A multilayer film having enhanced toughness and optical properties is provided. The multilayer film includes a base layer, an outer layer, and a tie layer between the base layer and the outer layer. The multilayer film can also include additional layers. Methods for making such multilayer films are also provided. Multilayer films according to the present invention are particularly useful packaging applications where rupture resistance and high clarity are desirable.

An extrusion molding die includes an extrusion outlet, a plastic flow channel, and a temperature adjusting channel. The extrusion outlet is configured to extrude a plastic composition including at least one kind of plastic. The plastic flow channel is configured to allow the supplied plastic composition to flow toward the extrusion outlet. The temperature adjusting channel is configured to allow a temperature adjusting medium to flow. The temperature adjusting channel includes three or more temperature adjusting channels arranged around the plastic flow channel. Each of the temperature adjusting channels is arranged at a position in ±10% of (360°/N) in a rotation direction about an extrusion center axis relative to an adjacent temperature adjusting channel, where a number of the temperature adjusting channels is N.

In a handrail including a carcass, a stretch inhibitor within the carcass, and a sliding layer bonded to the carcass, at least a portion of the carcass has a gas phase dispersed in a solid polymer matrix. The gas phase can reduce a density of the carcass by at least 5% or 10%, or about 15%, as compared to a density of the polymer matrix. The carcass can have a generally uniform distribution of gas bubbles in the polymer matrix, which can define a generally closed cell structure in the polymer matrix. The gas phase can be formed of particles of a syntactic foam dispersed in the polymer matrix. The handrail can further include a cover. The carcass and the cover can be formed of thermoplastic materials, and the cover can represent between 10 and 30% of the overall TPU required for the handrail.

In a handrail including a carcass, a stretch inhibitor within the carcass, and a sliding layer bonded to the carcass, at least a portion of the carcass has a gas phase dispersed in a solid polymer matrix. The gas phase can reduce a density of the carcass by at least 5% or 10%, or about 15%, as compared to a density of the polymer matrix. The carcass can have a generally uniform distribution of gas bubbles in the polymer matrix, which can define a generally closed cell structure in the polymer matrix. The gas phase can be formed of particles of a syntactic foam dispersed in the polymer matrix. The handrail can further include a cover. The carcass and the cover can be formed of thermoplastic materials, and the cover can represent between 10 and 30% of the overall TPU required for the handrail.

A forming apparatus is equipped with (i) a conveyance unit configured to convey a formation sheet, that expands due to irradiation with electromagnetic waves, along a conveyance path in a state in which tension for causing bending in accordance with a conveyance path that is convexly bent is applied, and (ii) an irradiation unit configured to irradiate with the electromagnetic waves the formation sheet during conveyance by the conveyance unit in the state in which the tension is applied.

There is provided a polyolefin resin foam sheet formed by foaming a polyolefin resin, wherein the expansion ratio of the foam sheet is 1.5 to 20 cm.sup.3/g, the average cell sizes in the MD direction and the TD direction of the foam sheet are 130 μm or less, and the following formulas (1) and (2) are satisfied:
T.sub.M/D≥6  (1); and
T.sub.T/D≥5  (2), where T.sub.M denotes the tensile strength at 90° C. in the MD direction, T.sub.T denotes the tensile strength at 90° C. in the TD direction, and D denotes the density (g/cm.sup.3) of the foam sheet.

According to the present invention, devolatilization of a synthetic resin formed from a polymer or synthetic rubber can be improved and the synthetic resin can be foamed at a low temperature by injecting a devolatilization agent through a devolatilization agent injection nozzle provided in a downstream end segment cylinder of a cylinder assembly. In a vented twin-screw kneading extrusion apparatus and extrusion method according to the present invention, a devolatilization agent, which is injected through a downstream end devolatilization agent injection nozzle provided on a downstream end segment cylinder constituted by a segment cylinder positioned on a downstream end of a cylinder assembly, is dispersed in molten resin in the downstream end segment cylinder and kneaded by a downstream end kneading portion such that the molten resin is foamed by the devolatilization agent and then extruded.

According to the present invention, devolatilization of a synthetic resin formed from a polymer or synthetic rubber can be improved and the synthetic resin can be foamed at a low temperature by injecting a devolatilization agent through a devolatilization agent injection nozzle provided in a downstream end segment cylinder of a cylinder assembly. In a vented twin-screw kneading extrusion apparatus and extrusion method according to the present invention, a devolatilization agent, which is injected through a downstream end devolatilization agent injection nozzle provided on a downstream end segment cylinder constituted by a segment cylinder positioned on a downstream end of a cylinder assembly, is dispersed in molten resin in the downstream end segment cylinder and kneaded by a downstream end kneading portion such that the molten resin is foamed by the devolatilization agent and then extruded.

A plasticized PVC formulation for foam extrusion including polyvinyl chloride, at least one plasticizer, at least one nucleating agent and a chemical blowing agent, wherein the plasticized PVC formulation is a dry blend containing 0.5 to 5% by weight of one or more nucleating agents and 0.1 to 3% by weight of the chemical blowing agent, wherein the blowing agent is sodium bicarbonate and the nucleating agent is talcum, and a foam extrusion method using said formulation. The extruded plasticized PVC foam is particularly suitable for rock shield pads used for pipeline protection. The foams are lightweight and require less consumption of materials with comparable properties to corresponding solid articles.

Polymeric multilayer film comprising a layer exhibiting a random network of strands and connective regions that is separable from the remaining polymeric multilayer film. The polymeric multilayer films are useful, for example, for tape and graphic articles.