Abstract: A quick-drying print and environmental-friendly biaxially orientated polypropylene synthetic paper is produced from a polypropylene resin composition comprising a high crystalline polypropylene resin, calcium carbonate composite particles, titanium dioxide composite particles, antistatic agents, UV absorbers and anti-blocking agent, which are fed into one twin-screw primary extruder and two twin-screw secondary extruders respectively, convergently flowed through the same T-die, co-extruded into a three-layer structure substrate film, after cooling and setting, this film is first longitudinally orientated, then laterally orientated; thereafter the three-layer film is high-frequency corona treated and winded up to gain the film having thickness less than 250 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of prostheses for surgical applications, to methods of their manufacturing and to methods of treating a patient by implanting them into a patient. More particularly, the present invention relates to prostheses having a multi-layered sheet structure and their use in hernia repair, the repair of anatomical defects of the abdominal wall, diaphragm, and chest wall, correction of defects in the genitourinary system, and repair of traumatically damaged organs such as the spleen, liver or kidney.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling curl in multi-layer webs. The method can include providing a coated web, curing the coating to form a multi-layer web, and stretching the web during curing of the coating. Some coatings shrink at least partially when cured such that curing the coating induces a strain in the multi-layer web. Stretching the web occurs during curing to induce an opposing strain that at least partially counteracts the strain induced by curing to form a multi-layer web having a desired curvature. The system can include a curing section configured to cure the coating, and can further include a web stretching section, which can be located proximate the curing section and can be substantially coincident with the curing section, such that the web is stretched while the coating is cured.

Abstract: An apparatus for corona treating film includes a source of film material and at least one transport roller that is rotatably mounted in a frame. The transport roller has a longitudinal axis and has a width greater than the film. First and second treater heads have first and second leading edges, first and second trailing edges and are mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second leading edge is parallel to and spaced from the first trailing edge by a second predetermined distance. The film is transported over the roller and a high voltage electric arc is provided to the first and second treater heads. The roller is grounded and provides a return path for the electric current provided to the first and second treater heads, thereby corona treating the front side or back side of the film if a second roller and third and fourth treater heads are used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing color change in a substrate. The substrate includes an activatable colorant and a region that is heated prior to activating the activatable colorant. The substrate is exposed to electromagnetic radiation producing a first activated color region in the heated region and a second activated color region in a non heated region. The first activated color region appears in a different shade than the second activated color region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite item may include dispensing a composite material comprising a reinforcement and a resin. The method may further include energizing an infrared heat source. The infrared heat source may tend to generate a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is preferentially absorbed by the reinforcement. The method may additionally include controlling power to the infrared heat source to cause the infrared heat source to emit a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the resin to a relatively greater extent than the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the reinforcement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing activated color regions in a web substrate where activated color regions are formed coinciding with deformed regions. The method includes providing a web substrate having an activatable colorant and producing a first activated color region therein. The web substrate is mechanically deformed to produce at least one deformed region in the first activated color region such that a second activated color region is produced coinciding with the at least one deformed region.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a textured surface on a thermoplastic material that include treating the material with a plasma and subsequently shrinking the substrate to induce formation of textures.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented laminate film including a core layer including a blend of crystalline polylactic acid polymer and a minority amount of polyolefin with a compatibilizing resin which is biaxially oriented 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: [Object] To provide a self-supporting thin polymer membrane having a large surface area, a high strength, and a perpendicularly oriented cylindrical structure, and to provide a method of producing the membrane. [Solution] The self-supporting thin polymer membrane of the present invention is a self-supporting thin polymer membrane including a block copolymer in which a hydrophilic polymer component and a hydrophobic polymer component having a crosslinkable structure are linked to each other by covalent bonding, and in the self-supporting thin polymer membrane, the hydrophilic polymer component forms unidirectionally oriented cylinders, and the hydrophobic polymer component forms crosslinks. The self-supporting thin polymer membrane of the present invention does not have physical pores but allows a material to selectively permeate the cylindrical portions and can be therefore used as various permeable membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, and nanoreactors.

Abstract: A filter element for use in a smoking article and providing filtration of particulate material and gaseous components of mainstream smoke is provided. The filter element includes a segment of fibrous tow comprising a plurality of individual filaments, wherein each individual filament includes a plurality of adsorbent material particles at least partially encapsulated with a removable encapsulant imbedded therein. The individual filaments may further include an outer coating that provides a plurality of reactive groups adapted for reaction with one or more components of mainstream smoke. Alternatively, the multifunctional filter element combines different fibrous filter materials, such as cellulose acetate or polyolefin filaments combined with activated carbon filaments and at least one of ion exchange filaments and catalytic filaments.

Abstract: A mold of at least one embodiment of the present invention includes: a base; a conductive layer provided on the base; and an anodized film provided on the conductive layer, the anodized film having an inverted motheye structure in its surface, the inverted motheye structure having a plurality of recessed portions whose two-dimensional size viewed in a direction normal to the surface is not less than 10 nm and less than 500 nm, wherein the base, the conductive layer, and the anodized film are capable of transmitting ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane for Western blotting which has a three-dimensional open pore structure, an average pore diameter of 0.1-1.0 ?m and a thickness of 30-200 ?m, wherein the membrane for Western blotting is manufactured by subjecting nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of 50-1000 nm, obtained by electrospinning, to a hot-plate calendering process, and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises the steps of: dissolving a hydrophobic material in a solvent to prepare a spinning solution; subjecting the spinning solution to a spinning process to obtain a hydrophobic polymer nanofiber web; and calendering the obtained nanofiber web to obtain a membrane for Western blotting.

Abstract: Electret webs are presented which include a blend of a thermoplastic resin and a charge additive. The charge additives include ester-substituted and amide-substituted trianilino triazine materials. The webs prepared from the blends may be in the form of films or non-woven fibrous webs. Non-woven microfiber webs are useful as filtration media.

Abstract: Device (1) for hardening plastics material liners for conduit refurbishment, with at least one ultraviolet light source (2), wherein rollers (10) for mounting the device (1) in the conduit pipe and a video camera (4) are provided and wherein a pulling device (3) by which the device is pulled through the conduit pipe to be refurbished is provided, wherein a ring (5), which is equipped with light-emitting diodes or the like, for illuminating the pipe in the recording region of the video camera (4) is provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a working mold including: placing a substrate (610) on an electrode in a chamber, the substrate having at least a first structured surface (620) and the substrate including a thermoset polymeric material; introducing a release (630) layer forming gas into the chamber, wherein the release layer forming gas includes silicon containing gas and oxygen gas in an atomic ratio of not greater than about 200; providing power to the electrode to create a plasma of the release layer forming gas within the chamber; and depositing a release layer formed from the release layer forming gas on at least the first structured surface of the substrate to form a working mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new monomer and methods of using the monomer to fabricate robust polymer surface coatings with controlled thicknesses between 1 and 5 nanometers. The coatings are composed of a new material containing polymerized monomers of 4-vinylbenzenepropanethiol. The polymer surface coating may be applied to metal and silicon. The method includes exposing a metal substrate to a solution of the monomer in hexanes in order to deposit a monolayer of the monomer onto the metal surface. The substrate is then irradiated with ultraviolet radiation in order to graft a thin polymer coating onto the surface. The procedure can be repeated in order to control the thickness of the coating between about 1 nm and 5 nm. Alternatively, thermally initiated polymerization or deposition of partially oligomerized monomers onto the surface provides nanothin coatings with identical performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a polymer layer of a flexible unbonded offshore pipe. The process comprises the steps of shaping a polymer material by extrusion into or onto a supporting unit in an extrusion station and cross-linking said extruded polymer material, said polymer material comprising a polyethylene and a peroxide for providing a cross-linking of the polymer material. The peroxide has an activation temperature substantially above the temperature of the polymer material during the extrusion thereof. The cross-linking of the extruded polymer material is carried out by exposing the extruded polymer material to electromagnetic waves, selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation and microwave. The invention also relates to a flexible unbonded offshore pipe comprising such polymer layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for raising the surface tension of biaxially-stretched films made of thermoplastic polymers. According to the method, a film is first treated on a surface by means of an atmospheric pressure plasma before being stretched transversally or simultaneously across the width thereof, and the film is additional a subjected to a second treatment by means of a corona or flame after being stretched transversally or simultaneously, the second treatment being done on the same surface which has already been plasma-treated.

Abstract: A system and method for extrusion replication of microstructures to make microreplicated optical films. The system includes press roll and a replicating member. The replicating member includes a low thermal diffusivity material having a microreplicated outer surface or an organic material having a microreplicated outer surface. An inorganic conformal coating is disposed over the patterned outer surface of the organic or low thermal diffusivity material.

Abstract: Polymer/carbon nanotube composites including single-wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes incorporated into the matrix of a polymer are provided. These composites can be used in environments exposed to galactic cosmic radiation. Accordingly, the composites are useful in deep space applications like space vehicles, space stations, personal equipment as well as applications in the biomedical arts and atom splitting research. The composites can be modified with organic dyes containing at least one phenyl ring and the resulting doped composite is useful as a radiation detector. The preferred polymer is poly(4-methyl-1-pentene). At low nanotube concentrations (i.e., about 0.5 wt % or less), the composites exhibit transparent optical qualities. At higher nanotube concentrations (i.e., about 0.6 wt % or more), the composites are non-transparent.

Abstract: Electromagnetic waves radiated when a formed polyester film 18 is longitudinally drawn while one surface of the front and rear surfaces of the polyester film 18 is being heated by a radiant heater 30, are composed of such a wavelength band that a thermal energy of 20% or more and 50% or less of the total thermal energy radiated onto the one surface of the polyester film 18 can transmit from the one surface to the other surface. Thereby, even in the case where the film is longitudinally drawn while one surface of the film is being heated in the longitudinal drawing step, a curl is not easily generated in the film.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surface-treated laminated film is provided. The produced film should include at least a surface treated polyolefin-containing resin layer with a flame or corona treated surface and a heat sealable resin layer having a storage shear modulus of 400,000 Pa or less at 100 rad/s at 121° C., 100,000 Pa or less at 10 rad/s at 121° C., and 5000 Pa or less at 1 rad/s at 121° C. The method may involve coextruding a laminated film that includes at least a polyolefin-containing resin layer and a heat sealable resin layer. The laminated film may be simultaneously stretched in machine and traverse direction, and subsequently surface treated to produce a surface-treated laminated film.

Abstract: A method of surface functionalization of an organic fiber, characterized in that a surface portion of the fibers is chemically modified using a uniform surface treatment at atmospheric pressure, in a controlled gas environment, and in that said surface portion is brought into contact with a solution comprising at least one sizing agent making it possible to improve the functionalities of said fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for providing shaped biodegradable and elastomeric structures of (co)polymers of 1,3trimethylene carbonate (TMC) with improved (mechanical) properties which can be used for tissue or tissue component support, generation or regeneration. Such shaped biodegradable elastomeric structures are obtainable by forming homopolymers and/or copolymers of 1,3-trimethylene carbonate (TMC) into a desired shape and irradiating said desired shape with actinic radiation in an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: In the present invention, a manufacturing process is provided in which a complete multi-component synthetic closure is achieved which incorporates printed indicia formed thereon, in a continuous, in-line manufacturing operation. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the core member of the synthetic closure is formed by a continuous extrusion process which enables the core to be manufactured as an elongated, continuous length of material. As the continuous elongated length of extruded material forming the central core is advanced from the extruder towards an outer skin forming station, the central core passes through a printing station for forming any desired indica on the outer surface of central core prior to the application of the outer skin layer.

Abstract: A radiation-curable composite layered sheet or film comprising at least one substrate layer and one outer layer, said outer layer being composed of a radiation-curable composition having a glass transition temperature of more than 40° C.

Abstract: A process and material therefrom is described where a material comprised of a continuous orientable polymer matrix with one or more discontinuous or continuous second phases is stretched in the solid state using more than one device to apply force to the unoriented material to form a material that consists of a continuous oriented polymer matrix with one or more other phases. At least one of the phases releases from the oriented polymer matrix forming voids during the orientation process, thereby reducing the density to less than that of the original unoriented mixture. One or more of the phases may stay bonded to the continuous oriented polymer phase, acting as a reinforcing agent and forming no voids. Methods for forming such a material allowing for the control of the final shape and affecting the final density independent of the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a touch-and-close fastener element comprising a multitude of hook means, which are provided with a support as one piece and in the shape of stems with hook heads located at the ends thereof. Each of the hook heads is provided, at least in part, with an addition head part made of an additional material. A fastener system is produced from the respective head part being made from a duroplastic molding compound serving as the additional material. The fastener system can withstand a high temperature and mechanical stresses and lead to improved adhesion values and peel strength values during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a flexible pipe comprising a metal carcass and an internal sealing sheath extruded onto the carcass, said method comprising providing a metal carcass; heating an application section of said carcass, preferably using induction heating, to an application section temperature of at least 150° C.; extruding a non-cross-linked polyethylene material comprising a peroxide having an activation temperature above 150° C. onto said application section of said carcass; cross-linking the extruded polyethylene in a cross-linking zone by raising its temperature to at least the activation temperature of said peroxide by exposing the extruded polymer material to electromagnetic waves, with a wavelength of between 0.5 ?m to 0.5 m, preferably infrared radiation; and cooling said cross-linked polyethylene material to obtain the internal sealing sheath.

Abstract: A method of embossing a sheet material includes: heating at least a portion of the sheet directly or indirectly with radiant energy from a radiant energy source; pressing a tool against the heated portion of the sheet, thereby patterning a surface of the sheet; and separating the sheet and the tool. The radiant energy may travel through a solid material that is relatively transparent to radiation, on its way to being absorbed by a relatively-absorptive material. The relatively-transparent material may be an unheated portion of the sheet, and the relatively-absorptive material may be either the tool or the heated portion of the sheet. Alternatively, the relatively-transparent material may be the tool, and the relatively-absorptive material may be all or part of the sheet. The method may be performed as one or more roll-to-roll operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to radiation-curable coating formulations specifically for plastic substrates. The present invention specifically relates to resinous Michael addition products of ?-dicarbonyl compounds and Lewis-functional multifunctional acrylate esters. The present invention further relates to methods of fabricating and using the inventive compounds.

Abstract: A process for crosslinking polyacrylate compositions, wherein, by selective irradiation of the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition with electron beams, the polymer is cured only in certain structures and, as a result, structured pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions can be prepared.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for inline producing a biaxially oriented releasing film by consecutively orienting a non oriented film (polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene) in the machine or transverse direction one by one which comprises coating at least one side of a film in a state prior to biaxial orientation with an addition reaction type silicone based releasing agent (e.g. solvent type), preferably incorporated with a photosensitizer; biaxially orienting the film; thereafter heat annealing the same; and subsequently performing ultraviolet ray irradiation. The process enables easy production of the releasing film which is excellent in releasability, non-migration property of silicone, and productivity, and which is well suited for use in the production of pressure sensitive adhesive labels and tapes, ceramic green sheets, synthetic leather, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing high-density polyidimide (HPI) films and its production equipment. The production equipment comprises a raw material supplying means, a vacuum cavity, an energy supplier, a clad laminator, and a baked solidified polymer. The foregoing components constitutes the production equipment, using the monomer with the CONH bond or copolymer as raw materials to extract the unsaturated C═N bond by heat, electrons, light, radiation rays or ions as energy under low-pressure environment, so that the H in vacuum can extract the non-solidified HPI film from the electronic radical covalent polymers and via heat or light to rearrange the structure into a solidified HPI film. By means of the method according to the present invention, the original HPI that is not easily to produce as a film can be easily made in form of a film of HPI polymer on the clad laminator.

Abstract: A method for producing a coated polymeric article by co-extruding polypropylene and a maleic anhydride modified polypropylene, corona-treating, and applying a polysilicate barrier is described. Also provided are films and bottles produced using this method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for continuously producing a polymer sheet having an excellent surface smoothness, an apparatus for producing such a polymer sheet, and an optical polymer sheet produced by such a process. The process for producing a polymer sheet comprises coating or laminating, on a polymer base sheet, an ultraviolet-curing resin composition, adhering the coated or laminated polymer base sheet to a member having a smooth surface whose maximum surface roughness (Rmax) satisfies Rmax≦0.1 &mgr;m, in a state that the ultraviolet-curing resin composition is soft, and applying an ultraviolet light to transfer smoothness of the smooth surface of the member onto the polymer base sheet.

Abstract: A method produces an adhesive closing component having a carrier with a plurality of interlocking means on one of its two sides. An adhesive is applied to the opposite side. A silicone-containing separation layer is at least partially applied on the side of the carrier provided with the interlocking means. The interlocking means are formed from stems provided with enlargements on the ends. The silicone-containing separation layer is applied in the cavities of the enlargements in a reinforcing manner. The enlargements form individual interlocking heads. The stems are essentially kept free from the silicone-containing separation layer. An adhesive closing component with adhesive means is improved such that the component can be produced cost-effectively and efficiently. Handling is simplified, and pulling-off characteristics are improved.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a novel method for producing an undulated surface on composite fibers using plasma technology and microwave radiation. The undulated surface improves the mechanical interlocking of the fibers to composite resins and enhances the mechanical strength and interfacial sheer strength of the composites in which they are introduced.

Abstract: Readily castable high density polyethylene (HDPE) films, preferably containing broad molecular weight distribution HDPE resin having treated upper skin layers and untreated lower skin layers, preferably coextruded, on each side, wherein a particulate cross-linked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane is present in the untreated lower skin layer to reduce coefficient of friction and enhance machinability. The treated upper skin layer is derived from a polymer, e.g., ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer, and the lower skin layer is derived from a polymer such as ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer and LDPE compounded with silicone oil.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method are provided for preparing a substrate for adhering a material onto the surface of the substrate. The surface of the substrate to be prepared is exposed to electromagnetic radiation comprising ultra-violet radiation, whereby the substrate surface is decontaminated and/or modified by exposure to the ultra-violet radiation. Also disclosed is the use of an electro-ionization device, such as a Corona discharge device, and/or an infra-red radiation source in conjunction with electromagnetic radiation to modify the surface of the substrate to be prepared. Additionally, the use of gaseous components to modify the chemical functionalities on the substrate's surface is described. The invention has diverse applications, including, shoe fabrication, aircraft and space vehicle manufacture, automobile manufacturing and deposition of biochemical samples onto microarray well-plates.

Abstract: A metallized composite includes a thermoplastic sheet and at least one discontinuous layer of metal within the thermoplastic sheet. The discontinuous metal layer can be disposed between two thermoplastic layers that are bound together, such as by melting the layers together, pressing, or by use of an adhesive. The metallized composites of the invention can be employed as reflective surfaces, such as are used as mirrors or substitutes for chrome trim on automobiles. A particularly preferred metal as a component of the discontinuous layer of the composite is indium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for inline producing a biaxially oriented releasing film by consecutively orienting a non oriented film (polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene) in the machine or transverse direction one by one which comprises coating at least one side of a film in a state prior to biaxial orientation with an addition reaction type silicone based releasing agent (e.g. solvent type), preferably incorporated with a photosensitizer; biaxially orienting the film; thereafter heat annealing the same; and subsequently performing ultraviolet ray irradiation. The process enables easy production of the releasing film which is excellent in releasability, non-migration property of silicone, and productivity, and which is well suited for use in the production of pressure sensitive adhesive labels and tapes, ceramic green sheets, synthetic leather, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously forming composites comprising filler materials and thermoactive materials, particularly waste cellulosic materials and waste thermoplastics, are described. One embodiment of the apparatus includes either a batchwise or continuous mixer, such as a cyclone, for forming mixtures comprising filler and thermoactive material. The mixtures are conveyed to a continuous consolidation apparatus. Alternatively, the mixtures may be densified in a densifying apparatus before entering the consolidation apparatus. The consolidation apparatus includes a hot-gas distribution system having plural paired gas cells, such as rollers or hoods, for applying hot air to the charge. A first cell of each pair applies gas to the mixture. The second cell of each pair operates at a pressure less than that of the first cell, thereby creating a pressure differential across the charge.

Abstract: A process for electret treatment is described, involving(1) placing the dielectric article between a combination of a first ion-repulsive electrode and a first ion-attractive electrode and between a combination of a second ion-repulsive electrode and a second ion-attractive electrode, under a specified arrangement;(2) supplying a first positive ion and a first negative ion from a first ion generating means between the dielectric article and the first ion-repulsive electrode, the first ion generating means being selected from an alternating current surface discharge element and an alternating current corona-type ion generating element;(3) applying a direct current voltage between the first ion-repulsive electrode and the first ion-attractive electrode to produce a first potential difference therebetween, whereby only one of the first positive and negative ions is moved in a specified direction, and is transferred on the dielectric article;(4) supplying a second positive ion and a second negative ion from a sec

Abstract: The surface of a web or film is modified to impart the material with improved properties including wettability, printability, adhesion and static reduction. Such surface modification is achieved with an electrode structure which causes a filamentary discharge to pass generally horizontally across a surface of the electrode structure. A substrate to be treated is then positioned adjacent to the surface of the electrode structure so that the filamentary discharge is caused to flow horizontally across the surface of the substrate, in turn modifying the surface of the substrate and achieving the desired improvement in properties.

Abstract: The biaxially oriented films of high molecular weight polyethylene is formed and its surface modified to provide a hydrophilic property to the resulting film. The film is prepared by melt-kneading the high molecular weight polyethylene with an ordinarily solid hydrocarbon plasticizer and a raw fabric sheet is formed from the resulting molten mixture. After the hydrocarbon plasticizer is extracted the resulting unstretched sheet is stretched under conditions providing a stretched film having a specific surface area of 70 m.sup.2 /g or more and a fibril structure. This stretched film is then heated under standard length constraint conditions to reduce the specific surface area of the stretched film by at least 20 m.sup.2 /g to obtain a biaxially oriented film of high molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: A process for producing a biaxially oriented, transparent, multilayered film having a base layer comprising a mixture of a propylene polymer and a resin having a softening point of about 130.degree. to about 180.degree. C., and at least one additional layer comprising a material which can be readily subjected to corona treatment, comprising the steps of (i) coextruding through a slot die the layers of the film so as to produce a multilayer film, (ii) solidifying the multilayer film by chilling, and (iii) orienting the multilayer film by stretching in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: A process is provided for creating a watermark on a polymeric sheet. The sheet is passed between abutting rollers, at least one of said rollers having a recessed and/or raised motif, to form an impression on the sheet corresponding to the motif, and then orienting by stretching the sheet. The impressed and oriented sheet has dark areas corresponding to the raised portions and light areas corresponding to recessed portion of the motif.