Technologies are described for a method of making an encapsulated reactant having a desired shape or size. The method comprises providing solid reactant particles and an encapsulating material. The encapsulating material is heated above its solidification temperature to form a molten, semi-solid, or liquid encapsulating material. The solid reactant particles are added to the molten, semi-solid, or liquid encapsulating material and mixed to disperse the solid reactant particles in the encapsulating material and form a mixture. The mixture may be extruded or formed into the desired shape or size of the encapsulated reactant, or the mixture may be solidified and extruded, granulated, shredded, ground, or pressed into the desired shape or size.

A pellet production method comprising: an operation in which a strand comprising a composition containing thermoplastic resin and reinforcing material is extruded from an orifice at a die; an operation in which the strand is drawn into water within a tank and is cooled; and an operation in which the cooled strand is cut to obtain a pellet; wherein at least one first guide roller for guiding the strand within the tank is provided within the tank, and an angle made by portions of the strand that are ahead of and behind that first guide roller which is in an upstreammost location is not less than 90° but is less than 180°; and wherein a ratio of a diameter of the pellet to a diameter of the orifice (diameter of the pellet/diameter of the orifice) is 0.45 to 0.80.

In the field of tire production, systems and methods utilize a feed belt (150) for directing a rubber mixture from an initial mixing installation (20) toward at least one of two mixing and cooling installations (100, 100′). It is possible to selectively carry out monopassage and multipassage rubber production sequences in a common rubber production facility. A tire is formed according to the methods described.

In the field of tire production, systems and methods utilize a feed belt (150) for directing a rubber mixture from an initial mixing installation (20) toward at least one of two mixing and cooling installations (100, 100′). It is possible to selectively carry out monopassage and multipassage rubber production sequences in a common rubber production facility. A tire is formed according to the methods described.

An apparatus to batch or continuously form solid polymer particles, the apparatus comprising the following components: A) at least one pastillation unit comprising a pastillation head, said unit used to form discrete molten polymer particles from a polymer melt; B) a moving belt to receive and transfer the discrete molten polymer particles from the pastillation head; C) a means to transfer water onto the moving belt, such that the water comes into contact with the discrete molten polymer particles on the moving belt to form the solid polymer particles; and wherein the water of component C is sprayed onto the discrete molten polymer particles, such that the ratio of “the rate of water spray” to “the discharge rate” is ≥3.0; and wherein the belt residence time is ≤50 seconds.

An apparatus to batch or continuously form solid polymer particles, the apparatus comprising the following components: A) at least one pastillation unit comprising a pastillation head, said unit used to form discrete molten polymer particles from a polymer melt; B) a moving belt to receive and transfer the discrete molten polymer particles from the pastillation head; C) a means to transfer water onto the moving belt, such that the water comes into contact with the discrete molten polymer particles on the moving belt to form the solid polymer particles; and wherein the water of component C is sprayed onto the discrete molten polymer particles, such that the ratio of “the rate of water spray” to “the discharge rate” is ≥3.0; and wherein the belt residence time is ≤50 seconds.

Cartilage fibers and implants made therefrom are disclosed, with and without cartilage particles. Methods for making the cartilage fibers and the implants containing them are also disclosed. The implants may be pre-shaped, may be reshapable and, when implanted in a cartilage defect, the implants have good shape retention, little swelling, completely fill the cartilage defect and resist migration from the defect upon irrigation.

Cartilage fibers and implants made therefrom are disclosed, with and without cartilage particles. Methods for making the cartilage fibers and the implants containing them are also disclosed. The implants may be pre-shaped, may be reshapable and, when implanted in a cartilage defect, the implants have good shape retention, little swelling, completely fill the cartilage defect and resist migration from the defect upon irrigation.

Cartilage fibers and implants made therefrom are disclosed, with and without cartilage particles. Methods for making the cartilage fibers and the implants containing them are also disclosed. The implants may be pre-shaped, may be reshapable and, when implanted in a cartilage defect, the implants have good shape retention, little swelling, completely fill the cartilage defect and resist migration from the defect upon irrigation.

Cartilage fibers and implants made therefrom are disclosed, with and without cartilage particles. Methods for making the cartilage fibers and the implants containing them are also disclosed. The implants may be pre-shaped, may be reshapable and, when implanted in a cartilage defect, the implants have good shape retention, little swelling, completely fill the cartilage defect and resist migration from the defect upon irrigation.