Abstract: PET foam is processed into flakes. The flakes are densified in a pellet mill at between about 300.degree. F. and about 350.degree. F. to produce pellets. The pellets are then dried in a desiccant dryer at about 350.degree. F. for about 6 hours, so that the dew point of the pellets reaches about -40.degree. F. The dried pellets have an intrinsic viscosity about equal to virgin PET and a crystallinity greater than 20%. This material can be reused as if it were virgin PET.

Abstract: A process for producing polyolefin materials is disclosed which comprises the steps of (a) preparing a molded article of an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin having a viscosity-average molecular weight of more than 500,000; (b) stretching said article by more than thirty-fold; (c) contracting the thus stretched article to an extent ranging from 0.3 to 80% in the direction of stretch; and (d) re-stretching the thus contracted article. The resulting polyolefin materials are improved in mechanical strength and elasticity modulus.

Abstract: Beads capable of stably executing bead embroidery having high quality by using a continuous form of beads which can accomplish automatic bead embroidery. The beads comprise a laminate film 1a formed by laminating films 2 and 3 having different thermal shrinkage ratios in a predetermined direction. The laminate film 1a is heat-treated and curled into a cylindrical shape to form a cylinder 1b, and cuts 4 are formed into the cylinder 1b at predetermined intervals so as to form the continuous member 1c of the beads 6.

Abstract: An injection molding process for soles using expansible and cross-linking EVA based compounds. During the cooling stage of the molded sole, the spontaneous shrinkage of the molded sole is arrested by means of a template placed on the sole. To accomplish this, a series of perimeter pin elements extend from the bottom surface of the template and are coupled with a corresponding series of perimeter holes defined on the upper surface of the sole. The dimensions of the sole therefore will reduce no further either during the remaining cooling phase or after cooling.

Abstract: A tight, sterile connection between flexible tubing and a connector on a medical device is produced by pre-assembling the tubing and the connector, heat-shrinking the tubing onto the connector, and then sterilizing the connection while maintaining compression of the tubing against the connector.

Abstract: Orthopedic casts which comprise an elastically deformed support which is held in its elastically deformed state by a solid casting composition. After the cast has been placed around a patient's limb, it is heated to soften the casting composition, thus permitting recovery of the cast into conforming contact with the limb. The support can for example be a fabric knitted from elastomeric fibers and glass fiber yarns. The casting composition can for example comprise polycaprolactone and/or a side chain crystallizable polymer, which melts at 45.degree.-60.degree. C. A padded liner can be placed between the cast and the limb. Recovery of the cast is preferably carried out by means of a hot air gun.

Abstract: A saddle includes a body of thermoplastic material constituting a load-bearing structure on which a padding of expanded plastics material is fitted. The padding is made of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer which does not require the application of a covering layer. The padding is formed by injection moulding and allowed to expand to a size larger than the final size. The padding is then placed on the load-bearing structure and is firmly coupled to the load-bearing structure upon cooling and shrinking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an hydraulic hose having ends of different internal diameters. An uncured hose is produced by conventional extrusion. The uncured hose is placed upon a mandrel having a reduced diameter end. That end of the uncured hose proximate the reduced diameter of the mandrel is covered by a heat responsive shrink tube. The shrink tube is heated to mold the end of the hose about the mandrel. Thereafter, the hose is vulcanized.

Abstract: A method for making air bag covers includes enclosing leather or other covering material in a mold, advancing a projection on a mold portion against a covering material to form a tear seam, and injecting moldable material behind the covering material to form a backing layer bonded to the material while forming an aligned groove in the backing layer. Embossing a desired pattern in the leather or covering material with a design in the mold cavity is also disclosed. A method for molding leather covered, resinous articles using a preformed, preshrunk leather piece, which articles optionally have designs, indicia or enhanced leather graining embossed during molding, is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a process of manufacturing shaped elements from synthetic thermoplastics, particularly polyolefins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, wherein the plastic material is heated to a temperature above its softening temperature and is shaped in that state to form the shaped element and is subsequently cooled to a temperature below its softening temperature, the shaped elements are shaped in a hot state to form intermediate products having a certain oversize over the desired final dimensions and after they have been cooled are caused by a material-compacting pressing operation to assume the desired final dimensions, in which they are dimensionally stable.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a phase retarder film or sheet comprising continuously supplying a stretched thermoplastic resin film or sheet to a heating zone in parallel with the stretching direction of the film or sheet and heating the film or sheet to a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of the resin while applying pressure to the surface of the film or sheet passing through the heating zone, thereby continuously subjecting the film or sheet to thermal relaxation while suppressing the expansion of the film or sheet in a direction parallel to the surface of the film or sheet and perpendicular to the stretching axis. According to the present invention, a phase retarder film or sheet having a low angular dependence of retardation can be produced continuously. By using the phase retarder film(s) or sheet(s) thus obtained as optical compensator(s), the viewing angle characteristics of liquid crystal display devices can remarkably be improved.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable polyester tube, which is a tube having heat shrinkability imparted by subjecting an unstretched tube made of a thermoplastic polyester resin to tubular stretching, and which has a crystallinity of not higher than 20% and a shrinkage of more than 5% and not more than 26% in the longitudinal direction (MD) and a shrinkage of at least 25% in the radial direction (TD).

Abstract: A process for producing a phase retarder film or sheet, which comprises subjecting a stretched thermoplastic resin film or sheet to thermal relaxation at a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin to shrink the film or sheet in the stretching axis direction while suppressing the expansion of the film or sheet in a direction parallel to the film or sheet surface and perpendicular to the stretching axis.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a fiberscopic catheter having a tightly fitted optical glass fiber bundle received within an internal lumen of the catheter. The lumen for receiving the optical glass fiber bundle is heated and expanded under internal fluid pressure. The catheter and lumen are then cooled with the lumen still under the internal fluid pressure. After cooling, the fluid pressure is released and the lumen retains its expanded condition. An optical glass fiber bundle is inserted into the expanded lumen to a predetermined position within the catheter. The catheter and lumen are reheated to contract the expanded diameter of the lumen about the optical glass fiber bundle to provide a fiberscopic catheter having a tightly fitted fiber optic bundle within the catheter.

Abstract: A process for forming a plastic casing having reinforcing elements to resist tensile forces by simultaneously extruding the plastic casing and the reinforcing elements which are in a molten form and then twisting the extruded casing and elements to impart a helical configuration to the elements.

Abstract: A method of enclosing a substrate within a heat-shrinkable sleeve, which comprises the steps of:a) attaching to the substrate a slideway;b) attaching to the slideway a clip having at least two legs;c) positioning a heat-shrinkable sleeve around the substrate;d) sliding the clip by means of the slideway and with respect to the substrate such that at least one portion of the sleeve becomes positioned between the legs of the clip, ande) causing heat-shrinkage of the sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of a balloon dilatation catheter which comprises blowing a length of double lumen tubing to produce a double lumen catheter piece having distal and proximal ends and having a first lumen and a second lumen; cutting an opening in the second lumen proximal to the distal end of the catheter piece; inserting a pushing wire having distal and proximal ends into the second lumen through the proximal end of the catheter piece until the distal end of the pushing wire extends distally across the opening; inserting a piece of lubricous tubing into the second lumen through the distal end of the catheter piece; sealing the distal end of the first lumen; heating the distal portion of the catheter piece to cause the distal portion of the second lumen to shrink slightly to cause the lubricous tubing to fixedly engage the distal end of the pushing wire, while the first lumen is pressurized; and heating the remainder of the catheter piece to cause the second lumen to shrink around the

Abstract: A rigidized fiber filter element is produced from a precursor fiber web. The precursor fiber web contains heat-shrinkable fibers or binder fibers or both. The web is exposed to temperatures sufficiently elevated to cause shrinkage of the fibers or melting of the binder. After cooling the web, the filter elements produced are self-supporting, and may have densities up to 500 kg/m.sup.3 to improve filtration while retaining good functional characteristics for operating pressure drop and air permeability. Rigidized fiber filter elements can be constructed of one material, and thus may be suitable for recycling.

Abstract: System and method for densifying expanded thermoplastic foam materials such as loose fill packing materials, larger blocks of such materials, and food and beverage service items to reduce the volume of such materials for recycling or disposal. The material is heated to soften the material and expel gas from cells within the material and thereby shrink the material to a reduced volume. In some embodiments, and the material is further densified by compacting the heat softened material to further reduce the volume.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes flame-retardant, high-temperature resistant polyimide fibers, nonwovens made from said fibers, as well as the fibers and molded articles obtained after a heat treatment. A composite of such fibers is heated to a temperature in the glass transition range of the fiber, i.e., between 280.degree. and 350.degree. C. This heat treatment develops a contraction force of 0.3 to 1.1 cN in the fibers which results in a fiber shrinkage of between 20 and 60% and the formation of cohesive bonds. The fibers of the invention enable the manufacture of molded articles that are particularly strong, have a high temperature resistance and flame-retardant properties, while having a relatively low density.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition of matter having a fibre structure incorporating a major proportion of heat shrinkable fibres, the structure includes within it discreet fibre groupings which serve to provide structural elements within the composition. The composition of the invention is capable of being formed to provide shaped products. A particular aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising flame retardant fibres typically polyimide fibres which enables the production of flame retardent compositions. The density of the structures can be controlled as can the rigidity thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad core optical conduit and to an optical conduit having either a thermoplastic, thermoset or liquid, light transmitting core surrounded by, preferably a fluoropolymer cladding which is in turn surrounded by a tight-fitting, finish polymer jacket which may be either transparent or translucent, and is preferably made of a polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic or silicone material. Numerous fillers and inserts may be used in the finish jacket polymer and the finish jacket polymer may be formed into various shapes. Bondable jacket materials may be used. The preferred method of forming the manufacturing jacket around a heat shrinkable fluoropolymer cladding is by extruding a low extrusion temperature polymer over a heat shrink clad in its expanded form into which an increased interior pressure is maintained to prevent shrinkage during the extrusion process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the formation of biaxially oriented thermoplastic articles having flat surfaces or sharp contours, along with the articles themselves. Such apparatus and method relate to the heat-shrinking of biaxially oriented intermediates onto male forms to produce articles of exacting dimensions and flat surfaces or sharply defined contours. Such thermoplastic articles include autoclaveable, hot fillable, heat stable, transparent PET containers.

Abstract: A method of shrinking a foamed sleeve onto a tapered wall container which includes moving containers through a predetermined path, subjecting the containers to infrared heat applied by directing air past infrared heaters against the containers as they are moved in the predetermined path and progressively applying additional heat to the containers as they are moved in the predetermined path by first directing heat at the maximum container diameter and progressively applying the heat toward the minimum container diameter. In a preferred form, the heat is applied by directing heated air against the containers. In one form, the containers are rotated progressively in the predetermined path while the additional heat is applied. In another form, the containers are moved without rotation in a predetermined path while the additional heat is applied along the sides of the path.

Abstract: An apparatus for disposing of a used thermal stencil master sheet, in a superior disposing efficiency and secret-retainability, and a process for disposing of the same are provided, which apparatus is provided with a stripping nail for stripping a used thermal stencil master sheet wound up on a stencil body therefrom, a waste stencil box for encasing the stripped master sheet and rolls for waste stencil for feeding the master sheet into the box, and is characterized by providing a means for heating the master sheet so that it is heat-shrinked and/or melted within the box, and which process comprises discarding the used master sheet of a thermal stencil master sheet, and heating the used master sheet so as to subject it to heat-shrinkage and/or melting.

Abstract: The invention relates to joining insulated elongate conduit members, such as thermally insulated pipes. A pipe (1) is provided with thermal insulation (2), in which, at an end of the pipe, there is an annular recess (6) such that an end portion (4) of the pipe is exposed to allow access for connection thereto. To make a connection, a recoverable connecting collar is positioned at least partially within the recess, and allowed to recover into gripping engagement with the exposed portion of the pipe. The invention obviates the necessity of reinsulating the joint region of an insulated pipe.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluidic module from two or more pieces (B.sub.1 B.sub.2) of plastic material having an intermolecular bonded interface, comprises forming an interface surface (2) on each piece, forming at least one fluidic passageway (4) in at least one of the interface surfaces, assembling the pieces with the interface surfaces in contact with each other and confining them against expansion. Heat is applied to the assembled pieces to induce their expansion against total or limited confinement to cause transmigration of molecules from one interface surface to the other to bond the pieces together.

Abstract: Paint-coated polymeric films which are bonded to substrates such as automobile panels, as a substitute for spray painted finishes, often develop surface blemishes or defects from the coating or web handling operations. These can be reduced or eliminated by vacuum thermoforming the film to the desired substrate in a plural stage procedure. The periphery of the film is clamped in a frame. Then the film is preheated to a temperature above its glass transition temperature until the film becomes taut in the frame. It is allowed to cool and is then reheated to at least the glass transition temperature and is then vacuum thermoformed to the substrate. This procedure eliminates many if not all of the visible surface defects in the thermoformed film.

Abstract: The invention relates to joining insulated elongate conduit members, such as thermally insulated pipes. A pipe (1) is provided with thermal insulation (2), in which, at an end of the pipe, there is an annular recess (6) such that an end portion (4) of the pipe is exposed to allow access for connection thereto. To make a connection, a recoverable connecting collar is positioned at least partially within the recess, and allowed to recover into gripping engagement with the exposed portion of the pipe. The invention obviates the necessity of reinsulating the joint region of an insulated pipe.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluidic module from two or more pieces (B.sub.1 B.sub.2) of plastic material having an intermolecular bonded interface, comprises forming an interface surface (2) on each piece, forming at least one fluidic passageway (4) in at least one of the interface surfaces, assembling the pieces with the interface surfaces in contact with each other and confining them against expansion. Heat is applied to the assembled pieces to induce their expansion against total or limited confinement to cause transmigration of molecules from one interface surface to the other to bond the pieces together.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable closure is disclosed having a central section which has been hot stretched and cooled while in stretched condition sandwiched between a pair of unstretched end sections and in which one end section has a tapered grooved extension.

Abstract: A unitary removable and reuseable jacket for the thermal insulation of pipe accounterments. The fully-formed generally-rectangular jacket is composed of three layers: a heat and water resistant outer fabric layer, a hardened rigid-cell polyurethane middle layer, and a thin flexible heat-shrinkable plastic inner layer. The inner and outer layers are joined together by perimeter seams and a transverse center seam which form two pockets adapted to contain the polyurethane foam middle layer. The inner and outer layers are formed at time of manufacture while the middle layer is formed during the application process. During the application process, an exothermic chemical reaction is generated by the combination of the chemicals polyol and isocyanate which are inserted between the inner and outer layers through holes contained in the outer layer, to form a rapidly expanding and hardening rigid cell polyurethane foam middle layer.

Abstract: A process for diffusing and subliming water-soluble and water-insoluble materials into never-dried, shrinkable aromatic polyamide fibers, using steam heated at certain controlled temperatures, within a specially designed treatment chamber and a process and apparatus for treating a tow of shrinkable material.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluidic module from two or more pieces of plastic material having an intermolecular bonded interface, comprises forming an interface surface on each piece, forming at least one fluidic passageway in at least one of the interface surfaces, assembling the pieces with the interface surfaces in contact with each other and confining them against expansion. Heat is applied to the assembled pieces to induce their expansion against their confinement to cause transmigration of molecules from one interface surface to the other to bond the pieces together.

Abstract: An electrical component, such as a joint between bus bars, is insulated by wrapping therearound a sheet of gel-like material, and manually causing it to conform to the joint. The material is curable by ultra-violet radiation, and this is directed on to the wrapped sheet to cause it to harden. A recoverable tube may be mounted over the sheet, before or after curing, to provide additional protection.

Abstract: A screen unit for a screening machine comprises a screen layer which is bonded to a screen frame spanning an opening thereof. The screen layer is uniformly heated before such bonding is effected so that cooling after bonding generates a tension in the screen layer to allow it to have a trampoline or drumhead vibratile action. The tension is maintained by a reinforcing frame embedded in the frame body.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a moving web of laminated composite material of the type having a relatively thin film layer adhered to a relatively thick paper layer for eliminating the tendency of the web to curl toward the film layer side thereof subsequent to being stored on a spool with the film layer of the web positioned inwardly of the paper layer of the web, the film layer and paper layer each having an exposed surface and an attached surface, the attached surfaces of the layers being adhered together, the paper layer having an outwardly positioned thickness portion which terminates at the exposed surface thereof, an inwardly positioned thickness portion which terminates at the attached surface thereof and an intermediately positioned thickness portion positioned between the outwardly positioned thickness portion and the inwardly positioned thickness portion, the outwardly positioned thickness portion being relatively stretched, the inwardly positioned thickness portion being relatively shrunk, the interme

Abstract: A mold for forming a plastic cap and a method of removing a cap from such a mold. The mold includes female and male members which, together, form a mold cavity in which the cap is formed. The female member includes an upper assembly and a plurality of cams. The cams have radial protrusions engaging the male member to form annular recesses in the cap. The cap is removed from the mold by moving the upper assembly of the female member axially and the cams thereof radially away from the cap, and then removing the cap itself from the male member of the mold. Preferably the cap is shrunk onto the male member to develop a space between the cap and the female member of the mold prior to moving the female member away from the cap.

Abstract: A method is provided for masking a crack in a drywall or plaster surface of a dwelling, comprising the steps of die cutting a repair patch from a heat-shrinkable plastic film of a defined size presenting a surface area adapted to be placed in covering relation over the crack and bounded about its periphery by surrounding edges. The patch is prepared with an adhesive confined to the surrounding edges only and is placed over the crack making an initial attachment to the drywall and heat is applied to the patch, to cause a contraction in size of the patch while exerting a pressure normal in size in the patch.

Abstract: A cloth take-up mandrel is fabricated by cutting pipe of a thermoplastic polymeric material (e.g. PVC) to a desired length, heating the ends of the pipe to a temperature at which the polymeric material softens (as by insertion into a bath of glycerine), inserting end caps into the thus softened pipe ends (having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the dimension of the pipe), and cooling the ends with the end caps inserted therein. The invention avoids problems such as splintering associated with conventional wooden mandrels.

Abstract: A length of braided wire, having an outside diameter, is selected as is a length of heat-shrinkable tubing which has an initial inside diameter greater than the outer diameter of the braided wire. The braided wire is inserted into the tubing such that, at one end of the tubing, the tubing extends beyond the braided wire. The one end of the tubing is grasped without grasping the braided wire, and the one end is supported against movement in a vertical direction. A weight is attached to the other end of the tubing so that the tubing with the braided wire inserted will extend downwardly from the first end to the other end thereof. Heat is applied to the tubing starting at the one end and moving slowly downwardly to the other end. The heat causes the tubing to shrink and, simultaneously, the weight pulls the tubing downwardly to cause the tubing to stretch so that a tight-fitting insulating cover, having decreased wall thickness, is produced.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for melt blowing at an initial velocity of from 500 to 1000 feet per second a molten thermoplastic condensation polymer at a temperature less than 50.degree. C. above the melting point thereof to form fibers of high molecular orientation, and collecting the fibers to form a non-woven web. In one aspect of the present invention, the fibers are collected on a rotating mandrel and heat treated during collection or subsequent to collection.

Abstract: A covering over the 90 degree corner of gypsum or plasterboards which rounds the corner to a small radius and thus provides a desirable commercial appearance thereto, which uses heat shrinkable tape to fuse the covering in place and also, as a result of the shrinkage, cause the removal of any wrinkles therein as might otherwise undermine the objective of the covering.

Abstract: A method for producing a string-shaped bacteria bed having many loops of fiber on the whole surface thereof, which is used for sewage or wastewater treatment, characterized by preparing a narrow strip of cloth made from a thermoplastic material, having many loops of fiber on the obverse thereof, and heating the reverse thereof having no loops of fiber by contacting it with a heating rod while tensing and drawing it diagonally, thereby the strip of cloth is diagonally curled and stranded by heat to form a string having many loops of fiber on the whole surface thereof. In such a method, the string, having high holding capacity of bacteria colony, is obtained by simplified installation.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a prosthesis cuff to receive an amputation stump, particularly for a lower-leg prosthesis, a positive cast of the stump is positioned in an expanded and heat shrinkable rough cuff of a plastics material, whereupon the rough cuff is caused by heating and vacuum-forming to adjust to the surface contour of the stump. The positive cast is subsequently removed. A connecting element for the prosthesis is provided on the rough cuff, for example having formation embedded in the plastics material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic body having continuous three-dimension through-out holes which can be preferably employed as a filter for filtration of non-metallic inclusions in a molten metal and as a porous plug for introducing a gaseous medium for floating up the non-metallic inclusions. An organic body having a three-dimensional construction is placed in a casting mold, a slip of a ceramic material is poured into the mold, and after drying, the molded body is baked to effect decomposition of the organic porous body. Thus the ceramic body is provided with through-out holes communicating with to each other three-dimensionally together with a high mechanical strength.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable tubing is described which has a texturized surface. Upon applying the heat shrinkable tubing to a complex shaped object and applying heat the tubing shrinks radially and linearly, uniformly so as to preserve the texturized friction surface, shrinking over depressions and expansions of the complex surface without wrinkling.

Abstract: A slip pallet made of a multiple layer coextruded sheet, one layer having more shrinkage than a layer below it to provide a natural curl to a gripping edge portion of the sheet such that in use the gripping edge portion is accessible by a gripper of a forklift.

Abstract: An article comprising a generally axially extending outer, tubular member, a plurality of generally axially extending cylindrical members, and a heat expandable foam sealing member. The outer tubular member has at least one opening and occupies a predetermined volume. Each of the cylindrical members is received by outer tubular member in an axially extending, parallel fashion such that the cylindrical members occupy a volume that is less than the volume of the outer tubular member. The sealing member, capable of sealing the opening of outer tubular member, occupies a volume that is generally equal to the difference between the volume of the outer tubular member and the volume of the cylindrical members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad core optical conduit and to an optical conduit having either a thermoplastic, thermoset or liquid, light transmitting core surrounded by, preferably a fluoropolymer cladding which is in turn surrounded by a tight-fitting, finish polymer jacket which may be either transparent or translucent, and is preferably made of a polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic or silicone material. Numerous fillers and inserts may be used in the finish jacket polymer and the finish jacket polymer may be formed into various shapes. Bondable jacket materials may be used. The preferred method of forming the manufacturing jacket around a heat shrinkable fluoropolymer cladding is by extruding a low extrusion temperature polymer over a heat shrink clad in its expanded form into which an increased interior pressure is maintained to prevent shrinkage during the extrusion process.