Abstract: A headed thermoplastic tube having a closure member is formed solely from a thermoplastic extruded, stretched sleeve by positioning the sleeve over a forming mandrel with an exposed portion and heating the exposed portion. The heated exposed portion is shaped into a head in a single step by contacting the exposed portion with a closure means which is later retained on the head after initial contact. The internal cavity of the closure means, which may have threads or grooves formed in the internal cavity, is made of an incompatible material to facilitate the forming of a head in said cavity. The closure means may also have tamper evident features.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for fabricating an elastomeric article, and comprises the steps of: providing a predetermined quantity of a comminuted rubber composition; heating the comminuted rubber composition to a predetermined processing temperature which effects at least a partial devulcanization thereof; forming a homogeneous dispersion by combining with that rubber composition a predetermined quantity of an additive composition; mixing with the homogeneous dispersion a predetermined quantity of a plastic composition and heating the resulting mixture to a predetermined extruding temperature to form a viscous compound composition; and, mechanically processing the viscous compound composition to form the elastomeric article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of converting asphalt composition roofing shingles into dimensional construction products. Asphalt composition roofing shingles are de-consolidated, such as by grinding, into a crumble. The asphalt shingle crumble is processed in a manner to increase the fusibility activity of the asphalt without decomposing a substantial fractional amount of the asphalt to an ash-like brittleness. The foregoing can be achieved by heat exchange using infrared heaters as the heat source. One disclosed example trial of the process warmed the crumble to a bulk temperature of between about 130.degree. F. and 150.degree. F. Following that, the asphalt shingle crumble is compacted into the shape of a given dimensional construction product such as blocks, curbs, tiles, beams, posts, and so on. The best quality products are achieved by a two-step compaction process in which there occurs a certain time elapse between the two compaction steps.

Abstract: A three phase method of treating solid waste to eliminate hazards and preserve the resource value of the constituent materials, separating and recovering the constituent materials, and productively using those constituent materials, includes, in the first phase, steps to separate ferrous metal constituents from the waste stream, shred and grind the solid wastes to generally uniform small particles, dry the waste material to remove essentially all free moisture and render the wastes biologically inert, compact the dried waste materials into uniform high density blocks, and encapsulate the compacted blocks; includes, in the second phase, steps to return the compacted blocks to uniform particles and separate the combined constituent materials on the basis of density, with primary processing utilizing a series of fluidized bed and cyclonic separator assemblies and with secondary processing utilizing combinations of vibratory conveyors, melt separation assemblies, and the like; and includes, in the third phase, st

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reclaiming expanded synthetic resin wastes in a form suitable for subsequent injection molding. The apparatus includes a tank containing a solvent having a pump for pumping dissolved resin wastes to an evaporator. The evaporator comprises an endless belt on which dissolved resin waste is deposited and precipitates in the form of a thin film. A heater is disposed below the belt to expedite separation of solute and solvent by evaporation. A blower disposed within a housing enclosing the endless belt establishes air circulation over the belt, further promoting evaporation. The thin film is wound on a roller and subjected to a heated roller to fuse the many thin film strata into a solid, generally cylindrical mass. The solid mass is then comminuted by a granulator. Evaporated solvent is recovered in a condenser and is reused.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for forming a structural member from solid waste which consists of comminuting or shredding solid waste into particles one inch or smaller, adding a small amount of a thermoplastic material such as polyurethane or polyethylene to produce bonding, then heating the mixture and forcing the heated mixture through a restrictive extrusion die under high compression which forms the same in a predetermined transverse cross sectional configuration. Thereupon, the shaped compressed mixture is allowed to cool while maintaining the predetermined shape, and upon cooling, a thermoplastic cover encapsulates the compressed shaped product. The structural member is then cut into the desired lengths.

Abstract: A method of recycling post-consumer polyester to obtain recycled polyester of sufficiently high purity to meet food packaging requirements is disclosed. The method includes cleaning comminuted pieces of post-consumer polyester to remove surface contaminants; melting the surface-cleaned post-consumer polyester pieces; extruding the post-consumer melt; blending the melt of post-consumer polyester with a melt of virgin polyester prepolymer; solidifying and pelletizing the blended melt while the virgin polyester prepolymer remains as prepolymer; and polymerizing the solid blended pellets in the solid state.