Abstract: A multi-layered battery separator for a lithium secondary battery includes a first layer of a dry processed membrane bonded to a second layer of a wet processed membrane. The first layer may be made of a polypropylene based resin. The second layer may be made of a polyethylene based resin. The separator may have more than two layers. The separator may have a ratio of TD/MD tensile strength in the range of about 1.5-3.0. The separator may have a thickness of about 35.0 microns or less. The separator may have a puncture strength of greater than about 630 gf. The separator may have a dielectric breakdown of at least about 2000V.

Abstract: A reticle transport system having a magnetically levitated transportation stage is disclosed. Such a system may be suitable for use in vacuum environments, for example, ultra-clean vacuum environments. A magnetic levitated linear motor functions to propel the transportation stage in a linear direction along a defined axis of travel and to magnetically levitate the transportation stage.

Abstract: The application discloses a bale wrapping apparatus (100), comprising a wrapping table with bale rotating means (112, 122) to hold, control and rotate a bale for the application of a wrapping material, and dispenser means (300) configured to dispense the wrapping material from rolls, and a dispenser means rotational support (116) configured to rotate the dispensed wrapping material around a uniform and/or non-uniform bale of material around a central rotating axis, and a wrapping control system configured to power, control, adjust and/or regulate the dispensed wrapping material through the dispenser means (300) to a predefined stretch ratio within acceleration and/or deceleration zones within one or more 360 degree rotations of the dispenser means rotational support (116). Furthermore, the application discloses a method for wrapping a bale (200) made from a crop product by a bale wrapping apparatus (100).

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for predicting water ingress employ a water damage indicator including a water-dispersible coating layer which includes a water-dispersible, radiation-cured polymer. Electronic components of the device, which may be susceptible to water damage, are disposed within a casing. The water damage indicator may contact the casing of the electronic device and/or the electronic components. When water enters the casing, the water dispersible coating layer is at least partially removed, revealing the surface beneath, thereby providing an indication of potential water damage to the electronic components. The water damage indicator is not readily replaceable after manufacture, making it more difficult for a customer to disguise potential water damage to the device.

Abstract: A bale wrapper apparatus includes a table for supporting the bale and rotating the bale about a first axis; a film dispenser including a film holder and a pre-stretcher unit; a drive device for driving relative rotation between the table and the film dispenser about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a control unit that controls the pre-stretcher unit. The control unit is configured to control the pre-stretcher unit such that during rotation of the bale, the amount of pre-stretching applied to the film alternates between a first elongation level and a second elongation level. The first elongation level is greater than the second elongation level, such that a part of the film that is pre-stretched at the second elongation level is positioned on a corner of the bale, and a part of the film that is pre-stretched at the first elongation level is positioned on an end face or a side surface of the bale.

Abstract: A film (50) processing apparatus (20) including a film stretching device (22) and a take-away device (24) and a film processing method using the apparatus. The take-away device receives the film after the stretching device and transports the film along a conveying region in a direction of transport (X). The take-away device includes opposing, first and second conveyor assemblies. The first conveyor assembly has a continuous belt driving a plurality of discrete pads (180a, 180b). Each pad forms a contact face (194a, 194b) extending between leading (200b) and trailing edges (202a). The pads are configured and arranged such that the trailing edge (202a) of a first pad (180a) overlaps the leading edge (200b) of an immediately adjacent second pad (180b) as the first and second pads traverse the conveying region. The overlap is characterized by a line (322) perpendicular to the direction of transport passing at any given moment through the first and second pads.

Abstract: The magnetic tape device includes a TMR head (servo head); and a magnetic tape, in which a magnetic layer of the magnetic tape includes fatty acid ester, Ra measured regarding a surface of the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 2.0 nm, full widths at half maximum of spacing distribution measured by optical interferometry regarding a surface of the magnetic layer before and after performing a vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape are greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 7.0 nm, a difference between spacings before and after the vacuum heating is greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 8.0 nm, and ?SFD (=SFD25° C.?SFD?190° C.) in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape is equal to or smaller than 0.50.

Abstract: A roller assembly for transporting a substrate includes a step roller and a plurality of first auxiliary rollers. The step roller includes a main roller, and a pair of edge rollers sleeved on the main roller and located on two opposite ends of the main roller, respectively. The plurality of first auxiliary rollers are disposed on two opposite sides of the step roller, respectively. A first film forms a closed loop through the first film being rolled on the plurality of first auxiliary rollers and the step roller cyclically. A method using the same is also provided.

Abstract: The magnetic tape device includes a TMR head and a magnetic tape, in which the magnetic tape includes fatty acid ester in a magnetic layer, Ra measured regarding a surface of the magnetic layer is 2.0 nm or smaller, full widths at half maximum of spacing distribution measured by optical interferometry regarding a surface of the magnetic layer before and after performing a vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape are greater than 0 nm and 7.0 nm or smaller, a difference between spacings before and after the vacuum heating is greater than 0 nm and 8.0 nm or smaller, and a ratio of an average area Sdc of a magnetic cluster of the magnetic tape in a DC demagnetization state and an average area Sac of a magnetic cluster thereof in an AC demagnetization state measured with a magnetic force microscope is 0.80 to 1.30.

Abstract: The magnetic tape device includes a TMR head (servo head); and a magnetic tape, in which a magnetic layer of the magnetic tape includes fatty acid ester, Ra measured regarding a surface of the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 2.0 nm, full widths at half maximum of spacing distribution measured by optical interferometry regarding a surface of the magnetic layer before and after performing a vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape are greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 7.0 nm, a difference between spacings before and after the vacuum heating is greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 8.0 nm, and ?SFD (=SFD25° C.?SFD?190° C.) in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape is equal to or smaller than 0.50.

Abstract: A polymer tube is processed using a solid phase process for improving mechanical characteristics of the tube, including radial strength and stiffness. The tube is made into a scaffold possessing improved mechanical and use characteristics, such as a reduced crimped profile and improved deliverability.

Abstract: Irregular, angular particles are produced by a manufacturing method that comprises forming a film on a substrate and then stretching the substrate along one or more axes to fracture the film into particle structures. The substrate may be moved continuously along a production line as the film is formed and may be stretched by accelerating that movement. The substrate may comprise a surface with elevated patterns to control the fracturing of the film. The particles are particularly suitable for the transdermal delivery of a biologically active substance into the body of a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyolefin microporous membrane including a multilayer film having two or more layers. In this polyolefin microporous membrane, at least one surface layer has a thickness of not less than 0.2 ?m but not more than 5 ?m and contains inorganic particles, while at least one layer contains a polyethylene and has an air permeability of not less than 50 second/100 cc but not more than 1000 second/100 cc and a puncture strength of not less than 3.0 N/20 ?m.

Abstract: A panel has an upper side facing the room in the use position and a lower side facing the floor. The lower side is coated, at least in sections, with a bonding layer composed of polymer. The bonding layer has an uneven surface on the outer side facing away from the panel, and has been coated at least in sections with a damping layer composed of polymer. A covering composed of panels, a process and an apparatus for producing the panels are also described.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a process for synchronized embossing of an extensible printed film or of a laminate product including an extensible printed film is disclosed. The process includes pre-heating the film; possible coupling of the pre-heated film with a substrate; passage of the film or of the laminate between an engraved embossing cylinder; and a pressing counter-cylinder, in which the extensible film is subjected to a controlled elongation, in the longitudinal direction only, during the pre-heating step, during which the film is in a thermoplastic state, and said controlled elongation is such as to synchronize the decoration printed on the film with the position of the embossing cylinder.

Abstract: An infrared-reflective film includes a substrate film composed of a polyolefin film or a polycycloolefin film. The substrate film has two main surfaces and an infrared-reflective layer is formed on one main surface and the other main surface faces air, nitrogen gas, inert gas or a vacuum. A surface of the infrared-reflective layer faces either of air, nitrogen gas, inert gas or a vacuum.

Abstract: Apparatuses and processes for aperturing and stretching a web are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method involves feeding a web into a nip that is formed between at least one pair of intermeshing rolls. The first roll is a raised ridge rotary knife aperturing roll and the second roll is a ring roll; both rolls comprise ridges and grooves. The first roll comprises a plurality of spaced-apart teeth extending outwardly from the top surface of the ridges, said teeth having tips, wherein the top surface of said ridges are disposed between the tips of said teeth and the bottom surface of said grooves. These apparatuses and processes enable a web to be formed which comprises apertures having greater open area than previously achievable with traditional processes and apparatuses.

Abstract: A method for maximizing a width of a pre-stretch film includes providing polymer being suitable for producing the pre-stretch film. A pre-stretch film having strips of increased thickness is produced. The method includes coordinating a thickness of the strips of increased thickness with a formation of edge thickening caused by neck-in during stretching of the pre-stretch film.

Abstract: A cover tape having a temperature at which a heat shrinkage rate in at least one of a machine direction and a transverse direction perpendicular to the machine direction is 5% or more between 80° C. to 200° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealable, biaxially oriented polyester film comprising a base layer B, a sealable cover layer A, and a non-sealable cover layer C. The invention further relates to a method for producing the film and to the use thereof.

Abstract: This process includes stretching a film in a direction oblique to the widthwise direction of the film in a stretching zone while heating the film, wherein the relationship: |A?B|?31 (sec·° C.) is satisfied [wherein A=S1×T1 and B=S2×T2]. S1 is the film-holding time (sec) of the advance-side holding device in the zone, T1 is the difference (° C.) between the average temperature of the advance-side film edge in the zone and Tg, S2 is the film-holding time (sec) of the delay-side holding device in the zone, T2 is the difference (° C.) between the average temperature of the delay-side film edge in the zone and Tg, and Tg is the glass transition temperature (° C.) of the material constituting the film.

Abstract: A method of making a structured surface is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoplastic backing with multiple rows of upstanding elements. The upstanding elements include stems with proximal ends attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal caps, and each distal cap has an overhanging portion that extends beyond the stem in a first direction. For at least some of the multiple rows, an implement is passed between two adjacent rows, wherein the implement contacts the overhanging portion of at least some of the distal caps in the two adjacent rows such that at least part of the overhanging portion is turned in a second direction, different from the first direction. A structured surface that can be prepared by the method is also provided along with a fastening laminate that includes a carrier and the structured surface and an absorbent article that includes the fastening laminate. A tool useful for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to tunable elastomeric nanochannels for nanofluidic manipulation. In particular, the present invention relates to nanochannels for performing biological assays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyester film incorporating at least one UV stabilizer of the formula I, in which R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, and R2 is a moiety which contains at least one ?-electron system, which contains a carbon atom and at least one further atom selected from carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, where the moiety R2 contains at least one atom different from carbon, where the film includes at least one further UV absorber which does not correspond to the formula I. The invention further relates to a process for producing the film, and also to articles formed from the film.

Abstract: A method for producing a flexible sheet includes a stretching step in which a base sheet (10) is fed from between a pair of first drive rollers (42, 43) into the bite of a pair of intermeshing corrugated rollers (2, 3) and stretched in the machine direction between the corrugated rollers (2, 3). In the method, the peripheral velocity V1 of the first drive rollers (42, 43) and the peripheral velocity V2 of the corrugated rollers (2, 3) have a relation of V1>V2.

Abstract: A crystalline polymer microporous membrane, which contains: a laminate of two or more layers including a layer containing a first crystalline polymer and a layer containing a second crystalline polymer, the laminate having a plurality of pores each piercing through the laminate in a thickness direction thereof, wherein the first crystalline polymer has higher crystallinity than crystallinity of the second crystalline polymer, and the layer containing the first crystalline polymer has the maximum thickness thicker than the maximum thickness of the layer containing the second crystalline polymer, and wherein at least one layer in the laminate has a plurality of pores whose average diameter continuously or discontinuously changes along with a thickness direction of the laminate at least at part thereof.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented laminate film including a core layer including a blend of crystalline polylactic acid polymer and an inorganic antiblock particle which is biaxially oriented at low transverse direction orientation temperatures to impart a degree of cavitation around the particles such that a matte or opaque appearance is obtained. The laminate film may further have additional layers such as a heat sealable layer disposed on one side of the core layer including an amorphous polylactic acid resin and/or a polylactic acid resin-containing layer disposed on the side of the core layer opposite the heat sealable layer, a metal layer, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for using a Poisson's ratio material includes a carbon nanotube film structure is provided. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes. A first part of the carbon nanotubes are aligned a first direction, a second part of the carbon nanotubes are aligned a second direction. The first direction is substantially perpendicular to second direction. When the Poisson's ratio material is stretched or compressed substantially along the first or second direction, a Poisson's ratio value is negative.

Abstract: Methods of incrementally stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction include elongating the films in the machine direction without reducing the films' machine-direction tear resistance. In one or more implementations, methods of incrementally stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films without reducing the films' machine-direction tear resistance. The methods can involve cold stretching the films and imparting transverse-direction extending linear rib pattern into the film. The linear ribs can have alternating thick and thin gauges. Incrementally stretched thermoplastic films can have a machine-direction tear resistance that is approximately equal to or greater than the machine-direction tear resistance of the film prior to stretching.

Abstract: A method of making a sheet of building material, useful for roofing or siding applications, and the sheet material made by such method. A mixture of a thermoplastic resin and mineral filler is prepared, the resin comprising about 10% to 40% by weight of the mixture and the filler comprising about 60% to 90% by weight. The mixture is mixed at a temperature above the melting point of the resin and is formed into a sheet at such temperature. The sheet is allowed to cool until the surface is at a temperature below the midpoint of the melting range of the thermoplastic resin, e.g. in the range of 210 to 220 degrees F. (99 to 104 degrees C.), for polyethylene, at which point it is strained by passing it through calendering rollers. The sheet material made by this process, having a high concentration of mineral filler, is fire resistant, durable, ductile, of moderate weight and resistant to weathering. It can be produced using relatively inexpensive manufacturing equipment.

Abstract: A double-sided, slip resistant material is produced using a blown film process which produces a film having an interior heat sealable layer, a core layer of flexible polyolefin and an exterior polyolefin elastomer layer in combination with a blowing agent and optionally grit to produce a double-sided slip resistant material. A number of rollers may be provided after nip rollers have fused the film together, and which form part of a machine direction orienter (MDO) that may be used in line in the manufacturing process to heat, and then cool and condition (anneal and relieve any stresses and/or thickness inconsistencies in the film) prior to the film being wound onto a roll for storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which uses activation members for incrementally stretching a web at a low strain rate. The activation members include an activation belt and a single activation member wherein the activation belt and single activation member comprise a plurality of teeth and grooves that complement and engage one another at a depth of engagement in a deformation zone. The depth of engagement can be controlled to increase linearly over at least a portion of the deformation zone such that a web interposed between the activation belt and the single activation member in the deformation zone is incrementally stretched at a low rate of strain.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a multilayer container which comprises: a primary stretching and heat-setting process wherein a multilayer sheet comprising a A-PET layer, a functional resin layer and a sealant layer, is heated, primarily stretched and then primarily heat-set, and a secondary stretching and heat-setting process wherein the multilayer sheet treated in the primary stretching and heat-setting process is molded with heating by a mold of a thermoforming machine while secondary stretching is performed, followed by secondary heat-setting in the same mold.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, including subjecting a polyethylene tape with a weight average molecular weight of at least 500,000 grams/mole, a Mw/Mn ratio of at most 6, and a 200/110 uniplanar orientation parameter of at least 3 to a force in the direction of the thickness of the tape over the entire width of the tape. A polyethylene fiber having a Mw of at least 500 000 gram/mole, a Mw/Mn ratio of at most 6, and a 020 uniplanar orientation value of at most 55°.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a film of ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin comprising: (a) subjecting a starting ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin with a weight average molecular weight of at least 500 000 gram/mole in powder form to a compacting step using an isobaric press; and (b) subjecting the compacted polyolefin to a rolling step and at least one stretching step under such conditions that at no point during the processing of the polymer its temperature is raised to a value above its melting point. The process allows for the manufacture of ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin films of high quality.

Abstract: A method of treating a net (2) formed from interconnecting strands (4a, 4b) of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the net (2) being formed with knotless intersections (6), comprising the steps of: a) heating the net (2) to a temperature of from 80° to 135° C.; b) applying tension to the net (2); c) reducing the temperature to below 80° C.; and d) removing tension from the net (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing polyethylene films which have high resistance to deformation or elongation under loading in tension. The method comprises orienting in the machine direction (MD) a high density polyethylene film at a drawdown ratio effective to give the film an MD tensile strength at yield greater than or equal to 50,000 psi, wherein the HDPE has a density greater than 0.940 g/cm3.

Abstract: A microporous membrane is made by a dry-stretch process and has substantially round shaped pores and a ratio of machine direction tensile strength to transverse direction tensile strength in the range of 0.5 to 5.0. The method of making the foregoing microporous membrane includes the steps of: extruding a polymer into a nonporous precursor, and biaxially stretching the nonporous precursor, the biaxial stretching including a machine direction stretching and a transverse direction stretching, the transverse direction including a simultaneous controlled machine direction relax.

Abstract: A method of treating a net (2) formed from interconnecting strands (4a, 4b) of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the net (2) being formed with knotless intersections (6), comprising the steps of: a) heating the net (2) to a temperature of from 80° to 135° C.; b) applying tension to the net (2); c) reducing the temperature to below 80° C.; and d) removing tension from the net (2).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for longitudinal orientation of thermoplastic film material (4) comprises a width-reduction zone upstream of the longitudinal stretching zone, through which the width of the film is gradually reduced so as to allow longitudinal stretching without necking. The width-reduction zone comprises at least one, preferably several, pairs of pleating rollers (16, 17) comprising intermeshing grooves or discs for pleating the material, the length of said width reduction zone preferably being less than 3 times the original width of the film. The width-reducing zone has upstream (14) and downstream (15) rollers or roller assemblies, with curved axes and optionally also conveyor belts for providing smooth width reduction. Longitudinal stretching is preferably between at least two, and preferably more than two, pairs of stretching rollers (9, 10, 11, 12) which are relatively close together.

Abstract: A laminated vehicle glazing comprising a first ply of a glazing material and a second ply of a glazing material having a substantially co-extensive ply of an interlayer material laminated there between, at least a portion of the ply of interlayer material having a wedged cross-section, wherein the ply of interlayer material is pre-shaped by stretching such that either: (a) when the wedge angle is calculated at a plurality of points across the glazing, by taking measurements of a deflection of a laser beam as it passes through the glazing, the standard deviation in the magnitude of the wedge angle of the wedged portion is less than 0.05 mrad; or (b) when a grid pattern is projected onto the glazing, the standard deviation in the displacement between observed primary and secondary images of portions of the grid is less than 0.85 mm.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the perceived thickness and strength of a thermoplastic film include incrementally stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction. In one or more implementations, methods of incrementally stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films while increasing a loft of at least a portion of the film. The methods can involve cold stretching the films and imparting rib patterns and alternating peaks and valleys into the film. The linear ribs can have alternating thick and thin gauges.

Abstract: Flexible tubular film (10) is helically cut into a flat strip by unwinding the tubular film in flattened form by a tumbling unwinder (1), advancing the flat film tube to a tube expansion zone (17) in which the flat tube is expanded into a circular cylindrical tube and is passed axially over a hollow mandrel (14) slightly lower in external diameter than the diameter of the expanded tube to be cut by knife (18) helically while on the mandrel into a flat strip that is removed at an angle to the mandrel axis. The flat tube is longitudinally stretched by stretching rollers (107-112), which tumble with the tumbling unwinder. The apparatus further comprises stabilization means for stabilizing the orientation applied by the tumbling stretching rollers, applied to the helically cut film strip after it has been drawn from the mandrel.

Abstract: Multi-filament UHMW PE yarns can be produced according to processes that result in improved properties. The UHMW PE can have an intrinsic viscosity in decalin at 135° C. of at least about 30 dl/g, and can be processed under optimal conditions to achieve a gel spun yarn having a tenacity of greater than about 45 g/d (40.5 g/dtex).

Abstract: A process for the production of virtually full density polyolefin suitable for further processing by drawing to form a high tenacity, highly oriented polyolefin sheet comprising: a) feeding a metered amount of polyolefin powder into the nip between two vertically stacked and heated calender rolls through application of the polyolefin powder to the apex of the topmost of the two heated calender rolls; b) rolling the powder through the nip until a coherent sheet of polyolefin sheet is produced: and c) once a coherent polyolefin sheet exits the nip adjusting the temperature in the nip to obtain specific tensile and elongation properties. Apparatus for the performance of such a process is also described.

Abstract: A method of producing a stretched film comprising melt-coextruding a thermoplastic resin A and a thermoplastic resin B to produce a composite film 1 having both-end films 2 of the thermoplastic resin B arranged in parallel at both end portions of the main film 1a of the thermoplastic resin A in the direction of width thereof, stretching the composite film, and cutting and removing both end portions of the stretched film in the direction of width, wherein a film stretch stress value of the both-end films 2 is larger than a film stretch stress value of the main film 1a at the same stretching ratio. This minimizes an increase in the thickness at both end portions of the film in stretching the film and decreases the widths by which both end portions of the expensive resin film are to be cut and removed for producing a film.

Abstract: A method of producing a stretchable sheet that involves: passing a nonwoven fabric including a plurality of types of fibers through a gap between a pair of gear rolls and that rotate while a plurality of teeth and formed on an outer circumferential surface and of each of the pair of gear rolls and engage with one another; and drawing the nonwoven fabric in a circumferential direction of the gear rolls and by the teeth. A circumferential velocity S of the gear rolls and is within a range of 50 to 300 m/min. A maximum value of distortion per unit time applied to the nonwoven fabric in the gap between the pair of gear rolls and is within a range of 5 to 100 sec?1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polyimide film having inorganic particles. The polyimide film is 12-250 ?m in thickness. The polyimide film includes about 50-90 weight parts of polyimide and about 10-50 weight parts of the inorganic particles. The particle size of each of the inorganic particles is about 0.1 ?m to about 5 ?m. The polyimide film is characterized in that the thermal expansion coefficient is equal to or less than 30 ppm/° C. in any direction, the difference between two thermal expansion coefficients in two mutually perpendicular directions on the film surface is less than 10 ppm/° C., and the Young's modulus of the polyimide film is greater than 4 GPa in any direction. The dimensional stability of the polyimide film measured by the standard of IPC-TM-650 is less than 0.10% in any direction. A method for manufacturing the polyimide film is disclosed as well.

Abstract: An elastic laminate for use as a tear resistant diaper side panel. The elastic laminate comprises an elastic substrate bonded to at least one layer of a tensioned spunbond nonwoven web comprising thermoplastic filaments comprising at least about 10% by weight polyethylene. The laminate is then incrementally stretched in the transverse direction to provide a service stretch greater than 100% and a strength ratio greater than 0.35. In one embodiment, the elastic substrate is bonded between the tensioned nonwoven webs by point bonding or hot melt adhesives.

Abstract: Biaxially oriented polyester films including polyester polymer, a carbodiimide hydrolysis stabilizer, and a UV absorber are described. The polyester films have a carboxyl end group concentration of 5-20 equivalents per ton, and a haze value of 2% or less. The films exhibit superior transparency and possess stable light transmission characteristics. Methods of making the films and articles produced from the films are also described.