direction in which the stress was applied, thus creating the oriented thermoplastic vulcanizate of the invention. This material has improved gas permeability and improved flexibility properties.

Abstract: A closure whereby a mold in the shape of a closure is injected with plastic, allowed to cure or cool, forms a closure having a top portion surrounded by sidewalls, said top portion formed from two opposing surfaces, whereby at least one of said surfaces is domed shaped forming a closure having a flat top portion. Particularly, this invention provides different embodiments allowing for the formation of a closure with a flat top portion which is aesthetically pleasing and prevents against disorientation during production and moreover, prevents the sidewalls of the closure from collapsing inward.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing polyester fibers comprising melt-extruding a polymer without increasing an intrinsic viscosity of the polymer during spinning to minimize a reduction of the intrinsic viscosity of the polymer; maintaining a low atmospheric temperature directly below a nozzle to maximize a degree of orientation of undrawn yarn; winding the polymer at 2,000 m/min or more to produce a undrawn yarn, followed by drawing the undrawn yarn through continuous three phases at low temperature. The method has advantages in that high strength and low shrinkage polyester fibers with a uniform fineness and physical properties can be manufactured at high spinning efficiency, without formation of broken filament and curved filament, by preventing formation of a vortex of cooling air with the use of eddy plates directly below a nozzle.

Abstract: Polymer-ceramic mixed matrix compositions contain one or more organic polymers and a nano-sized dispersion of inorganic metal oxide particles which are dispersed throughout the composition. Materials have use in making membranes that act as transfer agents.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a plastic fiber article of manufacture having composite-like high strength characteristics. The article of manufacture can be in the form of a panel or board. The panel or board is constructed from low cost fiber materials, industrial grade or high thermal plastic, and other additives to protect the board or panel from ultraviolet light, fugii growth, excessive heat, fire, insect infestation, and/or weathering. The plastic fiber panel or board may be textured and colored to resemble natural wood such as cedar, walnut, or oak. The plastic fiber panel or board is stronger more durable and may be cheaper than natural wood alternative panels or boards.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical element, such as a plastic lens or similar, by molding. The manufacturing method includes the steps of molding the plastic lens under a prescribed molding temperature higher than a glass transition level of the plastic material used to from the optical element. The manufacturing method also includes the step of gradually cooling the optical element by at least 5° C. with a speed which decreases by approximately 3° C. per minute. The optical element formed from a plastic material includes a substantially rectangular shape having a width, a height, and a thickness, wherein the width is greater than the height and the thickness is measured in an optical axis direction. The optical element also includes a refractive index distribution of approximately 2×10?5 at a central half section of the height. The optical element may be defined by the manufacturing method having the molding step and the gradual cooling step.

Abstract: A molding-in-place technique for joint assemblies, such as a ball joint. The technique is particularly well suited for molding “in-place” a linkage structure about a joint structure. The technique uses a molding assembly having a plurality of centering and sealing structures for sealingly centering the linkage structure about the joint structure. A desired mold material is injected between the linkage structure and the joint structure “in-place” to provide a self-toleranced, self-retained, molded-in-place joint assembly.

Abstract: An embossing and adhesive application process including the steps of: applying an adhesive to a first patterned embossing roll which is engaged with a second patterned embossing roll having a complementary pattern to the first embossing roll; passing a web of sheet material between the first and second embossing rolls at a tangential line speed to simultaneously emboss the web and direct the adhesive against the web; and splitting the adhesive such that at least some of the adhesive remains on the first embossing roll and some of the adhesive remains on the web to form an adhesive pattern between embossments on the web.

Abstract: In a method of cooling a tank molded from thermoplastic plastic material, a molded tank is received from a metallic die assembly at a temperature somewhat lower than a melting point of the plastic material, the molded tank is retained in a jig frame, and cooling water is sprayed onto an external surface of the molded tank. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of blowing cooling air into the tank substantially at the same time as spraying cooling liquid onto an external surface of the molded tank. Thus, the molded plastic tank can be removed from the metallic die assembly at a relatively high temperature, and the use efficiency of the metallic die assembly can be improved. Also, because the tank is not subjected to any pressure or buoyant force, it is prevented from undesirably distorting. In particular, by blowing cooling air into the tank, the tank can be cooled even more quickly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container for containing an oxygen sensitive product from a heated plastic by blow molding the plastic with a compressed gas that is inert to the oxygen sensitive product. The heated plastic may contain an oxygen barrier layer or an oxygen scavenging component. The gas is also inert to the oxygen scavenging component, if it is present. An exemplary compressed gas is nitrogen gas. The blow molding may be extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding or stretch blow molding. The plastic may be, for example, a polyolefin, a nylon, or a polyester.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a long molding having an axial bend, includes: forming a long first member; performing an axial bending process for the first member, when the first member passes through a gripping portion; and extruding a heated and molten liquid resin molding material for formation of a second member through a second member molding opening of a second member extrusion die while following a bend of the first member to integrate the second member made of the molding material with the first member. The second member extrusion die has a changeable substantial opening shape of the second member molding opening. The second member having a different cross sectional shape between one part and the other part in the longitudinal direction is extruded in accordance with a change of the opening shape.

Abstract: A process for forming an oriented orthopaedic implant prosthesis bearing, net-shape bearing, or near net-shape bearing includes the step of placing an irradiated UHMWPE preform or puck of a volume sufficient to accommodate the bearing in a compression mold and compression molding the irradiated preform. The molding is accomplished by applying heat and pressure to form the preform into a desired shape. The compression molding induces biaxial orientation in the formed bearing.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a rubber crawler through a first vulcanization step and a second vulcanization step using an upper mold, a middle mold and a lower mold, at least the middle mold is heated at each vulcanization step, and a vulcanizing circumferential length at the first vulcanization step is made longer than that at the second vulcanization step, and the second vulcanization step is carried out at a state that each end portion of the crawler part formed at the first vulcanization step is positioned by at least one pitch rate in each mold at the second vulcanization step and the distance between the upper and lower molds is made larger than that in the first vulcanization step.

Abstract: A method for annealing a structure formed by electrodeposition including providing the electrodeposition structure, the electrodeposition structure including an eletroformed mold, the electroformed mold having a nominal thickness between and including 0.5 mm to 8.0 mm and having a melting temperature; heating the electrodeposition structure to a temperature between ambient temperature and the melting temperature of the electrodeposition structure; isostatically pressurizing the electrodeposition structure to a pressure above ambient pressure; cooling the electrodeposition structure to ambient temperature; and depressurizing the electrodeposition structure to ambient pressure.

Abstract: A method of treating a disc plate. has the following operations of: molding a mold disc plate through an injection molding; and spinning the mold disc plate at a high spin speed. The spinning operation has at least one of the following two sub-operations of: reducing a warp of the mold disc plate with a centrifugal force caused during the spinning operation, and reducing a temperature of the mold disc plate during the spinning operation. Moreover, an apparatus of treating a disc plate has: a conveyer for conveying a mold disc plate obtained through an injection molding; a disc bench for receiving the mold disc plate conveyed with the conveyer; and a spin driver for spinning the disc bench when a temperature of the mold disc plate is higher than 90° C., to thereby spin the mold disc plate.

Abstract: A process for producing a low-profile, high-strength dilatation catheter balloon is disclosed. The process comprises forming a tubular extrudate and quenching said extrudate in a cryogenic fluid. The quenched extrudate has morphology of a largely disordered material. The crystallinity in the extrudate is no more than 15%. The crystallinity of the extrudate is measured using X-ray crystallography or DSC. The extrudate is further processed in a mold in which the extrudate is longitudinally and radially stretched. The stretched extrudate is finally attached as a balloon to the distal end of a catheter.

Abstract: A method of making a roofing product such as a shingle is provided. One such method includes creating a mixture having at least a polymer and a filler, forming a sheet from the mixture, cooling the sheet, embossing the sheet, forming multiple roofing products from the sheet and bundling at least some of the roofing products together. This method is performed using an automated procedure. Another method of the present invention involves creating a composite roofing product using mold cavities, using a robot to transfer some of the roofing products from some of the mold cavities to a conveying system, and stacking together at least two of the roofing products that have different colors of different surface configurations.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter system for properly implanting a stent in a body lumen generally comprising a catheter having an elongated shaft with an inflatable balloon formed of compliant material and a stent mounted on the working length of the balloon. The balloon material is compliant within the working range of the balloon to provide substantial radial expansion. The wingless radially expansive balloon expands in a uniform manner, thereby producing uniform expansion and implantation of the stent. Another embodiment is directed to a balloon catheter, having a semi-compliant balloon or a noncompliant balloon formed at least in part of a block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amorphous polymer article produced by hot compaction and a method of producing the same. The article is heated to a temperature and maintained at a pressure sufficient to cause softening of the polymer strands to sufficient a degree to allow bonding to adjacent fibres to take place without actually transforming the polymer into a liquid state.

Abstract: A spacer 44 is inserted between an upper end face 44a of a contact column 40, and a lower face of a flange 14. The flange 14 is supported at plural positions by supporting columns 42. In heating a shoulder portion 16 to a hardening temperature, an electroconductive member 56 is placed close to the shoulder portion 16, and an AC current having a frequency which will cause mutual attraction between the current flowing through the elctroconductive member 56 and the current flowing through the shoulder portion 16 is applied to flow through the electroconductive member 56. The shoulder portion 16 having been heated to the hardening temperature is quenched by ejecting a liquid coolant through ejection outlets of a cooling jacket.

Abstract: A method including forming a pseudo-gel of a semi-crystalline polymer material and a solvent. The pseudo-gel is shaped into a first form and stretched. A portion of the solvent is removed to create a second form. The second form is stretched into a microstructure including nodes interconnected by fibrils. A method including forming a first form of a pseudo-gel including an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material and a solvent; stretching the first form; removing the solvent to form a second form; stretching the second form into a microstructure including nodes interconnected by fibrils; and annealing the stretched second form. An apparatus including a body portion formed of a dimension suitable for a medical device application and including a polyolefin polymer including a node and a fibril microstructure. An apparatus including a body portion including an ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin material including a node and a fibril microstructure.

Abstract: An article support such as a shelf or a table top has a frame that, in its heated state, slidably receives a glass or plastic planar sheet into grooves along two opposing edges of the frame, until an end of the sheet abuts a third edge of the frame that joins the two opposing edges. The edges of the frame have lips that rest on a portion of the top surface of the sheet. When cooled, the frame contracts such that the edges of the sheet are tightly engaged within the grooves of the frame and the lips tightly abut the top surface of the sheet, thereby creating an article support that resists spills around its periphery. The frame may be reheated to expand the material of the frame, permitting removal of the sheet from the frame. Thus, the frame and the sheet may be recycled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing targeted cooling to a pre-molded article, such as a preform. A cooling pin is inserted into the preform such that it makes contact with targeted area, such as the mold gate area. This permits conductive cooling of the targeted area. The apparatus and method are particularly suited to post-mold cooling in conjunction with a robotic take-out plate.