Abstract: Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H2O/24-hour/m2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine-direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine-direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an external cooling system for a molten film tube produced by a blown film tubular extrusion process, comprised of one or more enclosures with one or more respective cavities that directly receive a portion of cooling gas emanating from one or more associated cooling elements. Each enclosure includes a port containing a variable exhaust device and optional flow buffer, acting to maintain a pressure differential between the cavity and an adjacent inside volume of the molten film tube, adjustable to optimize molten film tube stability cooling element efficiency and spaced apart dimension between cooling elements. Additionally, at least one cooling element is provided, comprised of a divergent cooling element with a divergent cooling interface containing a cooling gas deflector spaced adjacent to the molten film tube and providing an expelled cooling gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an external cooling system for a molten film tube produced by a blown film tubular extrusion process, comprised of one or more enclosures with one or more respective cavities that directly receive a portion of cooling gas emanating from one or more associated cooling elements. Each enclosure includes a port containing a variable exhaust device and optional flow buffer, acting to maintain a pressure differential between the cavity and an adjacent inside volume of the molten film tube, adjustable to optimize molten film tube stability cooling element efficiency and spaced apart dimension between cooling elements. Additionally, at least one cooling element is provided, comprised of a divergent cooling element with a divergent cooling interface containing a cooling gas deflector spaced adjacent to the molten film tube and providing an expelled cooling gas.

Abstract: A package and a process for forming the package are provided. The process may include providing a first flexible polymer film and a second flexible polymer film, sealing the first film and the second film together to form an enclosure and at least one tab area, and trapping fluid within a discrete portion of the tab area to form a breachable bubble. The enclosure may define an interior volume configured to receive a consumer product. Fluid trapped within a discrete portion of the tab area to form a breachable bubble may be sufficient to cause the bubble to breach upon application of minimal pressure by a user, separating a sealed portion of the first film from the second film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for differential cooling of a plastic film tube. The apparatus and method includes the use of a blown film extrusion die that extrudes a plastic film tube upward. An air cooling system applies cooling air across one or more surfaces of the plastic film tube. One or more throttling valves are coupled to a pressurization pump that provides a pressurized working fluid, preferably water. The throttling valves are positioned to project the pressurized working fluid from outlets of the throttling valves towards circular arcs of the plastic film tube, the circular arcs of the plastic film tube being less than the circumference of the plastic film tube to provide a blown film tubular plastic film with controlled gauge variation.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for inserting a flexible, inflatable and electrically heatable bladder conveying and installing a thermally responsive repair material into the interior of a pipe. The device is portable and can be used to repair pipe accessible from only one location.

Abstract: A plastic resin extrusion line for the production of blown film includes an external thickness control device that provides a controllable amount of air from an inlet side through an annular region to one or two sets of lips. Barriers that can be manually or automatically controlled are provided in the annular region for localized control of air flow and thus for localized thickness control. The pressure drop across the barriers is significant relative to that in the lips.

Abstract: A plastic resin extrusion line for the production of blown film includes an external thickness control device that provides a controllable amount of air from an inlet side through an annular region to one or two sets of lips. Barriers that can be manually or automatically controlled are provided in the annular region for localized control of air flow and thus for localized thickness control. The pressure drop across the barriers is significant relative to that in the lips.

Abstract: The invention relates to an air ring for a blown film process, the air ring comprising: at least one air outlet for directing a stream of air outside the film; at least one component movable through a range of positions for controlling the air stream, said component being moveable to a set position within the range of positions for achieving a film of preselected properties; adjustor means for moving the component to any one of the positions; and output generating means for generating a unique output signal for each of said positions in said range to produce a unique signal representative of the set position. The invention also relates to methods of producing blown film. By providing output generating means to produce an output signal which identifies the positions of the components, component settings are reproducible and may be automated.

Abstract: This application relates to producing biaxially stretched tubular cellulose films for the food industry. In particular, the biaxial stretching is obtained by using rollers to stretch the casings longitudinally and to use increased air pressure inside the films to radially stretch the casings. The obtained product may also be cut to provide longitudinal strips for the production of smaller tubular films.

Abstract: Process for the production of cellulose shaped bodies through the precipitation of a cellulose solution containing cellulose dissolved in an amine oxide/water system in a precipitation bath, wherein the solution contains additional cellulose fibers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a hollow plastic section by extrusion through a die in a horizontal direction. The die has an inner mandrel which forms the cavity in the section. A first sealing plug and a second sealing plug, which sealing plugs are situated at a distance from one another downstream of the inner mandrel are attached to the inner mandrel. The sealing plugs are designed, during operation of the apparatus, to lie in the hollow section, such that they are sealed against the section, so that the sealing plugs and the section delimit a compartment in the cavity of the section. The compartment is filled with a liquid during operation of the apparatus. Vent means are located in the compartment for receiving and discharging gases or vapor which collects at the highest point of the compartment.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an environmental friendly paper from about 56% to about 80% by weight of inorganic mineral powders, about 43% to 18% by weight of polyethylene, and about 1% to 2% by weight of additives is provided. A composition for the manufacture of an environmental friendly paper, comprising about 56% to 80% by weight of inorganic mineral powders, about 43% to 18% by weight of polyethylene, and about 1% to 2% weight by additives is also disclosed.

Abstract: This application discloses a liner pipe reduction system comprising at least one pressurized die and at least one pressure cell. The pressurized dies and pressure cell are interconnected to form a reduction system to reduce the friction of liner pipe as it passes through one or more dies.

Abstract: Convoluted tubing of thermoplastic resin is made by extruding the resin as a molten tubular extrudate, feeding said extrudate into the interior of a rotating tubular member which has a helical thread in the interior of said member, the spiral thread having a deformation zone receiving the extrudate and a cooling zone downstream from the deformation zone. A vacuum can be used to force the extrudate against the spiral thread in the deformation zone to spirally convolute the extrudate. The rotation of the tubular member causes the resultant convoluted tubing to engage the spiral thread in the cooling zone for conveyance through such zone. Apparatus comprising the rotating tubular member with the interior thread for forming the convoluted tubing is provided.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for cooling or quenching a tube extruded from a water soluble polymer includes a plurality of cooling rings with bores through which the extruded tube passes. A gaseous cooling medium, such as compressed air, is supplied to each cooling ring and is directed immediately downstream of the bore thereof to impinge upon and cool the tubing passing therethrough. The cooling medium is supplied annularly so as to maintain the just-extruded tubing concentric and keep it centered in the bore.

Abstract: Automatic thickness profiling for use in blown film and other extrusion lines. The automatic system is integrated into an air cooling ring device either external and/or internal to the bubble or extrusion. The system has or more high resolution circumferentially variable annular air outlets which act to cool the molten resin in a circumferentially variable way. Thin slide plates remain fixed in place except when adjusted to open or close the local annular air outlet by the action of at least one scanning actuator. The actuator is positioned by control signals generated by a control computer which calculates the appropriate local dimension of the variable air outlet in response to circumferential position correlated with thickness variations detected by a film thickness sensor. The film thickness above the frost line is mechanically scanned around the extrusion.

Abstract: In a method for forming a cellulose tube suitable for use as a food casing, in which a solution of nonderivatized cellulose, tertiary amine N-oxide and water is extruded through a die gap and the extruded tube is downwardly drawn through an air gap while being internally cooled and then is passed into a water bath, the tube transverse direction tensile strength being increased by drawing the extruded tube through an air length of at least about five inches and exposing the exterior surface of the extruded tube to cooling air in the air gap.

Abstract: A method is provided to produce a blown film of a vinyl aromatic/conjugated block copolymer, the method including the steps of:providing an elastomeric composition, the composition comprising a block copolymer of vinyl aromatic and a conjugated block copolymer;melting the composition in an extruder;passing the melted composition from the extruder through a die, the die being a circular die comprising a circular outlet and a tapered channel leading to the circular outlet, the circular outlet having an opening width of about 10.sup.-2 inches, the taper being a linear taper of at least a one inch length, the center of the linear taper being angled away from the center of the circular outlet at an angle of at least 10.degree. from a line normal to the circular outlet, and the die having a source of gas pressure inside of the circular outlet; andcooling the extruded composition that has been passed through the die with a cooling gas stream.

Abstract: A blowing head for the manufacture of tubular film from thermoplastic synthetic resin includes ducts for the supply and removal of internal cooling air, at least one supply duct for fused synthetic resin which opens into an annular outlet nozzle, an external cooling ring encircling the extruded synthetic resin film and a supply of air at different temperatures to sectors of the external cooling ring which are distributed over the periphery of the extruded tubular film for differentially heating or cooling the film.

Abstract: A film manufacturing apparatus includes a circular die having a lip-shaped circular outlet for extruding a molten plastic in an annular form and an air passage for blowing air into the annular molten plastic to form a bubble. A water containing cooling ring cools the bubble and restrains the bubble so as to form a tubular plastic film below the cooling ring. An ultrasonic sensor is arranged near the circular die and extends substantially downwardly obliquely toward the center of the bubble for detecting the distance between the surface of the bubble and the ultrasonic sensor, and a controller controls an air supply regulating valve arranged in a line leading to the air passage to control the size of the bubble. Also, an ambient temperature sensor is arranged for correcting the speed of the ultrasonic signal, and a receiving time selecting device is arranged for correcting the time period during which an ultrasonic signal reflected from the bubble can be received.

Abstract: A process for producing an oriented blown film of a thermoplastic resin by blown film extrusion, carried out by blowing air into an extruded bubble of the resin extruded from a ring die to expand the bubble and cooling the expanded bubble with air from a cooling air ring, wherein blown film extrusion is carried out under such conditions that the ratio of (b) the final diameter of the expanded bubble to (a) the diameter of the bubble at the crystallizing temperature of the thermoplastic resin ((b)/(a)) ranges from 1.5 to 10. The process provides an oriented blown film excellent in strength, appearance, and heat shrinkage characteristics.

Abstract: The method of making polystyrene foam for foam products which includes utilizing atmospheric gases as the blowing agents or preferably mixing one or more of these gases and a blending agent which is non-volatile at the extrusion temperatures, introducing the mixture to a molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin containing nucleating agents such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid and extruding the thermoplastic in the form of a foam. The resultant foam has substantially no residual blowing agent, is dimensionally stable at ambient temperatures and when used with a non-volatile blending agent can be made with small amounts of blowing agent permitting cooling of the melt without high loading on the extruder. The foam may be coextruded with one or more layers of thermoplastic film so that the resultant product is adapted for use for plates, cups, food containers or packaging and for labels for containers such as glass and plastic containers and for labels that are shrunk in place on a container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding an inflation film even from a thermoplastic resin having a small melt tension, in which a melt resin bubble extruded from an extruder is molded, while controlling a resin temperature of the bubble to a certain temperature range by an air ring provided with a plurality of annular slits for blowing cooling air in a take-up direction of the melt resin bubble and provided at a position at which the melt resin bubble is remarkably expanded, after (a) cooling air is blown to a melt resin bubble from a first air ring provided at the proximity of a die outlet to cool said melt resin bubble; and, then, the bubble is either (i) brought into contact, on the inner surface thereof, with the surface of a stabilizer provided on a die surface, or (ii) is supported in a non-contact state through an air layer, while being taken up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forming clear shrinkable film material for use as labels on containers. A blend of general purpose polystryene and styrene-butadiene or styrene butyl acrylate is extruded from an annular extruder die orifice to form a frustoconical tube which is stretched before cooling air is applied to form a clear film that has machine direction orientation and cross direction orientation that can be used as a shrinkable label on containers. As the tube is extruded, it is shielded from cooling air which is applied downstream from the extruder die orifice. The apparatus shields the hot annular extruded material adjacent the die orifice. The air is supplied downstream from an annular air orifice which is designed with a taper that allows ambient air to be freely drawn in and eliminates what would be a negative pressure zone immediately downstream of the air orifice while eliminating air turbulence and improving cooling.

Abstract: A blend for blown film which exhibits improved MD/TD tear balance. The blend is a bimodal molecular weight ethylene resin containing two fractions of different molecular weight. The weight fraction of a higher molecular weight component of the blend is about 0.35 to 0.75.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the film correction of the thickness profile of a blown portion in the production of bubble film in which the flow of cooling air is varied in individual peripheral regions of the film bubble. According to the invention, at least part of the cooling air is taken via an exit slot which is divided into individual separately fed segments in the peripheral direction of the film bubble and the supply of additional cooling air via the exit slot is, for example, controlled per segment using radial blowers. In this manner it is possible accurately to regulate the cooling action and thus the film thickness in the individual peripheral regions of the film bubble.

Abstract: A method for producing film having high tensile impact and dart drop properties by introducing a very low density ethylene alpha olefin copolymer having a melt index of less than 0.1 gm/10 min. a melt flow ratio of about 14-18 and a dispersity greater than 10 into a stalk extrusion apparatus and thereafter forming a film from said resin.

Abstract: An improved blown-film extrusion process with particular application for high modulus thermoplastic resins. A cylinder is mounted above the cooling air ring. The film bubble passes through this cylinder, which has a diameter approximating the final diameter of the bubble. The frost line remains at or slightly higher than the top of the cylinder, leaving a small gap between the top of the cylinder bubble. The improvement enhances bubble cooling and stability and results in wrinkle-free film.

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: An apparatus and method for the production of polymeric films by a blown film process is disclosed. Polymeric films produced from crystallizable linear polymers are extruded through a die extruder, expanded by the injection of a gas inside the tubular film, cooled at the point of extrusion from the die, and further cooled at the point of maximal expansion or the frost line to produce a film having substantially enhanced optical characteristics.

Abstract: A film blowing apparatus for the production of blown polymeric films includes a modified air ring which includes means for the continuous or periodic collection and removal of liquids from the proximity of the circular die which may condense, and further, optionally includes the further step of providing means, preferably a vacuum pump, for withdrawing and optionally collecting the condensed liquids from the surface of the modified air ring facing the blown film.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for producing biaxially oriented single-layered and multilayered films. The biaxially oriented single-layered film receives stresses in the range of 500 kg/cm.sup.2 to 1500 kg/cm.sup.2 each in the machine and transverse directions of the film. The multilayered film receives stresses in the range of 300 kg/cm.sup.2 to 1250 kg/cm.sup.2 each in the machine and transverse directions of the film. Thus, the molding stability in biaxial orientation of a nylon film is improved and the thickness accuracy of a resulting film is improved.

Abstract: The method of making polystyrene foam for foam products which includes utilizing atmospheric gases as the blowing agents or preferably mixing one or more of these gases and a blending agent which is non-volatile at the extrusion temperatures, introducing the mixture to a molten thermoplastic polystyrene resin containing nucleating agents such as sodium bicarbonate and citric acid and extruding the thermoplastic in the form of a foam. The resultant foam has substantially no residual blowing agent, is dimensionally stable at ambient temperatures and when used with a non-volatile blending agent can be made with small amounts of blowing agent permitting cooling of the melt without high loading on the extruder. The foam may be coextruded with one or more layers of thermoplastic films so that the resultant product is adpated for use for plates, cups, food containers or packaging and for labells for containers such as glass and plastic containers and for labels that are shrunk in place on a container.

Abstract: A method for preparing biaxially oriented poly(vinylidene fluoride) films involving the addition of a minor amount of a polymer miscible with PVDF, particularly poly(methyl methacrylate), to the poly(vinylidene fluoride) to form a blend exhibiting reduced crystallinity and reduced rates of crystallization during the film forming process. The low crystallinity permits the blend to be subsequently formed into biaxially oriented film in a double-bubble tubular film extrusion process by retarding the rate of crystallization in the first bubble, thereby permitting formation of the second bubble without rupture. The films thus formed possess piezoelectric and other desirable characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a film comprising a vinylidene chloride interpolymer, wherein the vinylidene chloride interpolymer having polymerized herein vinylidene chloride in an amount of from about 75 to about 95 percent by weight of interpolymer and from about 25 to about 5 percent by weight of interpolymer of at least one monomer copolymerized therewith, is prepared by extruding said interpolymer through an extrusion die to form an extrudate; passing the extrudate through a cooling means; blowing a blown tubular bubble by expanding the cooled extrudate sheet around a trapped gaseous medium, said bubble having an effective blow-up ratio before deflation such that the bubble after deflation has a desired final blow-up ratio; and conveying the tubular bubble through a deflator means to collapse the bubble into a two-layer film, wherein the film has a final blow-up ratio of between about 2.5 to about 3.

Abstract: A composition is provided which is suitable for extrusion blowing to form an elastomeric film. The film produced from this composition has a very low modulus, high elongation and excellent elastic recovery. The composition includes: two hydrogenated block copolymers each including at least two blocks containing predominantly polymerized alkene arene monomer units and at least one block containing predominantly polymerized conjugated diene monomer units, the first hydrogenated block copolymer having a molecular weight between about 55,000 and about 200,000 and the second hydrogenated block copolymer having a molecular weight between about 15,000 and about 85,000, the ratio of the molecular weight of the first to the second being greater than 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing biaxially oriented film. A tubular original film which has been extruded by an extruding die is biaxially oriented by heat and air injected to the inside portion thereof being conveyed to nip rolls each having an individual circumferential speed. The temperature of heat to be applied to the film is controlled on the basis of the detected film thickness for the purpose of obtaining a uniform film thickness distribution. Furthermore, the film can be made uniform by adjusting the outer diameter of the bubble-shaped oriented film by adjusting the distance between two sets of nip rolls on the basis of the measured width of the film. In addition, when the thus-oriented film is subjected to a heat treatment, temperature of heat is arranged to be a predetermined temperature as to prevent adhesion of the films.

Abstract: An apparatus for highly intensive cooling of biaxially oriented films from high- and medium-molecular weight thermoplastics using a long neck on a blown film line is described, including: a plastics extruder, a die for forming a tube neck from the extruded plastic, means positioned adjacent the die for externally cooling the tube neck, an expansion zone where the tube neck becomes a bubble, a drag mandrel positioned immediately before the expansion zone for internally contacting, stabilizing and guiding the tube neck, means for continuously providing cool air internally of the tube neck at the expansion zone immediately after the contact, the means including a first tube in communication with a cool air source, and means for continuously removing the cool air that has been heated.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a blown film of butene-1 polymer excellent in elasticity, elastic recovery, impact strength and the like which includes extruding a butene-1 polymer having a melt index of 0.3-10 g/10 min in a tubular form from extrusion die at an extrusion temperature of 120.degree.-250.degree. C. and then inflation molding the tubular film under the conditions that frost line height is 38-100 cm, stretch ratio in machine direction is 5 or more and ratio of stretch ratio in machine direction/stretch ratio in transverse direction is 2.5 or more.

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: The rate for producing blown films of thermoplastic resins may be increased by using the extrusion and blowing apparatus of the invention, which includes a means of rapidly cooling the blown film at points both above and below the bubble frost line.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a tubular polymer film material which is being extruded, and more particularly, an apparatus for extruding tubular thermoplastic films including two tandem spaced air rings for controlling the cooling rate and production speeds of the thermoplastic films during extrusion thereof. Moreover, there is also disclosed a method for the cooling of an extruded tubular thermoplastic film material through the utilization of a tandem air ring cooling structure.

Abstract: Process and device for cooling a tubular sleeve produced by hot extrusion-blowing of a thermoplastic material through an annular die. In the process, a stream of primary air is flowed under pressure substantially parallel to and spaced from the tubular sleeve and reaches the tubular sleeve at a second stage. The stream of primary air induces a stream of secondary air which flows substantially parallel and proximate to the tubular sleeve at a first stage and whose flow is substantially laminar over most of its path. The device includes a first cylindrical sleeve member that, in combination with the tubular sleeve, defines a secondary air flow space. A second cyclindrical sleeve member and the first sleeve member define a primary air flow space therebetween. A cylindrical ring disposed proximate to the annular die directs air into the secondary air flow space. A source of pressurized air is in flow communication with the primary air flow space.

Abstract: The apparatus for making a plastic foil by blowing into an extruded thermoplastic tube comprises a rotating extruder head with at least one circular outlet gap for the plastic tube, an air blowing device and a cooling device including two circular cooling air outlets surrounding the circular outlet gap of the extruder head. Cooling air duct structures are connected to a common cooling air blower. A cooling air distributor unit has a cooling air feed device for each cooling air outlet. The cooling air feed devices are aerodynamically independent of each other. The aerodynamically independent cooling air feed devices are connected to a common cooling air duct structure. Each cooling air feed device has an air flow control device.

Abstract: A dual flow air ring is used to cool the exterior surface of thermoplastic tube after the plastic is extruded from an annular die. The surface of the wall forming the divider between the upstream and downstream flow paths which confronts the extruded tube is shaped to include a region of decreasing diameter in the direction of tube travel so that the flow path for air issuing from the lower discharge formed between the extruded tube and the surface is caused to converge. This converging flow stabilizes the tube thereby permitting more vigorous cooling and consequently higher production rates.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of plastic film by the extrusion of a tube thereof includes a first air ring disposed at the die exit and delivering an annular stream of cooling air to the surface of the emerging tube, which is in a stable expansion phase as it escapes the die internal pressure. Preferably the stream is directed axially of the tube path. The apparatus includes the combination of a sizing cage and a second air ring that is mounted for longitudinal movement along the tube. The tube is established with the air rings close together and they are moved as soon as possible as far apart as possible. The second air ring is located just below where the tube begins to expand and delivers an annular stream of air, preferably in a known manner away from the tube to form a vacuum which stabilizes the tube. The attached sizing cage supports the tube and holds it concentric with the second air ring against turbulence and the possibility of oscillation.

Abstract: A method of biaxially stretching a tubular thermoplastic resin to provide a film, wherein air is blown against a starting point for heating and stretching the tube, from the upstream side of the starting point, at a predetermined angle relative to the feeding direction of the film. An apparatus for achieving this method includes: two pairs of nip rolls being different in circumferential speed between the pairs; a heating-stretching section interposed between the pairs of nip rolls, for heating the tube to a temperature where the tube can be stretched; and an air ring device for blowing air in the feeding direction of the film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing mesh film include an extrusion die for extruding a tube of a heat-plastified, resinous, mesh film material. A first cooling arrangement, centrally located within the extruded tube, cools the internal surface of the tube. The first cooling arrangement has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the extruded tube. A plurality of cooling nozzles are disposed radially outward from the first cooling arrangement for directing a plurality of streams of a cooling gas toward the exterior surface of the extruded tube. An annular gas bearing is spaced axially from the first cooling arrangement such that the extruded tube passes therethrough after leaving the first cooling arrangement, thereby permitting the diameter of the extruded tube to be increased subsequently by means of a trapped air bubble therewithin.

Abstract: The invention provides an air operated film-handling or stabilizing device that can be used with most thin flexible films or webs, such as plastics, paper, thin metal, etc. The configuration of the device depends upon the shape of the sheet and, for example, is flat for flat sheets and ring-shaped for use in blown plastics film production to surround the blown bubble. The device provides two opposite orifices which discharge respective streams of air in opposite directions over respective surfaces which are parallel to the face of the film to be handled and/or stabilized. A third surface is disposed between the two orifices also parallel to the film face, but spaced further from it than the two first-mentioned faces, resulting in a zone of lower air pressure that urges the film toward the third surface, but without the possibility of touching it, or the other two surfaces, so that the film is held by the force in a stable location relative to the device.