Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for flanging a tubular article of a crystallizable thermoplastic polymer, particularly of a saturated linear polyester material such as polyethylene terephthalate, which has been heat-set to an elevated temperature, e.g. for producing bodies for processable food and beverage containers. The open end of the tubular body is applied to a flanging die and heated to a flanging temperature above the glass transition temperature but below the heat-set temperature of the polymer. The tubular body and the die are forced together so that the softened end of the tubular article is forced to move outwards until it abuts against a stop ring to form the flange. The residual shrinkage in the polymer material helps it to take up the precise contours of the die and to form a well-defined flange. The flanged end is then cooled, preferably to a temperature at least 20.degree. C. below the flanging temperature, before releasing the tubular body 10 from the die.

Abstract: In a press an hydraulic adjusting cylinder connected to the slidable cross-piece of the press has a stroke matching the range of movement of the press and a number of hydraulic press cylinders of short stroke are provided for executing the working strokes of the press. The press cylinders are each couplable to the slidable cross-piece by a coupling including a coupling rod and a stationary clamping jaw and a pressable clamping jaw cooperating with the coupling rod, the pressable clamping jaw being activated by at least one single acting hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for debossing and perforating a substantially continuous web of substantially planar thermoplastic film, using a forming structure having a patterned forming surface with holes and an opposed surface. The forming structure is open from the holes in the forming surface to the opposed surface. The forming structure moves in a direction of the length of the web of film and carries the web of film in that direction. The web of film is substantially entirely molten. A fluid differential pressure is substantially continuously applied across the thickness of the web of film from a first position along the direction of movement of the forming structure to a second position. The first and second positions are fixed relative to the moving forming structure. The fluid differential pressure is sufficiently great to cause the first surface of the web of film to be urged against the forming surface and to cause perforations to be created in the web of film.

Abstract: A method of heat setting spaced fastener elements on a fastener chain includes contracting a formed thermoplastic wire constituting the fastener elements, while heating the fastener chain to which the formed wire is affixed, until the pitch of the fastener elements attains a predetermined value smaller than the value of a desired pitch and subsequently cooling the formed wire while the wire is stretched to provide the desired element spacing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are method and apparatus for vulcanizing rubber. One example of an environment wherein the teachings of the present invention is quite useful is the environment of the creation of endless rubber belts by vulcanizing the ends of the belt together so as to make the belt endless. The apparatus disclosed herein basically consists of a pair of opposed thin sacks made of a flexible material which may, at the desired thickness thereof, comprise for example stainless steel. The ends of the belt are placed between these sacks and the sacks are supplied with steam at controlled temperature and pressure so as to provide the proper pressure as well as temperature for the vulcanizing process simultaneously.

Abstract: A wound coil of an elastic material is formed by feeding a monofilament of elastic material over a winding coil of a coiling head onto a mandrel to form a coil. A pair of conveyors are located on opposite sides of the coil on the mandrel and define therebetween a stabilizing zone for moving the coil along the mandrel through such zone while heating and thereby stabilizing the coil. The conveyors include respective heating elements located on opposite sides of the coil and respective planar members formed of a heat transmitting material and between which the coil is fed along the mandrel. Each planar member is in contact with the coil and a respective heating element.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for thermoforming a plurality of protrusions in a plastic sheet. The thermoforming apparatus comprises a pneumatic press having a pair of male and female die plates with respective projections and cavities. One of the die plates is heated. The other die plate is cooled. The cooled die plate is provided with vacuum to ensure that the thermoformed plastic sheet is held against the cooled die plate upon the opening of the press to, in turn, ensure the cooling of the plastic sheet prior to its removal.

Abstract: Plastic tubing of extruded polybutylene and the like has an end reformed into a structural bulb sealing surface which includes a stop flange permitting the tube to be drawn into sealing engagement with a mating part. The tube end is reformed in a press or jig which includes two molds, with the tube end projecting through one mold and toward the other. The other mold is normally chilled or cooled but includes an I.D. mandrel or pin projecting therefrom. The pin is insulated from the other mold. The pin may be heated and/or cooled during the reforming cycle of the process to enable uniform heating of the projecting tube end from both the inside (I.D.) and outside (O.D.) of the tube end. The process and apparatus of the invention provides a more uniform and integral reformed tube end. The cycle time of the process may also be reduced resulting in greater productivity with less energy consumption.

Abstract: Container bags for intravenous solution of one-piece, blow-molded construction typically have a fill port or tube and at least an administration port in one end of the container bag. A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture are provided where a fill port or tube on a polyolefin or other plastic container bag is sealed into a dome shape where the solid wall, dome-shaped material closing the port or tube effects the seal. The method provides for sealing the open end of a thermoplastic tube or port by using respectively hot and cold dies. Resistance of the tube or port to forming a seal at adjoining interfaces is overcome by rotating at least one of the dies. Disruption and mixing of the plastic at the interface or closure line is accomplished, forming a substantially homogenous mass which seals the port opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a tubular premoulding of a thermoplastic material, suitable for subsequent shaping to form containers by a rolling process. The material in a part of a tube is axially oriented as a result of reducing the wall thickness by applying an external pressure which causes the material to flow. The oriented material is moulded by a blow-moulding process into future mouth parts and parts of adjacent neck sections, preferably from two blank parts, joined to one another, of pre-mouldings, the blank parts in the transition between the two mouth parts being severed in order to form two separate blank parts, so that, after closing one end and, if necessary, reworking in order to obtain the requisite closing faces at the other end, the two blank parts each form a tubular pre-moulding.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of articles from a thermoplastic of polyester or polyamide type, preferably of polyethylene terephthalate, the element consisting of an edge part which surrounds a body in an arrangement in which the latter is sunk relative to the edge part. The element is formed from a blank of mainly amorphous material or from a material having a crystallinity of less than 10%. The blank consists, for example, of a flat plate, a blank shell or the like. The body or parts thereof are shaped by stretching the blank until that material flows which is located within the material sections of the blank, which form the edge part in the element, the material stretched up to flowing in the body assuming a crystallinity of between 10% and 25%, while the crystallinity in the material in the edge part and in the unstretched parts retains its original value of less than 10%. At least the body of the element is expanded against warm mould walls until the final shape of the particular article is obtained.

Abstract: A method of thermoforming comprising providing a continuous sheet of thermoplastic polymeric foam, transporting said sheet through an atmosphere of at least predominantly steam at a temperature of at least 215.degree. F. maintaining said sheet in said atmosphere for a time sufficient to cause a decrease in the density thereof; thereafter while under the influence of said temperature, deforming at least a portion of said sheet to a predetermined shape and while so deformed, cooling the same to cause retention of said shape and a system for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for holding and feeding a continuous sheet (12) of plastic in an operation such as thermoforming. Articulations (13), such as alternating waveforms, are formed on the edges of the plastic sheet (12) by heating and pressing the edges, producing inwardly facing abutment surface at the edges of the sheet. The sheet is then passed into slots (34) in guide rails (32) with the inside surfaces (35) of the guide rails (32) engaging the abutment surfaces on the plastic sheet (12) to prevent the sheet from slipping out of the guide rails. The plastic sheet is thereby held firmly so that it can be passed through such thermoforming operations as heating in an oven (14), forming with a mold at a forming station (40), and cutting the formed articles away from the remainder of the sheet by a trim press (53).

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of a video disc caddy sleeve comprising folding platens, an intermediate spacer plate with indentations on the leading edge, and a selective heating means. Spacer plate causes plastic sheet to bend in the middle while folding platens close to a folded up position. Indentations on the leading edge act to keep label, already adhered to plastic sheet, from tearing while sheet is being bent into a U-shaped enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a disc record package from a flat plastic sheet, comprising a narrow intermediate section interposed between a pair of panel portions. The apparatus includes a housing, a pair of substantially rigid planar folding plates pivotally mounted for movement, a rigid spacer plate, a means for selectively heating the narrow intermediate section of the said flat plastic sheet, and a means for folding the said rigid planar folding plates. The folding plates are operable between a spreadout co-planar position and a folded up juxtaposed position. The rigid spacer plate acts to form the central portion of the folded plastic sheet during the molding operation. The means for moving the said spacer plate and folding plates are pneumatically operated cylinders.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for fabricating insulated cables, particularly polymeric insulated electrical power cables, resistant to the formation and growth of electrochemical trees is disclosed. Internal pressure on the conductor side of the cable is maintained lower than the external pressure on the outer surface of the insulation during extrusion. Extrusion pressure higher than the external pressure results in expansion of the insulation following extrusion. This expansion or swelling reduces the number and size of cracks and voids which are precursors of electrochemical trees. In addition, pressure curing the extruded, insulated cable with a curing medium above its melting point followed by gradual gradient cooling under internal pressure and higher external cooling fluid pressure to around room temperature optimizes the resistance of the cable to nucleation and growth of electrochemical trees.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for making a pile-surfaced thermoplastic material by a tack-spin technique the laminate of backing web and adhered pile is hauled off from the heated drawing surface over a rod or bar which fixes the point at which the laminate separates from the heated drawing surface and which directs cooling fluid from an aperture in the rod or bar and onto the back of the backing web and into the fibril-forming area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for orientation blow molding and heat setting of a thermally crystallizable polymer wherein the orientation blow molding is effected in a relatively low mass blow mold which is enclosed within a heated, high mass mold for transferring heat to the hollow article for heat setting; thereafter the outer mold is opened and the blow mold is cooled in a variety of methods in order to cool the heat set hollow article.

Abstract: A process for making a pile-surfaced product comprises feeding a thermoplastic film and a backing between rollers, the roller which engages the thermoplastic being heated so as to cause the thermoplastic to adhere thereto, and subsequently separating the backing and the thermoplastic from the heated roller so that the thermoplastic is drawn into filaments. The nature of the pile is controlled by hauling off the backing and the thermoplastic over a rod or bar which fixes the point at which the thermoplastic separates from the heated roll, controls the path of the product as it moves away from the heated roll and guides a cooling fluid onto the back of the backing.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing sheet-like material having a thermoplastic pile surface includes a cylindrical roll having a heated surface, a feed arrangement for feeding a foundation layer and a thermoplastic material to the heated surface of the roll with the thermoplastic material located between and in contact with the surface and the foundation layer and a withdrawing arrangement for withdrawing the foundation layer and thermoplastic material from the heated surface in a manner such that the thermoplastic material is drawn into filaments which are attached to the foundation layer. In one embodiment the laminate is withdrawn from the roll over a tube or bar and a jet is provided for directing a jet of cooling fluid from the back of the foundation layer into the area where the filaments are formed. In another embodiment the laminate is withdrawn from the roll over a rod or bar which is inter-related with a front jet so that cooling fluid is deflected into the space between the bar and the roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for forming molded articles from particulate plastic material. A hollow heat-conductive male mold is surrounded with particulate plastic material. Heat is applied to the interior of the mold until the temperature of the outer surface is above the fusion temperature and below the melting temperature of the particulate plastic material. This temperature is maintained until an article of desired thickness is formed. Thereafter, loose particulate material is removed from the outer surface of the molded article and heat is again applied to the interior of the mold so as to cause the outer surface of the molded article to become smoother. Finally, the article and mold are cooled and the article is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A device for shaping a film of heat-retractable plastics material in the zone of the lateral spaces of a pallet-less multi-layer load having a layer of reduced width, said spaces for gripping purposes being defined by right-angled dihedrons, comprises mobile shaping elements intended to be applied against the film of plastics material which is still soft covering the faces of each dihedron defining a space for gripping.Each shaping element is constituted by a bar and means are provided to displace each shaper bar in the direction of the edge of the dihedron, to engage said bar in the angle of the dihedron between the layer of reduced width and the normal layer of the load located beneath this reduced layer.Each shaper bar is fast with one or more elements accelerating cooling of the plastics material.

Abstract: A two-dimensional integral net having a nap in form of relatively long fibres which are integral with the net and protrude from the edges which surround the apertures of the net.A method of producing this net from a film is by heating selected areas of the film to a molten state and dragging out this molten material into fibres to leave apertures in the film while controlling the fibre-dragging by cooling with an air jet.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for cooling or cooling and calibrating a ribbed tubular wall of a thermoplastic material in a deformable state in which the tubular wall has a circular surface and helically extending rib turns projecting from the circular surface at spaced intervals. A cooling chain of a plurality of interconnected cooling cells is mounted between at least two adjacent rib turns, a flexible cooling conduit interconnects the cells which are adapted to pass a coolant therethrough for cooling the adjacent rib turns, and the cells have wall portions contiguously into engaging the adjacent rib turns.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously vulcanizing a covered material on a conductor comprises a feed device for feeding the conductor in one direction at a constant speed and an extruder for applying the covered material to the conductor fed from the feed means. A vulcanizing tube extends from the extruder, the cable passing through the vulcanizing tube. The vulcanizing tube has a curing section extending from its inlet to a location intermediate its inlet and outlet. A take-off device is disposed forwardly of the vulcanizing tube for hauling the cable. A load applying device is disposed between the extruder and the take-off device for applying a load to the traveling cable at a location forwardly of the curing section of the vulcanizing tube, so that a tension exerted on the cable in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the cable is applied to the traveling cable.

Abstract: A process for the rapid annealing of refractory fiber is disclosed. Air at a temperature of 750.degree. F. (400.degree. C.) to 1400.degree. F. (760.degree. C.) is passed through a refractory fiber body for a period of 5 to 200 seconds while the body is held securely in place for dimensional integrity. Apparatus for performing the process of this invention comprises an annealing unit containing opposed foraminous platens and means for passing hot air through the platens and through the fiber body retained between the platens or opposed foraminous belts and adjacent conduits and means for passing the hot annealing air through the conduits and belts and through the fiber body retained between the belts. The process and apparatus may be used to produce fiber bodies of a single material or laminated bodies of a plurality of interlocked layers, which may be of different fiber materials.

Abstract: Ice cream lollies of complex shapes are produced by a die pressing operation, whereby a prefrozen and deformable lolly body is placed between a pair of die tools. The bodies to be die shaped may be either conventionally produced bodies as prefrozen about a stick, in which the body is held during the shaping operation, or they may be lumps of extruded prefrozen material, whereby a preparatory conventional mold freezing can be avoided. The die tools may be used additionally for concurrently providing and sealing an envelope about the final product, thus finishing it as a sales product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the extrusion of thermoplastic film which comprises extruding a melt of thermoplastic through an annular orifice to form a bubble or tube and while the tube is still in a semi-molten condition, passing the tube through a cooling and stabilizing means which surrounds the tube and is characterized by having a variable diameter to accommodate varying sizes of tubing.

Abstract: A thin-wall deep drawn container having a molding depth vs. aperture caliber ratio of 2.0 or more, having a mean wall thickness of 0.1-0.6 mm at the sidewall and bottom of the hollow part and having a flange part of 1.4 mm or less in thickness at the aperture end can be produced from a thick sheet of a thermoplastic resin, preferably a crystalline plastic, having a thickness of 2 mm or more by plug-assist pressure forming.

Abstract: In apparatus for manufacturing an elongated cheese product, the extrusion of a heated mass of cheese is followed by a subsequent pulling or tensing of the extruded strand which develops a fibrous texture in the product and reduces the size of the strand. The pulling is carried out on a continuous basis by a tension applying device, downstream of the extruder, which may comprise a pair of drums around which the cheese strand is wrapped. The strand then passes down a cooling vat under tension from a second tension applying device which retains the properties of the strand as it cools. The second tension applying means may include pairs of driven rollers through which the cheese strand passes. After the pulling and cooling, the strand is cut in lengths suitable for packaging.

Abstract: A system for curling turned-in lips about the open mouths of thin walled, stacked, thermoplastic containers, having brims which extend in a return direction axially, utilizes a plurality of externally helically grooved, tubular, thermally conductive, synchronously rotated rollers equiradially spaced from a common central axis to define an annular passageway between them through which a stack of the containers pass with the brim of the containers simultaneously engaged in the grooves of the rollers. While the brims are being heated radiantly and via conduction substantially to the critical forming temperature, the brims are engaged in the transport portions of the grooves, but the peripheral side wall portions of the container are not contacted.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for and a method of making building products from a coiled sheet of thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride. In the practice of this invention, portions of the polymeric sheet are selectively and sequentially heated and progressively bent to the desired shape by passing the sheet through a series of heating, forming and cooling stations.The simplified design of the machine enables the user to custom fabricate building products at a construction site with a resulting savings in cost. Typical products adapted to be made in accordance with the invention are exterior building siding, siding accessories and other building products.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing the socket portion of a plastics pipe provided with a sealing ring by pushing said sealing ring on a mandrel and by locking it thereto whereupon the heated end of said plastics pipe is pushed onto said mandrel and said sealing ring. Hereafter, the locking of said sealing ring is released, and the pipe and the ring therein a removed from the mandrel.In order to facilitate this removal operation, a mandrel having an adjustable diameter is used, the mantle surface of said mandrel being provided with peripheral grooves into which shoulders in said sealing ring fit for locking said ring to said mandrel for the duration of the socket forming.

Abstract: This invention relates to stress control cones for terminations of high-voltage power transmission cables. Such cones are used beyond the end of the cable insulation shielding, and for the purpose of providing thicker insulation for reducing the stress at and beyond the unshielded insulation on a high-voltage power cable. This invention builds up greater thickness of insulation beyond the end of the cable insulation shield, preferably by wrapping the cable with layers of insulating tapes that are then heated and fused to one another and to the outside surface of the cable insulation. The hot build-up of additional insulation is fused, or brought to incipient fusion, to merge the build-up to the cable insulation and the build-up layers to one another, instead of using preformed stress relief cones which are unsuitable for very high voltage.

Abstract: Control of a laminating press is attained by monitoring the temperature of the heating medium circulating through the press components.

Abstract: Apparatus for texturing a running ribbon of thermoplastic sheet material or film. The apparatus causes a ribbon of such film to be forwarded from a supply such as a roll of thermoplastic material, thence about a circumferentially extending portion of a rotating texturing cylinder, and then downstream where the textured film may be further processed or where it may be wound on a spool to form a roll thereof. The texturing cylinder comprises a tubular member having a coating of spheroidal particles adhered to the surface thereof. While the film is in contact with the texturing cylinder, it is both heated and urged against the texturing cylinder, causing the film to assume the textured image of the texturing cylinder. The apparatus may further control tension in the film both upstream and downstream of the texturing cylinder at predetermined constant levels.

Abstract: Two roller elements are spatially related so that grooves therein are aligned to define an opening between the roller elements. The grooves have pluralities of cavities formed therein into which material from a line is squeezed as the line is passed through the opening so that protuberances are formed on the line. A heating element is provided to soften the line prior to having the protuberances formed, and a cooling chamber is provided to cool the line after the protuberances have been formed.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for the curing of a continuous length of curable material, the length of material is passed through a curing chamber defined by a tubular body 47. This body 47 is disposed in the upper part of another heated tubular body 2 which contains a heat exchange liquid. This liquid is fed to one or more injectors disposed at one or both ends of the body 47, injected along the chamber and then allowed to drain back therefrom into the body 2. The body 2 contains a further tubular body 58 downstream of and partitioned from the tubular body 47. Body 58 also has an injector 60 through which water is injected to cool the length of material. With this relatively compact arrangement curing may be achieved while thermal stresses in the apparatus are reduced.

Abstract: A method for creating random shadow patterns in formed vinyl sheet to be used as siding material for buildings. The method includes the step of extruding a flat, hot web of vinyl material having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined distance between the edges thereof, then embossing a graining pattern on one face of the web, cooling the web after it has been embossed and then gathering the web toward the center thereof whereby to reduce the distance between the edges thereof, the web then being preformed, by folding the same along longitudinally extending lines. The sheet is finally formed while restraining the edges of the web whereby to create peaks and valleys cross-sectionally of the web to thereby present the random shadow pattern which is found attractive in finished vinyl siding.

Abstract: A material web impregnated with a settable synthetic resin travels in vertical direction, from the bottom towards the top, through a first heat treatment zone where the solvent of the synthetic resin or plastic is evaporated and there occurs a chemical reaction. The tacky material web departing from the first heat or thermal treatment zone then passes through a cooling zone where it is cooled by means of a cooling medium to such a degree that it does not stick to the deflection or diverting rolls over which the material web subsequently is guided. After deflection of the material web the latter is moved in vertical direction downwardly through a second heat treatment zone where the chemical reaction proceeds. Prior to winding-up of the material web the latter is further cooled.

Abstract: An apparatus for making biaxially stretched tubular films of thermoplastic synthetic resin which permits operation in a stabilized manner and economically by using the hot air used in stretching a bubble again in heating a raw film. In said apparatus, a suction ring is provided in the section where a heated raw film is inflated by the gas filled therein under pressure, and the diameter of the resulting stretched bubble reaches its maximum diameter. The suction ring sucks the air used for heating the stretching part simultaneously with the air used for cooling it after stretching to attain a thermal interception effect between the stretching part and the cooling part after stretching. Air flow around the stretching bubble is made uniform.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for and a method of making building products from a coiled sheet of thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride. In the practice of this invention, portions of the polymeric sheet are selectively and sequentially heated and progressively bent to the desired shape by passing the sheet through a series of heating, forming and cooling stations.The simplified design of the machine enables the user to custom fabricate building products at a construction site with a resulting savings in cost. Typical products adapted to be made in accordance with the invention are exterior building siding, siding accessories and other building products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing fibrous mineral material of the type in which the material containing heat-curable binder is passed through a curing station having a curing element adapted to apply heat and pressure is provided in which a convex portion at the upstream end of the curing element is adapted to apply greater pressure to the fibrous mineral material than does the remainder portion of the curing element.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an apparatus for making a thermoplastic film embossed with tapered bosses having perforations in the tips of each boss through use of a metallic pattern roll and a heated perforating roll. The apparatus and method allow a film having tapered bosses with decreased cross-sectional areas leading to a perforation to be formed without use of expensive vacuum forming methods.The invention discloses a film 10 being heated by a heating means 14 to a deformable state and being embossed on an embossing surface 16 of embossing roll 13 under pressure from the silicone rubber surface 33 of first pressure roll 15. The flm on the apex, 262 of the cone 26 on embossing surface 16 is removed to perforate the cone by perforating roll 17, which is a resilient hollow metal tube heated from a radiant heater mounted on the inside of the hollow metal tube. The perforated film is then embossed a second time by the action of a second embossing roll 18 and then rewound onto a rewind roll.

Abstract: A process for producing a clear surface on expanded thermoformable material is disclosed. A film layer of non bondable plastic material is disposed adjacent the clear plastic material to be expanded. After the expansion process the film layer is removed leaving a clear smooth surface.

Abstract: Plastic pipe is continually produced from a curable resin on a plurality of horizontal mandrels which are repeatedly simultaneously moved between plastic pipe production stations. There is at least one station for applying resin to a mandrel, at least one station for curing resin on the surface of a mandrel, and at least one pipe removal station for removing pipe from a mandrel. The pipe stations are substantially radially equidistant from a central horizontal axis and are circumferentially spaced apart by substantially equal increments around the horizontal axis. Each mandrel is progressively rotated between the stations.The temperature of each mandrel is controlled by passing a fluid through the mandrel. Heating fluid passes through mandrels in resin cure stations and cooling fluid passes through mandrels in resin application and pipe removal stations. A control system minimizes mixing of the cooling and heating temperature control fluids when the mandrel is rotated between stations.

Abstract: Temperature-controlled press plates are spaced apart from the pressure plates of a press by spacers which limit the heat flow from the temperature-controlled plate to the pressure plate and vice versa. The spacers comprise cupshaped members for a pin received in a bore of one of the plates, the recess of the cup accommodating an insulating layer which is compression resistant and carries a friction-reducing layer against which the surface of the other plate bears.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for folding food articles in sheet form such as crepes, includes allowing a crepe to drop by gravity from the end of an upper conveyor on which the crepe is transported from a cooking apparatus, catching the crepe in a hollow casing configured to cause the crepe to fold over on itself along a line perpendicular to the direction of movement of the crepe on the conveyor, and passing the folded crepe, folded edge first, between the bite of a pair of vertically displaced, horizontally disposed feed rollers, whose axes are perpendicular to the direction of movement of the crepe on the conveyor, for feeding the folded crepe onto the upper surface of a lower conveyor. To facilitate the folding operation, the crepes traveling on the upper conveyor may be softened prior to the folding operation by passing the crepes through a humidifying tunnel.

Abstract: A method of closing or sealing a filler passage formed in a neck or stem protruding from the small access opening in the upper end of a substantially closed centrifuge tube. The neck is formed of a readily fusible material and a heat conductive cap member is positioned over the open end portion of the neck closely confining it therein. Heat and pressure are applied to the cap causing progressive portions of the neck to melt and fold into the filler passage where it forms a molten mass within the filler passage above the access opening to the tube. Heat and pressure are removed, permitting the cap to cool and the molten mass to solidify completely sealing or filler passage of the centrifuge tube. The cap is then removed and the centrifuge tube is fully prepared for centrifugation.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing biaxially stretched tubular films which enables heating air for stretching to pass uniformly around the circumference of a stretching bubble thereby to effect stabilized operation. Said apparatus comprises 1 a circular hood fitted to the section where a loaded raw film starts stretching and a formed stretching bubble expands to its maximum diameter, 2 holders for a plurality of rolls, which holders are mounted on the lower part of said hood, said rolls being held each on the end of said holders which an elasticity allowing swinging of said rolls only in the direction radial to the central axis of said bubble but resistant to being distorted in the direction of circumference of said stretching bubble, and 3 a flexible and shrinkable cylindrical sheet attached to and along the inside lower surface of said hood, the lower end of said sheet being situated immediately above the roll part of said holders.