Abstract: A molded article includes thermoplastic resin, and an organic material different from the thermoplastic resin inside said molded article, the organic material being located on and near a surface of said molded article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a skin material-laminated foamed thermoplastic resin molding and to foamed thermoplastic resin moldings, said process comprising a skin material and a thermoplastic resin foam integrally laminated with the skin material, wherein the process uses a mold comprising a male and female mold members which are mutually slidable and whose cavity clearance (t) is adjustable, the process comprising the following steps (1)-(5): (1) skin material supply step, (2) resin injection step, (3) compression step, (4) foaming step and (5) cooling and releasing step, and said moldings that are a panel-shaped foamed thermoplastic resin molding comprising a substrate and a projection standing on the substrate wherein the projection has a mean expansion ratio of not greater than 1.1 times and the substrate has a mean expansion ratio of not less than 1.3 times.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wire from a conductor and a supply of thermoplastic insulating material. The method involves heating the insulating material, adding pressurized gas to the material, and extruding a sheath of the insulating material about the conductor to generate bubbles of the gas in the sheath. The method may operate by limiting the temperature of the material prior to extrusion, to increase viscosity to limit bubble expansion, and may provide a significant pressure drop on extrusion by limiting the gap between a wire-supplying guide and the extrusion die.

Abstract: The invention discloses reduced density foams and methods of making the foams by applying or creating a nonfoaming barrier layer on a foamable layer, which barrier layer inhibits the escape of fugitive gases during the foaming process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the step of plasticizing a thermoplastic resin material by rotatably driving a screw (20). Also included in the method is the step of injecting an inert gas into a screw cylinder (1) to permeate the melted resin and injecting the melted resin into a mold by driving the screw (20) in the direction of injection. Here, the inert gas has a pressure, at least in pressure, equal to or greater than a supercritical pressure or is under a supercritical state. To provide a thermoplastic resin foam by the method, electric servomotors (31, 32) are employed to drive the screw (20). After the step of plasticizing the resin material has been completed, brakes are applied to the electric servomotors (31, 32) to prevent the screw (20) from retreating. Alternatively, even after the step of plasticizing the resin material has been completed, the screw (20) is driven at low speeds in the direction of plasticization until immediately before the step of injecting the melted resin is initiated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a carbohydrate foam composition. The method produces a foam composition is highly wettable, resilient and has a uniform pore structure suitable for use in products such as absorbent personal products, health care products, and products suitable for fluid distribution and transfer. The foam of the present invention may also be made into sheets suitable for products such as tissue and paper towels. In one embodiment the foam is made from a carbohydrate and zinc chloride. In a further embodiment the carbohydrate is cellulose, and in a further embodiment the carbohydrate is chitin. The method of the present invention allows control over various properties of the foam carbohydrate composition.

Abstract: To provide a process for preparing polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles which enables to prepare pre-expanded particles having lower fluctuation in expansion ratios. Polyolefin resin pre-expanded particles are prepared by a process comprising steps of dispersing polyolefin resin particles into an aqueous dispersion medium in an autoclave; heating the resin particles to temperature of at least the softening point of the polyolefin resin and pressuring the same; releasing said resin particles from the autoclave through a release port into an atmosphere of lower pressure than the inner pressure of the autoclave; thereby pre-expanding the resin particles, wherein at the releasing step, the resulting pre-expanded particles are contacted with gas of at least 60° C. and collided with a collision board or a container wall disposed at a distance of 5 mm<D, D representing the distance from the release port to the collision board or the container wall.

Abstract: A dielectric lens which is produced by injection molding of an expandable material consisting of a synthetic resin, a foaming agent and a dielectric constant conditioner. The expandable material is injected into a cavity of a foaming mold up to at least about 80 percent by weight and at least about 100 percent by volume of the capacity of the cavity and is foamed at an expansion ratio of not more than about 1.3. During the foam molding, the surface of the foam-molded body is solidified to be a radome layer. Then, the foam-molded body is transferred from the foaming mold to a shaping mold, in which the foam-molded is cooled down naturally. Further, a fitting tab is provided integrally with the foam-molded body at the edge of the radome layer.

Abstract: A method of molding components of a shopping cart using high or low pressure molding processes. The molding processes eliminate sink marks in plastic components of the shopping cart while providing structural integrity thereto. The processes used to mold the components of the shopping cart can create either or both a center channel in the molded components and/or a plurality of voids within the molded components. If hollow channels are formed in the molded components then the plurality of voids will be formed in the walls of such molded component if both processes are used together. The processes used to form the molded components are either (i) a gas assist process which provides a laminar stream of blowing agent into the stream of molten resin after the molten resin is forced into a partially filled mold or (ii) a structural foam molding process which provides a blowing agent blended into the molten resin prior to the molten resin being forced into the mold.

Abstract: CO2 is used as the blowing agent, and a first and second control agents are injected into the melt, the first control agent being designed to dissolve and cool the melt and consisting of ethanol, while the second control agent is only designed to cool the melt and consists of H2O2, the injected amount of ethanol being just sufficient for achieving the highest possible dissolution of CO2 in the melt and the injected amount of H2O2 being such that the foaming produced by ethanol is minimized. The apparatus includes arrangements for conditioning and feeding the blowing agent and control agents into the melt. The blocks and boards exhibit dimensional stability and good self-extinction features.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of expandable polyvinylarene particles in which compact polyvinylarene particles are impregnated by an inorganic N2- and/or O2-containing gas at a temperature below 95° C. and at a pressure of 100 to 2,000 kPa gauge.

Abstract: A composition made by the method wherein a feed mixture of thermoplastic polymer material and glass fibers are provided to an extruder (10). The extruder compresses the feed mixture to form a thermoplastic/glass melt in the presence of a blowing agent. The blowing agent combines with the thermoplastic/glass melt to form closed cell voids in the melt and in the extruded shape.

Abstract: The invention provides micro- and nano-porous materials made from crosslinked polymers crystallized from supercritical fluids. The resulting products show an open cell porous network, and can be used for a variety of applications in medical fields, textiles, separation science and others. The invention also provides methods for obtaining such products.

Abstract: A novel class of transparent polymeric foams from high Tg polymers comprising submicron cells and a process for their production is described. The polymers are preferably high glass transition materials and the process comprises saturating a consolidated polymer shape with an inert gas at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer and under a pressure of at least 9000 psi for a period adequate to dissolve the gas in the polymer shape and then controllably cooling the polymer shape to produce the submicron cell structure.

Abstract: A novel class of transparent polymeric foams comprising submicron cells and a process for their production is described. The polymers are preferably high glass transition materials and the process comprises saturating a consolidated polymer shape with an inert gas at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer and under a pressure of at least 9000 psi for a period adequate to dissolve the gas in the polymer shape and then controllably cooling the polymer shape to produce the submicron cell structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing a thermoplastic foam sheet comprising contacting a molten monovinylidene aromatic or olefinic polymer with a physical blowing agent to form a polymer/blowing agent mixture, and foaming the mixture into a region of lower pressure within a sheet extrusion line, wherein the extrudate is pulled and compressed to form a thermoplastic foam sheet having a uniform thickness.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomeric compositions and processes for preparing the compositions comprising a blend of polypropylene, styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene copolymer, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer elastomer, linear low density polyethylene, peroxide crosslinking agent and a crosslinking coagent. The peroxide crosslinking agent and crosslinking coagent provide a crosslinking system. The compositions improve melt strength and increase resistance to flow and tear. The composition may further comprise mineral oil, antioxidant, colorant, a processing aid and stabilizer and mixtures thereof. The processes for preparing thermoplastic elastomeric compositions are particularly useful in microcellular injection molding to form articles with improved surface characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a molded foam article of a crystalline aromatic polyester resin. The process is characterized by heating the surface temperature of a mold for cavity-molding to the temperature within a range of from (td+35) to (Tg+57)°C. (Tg is a glass transition temperature of the crystalline aromatic polyester resin prepuffs), thereby to mold prepuffs, and cooling the surface of the mold to a temperature not lowered than Tg for at least 20 seconds.

Abstract: A light-weight and impact-resistant composite material formed from a three-dimensional textile structure preform comprising at least three systems of yarns that define a plurality of interstices within the textile structure. A cellular matrix material impregnates the textile structure so as to fill the interstices of the three-dimensional textile structure and to coat at least a portion of the surface area thereof.

Abstract: Calender with a roll stack and process for arranging rolls in a roll stack of a calender, the calender comprising two end rolls in a press plane and a plurality of middle rolls between the two end rolls. At least one of the middle rolls has an elastic surface and has a displacement (x) relative to the press plane, the size of the displacement (x) being selected based on a wavelength of a critical natural frequency within the roll stack. The end rolls and the at least one middle roll define two nips therebetween, the displacement (x) effecting a difference in distance of a fraction of a wavelength on a surface of the at least one middle roll between the two nips. An adjusting device adjusts the displacement of the at least one middle roll on the basis of a preset displacement (x), which depends on the wavelength.

Abstract: A vehicle headliner assembly (10) and a method for injection molding the assembly by injecting into a mold 24 a single phase solution of an inert gas within a polymeric resin (16) to provide a microcellular headliner (14) with an 5 average cell size less than 100 microns and a cell density greater than 106 cell/cm3 and with headliner components (20) molded with the headliner. The inert gas utilized may be carbon dioxide, nitrogen and mixtures of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: Microcellular rigid foams with a matrix consisting of cross-linked duromers, especially of polytriazine resins, and with an apparent density of 20 to 95 percent of the density of the compact matrix material. The rigid foams are highly stable and highly temperature resistant and are suitable for use, e.g., as material for aircraft lining.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide a method of supplying a resin material to an injection molder with which cells can be uniformly dispersed in a molded product. In order to achieve this object, the method includes the absorbing step of placing a resin material in a pressurized inert gas in a pressure vessel and allowing the resin material to absorb the inert gas, and the supplying step of supplying the resin material which has absorbed the inert gas to an injection molder.

Abstract: A coated metal tubing arrangement having a metal tube, a first layer of a first polymeric material and a second layer of a second polymeric material having a foamed structure. The second layer is located directly radially outwardly of the first layer. The second polymeric material is chemically similar to the first polymeric material.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of mouldings based on biological material, wherein potato skins, optionally in the presence of a plasticiser such as glycerol or urea and lecithin and of a water-resistant biodegradable polymer such as polylactic acid, is subjected to a thermomechanical treatrment such as extrusion and then shaped. The mouldings have good mechanical properties and a good biodegradability.

Abstract: A method of preparing a collagen sponge comprises mixing air into a collagen gel, so as to obtain a collagen foam which is dried. From the dried product thereby obtained, collagen sponge is obtained by isolating parts of sponge with a chamber diameter of more than 0.75 mm and less than 4 mm, or parts with an average chamber diagonal dimension of 3 mm. The collagen sponge may be used as a material for sealing wounds, possibly with a coating comprising a fibrin glue, such as a combination of fibrinogen, thrombin and aprotinin. A device for extracting a part of a collagen foam and for degenerating another part of the collagen foam to a collagen gel is disclosed. An elongated collagen sponge having a through-going hole or bore and a flexible wall may be used for re-establishing walls in a mammalian gastrointestinal funnel or trachea system.

Abstract: A flexible cellular material can be made by extruding a composition containing a polyurethane prepolymer, where the prepolymer has end groups selected from the group consisting of isocyanate end groups and trialkoxysilyl end groups, and the prepolymer is self-crosslinkable with moisture. The flexible cellular material has an expanded or foamed polymer matrix.

Abstract: A fibrillated foamed article and process for producing the same is described. The fibrillated articles are useful as tape backings, filters, thermal and acoustical insulation and as a diffuse reflector for use in optical applications such as computer displays and as reinforcement fibers for polymers or cast building materials such as concrete.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of expanded polyvinylarene particles in which polyvinylarene particles pre-expanded to an apparent density do ranging between 600 and 200 kg/m3 are impregnated by an inorganic gas, and the impregnated particles thus obtained are expanded to an apparent density of at least three times lower than do.

Abstract: A method for injection molding plastic molded parts from thermoplastic, comprises the following steps: the production of a thermoplastic melt (1) through the rotation of a plasticizing and injection screw (2) in a preplasticizing cylinder (3); the addition to the thermoplastic melt (1) of a fluid (4) by introducing the fluid (4) into the preplasticizing cylinder (3); the mixing up the thermoplastic melt (1) to which the fluid (4) has been added, through the rotational motion of the plasticizing and injection screw (2); the injection of the mixture of thermoplastic melt (1) and fluid (4) into the cavity (8) of an injection molding tool (5).

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing a crystalline methacrylic resin, the method comprising a step of bringing a mixture of an isotactic methyl methacrylate-type polymer and a syndiotactic methyl methacrylate-type polymer into contact with high pressure gas and a method for producing a plastic foam of the crystalline methacrylic resin, the method comprising a step of foaming the mixture. According to the method of the present invention, a crystalline methacrylic resin which is not limited in a form applicable to molded articles thereof and has high crystallinity and excellent solvent resistance can be obtained in a simple method and a plastic foam of the crystalline methacrylic resin can be obtained, the plastic foam embracing fine cells having an average cell diameter of about 10 &mgr;m or less and a cell number density of 109 to 1015 cells/cm3. Such a plastic foam is superior in the solvent resistance and in the mechanical properties such as impact resistance and bending strength.

Abstract: In a process for drying microporous, fluid-containing particles, the heat required for increasing the temperature is supplied by convection by reducing the interfacial tension of the fluid, preferably to 0 to 1/10, in particular to 0 to 1/20, of the interfacial tension of the fluid at room temperature, by appropriately increasing the temperature at from close to the critical pressure to supercritical pressure of the fluid. Furthermore, microporous, three-dimensionally networked particles are prepared by a process in which the drying process is used. In addition, an apparatus is used for carrying out the drying process, the apparatus comprising a pressure container having an inner container and pressure-withstanding outer container and suitable measuring and control apparatuses and pump apparatuses and heat exchangers, the inner container being provided for holding the particles to be dried and a gap being provided between the inner container and the outer container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of very low molecular weight polyphenylene ether resin, typically within the intrinsic viscosity range of about 0.08 dl/g to about 0.16 dl/g as measured in chloroform at 25° C. The method preferably comprises 2,6-dimethylphenol as a monovalent phenol species. The invention also relates to the polyphenylene ether resin made by the process as well as blends and articles containing the polyphenylene ether resin made by the process.

Abstract: A flexible cellular material can be made by extruding a composition containing a polyurethane prepolymer, where the prepolymer has end groups selected from the group consisting of isocyanate end groups and trialkoxysilyl end groups, and the prepolymer is self-crosslinkable with moisture. The flexible cellular material has an expanded or foamed polymer matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of very low molecular weight polyphenylene ether resin, typically within the intrinsic viscosity range of about 0.08 dl/g to about 0.16 dl/g as measured in chloroform at 25° C. The method preferably comprises 2,6-dimethylphenol as a monovalent phenol species. The invention also relates to the polyphenylene ether resin made by the process as well as blends and articles containing the polyphenylene ether resin made by the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an expanded fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molding, the method using a mold comprising a female and male dies and comprising processes for supplying a molten thermoplastic resin containing reinforcing fibers whose average fiber length is maintained at 1 mm or more to between the female and male dies to charge a mold cavity with the molten thermoplastic resin, opening a part or the whole of the mold in the thickness direction of a molding after the charging, and cooling a molding while maintaining a cavity clearance at the thickness of a final molding, the method wherein the mold cavity of the mold is interconnectable to the atmosphere, the method further comprising steps for (a) forming a solidified layer in the surface of the molten thermoplastic resin charged in the mold cavity, followed by (b) breaking at least a part of the solidified surface layer, introducing the air through the broken part concurrently with or after the breakage, and opening a

Abstract: A process for the production of expanded polyester, in particular PET, is performed by extrusion of polyester starting material have an intrinsic vircosity of at least 0.8 dl/g and an added expanded agent. To this end a twin screw extruder (14) is utilized provided with two interpenetrating screws (26) having a ratio between their axial separation and diameter lying between 0.6 and 0.8 and co-rotating at a speed of between 15 and 40 rpm. Preferably the ratio between the axial separation and diameter of the screws (26) lies between 0.69 and 0.78 and the ratio between the length and diameter of the screws (26) lies between 20 and 26.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rigid fine-celled light-weight foam composition and a method of producing it which has improved retention of liquids by absorption/adsorption which improves the thermal insulation and fire retardant properties of the fine-celled foam particularly suited for use in double walled tanks and hollow canopies, building panels, profiles, and the like.

Abstract: A method of preparing a poly(arylene ether) includes oxidatively polymerizing a monohydric phenol in solution, concentrating the solution by removing a portion of the solvent to form a concentrated solution having a cloud point, Tcloud, and combining the concentrated solution with an anti-solvent to precipitate the poly (arylene ether), wherein the concentrated solution has a temperature of at least about (Tcloud−10° C.) immediately before it is combined with the anti-solvent. The method reduces the formation of undesirably fine particles in the product poly(arylene ether).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a foamed resin article, the process comprising: a step (the first step) of impregnating any one crystalline thermoplastic resin or resin composition containing, as an elementary ingredient, a crystalline thermoplastic resin selected from a certain group, under an elevated pressure which is not lower than the critical pressure of a substance with which the selected crystalline thermoplastic resin or resin composition is to be impregnated, with a fluid of the substance, and a step (the second step) of releasing the resin or resin composition impregnated with the substance from the foregoing pressurized condition in a period of less than 10 seconds.

Abstract: An injection assembly for an injection moulding machine, comprising a screw (2) mounted in a plasticising cylinder and an injection piston (8) which moves the screw (2) in the longitudinal direction and which is mounted in an injection cylinder, wherein there is provided a supply conduit for the injection cylinder having a control valve (13) which can be shut off and there is provided an additional conduit (14) which bypasses the control valve (13) and in which are arranged a device (17) for reducing the amount of the pressure fluid flowing to the injection cylinder (7) and possibly a device (16) for reducing the pressure.

Abstract: A powder injection molding process involves providing a melt mixture that includes a powder and a binder. The melt mixture is pressurized in an injection molding machine and a gas is injected into the melt mixture. The melt mixture and gas are injected into at least one mold to form a green part and the binder is removed from the green part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of very low molecular weight polyphenylene ether resin, typically within the intrinsic viscosity range of about 0.08 dl/g to about 0.16 dl/g as measured in chloroform at 25° C. The method preferably comprises 2,6-dimethylphenol as a monovalent phenol species.

Abstract: A method using a two part process line is proposed for manufacturing foams from polymers or polymer mixtures useful for making molded bodies. The process line is divided into at least one first part and one second part. The polymer or polymer mixture is melted in the first part and a gas at a pressure increased relative to the melt pressure is added with the influence of a shearing and/or kneading device on the melted polymer or polymer mixture enriched with gas. In the second part of the process line, foam is formed from the gas-enriched polymer or polymer mixture at a higher pressure than the pressure in the first part of the process line. Membranes can be made from the molded bodies made by the method described above.

Abstract: An active log 20 includes a body made of porous ceramic material. A channel is defined within the active log, within which is carried a gas tube 40. A gas supply line 60 provides gas to the gas tube 40. Gas exhausted from holes defined in the gas tube moves through the porous material from which the active log is constructed, cooling the active log by convection. Due to the slightly greater gas pressure within the active log, gas moves outwardly through the porous material, until it is exhausted from pores on the surface of the active log. Contact with the ambient atmosphere results in combustion. Because the combustion is generally uniformly distributed about the external surface of the active log, and because there is no unsightly external burner from which gas is exhausted, the appearance of the active log is a realistic approximation of the burning surface of a real log.

Abstract: A process for producing a work piece includes providing raw material which is cellulose-containing and fibrous, which is not any part of a tree, and which is selected from the group consisting of, crude plant fibers, pure cellulose, waste paper, and waste cardboard; adding water to the raw material; finely chopping the raw material in a machine by continuously grinding the raw material with a total energy expenditure of at least 0.

Abstract: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) foams that are essentially free of residual chemical blowing agents and reaction-by-products of chemical blowing agent are provided. The HDPE foams can be either microcellular foams or conventional foams. She foams can be produced in extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding processes that utilize a physical blowing agent. Specific die designs useful for making high quality foams are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a foamed article by which a foamed article having a high expansion ratio, having uniform fine cells in a high closed cell ratio and capable of being recycled, which is utilizable as heat insulating materials for construction, cushioning materials for wrapping, cushioning floats for ships, floats for sports and leisure and the like, can be obtained readily and safely using a clean inorganic gas as a foaming agent, and to a foamed article obtained by the method.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic resin pellet, which comprises melt-kneading a thermoplastic resin to obtain a thermoplastic resin pellet, wherein the thermoplastic resin comprising: (A) at least one thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene ether-based resins, polyacetal-based resins, polyamide-based resins, polystyrene-based resins, acrylic resins, polyester-based resins, polycarbonates, polyphenylene sulfides, polyetherimides, polyethersulfones, polysulfones, polyether (ether) ketones; and (B) a carbon dioxide gas contained in thermoplastic resin (A) in an amount of from 0.3 to 20.0 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of thermoplastic resin (A).

Abstract: A supermicrocellular foamed material and a method for producing such material, the material to be foamed such as a polymerplastic material, having a supercritical fluid, such as carbon dioxide in its supercritical state, introduced into the material to form a foamed fluid/material system having a plurality of cells distributed substantially throughout the material. Cell densities lying in a range from about 109 to about 1015 per cubic centimeter of the material can be achieved with the average cell sizes being at least less than 2.0 microns and preferably in a range from about 0.1 micron to about 1.0 micron.