Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an air mat that reduces the number of manufacturing processes by means of rotational molding, while preventing the generation of defective products, to a device for molding an air mat, and to an air mat manufactured and molded by the method and device. In a method for manufacturing an air mat formed in such a manner as to integrally couple a cushion part having a plurality of air bags arranged therein for containing air at the insides thereof with a plate-shaped lower sheet disposed on the lower surface of the cushion part, the method includes the steps of: preparing a lower mold having a plurality of air bag molding recesses having given depths arranged at given intervals thereon, for molding the cushion part of the air mat.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming filter tubes comprises delivering a filter element to a flute on a first drum having vacuum for securing the filter element thereto. First and second tube forming rollers axially engage opposite ends of the filter element. A second drum accepts and cuts a continuous paper web with a glue pattern thereon into paper pieces, and a cut paper piece is delivered to the filter element. The paper piece is then rolled around the filter element and the tube forming rollers to form a cylindrical shape. The tube forming rollers are axially disengaged to thereby produce a filter tube with hollow ends and a control positioned filter element.

Abstract: A continuous elongated element coming from an extruder or a supply reel is wound into coils disposed consecutively close to each other on a cylindrical forming support. A pusher element urges each coil formed on the forming support against the previously formed coils causing translation of same to a cutter. Following cutting of the coils, a continuous semifinished product is obtained which has elongated reinforcing elements disposed parallel and close to each other and transversely of the longitudinal extension of the semifinished product.

Abstract: A method for connecting a member includes the steps of providing a member to be connected having a flange at an end to be connected with a bucklingly deformable synthetic resin member having an overhanging portion which overhangs the flange. A synthetic resin member is selected from the group a polystyrene, a styrene copolymer, an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate, a polyvinyl chloride, a polymethyl methacrylate, a polyamide, a polyacetal, a polyethylene terephthalate, a fluorocarbon resin and a thermoplastic polyurethane. The overhanging portion of the synthetic resin member is disposed over the flange of the member to be connected with the tip of the overhanging portion being bucklingly deformed toward the member to be connected to the extent that stress rupture does not occur. The flange is locked by the bucklingly deformed tip of the overhanging portion.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of a spiral or coil shaped puffed extrudate. A tube or other peripheral containment vessel is placed at the exit end of an extruder die. A force or resistance is then applied on the extrudate downstream of the glass transition point, thereby causing the extrudate to back up and coil in the containment vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic package for a pharmaceutical product, particularly a blister package to dispense liquids or strings, and a method of manufacturing and sterilizing said package. The blister package (1) consists of a lower base portion (2) and a cover member (3). The lower portion includes a cavity indicated generally as (4) which is advantageously formed by inclined sidewalls (5) and upstanding side walls (6) and a bottom (7) which has a circular, flat and smooth surface. The cavity (4) is surrounded by outward extending flange (8). Cover member (3) is welded completely to flange (8) around the opening of cavity (4). Cavity (4) is sized to receive a pharmaceutical product, preferably an ophthalmologic product. The inclined side walls (5) preferably have a rounded geometry to avoid sharp edges for safety reasons.

Abstract: A seamless marine fuel tank having directly mechanically fastened component parts such as a fuel withdrawal assembly and a direct-sight fuel gauge system. The fuel withdrawal system contains a split-nut fastening device which fastens the system to the tank and allows for 360 rotation of fuel withdrawal outlet. The direct-sight gauge contains a threaded gauge neck with a cradle and tabs in its interior wall into which a one-piece float arm is snapped.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for use in the production of high strength plastic materials which can be used in the construction arts. The system and method includes a central rotary mold element which has vacuum means and cooling means placed inside thereof. Heating elements are positioned exteriorly of the rotary mold. Treated long fiber sheets are introduced to the rotary mold and combined with plastic sheets which are also fed to the mold.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for use in the production of high strength plastic materials which can be used in the construction arts. The system and method includes a central rotary mold element which has vacuum means and cooling means placed inside thereof. Heating elements are positioned exteriorly of the rotary mold. Treated long fiber sheets are introduced to the rotary mold and combined with plastic sheets which are also fed to the mold.

Abstract: Polyethylene blend compositions suitable for rotomolding, rotomolded articles, and processes for rotomolding articles are provided. The polyethylene compositions include a first polyethylene having a melt index of 0.4 to 3.0 g/10 min and a density of from 0.910 to 0.930 g/cm3; and a second polyethylene having a melt index of 10 to 30 g/10 min and a density of 0.945 to 0.975 g/cm3. The composition has a density of from 0.930 to 0.955 g/cm3 and a melt index of 1.5 to 12 g/10 min, and the first and second polyethylenes differ in density by from 0.030 to 0.048 g/cm3. These compositions exhibit improved physical properties, such as Environmental Stress Crack Resistance and Izod Impact Strength.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating corrugated composite stiffeners provides a base tool having grooves formed in an outer surface and a roller having a rotating shaft and a removable, lobed, elastomeric member surrounding the shaft. The lobes of the elastomeric member form a radial array around the shaft and match the contours of the grooves in the base tool. A section of prepreg fabric is placed between the roller and the base tool, and the roller is rotated to sequentially engage the lobes with the grooves, the lobes pressing the fabric into the grooves, the fabric conforming to the contours of the grooves. Several layers of fabric are applied, then the elastomeric member is released from the shaft, laid out flat, and placed on the fabric on the base tool, the lobes locating in the grooves. The base tool, fabric, and elastomeric member are enclosed in a vacuum bag and heated to cure the fabric.

Abstract: A fuel tank has a plurality of fuel system components therein and is formed by incorporating the fuel system components into the fuel tank as it is being formed. The fuel system components may be mounted on a carrier and then disposed with the carrier within a parison subsequently molded to form the fuel tank around the components and carrier. Desirably, all electrical, fuel and vapor lines may extend out of a single opening of the fuel tank to reduce openings in the formed fuel tank.

Abstract: A new process for producing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded product with a high mechanical strength and no heat substantial deterioration of the resin, by an efficient heating without applying shear stress to the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin base material and a molded product, for example, a tiptoe core for a safety shoe produced by said process are provided. The fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin base material P1 in a string form or a tape form is scattered and accumulated in a vessel such as tube 11, and a heating gas passed to the accumulated base material to melt heat, and preferably press by a plunger 15, the base material P1, whereby a molten mass P2 is formed, and then the molten mass P2 is dislocated to a mold to be press-mold. Said base material preferably satisfies the following formula: {fraction (1/100)}≦&rgr;1/&rgr;0≦½, wherein &rgr;0 means a density where said base material is scattered and accumulated and &rgr;0 means a true density of said base material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of the copolyester containing 2,6-ethylene naphthalate unit (EN) by using 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (NDA), purified terephthalic acid (PTA), and ethylene glycol (EG) to proceed with esterification or by using dimethyl 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate (NDC), dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), EG, and transesterification catalyst to proceed with transesterification reaction or by PTA process. While the esterification reaction reaches 85˜98 percent of esterification ratio, NDC, EG, and transesterification catalyst are added to proceed with transesterification reaction. The monomer obtained from previous procedure is added with polymerization catalyst thereafter to proceed with polycondensation reaction to produce copolyester of which the viscosity is increased through solid state polymerization. Then, the copolyester is ejected to be blow-molded so as to produce the one-way bottle which can meet the requirement of pasteurization.

Abstract: Rotational moulding process for polymerizing or copolmerizing ethylene for manufacturing ethylene polymers or copolymers having a controlled particle size and morphology. Ethylene is polymerized or copolymerized under ethylene polymerizing conditions in the presence of a supported metallocene catalyst, where the average particle size of the catalyst particles is selected within the range of 14-40 &mgr;m and the residence time at the polymerization is selected so as to achieve a polymer where average particle size is between 0.2-0.5 mm and the proportion of fractions between 0.1-0.6 is at least 80%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing fibrous materials from thermoplastic material, wherein thermoplastic material is molten and fed into a rotating reactor to form a molten film and the fibers are formed on and stretched out along an open edge of the reactor. The fibers are formed on the reactor edge without using nozzles or ducts that are susceptible to clogging so that the rotating reactor is heated in such a way that the molten film has a temperature close to decomposition temperature of the thermic plastic material and the reactor is rotated on the edge at an orbital speed of no less than 10 m/s.

Abstract: A system and method for molding the shell of a medical device or other molded article is disclosed. The system includes a multi-axis rotational molding machine in which a mold is mounted. The mold has a cavity in the shape of the article to be molded. The mold seals to hold a vacuum. In operation, silicone or other molding material is inserted into the mold, vacuum is applied to the mold, the mold is rotated about at least two axes and a molding material coats the inside walls of the mold to form the shell or other desired article. A rotationally molded medical article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of controlling the thermohysteresis of a homogeneous or layered fibrous pre-form, comprised at least in part of thermoplastic staple length fibers, such that the physical properties of the resulting molded three-dimensional compound construct are significantly enhanced. In particular, the thermohysteresis is the result of a specific thermal history comprising the treatment of a fibrous pre-form with an elevated temperature incubation period followed by a cooling period. A so-treated fibrous pre-form can be subsequently molded by conventional thermomolding methods to render improved toughness, strength and structural stability to a resulting molded construct.

Abstract: A method for forming a three dimensional polymeric structure includes providing at least one paint layer and providing a bonding layer coupled to the at least one paint layer to form an insert having a bonding surface provided by the bonding layer. A mold having a hollow interior bounded by an interior surface is further provided. The insert is positioned within the interior along a portion of the interior surface. At least one charge of thermoplastic material is deposited into the interior. The interior is heated while the mold is rotated and rocked. As a result, the thermoplastic material melts and is deposited against the interior surface of the mold and against the bonding surface of the insert to form a three dimensional structure within the interior. The three dimensional structure is then removed from the interior of the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermoforming a thermoplastic article comprises an extrusion die for extruding a sheet of thermoplastic and a rotating wheel having at least one mold member. The mold member includes a male mold or forming cavity for receiving at least a portion of a substantially non-oriented (i.e., non-tensioned) thermoplastic sheet. The mold member is selectively heated and/or cooled during thermoforming to maintain the sheet in a molten or thermoformable state. The mold member also comprises a stripper plate maintained at a predetermined temperature or temperature distribution for inducing a predetermined degree of crystallinity to the sheet. The stripper plate enables the articles to be separated from the mold without distortion. In one embodiment, the thermoformed article has at least two and preferably at least three distinct regions of thermally-induced crystallinity.

Abstract: A composite with a thermoplastic matrix and fiber reinforcement is made by rotation of an exit die about a roving of continuous fiber in the presence of a thermoplastic melt. The rotation causes opposing inner and outer helical flow conditions which reduce the melt viscosity of the polymer by shear thinning while dragging and directing the polymer into the fiber roving thereby wetting and dispersing the fiber. A composite structure is formed with a polymer rich skin and a core region of unidirectionally aligned polymer and fiber. The polymeric skin is composed of helically aligned polymer chains which are coiled by the rotation around the core to compress the core region and enhance fiber wet out.

Abstract: A container (5) such as a bottle made of thermoplastic material and provided with a bottom wall having an inwardly convex curved central portion (3) is disclosed. The container is produced by blow moulding a blank (4) with at least one incipient bottom recess (3) in a finishing mould (15a, 15b, 11) of which the bottom wall (11) has an arched central portion (10) substantially matching the recess in the bottom of the container to be produced. Said container is produced by causing relative rotation of the central portion (10) and the blank (4) when said central portion is positioned in the recess in the bottom of the blank.

Abstract: A method of making a container assembly comprises the step of molding a container body over a portion of a plastic fixture. A plastic fixture is disposed in the mold. The mold has an inner surface defining an outer surface of a container. The fixture includes an opening and a portion having at least one ridge on a surface which is to be embedded in the body of the container. The fluid plastic material is disposed in the mold. The plastic material is then molded over the mold inner surface and the fixture surface thereby forming the container body. The plastic material contacts the ridge and melts or softens the ridge. The ridge is then deformed forming a locking engagement between the container body and the fixture. As the plastic material cools and hardens, the plastic container body partially engulfs the fixture to provide a secure seal between the fixture and container body.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to the formation of thick films having a biaxial molecular orientation. Such films are prepared in accordance with the present invention from rod-like extended chain aromatic-heterocyclic ordered polymers. Such films have high tensile strength, modulus, and environmental resistance characteristics. A preferred ordered polymer for use in the present invention is poly (para-phenylenebenzo bisthiazole), (PBT), a compound having the structure: ##STR1## The present invention is also directed to methods and apparatus suitable for producing biaxially oriented films, coatings, and like materials from ordered polymers, preferably PBT.

Abstract: A flat and nearly mechanically isotropic polymer film or sheet, or a tube, can be formed by laminating two or more films, preferably by coextrusion of a liquid crystal polymer film and a thermoplastic polymer film. A liquid crystal polymer layer may be combined with one or more thermoplastic polymer layer in various arrangements. The liquid crystal, and possibly the thermoplastic as well, may have a controlled molecular orientation. The film may be formed by passing a polymer through a set of two or three tubular rotors which are concentric and have facing surfaces which define inner and outer annular polymer flow channels.

Abstract: A method of producing an inflation film which includes the steps of melting an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin in an extruder, extruding the molten polyolefin from a screw die, and blowing a gas into a molten tubular film formed by extrusion. An apparatus for producing an inflation film which includes an extruder provided with a first screw, and a screw die having an L/D of at least 5 and is provided at the end of the extruder, wherein the screw die includes a second screw which rotates independently of the first screw, a mandrel coupled to the end of the second screw and rotates together with the second screw, an outer tube die in which the mandrel is inserted, and a gas passage extending in the second screw and in the mandrel. An inflation film is composed of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin having a tensile strength at break of greater than 1660 kg/cm.sup.2 in a machine direction and greater than 1600 kg/cm.sup.2 in a transverse direction, an impact strength of greater than 9500 kg.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow shaped molding process which comprises injecting a molten resin into a main cavity which has an injection port provided with a floating core at its one end and a sub-cavity at the other end through an openable communication port, injecting a compressed fluid from the injection port, moving the floating core toward the communication port, and discharging the resin into the sub-cavity through the communication port, wherein the resin positioned at the center is discharged into the sub-cavity by the moved floating core, and the floating core is moved into the sub-cavity through the communication port.

Abstract: A blow molded container is provided which includes a neck portion having locking teeth with features which ensure the proper formation of the teeth. Specifically, the container neck portion includes an annular inclined surface extending from both the upper and lower sides of the teeth, while all edges of the teeth are rounded. The annular inclined surfaces and the rounded edges ensure that the teeth are formed with sufficient material to ensure strong, sturdy teeth devoid of weak areas, holes or cracks. A method of forming the container is also provided which includes rounding all edges of the teeth as a parison abuts molds so as to inhibit undesirable stretching of the material forming the teeth. The method may also include forming the annular inclined surfaces to further inhibit undesirable stretching of the material forming the teeth thus ensuring proper formation of the teeth.

Abstract: A method of producing an elongated member having a main body portion and terminal portions extending form ends thereof includes bending an elongated strip between circumferential faces of first forming rolls and second forming rolls having parallel central rotational axes. The circumferential faces of the first forming rolls include annular main body portion bending sections that form the main body portion in the strip and adjacent transition portion bending sections that form adjacent transition portions in the strip, thereby forming an intermediate stage elongated member. The transition portions have a cross-section that changes continuously from the annular cross-section of the main body portion to a different cross-section of the terminal portions.

Abstract: A novel integral cardiotomy/venous blood reservoir, blood oxygenator and heat exchanging device, method of making a blood oxygenating and heat exchanging device and an extracorporeal circulatory support circuit. The reservoir includes a novel blood defoaming and filtering chamber closely receiving filtering and defoaming media. The blood oxygenating and heat exchanging device includes thermal formed housing portions, and a heat exchanging barrier, blood oxygenating medium and/or filtering medium, which are sealed by potting compound at one time. The oxygenating medium comprises a hollow fiber type medium, with its ends left open to be sealingly mounted in a gas path by a novel mounting bracket.

Abstract: A spiral die for forming a laminate includes an outer die ring, an inner die ring inserted into the outer die ring with a fit clearance therebetween, a plurality (m, a positive integer greater than 1) of spiral grooves each having a gradually decreasing depth disposed between the outer and inner die rings, and distribution paths for distributively introducing melted resin streams of a plurality (n, a positive integer satisfying n<m) of resin species in a prescribed order into said plurality (m) of spiral grooves. The individual resin streams distributed to the spiral grooves proceed along the spiral grooves to gradually overflow the respective spiral grooves and overlie each other in a prescribed order before the individual resin streams form a uniform tubular stream in a die axial direction.

Abstract: A high-relief, resiliently flexible composite molded plastic product (21). The product (21) includes a relatively rigid injection molded core member (22) having a pair of oppositely facing core shoulders (26,27), and a plastic sleeve member (23) with sleeve shoulders (36,37) interengaged with the core shoulders (26,27). The sleeve member (23) is rotationally cast or molded from a plastisol dispersion having emulsion grade polyvinylchloride and suspension grade polyvinylchloride in a ratio of at least 3:1, and preferably 5:1, to produce substantial flexibility and to enable high-relief design features (46) to be molded into the sleeve member (23).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a livestock feeder for retaining hay so that livestock can consume the hay without trampling thereon is disclosed which includes forming a plurality of leg members and a plurality of retainer members connectable to the leg members. The retainer members are fabricated of a polymeric material having angular deflection characteristics and memory so that the retainer members can be angularly deflected by pressures exerted thereon and restored to a substantially non-deflected position when such pressures are removed.

Abstract: A prosthetic casting machine receives an amputated stump while a patient is standing so that a hard socket can be made based upon the shape of the stump when it is under load. The machine includes a brim for accommodating an above-the-knee stump or a retaining disc for below-the-knee stumps. A telescoping leg enables precise adjustment of the height of the machine to accommodate patients of differing heights. The patient's stump is inserted into a liner and the liner is coated with plaster before the stump is inserted into the machine. After insertion, while the patient is standing, compressed air is introduced into a space between a transparent flexible bladder and a transparent rigid cylinder so that a uniform pressure is applied to the plaster by the bladder. The transparent parts enable a prosthetist to observe the results of the pressurization so that corrective steps may be taken if the plaster is not evenly compressed.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to a method for the formation of films having a controlled molecular orientation prepared from rod-like extended chain aromatic-heterocyclic ordered polymers, and containing a binder in the micro-infrastructure. Such films have high tensile strength, modulus, and environmental resistance characteristics.

Abstract: In a double chamber container, the inner chamber is formed by a tubular body of an elastic rubbery material stretched in order to expel a pressurized substance against its own elasticity. To obtain a precise stretching ratio of the tubular body and to empty it as well as possible, the tubular body converges uniformly and its walls have a uniform thickness, even in their bottom part. To attach the tubular body to the container, a collar which acts also as a seal is formed on the thereon. A process for producing the tubular formation includes bringing an elastomeric material into the flowable condition and coating it over a mandrel, and applying a cooling medium detachable from the mandrel over the mandrel initially and/or applying a treatment medium detachable from the mandrel over the latter subsequently, for the controlled alteration of the surface on the mandrel side of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A cross-oriented multi-layer laminated plastic film is produced by first providing a flattened tubular plastic film having a outer plastic film layer with a first melting temperature and an inner plastic film layer with a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature, the outer plastic film layer having a molecular orientation substantially in the direction of the length of the tubular plastic film. The flattened tubular plastic film is passed from an expanding station in an expanded condition along a predetermined path in the direction of the length of said film to a collapsing station in a continuous manner. The expanded tubular plastic film is rotated about the predetermined path as the film passes from the expanding station to the collapsing station to effect cross-orientation of the outer film layer in directions inclined to the direction of travel of the tubular plastic film.

Abstract: A biaxial stretch oriented and heat-set film made of thermoplastic is described. The film has, on at least one of its surfaces, a surface roughness (R.sub.a) of greater than 0.003 .mu.m. The surface roughness is the result of an integral texturing of the polymeric film surface. The polymer in the textured area shows essentially the same morphological state as the polymer in the interior of the film itself.

Abstract: A bituminous sheet or web coating material (1) is on the one side provided with a heat activatable adhesive layer (3) optionally covered by a plastic film (5), wherein the adhesive layer is provided with a pattern of close grooves (4) with intermediate unbroken ridges, and a process for forming a coating on a support is performed by heating such coating material (1) to decomposition of said plastic film (5) and activation of the adhesive layer (3), the activated adhesive layer (3) being pressed against the support, e.g. a roof.

Abstract: The described process comprises the following operating steps: an extrusion step in which the raw rubber is extruded in the form of a strip (7) from an appropriate machine (1); a winding step in which the rubber strip (7) is wound about a rotating drum (2); an insert application step in which steel insert pieces (16) are applied to the rubber layer wound about the rotating drum (2); a second winding step in which the rubber strip (7) is wound on the steel insert pieces (16); a coiling step in which a steel wire (4) is wound into spiral shape on the rubber layer wound about the rotating drum (2); a third winding step in which the rubber strip (7) is wound on the coiled steel wire (4) as far as a product in the form of a ring is achieved; a removal step in which the ring-shaped produce is removed from the drum (2); an introduction step in which the ring-shaped product is introduced into a mold; a forming and vulcanization step carried out on the product in the mold; an extraction step in which the ready track i

Abstract: A one-side-roughened rolled plate-like or plate-shaped body containing a converging pigment comprises a plate-like body formed from a resin composition which comprises a crystalline thermoplastic resin and a converging pigment in an amount ranging from 0.001 to 0.5 part by weight per 100 parts by weight of the resin, wherein one of the sides thereof is smooth and the other side thereof is roughened and wherein the overall haze thereof is not less than 50% and the internal haze thereof is not more than 10%. The rolled plate-like body can be prepared by rolling the foregoing plate-like body at a temperature of not more than the melting point of the resin and a thickness reduction of not less than 40% and then surface-roughening the body simultaneously with or after the rolling treatment. The rolled plate-like body can be made partially transparent upon using the same and thus makes it possible to display the color of the converging pigment clearly and brilliantly at the edge of the transparent region.

Abstract: Planar casting with a regularly textured surface on at least one side. A self-supporting planar casting made of polymer material and a process to produce the same are described. The planar casting contains at least one inert additive in an amount in the range of 0.001 to 5% by weight. At least one of it surfaces made from polymer forming the casting is textured by regularly arranged elevations in predominantly longitudinal and transverse direction of largely uniform configuration having a ratio of minimum diameter (d.sub.min) to maximum diameter (d.sub.max) in the range of ##EQU1## an average diameter (d.sub.m) of ##EQU2## in the range of 10 to 800 .mu.m. The elevations having a height in the range of 0.01 to 15 .mu.m.

Abstract: A directed fiber, directed energy process provides both a method and an apparatus for making structural preforms. Fibrous reinforcement material is chopped into short lengths of fiber and propelled toward a perforate mold part. During propulsion and/or after deposition on the perforate mold part the fibers are sprayed with an electromagnetic radiation-curable binder. The binder-carrying fibers are held on the perforate mold part by a flow of air in that the perforate mold part is rotatably mounted in a plenum which provides an air flow therethrough. Rotation of the perforate mold part and scanning action of the fiber and binder propelling mechanisms effects even and complete coverage of the perforate mold part. After a mat of the chopped fibers has been applied to the perforate mold part, a conforming second mold part closes the mold and presses the fibers to replicate the shape of the three-dimensional rigid perform.

Abstract: An open tube apparatus and method for continuously producing a rotating elongate strip of material are disclosed. An extrusion die continuously extrudes flowable material to form an open tube with a central longitudinal cavity and a transport mechanism includes a plurality of drive rollers which engage and pull the tube downline. A driver rotates the extrusion die and transport mechanism. A tube cutter, which is offset at an angle with respect to the downline direction and defines the open end of the tube, cuts the tube into a continuous elongate web of the desired width as the tube moves downline. An air seal seals the tube cavity to prevent air from escaping through the open end of the cavity, and a tube pressurizer controls air pressure in the central longitudinal cavity of the tube to expand the tube laterally outwardly.

Abstract: As an article of manufacture, an ovenable shaped article formed of polyethylene terephthalate having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%, said crystallinity being substantially uniform over the whole of the shaped article, and a process and apparatus for making same.

Abstract: This invention is a method of filling a tire with a composite-foam to eliminate rapid deflation "blow-outs" and for all practical purposes, eliminate flats. The composite-foam tire filling is comprised of a multiplicity of preconstructed, hollow, pressurized, elastomeric, one-piece, seamless cells bonded together into a configuration whereby substantially all of the exterior cell wall surface of all cells in the composite-foam tire filling, is engaged with portions of exterior cell wall surfaces of surrounding cells. This composite-foam mass is placed inside a tire to provide the tire with a composite-foam filled interior.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to the formation of thick films having a biaxial molecular orientation. Such films are prepared in accordance with the present invention from rod-like extended chain aromatic-heterocyclic ordered polymers. Such films have high tensile strength, modulus, and environmental resistance characteristics. A preferred ordered polymer for use in the present invention is poly (para--phenylenebenzo bisthiazole), (PBT), a compound having the structure: ##STR1## The present invention is also directed to methods and apparatus suitable for producing biaxially oriented films, coatings, and like materials from ordered polymers, preferably PBT.

Abstract: This invention discloses a new bubble forming and stabilizing device for use in a continuous extrusion process for making a blown film and a process for using same. The apparatus comprises a bowl shaped mandrel mounted subsequent to a die, the mandrel has an undersurface extending substantially parallel to and space from the path of travel of the blown film from the die and the undersurface is contoured to guide a stream of cooling air along its surface between the undersurface and the blown film as the blown film emerges from the die. The apparatus allows for increased production rates and improved physical properties of the forming bubble by creating more efficient heat transfer from the forming bubble to the cooling air stream. The device also provides support for the molten bubble during its most unstable state.

Abstract: Polyester fiberfill having spiral crimp that is randomly-arranged and entangled in the form of fiberballs with binder fibers, preferably with a minimum of hairs extending from the surface of the fiberballs, so as to be air-transportable on account of the low cohesion between the balls. A process for making such fiberballs by repeatedly air-tumbling small tufts of such fiberfill/binder/blend against the wall of a vessel. Improved bonded batts or molded articles or other bonded articles obtained by bonding such fiberballs.

Abstract: Polyester fiberfill having spiral-crimp, especially in the form of an omega (.OMEGA.), that is randomly-arranged and entangled in the form of fiberballs with a minimum of hairs extending from their surface, and having a refluffable characteristic similar to that of down on account of the low cohesion between the balls. A process for making such fiberballs by repeatedly air-tumbling small tufts of such fiberfill against the wall of a vessel.