Abstract: Polymer blends of non-crystalline mesomorphous polypropylene and a polymer compatible with such polypropylene and the method of making such polymer blends are provided. Such compatible polymer blends exhibit substantial maintenance of structural integrity after exposure to gamma irradiation and provide heat sealing properties, puncture resistance, and tear strength. Films, fibers, and other articles made from such blends may be used in various applications, including medical articles such as medical packaging films, ostomy pouches, and transdermal delivery patches, which may require sterilized storage prior to usage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are shown for lining a host pipe with an elastomeric liner having an outside diameter which is initially greater than the inside diameter of the host pipe. A length of the liner is reduced to a downsized outside diameter and the downsized liner is cryogenically cooled to a supercooled state to maintain the downsized dimensions of the liner while increasing the tensile strength to facilitate insertion of the liner into the host pipe.

Abstract: A transformer bobbin (2) having pins (24) extending therefrom is fabricated by winding connecting wire around the pins and pulling the wire until it breaks, then soldering the wire to the pins. The stresses imparted to the pins cause the pins to become mis-aligned when the bobbin material becomes softened during soldering. In order to correct this misalignment the pins are inserted, while the bobbin material is still soft, into holes (36) in a plate (34). The holes are aligned in the desired alignments of the pins and have at their upper ends (38) tapering profiles which contain the mis-aligned pins and guide them into their desired alignments. The pins are retained in the plate until the bobbin material has resolidified and the pins have become fixed in their desired alignments. During this time electrical continuity testing is performed on the soldered transformer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a columnar shaped piece formed of a thermoplastic matrix with ancillary pieces of a non-creeping hard material embedded therein and cemented by the plastic matrix. The ancillary pieces are essentially overlapping slabs which are substantially parallel to one another and the axis of the columnar shaped piece. Molten thermoplastic blended with solid slabs is extruded in the form of a billet into one end of an elongate mold and rotated around the inner surface of the mold. The extrusion continues until the inner surface is uniformly covered with constituents of the billet.

Abstract: Continuous process and apparatus form products from thermoplastic materials between top and bottom mold carriages. A flexible silicone rubber mold on a fiber belt continuously moves around each carriage frame. A surface of desired shape on one rubber mold mates with the desired shape of an opposed rubber mold forming a continuously moving mold channel into which is fed hot thermoplastic material at moldable temperature. After discharging the molded plastic product from the moving mold channel, localized surface heat in the molds resulting from contact with hot plastic is removed from the belt molds by air blown onto mold surfaces. Each carriage frame includes a back-up plate coated with low friction coefficient material over which slides a continuously moving belt mold. These slippery plates have numerous air-bearing holes feeding high pressure air between them and the respective moving fiber belt for reducing friction and wear.

Abstract: In the plastic foil-producing apparatus where a fluent plastic mass is cooled in a roll nip between a roller member and a counter roller to a defined predetermined solidification temperature, the roller member includes a non-rotatable support member and a rotatable roller shell supported at the non-rotatable support member by one or more support elements. The roller shell includes a plurality of coaxial zones, namely, an inner soft rubber zone and a thin outer metallic zone possessing good thermal conductivity, for example, formed of copper or silver or alloys thereof, the outer surface of which is mirror smooth, for instance, chromium plated. The roller surface is cooled by cooling gas nozzles regulated by a temperature sensor, so that the temperature of the roller member in the roll nip assumes an exactly defined temperature.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating contaminated plastics waste, comprising densifying contaminated plastics waste by causing the waste to pass through a heating zone to produce molten contaminated plastics, and causing the molten contaminated plastics to flow continuously out of the heating zone under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A method of and device for producing a columnar shaped piece. A blend of essentially thermoplastic particles is melted into a billet, introduced into a mold, looped into layers inside the mold, and transformed into a piece, subsequent to which the piece is solidified by cooling and removed. The billet (3) is rotated essentially horizontally around its axis while it is being introduced into the mold (4) at one end and brought to rest inside the mold against the inner surface (6) thereof in the circumferential direction. The billet continues to be introduced until the inner surface is continuously and uniformly covered with constituents of the billet.

Abstract: Rapid cooling of molded workpieces formed in an injection molding machine such as PET parisons is provided by a receiver receiving molded workpieces upon ejection from the molding machine, the receiver being transported out of the molding machine to an adjacent position where a cooling head coupled to a source of cooling fluid such as liquid CO.sub.2 directs the fluid toward the surfaces of each workpiece. The cooling head engages and is sealed to the receiver to inhibit the escape of cooling fluid into the atmosphere thereby reducing cost, environmental impact, etc. A sensor coupled to a control of the cooling fluid source permits the release of cooling fluid from said source to contact the workpieces only when the cooling head is engaged with and sealed to the receiver. A vacuum unit withdraws cooling fluid from the receiver subsequent to contact between the workpieces and the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is then recooled and recycled for reuse.

Abstract: A composite seal ring has a porous main body and a non-porous insert molded into it. Differential rates of coolant absorption between the porous main body and non-porous insert cause the whole ring to swell into a regular pattern of distortion. In order to compensate, the seal ring, after initial machining, is pre-soaked to simulate use and deliberately cause the same kind of distortion. It is then lapped flat from its distorted state.

Abstract: A method for repairing a hot-blast, long-time cupola furnace by removing residual slag and relining the cupola furnace including feeding liquid nitrogen to the cupola furnace immediately at the end of a smelting operation and simultaneously with the feeding of the liquid nitrogen, removing residual slag from the furnace. The furnace is cooled with liquid nitrogen until the furnace reaches a temperature of less than or equal to 40.degree. C. after which the furnace is relined with fresh refractory tamping compound.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for shaping thermoplastic tube by external formers using pulsed emission of short wave infra-red radiation to soften the thermoplastic material with the tube held in the required configuration on the formers followed by air cooling to harden the thermoplastic material and retain the required configuration.

Abstract: A method for dispersing a second polymer within a first polymer is disclosed, the polymers being mutually miscible and when blended exhibit lower critical solution temperature (LCST) type behavior. The first and second polymers are blended together at a temperature for easy processing and then phase separated at a temperature above the LCST of the blended polymer pair. The phase separated polymers are then cooled to a temperature wherein the polymer pair become fixed in the phase separated state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching synthetic filaments such as synthetic yarn filaments as they exit a plurality of openings in an extrusion die in a downward direction and in an annular pattern. A quenching head is provided with quenching gas from a source, and the quenching head includes first and second nozzles which are disposed adjacent and beneath the extrusion die and within the annular pattern of filaments, and each of the nozzles is formed to cause the quenching gas to pass therefrom generally radially toward the annular pattern of filaments and at a predetermined angle directed upwardly with respect to a horizontal plane through the nozzle to provide a more uniform quenching of all of the filaments in the annular pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of cooling and solidifying a preform involves: introducing a preform in a heated state released from an injection mold into a cooling tube having a bottom opening and an upper opening through which cooling air flows from the bottom opening to the upper opening, the bottom opening being provided with a fan for cooling air, and inserting a cooling core into the preform to place the cooling core in close contact therewith, the preform being forcibly cooled from interior and exterior thereof by cooling air flowing in a turning state between the preform and the cooling tube and a coolant supplied to the cooling core.

Abstract: A crystalline resin sheet having one, smooth surface and the other, roughened surface is produced by extruding a melt of the resin through a die to form a molten sheet, the molten sheet being subsequently contacted, at only one of the both surfaces thereof, with a cooled, smooth surface maintained at a temperature lower by 20.degree.-90.degree. C. than the melting point of the resin to solidify the molten sheet and to make the contacted surface of the sheet smooth. The other surface of the sheet which has not been contacted with a cooled surface becomes roughened because of the crystallization of the resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing polymer composites comprising a polymeric matrix (Host) in which crystallites of organic and/or inorganic compounds (Guest) are grown in situ. The growth of crystals is achieved by a temperature gradient zone melting technique. The resultant crystals have high crystalline alignment, good transparency and high second harmonic generation activity.

Abstract: Continuous process and apparatus form products from thermoplastic materials between top and bottom mold carriages. A flexible silicone rubber mold adhered to a fiber belt continuously moves around each carriage frame. A surface of desired shape on one rubber mold mates with the desired shape of an opposed rubber mold surface forming a continuously moving mold channel into which is fed hot thermoplastic material at moldable temperature. After discharging the molded plastic product from the moving mold channel, localized surface heat in the molds resulting from contact with hot plastic is removed from the belt molds by blowing cold air onto mold surfaces. Each carriage frame includes a back-up plate coated with low friction coefficient material over which slides a continuously moving belt mold. These slippery plates have numerous air-bearing holes feeding high pressure air between them and the respective moving fiber belt for reducing friction and wear.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for step-molding elongated work pieces, such as generator components. A heated press includes a cooling box attached thereto, separated by a thermal insulating gasket. As a first portion of the work piece is being heat cured, a second portion extending adjacent the heated press is placed within the cooling box to prevent its being cured from residual heat of the press. After the first portion has been cured, the second portion is sequentially placed within the heated press. In this manner, the entire elongated work piece is cured and inadvertent "bumps" in the cured work piece are prevented to form the component to its desired shape.

Abstract: An elevated temperature induced reduction of insulation resistance of a metal-polyethylene terephthalate film capacitor is eliminated by controlled cooling through a glass transition temperature of the polyethylene terephthalate film or by elevated temperature storing below the glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A new process for producing a reproduction of a painting or the like wherein the reproduction has a relief surface which imitates the relief surface of the painting or the like. Heat and pressure are applied simultaneously to an assembly consisting of a mold of the painting, a colored sheet for coloring the reproduction and a substrate to retain the reproduction. Subsequent to this step, shock cooling is applied. The reproduction thus produced does not suffer from the rebound effect of the prior art and good color integrity is maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lining a host pipe with an elastomeric liner having an outside diameter which is initially greater than the inside diameter of the host pipe. A length of the liner is reduced to a downsized outside diameter and the downsized liner is cryogenically cooled to a supercooled state to maintain the downsized dimensions of the liner while increasing the tensile strength to facilitate insertion of the liner into the host pipe.

Abstract: A process for cooling a heated polymer film by applying to both surfaces of the heated film, a cooling liquid adapted for wetting contact with the film surfaces. The viscosity of the layers of liquid adhering to the film surfaces is significantly reduced to facilitate removal of such liquid layers. The viscosity can be reduced by significantly raising the temperature of the adhering liquid layers after the film has been sufficiently cooled or by changing the adhering liquid to a different liquid of lower viscosity. Preferably, the liquid layers are removed for the film surfaces by conveying the liquid carrying film upwardly to cause the liquid layers to each form into a generally triangular shape with the vertex extending upwardly and blowing air stream downwardly against each such vertex.

Abstract: A method for making a composite material including a discontinuous phase of cellulosic fiber encapsulated in and bonded to a continuous phase of a polymeric component containing a major portion of polyethylene by mixing the cellulosic fiber and polymeric component while raising the temperature of the mixture to the encapsulation point, maintaining the encapsulated material within the encapsulation range while reducing the particle size, and thereafter extruding the material while controlling its temperature within the encapsulation range and substantially aligning the fibers in the flow direction until the material contacts a heated die.

Abstract: A method of making a phantom for NMR diagnosis contains the steps of placing at least one small container having at least a portion of its wall made of a thin film of a plastic material in a large container made of a plastic material, charging a first aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol into the small container, charging a second aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol into a space defined by the outer wall of the small container and the inner wall of the large container, freezing the first and second aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol to obtain frozen masses, and then thawing the frozen masses. A composition of the first aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol is different from a composition of the second aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A friable silicon nitride body is prepared by infiltrating a non-friable silicon nitride body with a fluid which expands upon freezing, rapidly freezing the fluid, and thawing the frozen fluid. Silicon nitride flakes and chunks obtained with only light pressure on the friable body may then be final milled to a desired particle size more rapidly and with less energy input than with conventionally processed silicon nitride. The silicon nitride body may have a higher density than has previously been used to prepare silicon nitride powders, thereby preventing the generation of potentially hazardous whiskers in the final powder product.

Abstract: Processing by melt extrusion a surface-segregatable, melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition to form a fiber or film having a differential, increasing concentration of an additive from the center of the fiber or film to the surface thereof, which differential, increasing concentration imparts to the surface of the fiber or film at least one desired characteristic which otherwise would not be present, which composition includes at least one thermoplastic polymer and at least one defined additive. During formation of the fiber or film, the additive rapidly segregates in a controllable manner toward the newly-formed surface of the fiber or film, thereby resulting in a controllable differential concentration of the polymeric material, which concentration increases with increasing distance from the center of the fiber or film to its surface.

Abstract: An extruded web of synthetic resin having a scratch resistant coating thereon is made by depositing a material adapted to form a scratch resistant coating onto the return run of at least one of the endless belts of a dual belt continuous casting machine, the coating being transferred to the surface of the web as the extruded web is polished and cooled in the casting machine.

Abstract: A shape memory polymer foam which takes on a deformed shape and an as-molded shaped, said deformed shape being produced when the polymer foam is compressed at a temperature higher than the glass transition point (Tg) of the polymer and then kept compressed at a temperature lower than the Tg until compression sets, said as-molded shape being produced when the compressed polymer foam is heated again to a temperature higher than the Tg until it recovers its original shape.

Abstract: A molding system utilizes a cold mold with a large thermal mass and contoured thin mold inserts with a low thermal mass. A composite sheet blank of glass fibers in a thermoplastic matrix resin is placed between the inserts, heated and then transported to the cold mold. The composite sheet is pressed in the cold mold between the mold inserts to flow form and then cool the part. The mold inserts keep the surfaces of the composite sheet hot during the forming process, thereby enabling the matrix resin to flow and form smooth surfaces.

Abstract: A process for preparing an ultrahigh molecular weight linear polyethylene (UHMWLPE) exhibiting a combination of properties including a creep resistance of less than 1% demonstrated under exposure to a temperature of 23.degree. C. (+ or -1.degree. C.) and a relative humidity of 50 (+ or -2% for 24 hours under a compression of 1000 psi) without sacrificing excellent tensile and flexural properties. The invention includes the use of an inert gas and a prescribed pattern of heating and cooling including a further heat and cooling treatment to create the superior properties of the UHMWLPE. Also included is the product of the process invention.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing resin-impregnated fiber tow or strand in the form of prepreg tape. The apparatus includes unique coating wheels for sunface-coating the strand with molten, flowable resin and a kneading section to work the strand and disperse the molten resin uniformly among and between the individual fibers of the strand. The strand, after chilling, has good dimensional stability and is useful as prepreg in forming composite structures.

Abstract: In the preparation of a film by melt-extrusion process of thermoplastic polyimide, static charge is applied to a molten film, primary cooling is carried out by adhering the film to a cooling roller having a surface temperature in the range of from the glass transition temperature of said polyimide -50.degree. C. to the glass transition temperature -15.degree. C., the film is successively cooled to 60.degree. C. and less without bringing the film into contact with rollers, and is taken up under tension to give a polyimide film.

Abstract: A method to prepare high strength high modulus polyolefin shaped articles comprising forming a heated solution of the polyolefin from particles of which about 75 to 100% by weight have a particle size of from about 100 to about 400 microns and having a weight average molecular weight of from about 300,000 to 7,000,000, then shaping the heated soltion then cooling the shaped solution. To further increase the strength of the article it can be stretched.

Abstract: A process and an installation for producing a drip irrigation conduit having discrete internally located emitter units bonded at axially spaced apart locations of an internal surface thereof, wherein the irrigation conduit is continuously extruded from an extrusion cross head at a first outer diameter and a first linear velocity and is drawn off through a calibrator unit to a second and lesser outer diameter at a second and greater linear velocity greater than the first linear velocity, the emitter units being continuously supplied on a carrier member which extends from within the extruder cross-head to the region of an inlet of the calibrator unit.

Abstract: A method for welding together filled sintered polytetrafluoroethylene components. The ends of the components to be welded are carefully tapered to form reverse mated surfaces and then assembled in position to be welded. The actual welding step is carried out under heat and pressure followed by cooling under pressure. The process is particularly useful in the fabrication of very large gaskets or other very large planar objects.

Abstract: A method of making fiber reinforced composite articles from stabilized dry fiber preforms which are impregnated with a thermosetting resin by the resin transfer molding method. The dry fiber preforms may be stabilized prior to molding by dispersing a polymeric binder between adjacent dry fabric plies of the preform. Hot air is passed through the preform after it has been compressed to fuse the binder and bind the dry fabric plies together, forming a stabilized high density fiber preform. Forming a preform by this method is significantly less labor and time intensive than methods currently in use.

Abstract: A method for controlling excess fiber length (EFL) in a loose tube optical fiber buffer tube which includes traversing a just extruded plastic buffer tube, containing optical fibers and a filling compound, through a vertical cooling tower along a buffer tube path of travel in the cooling tower where the cooling tower contains a water blocking device disposed at a predetermined point along the buffer tube path of travel and the water blocking device has a body containing (a) a chamber with inlet and outlet ports, defining a buffer tube path of travel aligned with the cooling tower path of travel, a conical shaped portion circumscribing a part of the buffer tube path of travel and an annulus shaped portion circumscribing the buffer tube path of travel and a portion of the conical shaped portion; (b) a device disposed near the outlet port for providing a stream of gas directed at the buffer tube path of travel; and, (c) a drain port to remove accumulated water from the annulus-shaped portion.

Abstract: A new process for producing a reproduction of a painting or the like wherein the reproduction has a relief surface which imitates the relief surface of the painting or the like. Heat and pressure are applied simultaneously to an assembly consisting of a mold of the painting, a colored sheet for coloring the reproduction and a substrate to retain the reproduction. Subsequent to this step, shock cooling is applied. The reproduction thus produced does not suffer from the rebound effect of the prior art and good color integrity is maintained.

Abstract: Deformable insulating films are used as mold liners in a compression molding process. The film delays the initial cooling of the preheated thermoplastic charge. The film also serves as a plastic charge carrier and convection barrier during transport of the plastic charge from a heating unit into the compression molding press.

Abstract: Cylindrical carbon blanks are assembled into one or more upright stacks which are advanced stepwise in an upward direction in one or more upright tubes which insulate the column or columns from the surrounding atmosphere. The blanks in the upright tube or tubes are preheated by exchanging heat with an inert gas, such as pure argon, and the preheated blanks are thereupon conveyed along one or more horizontal path sections into the upper end of an additional tube wherein the blanks are heated to graphitizing temperature by a series of electrode pairs. The thus obtained graphite electrodes are cooled by inert gas which is thereupon admitted into the upright tube or tubes to preheat fresh carbon blanks.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyamide with a relative viscosity of at least 100 is disclosed. The process comprises adding a catalyst selected from the group consisting of ortho-phosphoric acid, meta-phosphoric acid, alkali-metal hypophosphite and phenylphosphinic acid to the polyamide, which has a relative viscosity of from 30 to 70, mixing the catalyst and polyamide at a temperature above the melting temperature of the polyamide under reduced pressure and for a time sufficient to increase the relative viscosity of the polyamide to at least 100, and extruding the resulting polyamide into shaped form and quenching said polyamide. The catalyst is present in amounts of at least 0.01 wt. % and increases in relative viscosity may develop in times as short as about one minute.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of highly stretchable high-molecular weight polyolefin gel articles and polyolefin gel articles prepared therefrom having combined high tensile strength and high modulus, wherein an initial shaped article of the polyolefin is exposed to or contacted with a swelling agent to form an intermediate swollen article, which is then converted to the gel state and then subsequently subjected to stretching at up to relatively high draw ratios.

Abstract: Flakes of a hydrophilic solid organic material, e.g., polyethylene glycol are formed from a melt of said solid organic material on a belt cooler. The process is improved by wetting the belt cooler with water and/or an organic, low molecular weight, hydrophilic liquid to maintain contact between flake and belt during rapid cooling.

Abstract: A scratch resistant coating is applied to one or both surfaces of an extruded thermoplastic synthetic resin web by passing the web through a polishing roll stack wherein at least one of the rolls has thereon a film of a material forming such a scratch resistant coating, the coating being in this way transferred from the roll to the surface of the web.

Abstract: A method of consolidating a fiber reinforced thermoplastic poly(arylene sulfide) composite by vacuum bagging. A fiber reinforced thermoplastic is placed between stainless steel sheets and then placed in a vacuum bag. A vacuum is applied to the bag and heat and pressure are applied to the layup to form a composite. A plurality of fiber reinforced sheets may be consolidated between a plurality of stainless steel sheets.

Abstract: The high speed melt spinning of synthetic polymer fibers is provided with on-line zone heating and cooling by which the strand emerging from the spinneret is initially cooled to an optimum temperature above the glass transition point of the polymer, the maintained near that temperature for a period of time to promote development of desirable fiber properties such as crystallization and crystal orientation, and then finally cooled below the solidification point for take up.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer material having improved oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier properties wherein a heated solution cast film, of a linear alternating polymer of carbon dioxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon, is cooled at a selected rate.

Abstract: A process for preparing a melt processed polymer material having improved oxygen, water or carbon dioxide barrier properties wherein a quantity of a linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethlenically unsaturated hydrocarbon is melt processed to form a film, heated to a temperature ranging from about 2.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C. above the melting point of the polymer, and cooling the heated melt processed film at a moderate rate between about 6.degree. C. and about 10.degree. C. per minute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a partially crystalline, biaxially oriented heat set hollow plastic container from a hollow parison having an open end and a closed end including engaging the open end of a plastic parison which is at a temperature within its molecular orientation temperature range, enclosing the hot parison in a hot mold, which is at heat setting temperature, expanding the plastic parison within the hot mold by internal pressurization to induce biaxial orientation of the plastic parison and to induce partial crystallization in the biaxially oriented container, exhausting the blow molding fluid while continuously introducing a cooling fluid such as liquid carbon dioxide into the biaxially oriented container and continuously removing the cooling fluid while the hot mold is closed for a period of time, opening the hot mold while continuing to introduce, circulate and remove coolant fluid for a predetermined period of time until the container is cooled sufficiently to prevent significant shrinka