Abstract: Polymer blends comprising a continuous matrix phase of thermoplastic polymer with a discontinuous phase of thermoplastic polymer distributed through it are produced by extruding a blend of immiscible thermoplastic polymers through an annular extrusion die which subjects the polymer blend to transverse shear forces prior to passing through the die lips. The application of the shear forces to the polymer blends produces improved uniformity of distribution of the continuous phase within the matrix, producing better properties in the finished article which may be a blown film or a blow molded product. The continuous matrix phase is suitably a polyolefin such as polyethylene and the discontinuous phase may be selected to provide the desired properties in the extruded article, for example, vapor barrier properties, strength, stiffness, and tear resistance. Typical polymers for the discontinuous phase are polyamides, EVA copolymers, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene and various copolymers.

Abstract: Seamless, molded, thermoplastic articles having a laminar, multi-component composition with a heterogeneous blend of incompatible polymers--at least one as a matrix and at least one as a discontinuous phase, are manufactured by (1) heating the blend above the melting point of the highest melting polymer component, and (2) molding the melted blend to have a knit line curved through the thickness of the article resulting from such molding.

Abstract: A polyolefin lined tank consisting of a rigid polyolefin tank within a metallic tank wherein there is no adherence or bonding between the walls of the inner polyolefin tank and the outer metallic tank, but wherein a maximum of 0.04 inch clearance is obtained between the said walls. The polyolefin tank is formed in the metallic tank by a rotational molding technique wherein a high temperature paint or other suitable release agent is first applied to the inner walls of the metallic tank; the tank is heated; and polyolefin powder is placed in the heated tank. The polyolefin powder melts during rotation of the heated tank to thereby coat the inner walls of the tank; the tank is cooled, resulting in shrinkage of the polyolefin away from the metallic walls; during the cooling cycle, the interior of the lined tank is pressurized to control the shrinkage, resulting in minimum clearance between the outer and inner tanks, and stress relief of the inner polyolefin tank.

Abstract: Polyester fiberfill having spiral-crimp 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.

Abstract: A multi-layer polyester article, and particularly a beverage bottle having good oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability resistance. At least one layer of the article is made from polyisophthalate and copolymers thereof. The multi-layer articles find particular use as packaging materials, films, and molded containers such as for alcoholic beverages. Various colorants can be added to either one or more of the layers to impart a desired color to the article.

Abstract: A blow pin assembly for use in blow molding extruded thermoplastic parisons is disclosed. The assembly provides a blow pin tip which effects forge formation of structure on the inside surface of the neck finish of the container. The blow pin assembly utilizes a rotation collar and a cutter collar to aid in removal of any neck moil associated with the blow molding procedure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming multi-layer expanded film. A base film extruded by a die is coated, immediately downstream of the die mouth, by a further layer of fluid propelled from a manifold through a metering orifice. The combination of manifold and metering orifice is necessary to permit accurate control of the flow rate of the fluid and hence of the thickness of the coating, and the mouth of the die and the metering orifice must be very close so that the base film is as resistant as possible to deflection by the impact of the coating fluid, and so that contact takes place before any substantially expansion has taken place. The downstream end of the resulting multi-layer tubular film is then held closed in known fashion and the closed tube is expanded by air under pressure admitted by an opening in the die.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blow molding a wide mouth container wherein substantially the entire container is multiaxially oriented in its formation. The method and apparatus produce this container in effectively a one station operation without the need for high pressure injection molding platens. The apparatus is useful in making non-oriented articles as well. One such multiaxially oriented article that may be blow molded is a container having the configuration of an oil can.

Abstract: A lower mold half is horizontally placed. The top surface of the lower mold half is provided with a first groove of any desired shape, one end of which is closed with the other end having a notch for allowing air to be blown in. An upper mold half has a bottom surface which matches the top surface of the lower mold half and which is provided with a second groove corresponding in shape to said first groove. Thus, when the upper and lower mold halves are brought into contact, there is formed a mold cavity defined by the first and second grooves. A discharging unit including a nozzle for discharging a parison is disposed above the lower mold half and the nozzle is so provided that it can rotate in either direction at a variable speed. At least one of the nozzle and the lower mold half is movably provided to lay a parison in the first groove.

Abstract: A layered film of thermoplastic material and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The film is defined by a plurality of superposed layers, the material forming a pair of adjacent layers having molecular chains oriented in certain directions which respectively cross each other at an angle in a range of between 5.degree. and 90.degree.. The film is manufactured by heating solid thermoplastic material to its softening point, conveying the viscous molten mass so formed while mechanically working the same to an annular material shaping opening of a rotary die or matrix from which the material is discharged in the form of a tubular segment which is directed into the nip defined by a pair of rotating stretching cylinders which flatten the tubular segment to form the layered film and which are rotated at a speed which tends to orient the molecular chains in an axial or machine direction.

Abstract: A device for expanding heat-shrinkable polymer tubes includes inlet and outlet chambers coaxially and consecutively arranged for immediate contact in the direction of tube advancement. Each chamber is made up of adjoining bushes having threads at the inner surface thereof. The threads of adjacent bushes of each chamber are of the opposite direction. A group of bushes of each chamber having a common thread direction is provided with an independent rotating drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming blown thermoplastic articles in which an extrusion head extrudes an essentially tubular parison of thermoplastic material. Sections of a preform mold are then closed around the parison, the sections having a preform cavity with a configuration such that one end of the parison is open after closing and the other end is enclosed. A core pin is next inserted into the open end of the parison and is utilized to compression mold the parison to form a preform. Heat is transferred from the parison through the inner and outer walls of the preform between the mold cavity and core pin during the compression molding step in order to thermally condition the preform and being the temperature within the desired range. The sections of the preform mold are then opened and the preform is enclosed within sections of blow molds within a blow mold cavity. The preform is next expanded to the shape of the blow mold cavity.

Abstract: Salts of fatty acids such as calcium stearate and lithium stearate are added to olefin polymer-based rotational molding compositions to provide rotational moldings with pinhole-free surfaces.

Abstract: A method for cold-forming light gauge polymer sheet material by application of localized heat to the area of the fold. In the manufacture of Lexan polycarbonate flexible magnetic disk jackets, heat is applied to the folded corner by a heater bar generally maintained uniformly at 375.degree. F. The heater bar contacts the folded Lexan polycarbonate edge in a U-shaped trough having planar side walls generally perpendicular to a planar bottom wall.

Abstract: Bottles made of saturated polyester resin, particularly polyethylene terephthalate resin, by orientation blow molding exhibit phenomenal properties and characteristics, but suffer from a serious disadvantage in that the bottle neck is greatly inferior in the properties and characteristics to the bottle body, because the neck is molded into the final form without undergoing biaxial orientation. Biaxial orientation gives the bottle body outstanding properties and performance because it causes the molecules of a molding resin material to be arranged in the same direction. Based on this principle, the bottle neck is given the same effect as is produced with biaxial orientation by applying tensile force in a certain direction to the molecules of a molding resin material while it is still in a temperature range at which orientation takes place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is proposed for producing one-piece hard gelatin capsules, intended in particular for the reception of liquid medicines. The formation of the capsules takes place according to the method by means of the uniform distribution of a predetermined quantity of gelatin or of another formable substance which is susceptible to use in the packaging of medicines, on the inner jacket surface of a closed form. An apparatus suitable for the performance of this method is revealed in the claims.

Abstract: In a biaxial blown tube synthetic resin film making apparatus, the extruder die, mandrel, the reheat ovens, and a hot air ring are caused to rotate and oscillate about a stalk moving coaxially therethrough to provide an improved flatter and more uniform film.

Abstract: A method of making a prestressed concrete pole, including placing a heat softenable plastic pipe in a metal tube or pipe and filling the space between the pipes with concrete, rotating the metal pipe-concrete assembly rapidly to center the plastic pipe therein, applying hot fluid pressure to the interior of the plastic pipe, longitudinally prestressing the concrete pipe assembly for several hours while the concrete sets, and gradually releasing the fluid pressure and prestressing pressure to obtain a prestressed concrete pole.

Abstract: In the manufacture of double-wall plastic tubing in which the outer wall has transverse corrugations and the inner wall is smooth, in the case of annular transverse corrugations the air pressure between the two walls cannot be balanced with the external air pressure, resulting in deformations of the inner tube. To permit an equilibrium of pressure before the inner wall hardens, openings are pierced in the outer wall or openings are produced between the two walls for communication between the inner chambers of the transverse corrugations. After the hardening of the inner tube, these openings are reclosed by fusion.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a double walled mould interior divided into two halves, a heat exchange exterior hollow envelope and a pressure-exchange compartment within the envelope surrounding the adjacent abutting surfaces of the rims of the two mould halves, heat-exchanges and pressure-exchanges producing means to rotate the apparatus on two axes, means to introduce a protective gas into the mould to avoid combustion of vapors and optional means cooperating between the heat-exchange and pressure-exchange means in the heating and cooling phases.The method includes controls of pressure and heat-exchange steps during the heating and cooling stages to avoid formation of bubbles, deformities and combustions, particularly when transparent plastic materials difficult to mould are used.