Abstract: A composite laminate material and a process for making the same are provided, the process comprising the steps of providing an unbonded fibrous batt of desired thickness having a thermosetting binder material dispersed therethrough, applying a layer of desired thickness of a curable latex to at least one side of the fibrous batt, drying the layer to a predetermined moisture level to provide a dried composite material, and heating and compression molding the dried composite material to simultaneously mold the composite, cure the layer and cure the binder material by embossing a pattern into the exposed side of the layer before the layer and the binder material are cured to cause the layer to be contoured with the pattern substantially throughout the thickness thereof and thereby cause the pattern to be substantially impressed into one side of the batt so that the resulting embossed and cured layer has a substantially uniform thickness and the one side of the cured batt substantially conforms to the embossed co

Abstract: A multi-layer laminate is formed by coextruding plural polymer layers in face-to-face contact with tooth-like interconnections at the layer interface.

Abstract: An electrically heated fluid conduit includes a plastic pipe adapted to carry a flow of fluid subject to freezing at low temperatures, an electric resistance heater disposed around the pipe and extending along the length thereof and a thermal insulating jacket disposed around the heater. The heater is formed as a seamless sleeve of synthetic polymeric material having electrically conductive carbonaceous particles therein and is connected to the lead wires of an electrical power cable by a pair of spaced electrically conductive bands fixed around the sleeve and defining the length of the heater along the pipe. The thermal insulating jacket is formed as a seamless layer of foamed synthetic plastic material having randomly disposed air pockets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the continuous manufacture of foamed sheets of thermoplastic material having an extreme width to thickness ratio, small thickness tolerance, a uniform cell structure and, over the whole cross section on both sides of the sheet a thin, non-foamed outer skin. The plastic, which already contains the foaming agent is, on emerging from a wide-slit nozzle, allowed to foam freely without any restriction and cool. The sheet or strip formed in this manner is then heated locally at the surface and calibrated to final dimension.

Abstract: A process of producing a fibre-reinforced shaped article comprising extruding a composition comprising a settable fluid as a carrier for fibres at least 5 mm in length through a die so that relaxation of the fibres causes the extrudate to expand to form an open fibrous structure with randomly dispersed fibres as the extrudate leaves the die characterized in that the porous extrudate is compressed while the carrier is in a fluid condition into a shaped article. The process enables moulded articles to be formed having a random distribution of fibres the majority of which are at least 5 mm long.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat insulating pipe having a foamed insulating layer around the outer surface of said pipe. The foamed insulating layer has an expansion ratio of at least 4. It has three integral sub-layers, said sub-layers including a cellular middle foamed sub-layer which is integral with a cellular inner foamed sub-layer and a cellular outer foamed sub-layer, said inner and outer sub-layer being on opposite sides of said middle sub-layer, said cellular inner foamed sub-layer being the innermost sub-layer with respect to said pipe and surrounding the outer surface of said pipe. The cells of said inner and outer sub-layers are smaller than the cells of said middle cellular sub-layer, the ratio .mu..sub.1 /.mu..sub.2 of the cell dimensions of said cellular middle sub-layer are between 0.3 and 0.9, wherein .mu..sub.1 is the average cell dimension measured in the radial direction of said pipe and .mu..sub.2 is the average cell dimension measured in the axial direction of said pipe.

Abstract: Porous acrylic synthetic fibers having water absorption property and having substantially no microvoids but having mainly macrovoids are produced by spinning an organic solvent solution containing 15.about.35% by weight of a polymer consisting of 2.about.30 parts by weight of cellulose acetate and 70.about.98 parts by weight of an acrylic polymer into a coagulation bath at a temperature of no higher than 30.degree. C., primarily drawing the spun fibers at a draw ratio of 2.5.about.8.0 times to form water swelled fibers wherein macrovoids are distributed, drying the water swelled fibers at a temperature of 100.about.180.degree. C. to a water content of no greater than 1.0% by weight and secondarily drawing the dried fibers under wet heat to elongate the macrovoid structure.This invention includes acrylic composite fibers having water absorption property wherein at least one of components A and B consisting of 2.about.50% by weight of cellulose acetate and 50.about.

Abstract: In the pultrusion of a fiber-reinforced plastic, an elongated fiber material impregnated with a thermosetting resin prior to setting is introduced into a long-land die, in which a thermoplastic resin and a lubricant are successively applied onto the outer surface of the impregnated fiber material thereby to make possible smooth drawing of the material through the die. As a result, the thermosetting resin is substantially set within the die, and, moreover, an elongated, fiber-reinforced, plastic composite article is produced at a reasonable speed.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes with various backing films are prepared by a single step process of coextruding a backing film-forming composition and an adhesive composition. No primer is needed. Tapes with release properties are possible without additional preparative procedure.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus and method for concurrently manufacturing at least two semiround tubing structures. An extruder including plasticizing means for a plurality of plastic resins extrudes semiround and linear strips of plastic material in generally two back to back D-shaped sleeves. Between the D-shaped sleeves, a strip of adhesively non-compatible material is extruded so that the D-shaped sleeves may be separated. The rounded portions of the D-shaped sleeves are molded in a continuous blow molding arrangement to form the top wall of the semiround tubing. The tubing is cooled, and the two semiround tubing lengths separated from the adhesively non-compatible strip inbetween. Optionally, the base of the semiround tubing may be perforated. The two lengths of semiround tubing are folded with the base inside the top wall and coiled into large reels.

Abstract: A new and useful hydrophilic polyester fiber and process of making same are disclosed; the fiber has a stable pore system exhibiting a moisture pickup (regain) of at least about 2 percent by weight at 40.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 92%. Our experiments indicate that the proportion of moisture regain is attributable to capillary condensation in an amount of at least 25%. The hydrophilic properties are the result of a certain pore system within the fiber which enables capilliary condensation to occur significantly. The invention describes one way to accomplish this, namely by the addition of a predetermined amount of a suitable oxalato-complex to a suitable polyester mass. Most preferably, about 10% by weight K.sub.3 Al(C.sub.2 O.sub.4).sub.3 is added to the polyester mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for manufacturing plastic pipes having a composite structure by extrusion.The material forming the inner and outer walls of the tube is introduced into a special heated and regulated distribution head and is separated into two distinct streams between which a filling material forming a first stream is injected. These three streams are brought together and placed in contact, thus forming a blank which is given its final dimensions by being passed into a conventional tool comprising a trefoil, die and mandrel, followed by a conformator.Application to the manufacture of large dimension tubes for the disposal and drainage of sewage and rainwater.

Abstract: Polymer foam is extruded as a tube or sheet into a cooling liquid which is maintained at a temperature up to about 85.degree. C. Either one or both surfaces of the polymer are cooled as the extrudate emerging from the die orifice passes through the liquid. Styrenic polymer foam extrudate produced by such a method exhibits excellent puncture resistance and tensile properties.

Abstract: A process for producing a highly expanded polyolefin insulated cable comprising the steps of feeding a compound of polyolefin, nucleating agent and volatile liquid to an extruder, heat extruding said compound through said extruder onto an inner conductor passing through said extruder to cover the outer periphery of said inner conductor thereby forming an insulation layer of highly expanded polyolefin foam having a foaming ratio in excess of 2.5 times (60% expansion degree) tightly adhered to said inner conductor.

Abstract: Porous acrylic synthetic fibers having water absorption property and having substantially no microvoids but having mainly macrovoids are produced by spinning an organic solvent solution containing 15.about.35% by weight of a polymer consisting of 2.about.30 parts by weight of cellulose acetate and 70.about.98 parts by weight of an acrylic polymer into a coagulation bath at a temperature of no higher than 30.degree. C., primarily drawing the spun fibers at a draw ratio of 2.5.about.8.0 times to form water swelled fibers wherein macrovoids are distributed, drying the water swelled fibers at a temperature of 100.about.180.degree. C. to a water content of no greater than 1.0% by weight and secondarily drawing the dried fibers under wet heat to elongate the macrovoid structure.This invention includes acrylic composite fibers having the water absorption property, wherein at least one of components A and B consisting of 2.about.50% by weight of cellulose acetate and 50.about.

Abstract: Textile quality polymeric fibers and thin films that are highly sorbent for organic and other vapors, mists and solutes. The fibers and films comprise a polymeric matrix with a system of interconnecting micropores, and are highly loaded with particulate sorbents such as activated carbon. The fibers and films are manufactured by forming a melt blend of the sorbent particles, the polymer and a selected diluent, spinning or extruding and drawing down the fiber or film, and extracting the diluent. The diluent functions to permit a high spin or extrusion draw down, to permit the subsequent cold drawing of fibers highly-loaded with active carbon, and to permit the fiber or film to be porosified. Optionally, the diluent may be extracted after or before cold drawing, or without any cold drawing. The fibers and films are highly sorbent, are strong and durable and exhibit substantial strength over an appreciable degree of elongation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the continuous extrusion forming of a thermoplastic double-walled, foam-core conduit by the sequential steps of extrusion forming an inner plastic tube, evenly coating said inner tube with foam-core layer and extrusion forming and bonding an outer tube in contact with said foam-core layer, said outer tube being generally evenly spaced apart from said inner tube by said foam-core layer providing a plastic double-walled, foam-core conduit.

Abstract: Large blow molded objects are produced by extruding a generally tubular form in a horizontal direction so as to form a large pillow shaped object upon sealing. The sealed pillow shaped article is severed and conveyed to a mold having a predetermined configuration and blow molded into a desired shape. The horizontal production of the parison used for blow molding permits the production of large parisons without the sag associated with a vertical process and also permits continuous coextrusion of large parisons without the need for complex accumulating equipment.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus are disclosed for forming products from thermoplastic polymeric material having three-dimentional patterns and surface textures on one or both faces that may be similar or dissimilar with or without a continuously changing profile and with or without shaped edges, such as shake shingle panels, board and batten panels, rough barn board panels, wainscoting panels, brick panels, stone panels, patterned door panels, similar structural wall panels, roofing or siding panels, ribbed soffits, fascia board, flooring reinforced with egg crate ribs, forms for pouring contoured concrete structures, and other three-dimensional pattern and surface textured plastic products which may extend in widths up to 4 feet or more and in lengths up to 20 feet or more.

Abstract: A fibrous assembly of many fibers, the individual constituent fibers being interconnected at random in a spaced-apart relationship so that when spread in a direction at right angles to the longitudinal axes of the fibers, said assembly can form a continuous integral reticulated structure; said individual fibers having asymmetrical irregularly-shaped cross sections of substantially different profiles and sizes from one another when said assembly is cut at right angles to the longitudinal axes of the fibers at an arbitrary point therealong; at least 40% of the entire cross-sectional area of each fiber consisting of at least two different polymer phases which are coalesced side-by-side as at least two irregular blocks; and each of the individual fibers of said assembly having a non-uniform cross-sectional shape along its longitudinal axis; fibrous structures prepared from a plurality of such fibrous assemblies; and a process for producing such fibrous assembly.

Abstract: The strip comprises a tubular section of thermoplastic material, e.g. PVC, and a fill comprising a matrix of methylmethacrylate with silicate spherules as a filler, reinforced by glass filaments under tension. In production, cold methylmethacrylate is pressed in the extruded section while it is still hot.

Abstract: A polyolefin filter for tobacco products and the like was prepared. The extruded element is an open-cell foamed polyethylene or polypropylene having a TPM filtration efficiency greater than 20%. The filter rod can be made by extruding polyethylene containing less than 0.2 moles of a volatile blowing agent per 100 grams of resin at a melt temperature between 130.degree. C. and 150.degree. C., the temperature of the die being between 120.degree. C. and 136.degree. C. Higher melt temperature and die temperature are required for polypropylenes.

Abstract: An improved cellulose acetate semi-permeable hollow fiber suitable for use in artificial kidneys and a process for making same.

Abstract: A mop yarn is produced by extruding onto the embossed face of a conveyor belt a first layer of a fiber reinforced sponge forming viscose mass, feeding regularly transversely spaced core yarns onto the conveyor advanced first layer and extruding a second layer of the sponge forming viscose mass onto the core yarn carrying first layer. The composite layers are then coagulated, regenerated and purified, and the resulting cellulose sponge web is then longitudinally slit to produce sponge strands in each of which is embedded and bonded at least one of the core yarns. The resulting cellulose sponge mop yarn is of rectangular transverse cross section and has low porosity water permeable top and bottom faces at least one of which is embossed and skinless side faces and each yarn has one or more core yarns of cotton twine embedded therein and bonded to the sponge material.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of plastic sheet material and especially co-extruded sheet of orientable plastic material which is comprised of film and foam layers which are continuously stretched in a longitudinal direction. The stretching is effected between a pair of rolls which are maintained at different temperatures and rotated at different rates of rotation to effect a cold stretching of the film-foam laminate to improve its shrink capability and lower its shrink temperature upon usage in various packaging applications. A preferred material is polyethylene which is co-extruded into a laminate of film and foam layers and which exhibits improved shrinkage characteristics when employed in the form of tubular sleeves for container labels or bands.

Abstract: A polyolefin filter for tobacco products and the like was prepared. The extruded element is an open-cell foamed polyethylene or polypropylene having a TPM filtration efficiency greater than 20%. The filter rod can be made by extruding polyethylene containing less than 0.2 moles of a volatile blowing agent per 100 grams of resin at a melt temperature between 130.degree. C. and 150.degree. C., the temperature of the die being between 120.degree. C. and 136.degree. C. Higher melt temperature and die temperature are required for polypropylenes.

Abstract: Fibrous products, including single fibers, yarn and fibrous webs, of improved fineness are produced from extruded sheet material extruding in the form of a sheet-like, multi-layer composite stream a plurality of extrudable materials, at least one of which is a synthetic thermoplastic fiber-forming polymer and another of which is expandable or swellable in nature, which layers extend generally parallel to the faces of the stream, with each such layer containing either a fiber-forming polymer or an expandable or swellable extrudable material with the different layers being interspersed in the composite stream; solidifying this composite stream into a multi-layer sheet, not earlier than during such solidification subjecting the multi-layer sheet to a swelling or expanding treatment to aid in its mechanical disruption, and then mechanically disrupting the swollen or expanded sheet to produce a fibrous product of increased fineness.

Abstract: A process and die are disclosed for preparing a foamed article of thermoplastic resin having a particular cross section configuration. The die of the invention is provided with a plurality of apertures in its face through which the resin is discharged. The apertures in the face of the die are distributed in a shape corresponding to the cross section of the foamed article which is produced. The apertures are further divided into a plurality of groups in which there is at least one zone which is void of apertures so that the apertures in the same group are actually restricted to a narrow band. The zone on the surface of the die which is void of apertures has a thickness more than twice the average distance between two adjacent apertures belonging to the same group.

Abstract: In a process for producing a highly expanded polyolefin insulated coaxial cable comprising the steps of feeding a polyolefin, a nucleating agent and a volatile liquid as a blowing agent to an extruder and heat extruding said mixture through said extruder onto an inner conductor passing through said extruder to cover the outer periphery of said inner conductor thereby forming an insulation layer of a highly expanded polyolefin foam having a foaming ratio in excess of 2.5 times (60% expansion degree), the improvement which includes the step of, after extruding the foaming polyolefin mixture around said inner conductor, sizing the outer surface of said foaming polyolefin layer on said inner conductor by means of a sizing die to provide a highly expanded uniform polyolefin insulation layer of a predetermined size, said insulation layer being tightly adhered to said inner conductor.

Abstract: A process for producing an expanded article of a thermoplastic resin by extruding and expanding a foamable resin using an extruder equipped, on a resin channel in a die, with a nozzle having a number of apertures, which comprises flowing a resin mixture stream through an expansion zone while maintaining the resin mixture at a temperature above the melting point thereof, dividing the resin mixture stream into a plurality of separate streams, exiting these streams from the extrusion zone directly into a confined zone, thereby forming a plurality of soft expanded resin strands corresponding in number to the number of strands, bringing the strands into surface contact with each other to fuse and bond them together to form a bonded expanded resin mass while simultaneously removing gases generated in the course of extrusion and expansion, passing the bonded mass into an unconfined zone to permit the mass to further expand while still in a softened condition, passing the further expanded mass into a confined receivi

Abstract: Thermoplastic resin is converted to void free billets and preforms, by techniques including: compaction of heated thermoplastic powders: compactionof heated extruded strands: rolling of heated ingots of plastic: simultaneous extrusion and combining of two or more groups of strands: coextrusion of two or more resin formulations: sequential compaction of dual powders: extrusion with differentially heated dies. The billets may be non-homogeneous in response to dielectric heating, to produce controlled temperature zones within the heated polymers, when used as billets and preforms.

Abstract: A tough board of thermoplastic resin foam provided with skin layers on both surfaces thereof and formed of large cells elongated in the direction of the thickness of said board, wherein an intermediate high density layer thicker than 0.1mm lies substantially halfway between the upper and lower surfaces of said board. The board is formed by extruding thermoplastic resin containing dissolved foaming agent as a sheet, cooling the upper and lower surfaces rapidly to form solid skin layers and then slowly cooling while allowing controlled expansion thereof between expansion restricting members.

Abstract: A process for producing a microporous plastic member useful as a battery separator which comprises(a) forming a coherent dough by mixing a vinyl chloride resin with a plasticizing amount of a first solvent and with finely divided particles of a filler which contains volatilizable constituent releasable therefrom by heating and which shrinks substantially and irreversibly upon release of said volatilizable constituent therefrom, an example of which is hydrated silica;(b) forming the solvent-containing dough into a shaped member;(c) extracting the first solvent from the member before any substantial evaporation of solvent occurs by contacting it with a second solvent in a liquid bath at a temperature substantially below the boiling point of any liquid present, the second solvent being one which is capable of dissolving the first solvent without dissolving the resin and the filler, thereby deplasticizing the member by extractively removing the first solvent from the member; and(d) thereafter heating the member a

Abstract: A process is provided for producing an imitation wood workpiece by forming a synthetic resin workpiece having a cellular plastic core and a densified covering layer after extruding and solidifying synthetic resin and thereafter imparting an appearance of wood grain to the synthetic resin workpiece by heating the densified covering layer of the workpiece and by relief embossing texture furrows in portions of the densified covering layer.

Abstract: Methods are provided for processing expandable thermoplastic materials with a typical compression relief design extruder screw having a helical flight for advancing and working a thermoplastic material. The screw is modified to shorten the feed and compression sections and to include a plurality of force-producing components in at least the compression section of the screw such that at least some portion of the components in any one turn of the flight lie in one plane essentially normal to the axis of rotation of the screw and such that the walls of the flight are uninterrupted. This arrangement controls the location of the rupturing or fragmenting of what is referred to as the solid bed and controls the manner in which it is fragmented to provide an extrudate at a die end of the extruder which has a constant temperature and which is uniform throughout each successive section of the thermoplastic material.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein improved packages, and methods of forming same, of the type wherein a container, such as for example a glass container, like a bottle or jar, is provided externally thereof with a heat-shrunk, cellular thermoplastic member, circumferentially and snugly engaging a sidewall portion of the container; the improvement resides in employing, as the thermoplastic member, a composite structure, or laminate, of a closed cellular polymeric layer preponderantly of polystyrene having incorporated therein from zero weight percent up to compatible amounts of a copolymer of ethylene and an alkyl ester of alpha-beta monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate or a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-beta monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof, and, in adhered relationship to said cellular layer, a layer of a noncellular polymeric material preponderantly of ethylene moieties having incorporated therein moieties of vinyl acetate,

Abstract: There is disclosed herein improved packages, and methods of forming same, of the type wherein a container, such as for example a glass container, like a bottle or jar, is provided externally thereof with a heat-shrunk, cellular thermoplastic member, circumferentially and snugly engaging a sidewall portion of the container; the improvement resides in employing, as the thermoplastic member, a composite structure, or laminate, having a closed cellular polymeric layer preponderantly of polystyrene having incorporated therein from zero weight percent up to compatible amounts of a copolymer of ethylene and an alkyl ester of alpha-beta monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate or a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-beta monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof, and, in adhered relationship to said cellular layer, a layer of a non-cellular polymeric material preponderantly of ethylene moieties having incorporated therein moieties of vinyl ace

Abstract: There is disclosed herein improved packages, and methods of forming same, of the type wherein a container, such as for example a glass container, like a bottle or jar, is provided externally thereof with a heat shrunk, cellular thermoplastic member, circumferentially and snugly engaging a sidewall portion of the container; the improvement resides in employing as the thermoplastic member a composite structure, or laminate, of a closed cellular polymeric layer in which the polymer is a polymer of predominantly olefin moieties and, in adhered relationship to the closed cellular layer, a non-cellular polymeric layer n which the polymer is a polymer of predominantly olefin moieties with the cellular layer being in snug, heat shrunk engagement with the sidewall portion of the container and the non-cellular layer being disposed outwardly of the cellular layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein improved packages, and methods of forming same, of the type wherein a container, such as for example a glass container, like a bottle or jar, is provided externally thereof with a heat shrunk, cellular thermoplastic member, circumferentially and snugly engaging a sidewall portion of the container; the improvement resides in employing as the thermoplastic member a composite structure, or laminate, of a closed cellular polymeric layer in which the polymer is a polymer of predominantly olefin moieties and, in adhered relationship to the closed cellular layer, a non-cellular polymeric layer in which the polymer is a polymer of predominantly olefin moieties with the cellular layer being in snug, heat shrunk engagement with the sidewall portion of the container and the non-cellular layer being disposed outwardly of the cellular layer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for extruding expandable thermoplastic material having a cellular internal body portion and formed thereon a substantially non-cellular high density skin. The extruded material is contacted by a pair of continuously traveling temperature controlled belts immediately upon leaving the extrusion die which serve to form the high density skin thereon and the spacing of the belts is selectively controlled downstream from the extrusion die with the use of selectively adjustable belt backing members. Selectively controlling the spacing of the belts while the extruded material is undergoing expansion or foaming results in a predetermined internal cellular structure of said extruded material especially with regard to the size and distribution of the cells across a cross-section of the material.

Abstract: A flexible semi-permeable tubular assembly is provided which consists essentially of a cord comprising a textile sheath which carries a semi-permeable membrane, said sheath being composed of yarns, the external surface of the sheath being compressed and flattened, the internal surface of the sheath defining an axial channel which communicates with the exterior. This assembly is particularly suitable for the concentration, separation and purification of fluids by reverse osmosis, ultra-filtration and gas permeation. The assembly combines good tensile strength with good porosity.

Abstract: A coaxial cable having improved mechanical and electrical properties comprising an inner conductor; an outer inert gas blown cellular ethylene or propylene polymer dielectric layer having in unexpanded form a density of about 0.86 to 0.96 grams per cubic centimeter, a melt index of about 0.05 to 10 decigrams per minute and an expanded density up to 0.6 grams per cubic centimeter, said core member having a dissipation factor value of .ltoreq. 250 microradians at an electrical transmission frequency range of from 50 to 300 mega Hertz; and an outer coaxial conductor.

Abstract: Process for producing a partially foamed thermoplastic polymer product in a single screw extruder by dividing an initial melt stream of the polymer into separate partial melt streams conveyed individually by the extruder to a shaping or forming die, uniformly mixing a foaming agent with at least one but not all of the separate and individually conveyed partial melt streams, and then rejoining all of said melt streams in the die in abutting core and shell layers with foaming of at least one but not all of said layers.

Abstract: Plastic foam is extruded into and from a channel where it expands from an extrusion orifice. A pressure controlled gas pocket provides support for the foaming material generally adjacent the extrusion die. The arrangement permits extrusion of foam having widely varying characteristics with a single apparatus.

Abstract: A process is provided for the continuous production of a laminated product having a foam core between two substantially impermeable cover sheets one of which has longitudinally extending, transversely spaced inwardly directed recesses therein wherein a porous web is placed over the sheet having the recesses and a foamable liquid reaction mixture is poured over the web whereby only a part of the foamable reaction mixture passes through the web into the recesses.

Abstract: A method for making a cellular article in which at least some of a plurality of extruded, generally parallel streams of strand-forming organic, thermoplastic, polymeric material are periodically expanded to provide bulbous portions along the lengths thereof, with such bulbous portions contacting and bonding with adjacent streams during their expansion, after which the streams are set to provide an integral article.

Abstract: An extrudate element is inserted into a base material so that a portion of the extrudate enters into or traverses the base material. The inserted extrudate element, the constituent of the base material, or both are composed of an expandable extrudate containing an expansion agent. The expansion agent is activated during or after insertion of the extrudate element to cause enlargement of the expandable extrudate and/or the substrate or base. This enlargement fixes the extrudate element into the base material by tightening the inserted element against the base material to wedge it in place, as by causing portions of the inserted element to enter interstices of the base material, or by causing the inserted element to expand on both sides of the insertion opening to a diameter greater than that of the insertion opening. The insertion and subsequent fixing into a base material of a plurality of elements produces a pile surfaced article.

Abstract: An automated system for fabricating a lead pencil in which the lead is securely bonded to a sheath formed of foam plastic material and having a smooth skin. In the system, individual pieces of lead which are pre-treated with a heat-activatable adhesive layer, are sequentially fed into an extrusion die in which the lead is ensheathed by molten foam plastic material whose heat serves to activate the adhesive. The string of ensheathed lead pieces emerging from the die are advanced through a sizing jig in a cooling station wherein the diameter of the sheath is rendered uniform and the surface thereof is formed into a smooth skin, the sheath being rigidified in the station and the activated adhesive being set to strongly bond the lead to the sheath. The resultant rod is fed to a cut-off station which serves to sever the rod into individual pencils.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for preparing a foamed thermoplastic article in which a foamable thermoplastic resin is passed through an orifice of a die and is permitted to expand after passing through said orifice. The improvement includesA. passing the foamable thermoplastic resin through an orifice, the outer periphery of which contains a plurality of recesses,B. allowing the resin to expand to form a soft-surfaced porous shaped article having peaks and valleys corresponding to the recesses of the orifice, andC. pressing the surface of said article so as to level the peaks.A smooth-surfaced shaped article is produced having a surface structure characterized by high density portions corresponding to the peaks and low density portions corresponding to the valleys and resembling natural wood.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein improved packages, and methods of forming same, of the type wherein a container, such as for example a glass container, like a bottle or jar, is provided externally thereof with a heat shrunk, cellular thermoplastic member, circumferentially and snugly engaging a sidewall portion of the container; the improvement resides in employing as the thermoplastic member a composite structure, or laminate, of a closed cellular polymeric layer in which the polymer is a polymer of predominantly olefin moieties and, in adhered relationship to the closed cellular layer, a non-cellular polymeric layer in which the polymer is a polymer of predominantly olefin moieties with the cellular layer being in snug, heat shrunk engagement with the sidewall portion of the container and the non-cellular layer being disposed outwardly of the cellular layer.