Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing extruded parts having microstructures comprising: a support structure; a hopper carried by the support structure for receiving feedstock; an extrusion chamber operatively associated with the hopper for receiving the feedstock from the hopper and melting the feedstock above a feedstock melting temperature; a die carried by the support structure having die microstructures disposed on an inner surface of the die, the die microstructures having a plurality of microfeatures each having an upper surface and a lower surface, the melted feedstock being forced through the die to produce an extrudate having extrudate microstructures; and, a cooling assembly wherein the extrudate microstructures of the pre-cooled extrudate have larger physical dimensions than that of the extrudate microstructures of the cooled extrudate.

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: Provided is a method for manufacturing a high-quality porous film. Here, while the porous film is being manufactured through forming micropores by stretching, a raw film is prevented from slipping on the surfaces of the respective rolls as much as possible even though the raw film includes oil or liquid paraffin as a solvent. The method is for manufacturing a porous film through forming micropores by successive biaxial stretching. A tensile force applied to the raw film F transferring from the longitudinal stretching machine (10) to the transverse stretching machine (50) is set not less than a stretching force necessary for the longitudinal stretching, and thus the raw film is prevented from slipping on a contact surface between the raw film and each roll of the longitudinal stretching machine (10).

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulose ester optical film containing cellulose ester, a polymer (a) below and a compound (b) below: (a) a polymer obtained by copolymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having in the molecule a partial structure represented by formula (1) below with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by formula (2) below and a compound represented by formula (3) below,

Abstract: The invention relates to microporous membranes comprising first and second components, the first component being polymer and the second component being aliphatic paraffin having a backbone and pendent groups. The invention also relates to methods for making such membranes, and the use of such membranes, e.g., as battery separator film.

Abstract: A polyethylene terephthalate composition includes a copolymer component having at least 3 functional groups in an amount of 0.01 mol % to 1.00 mol % with respect to ethylene terephthalate units, in which a ratio (Mw/Mn) between the weight average molecular weight and number average molecular weight of the polyethylene terephthalate composition is 5.0 to 8.0; an alkali metal compound in an amount of 1.0 mol/ton to 3.0 mol/ton in terms of alkali metal element; a phosphorus compound in an amount of 1.5 mol/ton to 5.0 mol/ton in terms of elemental phosphorus; and an o-chlorophenol insoluble matter in an amount of less than 0.5 wt %.

Abstract: A multilayer papery material container includes at least one first sheet of a three-dimensional structure and at least one second sheet fixed to the first sheet and defining empty spaces therewith, wherein at least the second sheet is made of a papery material having a degree of extensibility of not less than 5% in all directions, and wherein the container includes a lateral wall provided with a relief motif.

Abstract: A method for producing a laminate, including a polymerization step of synthesizing a polyglycolic acid-based resin at a temperature of 200 to 220° C.; a mixing step of mixing 100 parts by mass of the polyglycolic acid-based resin with 0.016 parts by mass or more of a heat stabilizer under a condition that a highest temperature is between 275° C. and 295° C., thereby preparing a polyglycolic acid-based resin composition; and a forming step of forming the polyglycolic acid-based resin composition at a temperature of 230 to 265° C., thereby fabricating a laminate including a layer made of the polyglycolic acid-based resin composition.

Abstract: A method of making a structured surface and a mechanical fastener precursor are disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoplastic backing with spaced-apart, upstanding posts with base portions attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal tips; deforming the distal tips to form caps on at least some of the spaced-apart, upstanding posts to provide capped posts, wherein at least some caps upon forming touch at least one adjacent cap; and separating the capped posts. Typically, the at least some caps upon forming are shaped at least partially by the at least one adjacent cap. The mechanical fastener precursor includes a thermoplastic backing and upstanding male fastening elements with bases attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal caps larger in area than the cross-sectional area of the bases, wherein the bases of the male fastening elements are spaced apart, wherein at least some of the distal caps touch at least one adjacent distal cap.

Abstract: A thermoplastic spring and a method for manufacturing the thermoplastic spring are provided to reduce the effect of creep during use of the spring. The spring is molded and deformed to final dimensions by pre-inducing creep in the molded body.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a molded product from a sheet-form raw material blank has first and second mold tools that each respectively include a respective inner core mold and a respective outer edge mold laterally adjacent thereto. Drive elements drive the outer edge molds relative to a machine frame, and drive the inner core molds relative to the outer edge molds. A molding process involves closing the outer edge molds to hold an edge rim of the material blank while allowing slippage thereof, and then closing the inner core molds to three-dimensionally deform and mold a central portion of the material blank while pulling required additional material by slippage through the outer edge molds. A separate slip frame is not used. The edge rim held by the outer edge molds remains as a permanent mounting rim or flange of the finished molded product. Edge waste is minimized.

Abstract: Disclosed are a composition, an article comprising the composition, and a process for producing the composition. The composition comprises a block copolymer, which comprises or is produced from poly(1,3-trimethylene terephthalate) sequences and poly(1,3-trimethylene naphthalate) sequences with less than 50 wt % of poly(1,3-trimethylene naphthalate) and the process comprises combining poly(1,3-trimethylene terephthalate) and poly(1,3-trimethylene 2,6-naphthalate) under controlled transesterification to produce the composition.

Abstract: A protection barrier for a half-buried or buried object includes a sheet of longitudinal plastic material, the transversal dimension of which is unstable upon heating, the sheet including at least one root-repellent agent and/or insecticide agent so as to form a material barrier against roots and/or insects either living or moving in the ground.

Abstract: A stretch rod for a blow molding machine is disclosed, the stretch rod having an elongate member having spaced apart ends and a generally conically-shaped end formed on an end of the elongate member. The end has a tip having a first radius of curvature, a first portion adjacent the tip having a second radius of curvature, a second portion adjacent the first portion having a third radius of curvature, and a third portion adjacent the second portion fixing the end to the elongate member having a fourth radius of curvature.

Abstract: A novel polyethylene composition is described. The composition is suitable for manufacturing especially stretched bands or tapes, also coined raffia in the art.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a heat-resistant transparent container which involves the steps of: a primary stretching and heat-setting process wherein an amorphous polyethylene terephthalate sheet is heated, primarily stretched and then primarily heat-set and a secondary stretching and heat-setting process wherein the sheet treated in the primary stretching and heat-setting process is molded with heating in a mold of a thermoforming machine while secondary stretching is performed, followed by secondary heat-setting in the same mold.

Abstract: Braided or twisted lines made from a) gel spun polyolefin yarns and b) at least one other yarn or monofilament are stretched to increase line tenacity. If desired, stretching conditions can also be chosen to significantly reduce the denier of the line.

Abstract: Integral polypropylene oriented nets are made by stretching and orienting a polypropylene starting sheet material having a defined pattern of holes or depressions in which the polypropylene is at least 20%, and preferably up to about 80%, beta crystals caused by adding a beta nucleating agent to the polypropylene, preferably in concentrations between about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm. Such beta nucleated polypropylene nets exhibit increased yield and break tensile strengths, flexural stiffness, modulus characteristics, and crimping retention and resiliency over substantially identical oriented nets made from polypropylene without a beta nucleating agent added. A method for manufacturing the beta nucleated polypropylene oriented net is disclosed, along with a crimped beta nucleated polypropylene oriented net (16) and a sandwich mat product (10) for erosion control which includes the crimped beta nucleated polypropylene oriented net (16) as a layer therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optically transparent polymer film or extrudate product made of a polymer composition comprising a semi-crystalline polyamide having a melting temperature of at least 270° C. or a blend of the semi-crystalline polyamide (A) and a second polymer (B), and optionally at least one additive, wherein the semi-crystalline polyamide (A) is present in an amount of more than 50 wt. %, relative to the total weight of the polymer composition, the polymer composition in the optically transparent polymer film or extrudate product has a melting temperature (Tm-C) in the range of 270-340 ° C., and wherein the film or a part of the extrudate product has a haze of less than 12% and a light transmittance, of at least 88% measured with the method according to ASTM D1003A.

Abstract: A bonding base for electronic components, and a method. The bonding base comprises: a dielectric basic layer formed of a mixture comprising thermoplastic polymer, the polymer part of which mixture comprises 75 to 95% by weight of thermoplastic PPO, the polymer part further comprising 5 to 20% by weight of elastomer which is incompatible with PPO.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film is transversely stretched, and then transported in a heat-treating zone (46) such that the ratio (G/D) of an inter-roll distance (G) to a roll lap length (D) is 0.01 to 3, and the ratio (V2/V1) of an exit-side transporting speed (V2) to an entry-side transporting speed (V1) is 0.6 to 0.999. The thermoplastic film is heat-treated in the heat-treating zone (46) at (Tg?20)° C. to (Tg+50)° C., in which Tg is the glass transition temperature of the film. The heat-treated thermoplastic film exhibits an Rth/Re ratio of at least 0.5 and less than 1, an Rth/Re ratio range of 0.01 to 0.1 in the width direction, and a thermal dimensional change of 0.001% to 0.3% under conditions of 80° C. and 200 hours.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube film, comprises providing a carbon nanotube array and a drawing tool, positioning the drawing tool close to the carbon nanotube array and selecting some carbon nanotubes of the carbon nanotube array, and drawing the selected carbon nanotubes away from the carbon nanotube array along a drawing direction at a drawing angle, thereby forming the carbon nanotube film. The drawing angle is an angle of inclination between the drawing direction and the growth direction. The drawing angle is less than or equal to 80 degrees.

Abstract: A rail support device installed in a clip chain type sheet stretching apparatus configured to stretch a sheet includes a first rail support member, a second rail support member, and an arc shaped rail support member. The arc shaped rail support member is engaged with each of the connecting portions of the first and second rail support members to form a higher pair. The rail support device is symmetrical with respect to an intersection angle bisecting plane which is a plane developing in a vertical direction and including an intersection angle bisector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a polyester sheet, including melt-extruding a polyester having a half-value width of a crystallization temperature on cooling of 25° C. to 50° C.; and cooling the melt-extruded polyester such that a surface temperature of the polyester is lowered at a rate of 350° C./min to 590° C./min, wherein the polyester sheet has a thickness of 3 mm to 5 mm.

Abstract: A method for producing a stretched film comprising supplying a film composed of a thermoplastic resin along a direction D1 that is different from a taking-up direction D2 of a post-stretch film, and obliquely stretching the film while transferring the film with the edges thereof being gripped by gripping devices, to produce the stretched film having an orientation angle ? being within 45±5° with respect to the taking-up direction.

Abstract: A polypropylene for a film capacitor or a polypropylene sheet for a film capacitor which exhibits excellent stretchability when stretched into a film and provides a film having high breakdown voltage and small thermal shrinkage ratio, and which is suitable for a polypropylene film for a film capacitor and a film capacitor comprising the film. The polypropylene for a film capacitor of the present invention is obtained by irradiating a propylene homopolymer with a radiation with an absorbed dose of 0.1 to 500 kGy, the propylene homopolymer having (1) a melt flow rate (MFR) within a range of 1 to 10 g/10 min as determined at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg in accordance with ASTM D1238, (2) an isotactic pentad fraction (mmmm fraction) of not less than 94% as determined using 13C-NMR, (3) an ash amount of not more than 30 ppm as obtained by completely burning the propylene homopolymer in air, and (4) a chlorine amount of not more than 10 ppm as determined by ion chromatography.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a ultra high molecular weight polyethylene film, which comprises: a step of forming a film using a ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material; a step of biaxially drawing the film obtained in the step in the x-axis direction and in the y-axis direction at a temperature not less than the melting point of the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material; and the step of shrinking the film along at least one of the x-axis direction and y-axis direction. By this method, a ultra high molecular weight polyethylene film having high tensile strength at break, high tear strength and excellent uniformity can be efficiently produced at low cost.

Abstract: A themolaminating film for receiving a blister portion in the construction of a reusable package is described. A base blister portion configured to receive some form of media or material is molded from a formable heat sealable polymer such as PETG. A film consisting of a first layer of an amorphous polyester such as APET for heat sealing to the PETG, a second layer of a polyester such as PET, and an adhesive layer is used to laminate a graphical paper based cover thereby allowing the laminated cover to be heat sealed to the blister portion. In a preferred embodiment, the PET and APET are preferably coextruded.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously activating two or more portions of a web in different directions. The process involves feeding a web into an apparatus that includes a pair of intermeshing activation rolls having three dimensional surface features configured to simultaneously activate different portions a web in different directions. The three dimensional surface features are arranged in discrete regions on the rolls such that at least two of the regions provide different directions of activation. The rolls include one or more buffer regions positioned between the discrete regions on the roll that provide different directions of activation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a crystalline polymer microporous membrane, which includes asymmetrically heating a film composed of crystalline polymer and being fixed, by a heating unit at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of a burned product of the crystalline polymer, so that one surface of the film is heated while being in contact with the heating unit, so as to form a semi-burned film having a temperature gradient in a thickness direction of the film composed of crystalline polymer; and stretching the semi-burned film.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a polyethylene film and a process for manufacturing such film. The polyethylene film may have a ratio between the strength in a first direction in the film plane and the strength in a second direction in the film plane perpendicular to the first direction in the range of 0.1-10:1, the strength in at least one direction being at least 0.2 Gpa. The process for manufacturing a polyethylene film may have a starting UHMWPE polymer with an average molecular weight of at least 500,000 grams/mole, an elastic shear modulus determined directly after melting at 160° C. of at most 1.4 MPa, and a Mw/Mn ratio of at most 6 to a solvent-free compacting process and a stretching process under such conditions that at no point during the process the temperature of the intermediate polymer film is raised to a value above its melting point.

Abstract: A method for making multilayer thin films is disclosed. The method of comprises orienting a thick multilayer film in the machine direction at a drawdown ratio effective to produce a multilayer thin film. The thick multilayer film has a thickness within the range of 1 mil to 5 mils and comprises at least one layer of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and at least one layer of a high density polyethylene (HDPE) or a medium density polyethylene (MDPE).

Abstract: A method of forming a confined crystallization multilayer film includes coextruding a plurality of first polymer layers and a plurality of second polymer layer to form a multilayer film wherein each first polymer layer is sandwiched between second polymer layers and axially orienting the multilayer film at a temperature below the melting temperature (Tm) of the second polymer layer and to a thickness such that each first polymer layer forms a high aspect ratio substantially crystalline lamellae.

Abstract: A transparent high density polyethylene (HDPE) sheet is disclosed. The sheet has a thickness greater than or equal to 0.05 mm and a bulk haze less than 2%. The HDPE resin is converted into a sheet by thermal processing and the sheet is then uniaxially oriented at a temperature above the melting point of the HDPE resin. The transparent HDPE sheet of the invention can be used for windows and plastic containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a monofilament-like product from a precursor containing a multitude of continuous polyolefin filaments, comprising exposing the precursor to a temperature within the melting point range of the polyolefin for a time sufficient to at least partly fuse adjacent fibers and simultaneously stretching the precursor at a draw ratio of at least 2.8. With the process according to the invention a monofilament-like product can be made that shows improved tensile properties; making it very suitable for application as e.g. fishing line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a monofilament-like product from a precursor containing at least one strand of fibers made from ultra-high molar mass polyethylene, comprising a) exposing the precursor to a temperature within the melting point range of the polyethylene for a time sufficient to at least partly fuse adjacent fibers and b) simultaneously stretching the precursor, wherein the precursor is mechanically compressed during fusing. The monofilament-like product thus made has a smoother surface appearance, and improved abrasion resistance, for example a reduced tendency to pilling during use as fishing line, than known similar products; making it very suitable for use as fishing line and the like. The invention further relates to a monofilament-like product obtainable by said process, and to semi-finished and end-use products comprising said monofilament-like product.

Abstract: Polymeric Materials Manufacture of items such as seal-rings, scrolls for scroll compressors and microchip trays from polymeric materials such as polyaryletherketones, may be undertaken to minimise the risk that the shape and/or dimensions of such items may detrimentally change in use when subjected to heat and/or stress. Manufacture involves forming a component from a polymeric material under conditions which seek to limit the degree of crystallinity generated; constraining the component to the desired shape, for example using a jig; and, with the component constrained, heating the component to a sufficiently high temperature to increase, as much as possible, the level of crystallinity in the component.

Abstract: A process for making a UHMWPE tape comprises providing a fluid composition comprising HMwPE and/or UHMwPE; extruding a fluid tape from the fluid composition from an extrusion die (100); cooling the fluid tape to obtain a solidified tape and drawing the solidified tape in at least one direction in at least one drawing step at a draw ratio of at least (3) in the machine direction.

Abstract: There is provided a laminated microporous film having an excellent balance between air permeability and film rupture temperature obtained by laminating a first microporous layer comprising a first resin composition and a second microporous layer comprising a second resin composition having a lower melting point than the first resin composition, wherein the first microporous layer has a melt viscosity ?A of 10,000 Pa·s or higher, and a ratio ?A/?B of the melt viscosity ?A to a melt viscosity ?B of the second microporous layer is 0.01 to 10.

Abstract: An optical film includes: a layer A formed of a resin composition P1 containing a resin x1 having a positive intrinsic birefringence value and a resin y1 having a negative intrinsic birefringence value; and a layer B formed of a resin composition P2 containing a resin x2 having a positive intrinsic birefringence value and a resin y2 having a negative intrinsic birefringence value. In the optical film, retardations R450, R550, and R650 at an incident angle of 0° satisfy the relationship of R450<R550<R650, and retardation Re at an incident angle of 0° and retardation R40 at an incident angle of 40°. satisfy the relationship of 0.92?R40/Re?1.08. Also provided is a liquid crystal display device including the optical film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for patterning a substrate with a template having a mold that features positioning conformable material between the substrate and the mold and filling a volume defined between the mold and the substrate with the conformable material through capillary action between the conformable material and one of the mold and the substrate. Thereafter, the conformable material is solidified. Specifically, the distance between the mold and the substrate is controlled to a sufficient degree to attenuate, if not avoid, compressive forces between the mold and the substrate. As a result, upon initial contact of the mold with the conformable material, capillary filling of the volume between the mold and the substrate occurs.

Abstract: A functioning substrate with a group of columnar micro pillars characterized in that a first matrix of organic polymer and a group of columnar micro pillars of organic polymer extending from this matrix are provided. This group of columnar micro pillars has an equivalent diameter of 10 nm through 500 ?m and a height of 50 nm through 5000 ?m; and the ratio (H/D) of the equivalent diameter (D) to the height (H) of the group of columnar micro pillars is 4 or more.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxially oriented microporous film composed of at least three coextruded layers encompassing an internal cut-off layer and two external layers, wherein all three layers contain a mixture of propylene homopolymer and propylene block copolymer and ?-nucleation agent. The propylene block copolymer I of the external layers has a melting point exceeding 140° C. and the propylene block copolymer II of the internal layer has a melting range starting at a temperature ranging from 50 to 120° C. and the melting point of the propylene block copolymer I is greater than the melting point of the propylene block copolymer II.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxially oriented microporous film composed of at least two coextruded layers encompassing an external shut-off layer and another layer, wherein both layers contain a mixture of propylene homopolymer and propylene block copolymer and ?-nucleation agent. The propylene block copolymer I of the other layer has a melting point exceeding 140° C. and the propylene block copolymer II of the external shut-off layer has a melting range starting at a temperature ranging from 50 to 120° C. The melting point of the propylene block copolymer I is greater than the melting point of the propylene block copolymer II. The film can be used as a separator in a primary or secondary battery.

Abstract: Methods to expand polymer tubing with desirable or optimum morphology and mechanical properties for stent manufacture and fabrication of a stent therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for forming a thermoplastic polymer sheet, a plurality of the forming blades are configured so as to have projected cross-sectional shapes on the sheet defined by similar curved lines and/or similar flexural lines arranged around a center of similitude and extending in the thickness direction of the sheet from the stationery mold and the movable mold so as to be engaged one with another but not to come in contact one with another. The method includes a step of introducing the sheet between the stationery mold and the movable mold and a step of bring the forming blades of the stationery mold and the movable mold into engagement with one another to stretch the sheet between distal ends of each pair of the adjacent forming blades.

Abstract: A vessel-loop having an elastic tube and a needle attached to one end thereof for use in various surgical procedures, and a method for forming same. The method includes the steps of positioning a heat-sensitive element within a section of elastic tubing, applying tensile forces to the opposed ends of the tubing section, and heating the heat-sensitive element and the portion of the tubing adjacent the heat-sensitive element so that the heat-sensitive element adheres to the adjacent tubing portion. The heat-sensitive element and the adjacent tubing portion are allowed to cool until a conjoined reduced-diameter portion is formed. The reduced-diameter portion is cut to form two ends, each having a reduced-diameter end. The reduced-diameter ends are then each secured to a needle, forming two vessel loops.

Abstract: There is provided a pressure-responsive device (40) suitable for use in an inhaler, the pressure-responsive device (40) comprising a closed frame (42) over which is fixed a membrane (44), a tongue (46) being supported on the membrane (44). Two upstanding wings (50) are integrally moulded with the tongue (46) and incorporate square apertures (52). A method of manufacturing the pressure-responsive device (40) is also provided.