The present invention relates to a flexible container (10). In an embodiment, the flexible container includes a first flexible film (12) superimposed on an opposing second flexible film (14). The first flexible film and the second flexible film are sealed along a common peripheral edge (16) to form an inner container having a closed chamber. The first flexible film and the second flexible film each has an outermost layer comprising an ethylene-based polymer. Each outermost layer is a surface-treated layer having a surface energy from 33 mN/m to 36 mN/m. The flexible container includes a peel sleeve (22, 24) superimposed on each respective outermost layer and along the common peripheral edge. The flexible container includes a release material (26) located between the peel sleeve and each outermost layer along the common peripheral edge. The release material releasably attaches the peel sleeve to the inner container.

The present disclosure is directed to a compression belt for inflation and sealing devices. The device may include an inflation assembly, a heating assembly, and a drive mechanism. The inflation assembly may direct fluid between first and second overlapping plies of a flexible web material to inflate chambers between the plies. The heating assembly may be operable to heat the first and second plies of the web material to create a longitudinal heat seal that seals the fluid in the inflated chambers. The drive mechanism may drive the web material in a downstream direction. The drive mechanism may tension the web material against the heating assembly. The drive mechanism may include a first belt including a high grip material on a surface that contacts the web material to grip the web material during heating by the heating assembly.

The present disclosure is directed to a compression belt for inflation and sealing devices. The device may include an inflation assembly, a heating assembly, and a drive mechanism. The inflation assembly may direct fluid between first and second overlapping plies of a flexible web material to inflate chambers between the plies. The heating assembly may be operable to heat the first and second plies of the web material to create a longitudinal heat seal that seals the fluid in the inflated chambers. The drive mechanism may drive the web material in a downstream direction. The drive mechanism may tension the web material against the heating assembly. The drive mechanism may include a first belt including a high grip material on a surface that contacts the web material to grip the web material during heating by the heating assembly.

Apparatus for longitudinal orientation of thermoplastic film material (4) comprises a width-reduction zone upstream of the longitudinal stretching zone, through which the width of the film is gradually reduced so as to allow longitudinal stretching without necking. The width-reduction zone comprises at least one, preferably several, pairs of pleating rollers (16, 17) comprising intermeshing grooves or discs for pleating the material, the length of said width reduction zone preferably being less than 3 times the original width of the film. The width-reducing zone has upstream (14) and downstream (15) rollers or roller assemblies, with curved axes and optionally also conveyor belts for providing smooth width reduction. Longitudinal stretching is preferably between at least two, and preferably more than two, pairs of stretching rollers (9, 10, 11, 12) which are relatively close together. The pleats may be provided in several stages with increasing pleats per stage, while guiding means preferably lay all the pleats to one side. The apparatus allows achievement of high tensile strength, yield point, resistance to tear propagation and puncture resistance, especially for polyethylene and polypropylene films.

Lower discharge temperatures and improved flow rates are obtained for the processing of meltable, solid crosslinkable compositions comprising a polymer, e.g., polyethylene, and a peroxide, in a single barrel extruder by equipping the extruder with an energy transfer (ET) screw that comprises: (1) an ET section with a distance averaged ET section depth of 8.0% to 10% of the extruder barrel internal diameter, and (2) a metering section with a metering section depth of 6.0% to 8% of the extruder barrel internal diameter.

Method for producing a multilayer composite material, according to which said multilayer composite material, multilayer composite material obtained by the method and mechanical parts or structures produced with said material. The present invention concerns a method for producing a multilayer composite material, according to which said multilayer composite material comprises one or a plurality of thermoplastic polymer layers, one of which is a surface layer (1) comprising a thermoplastic polymer A, and comprises a substrate layer (2) comprising a thermoplastic (meth)acrylic polymer matrix and a fibrous reinforcing material, said method involving cutting at least one window in the thermoplastic polymer layer or layers and at least one window in the fibrous material, said windows being intended to coincide; impregnating the fibrous material with a liquid (meth)acrylic syrup such that it fills said windows, or inserting a transparent thermoplastic plate into said window; polymerizing the liquid (meth)acrylic syrup impregnating the fibrous material and present in the absence of a thermoplastic plate in the window or windows. The invention is applicable applies to the production of mechanical parts of structured elements or decorative items made from multilayer composite material and requiring transparent windows.

A monolithic thermocasting system for thermocasting polymer and solid material and method of use having an internal frame system; an external frame system disposed external to the internal frame system; a mold cavity formed between the internal frame system and the external frame system, the mold cavity sized to receive the polymer and solid material and shaped to form an architectural member; a duct; and a heater element disposed in the duct for outputting thermal energy to the mold cavity to heat the polymer and solid material, the thermal energy being sufficient to thermocast the polymer and solid material to a combined building material.

A plastic preform including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and an EMA additive is disclosed. With embodiments the preform may include a second additive, which may comprise a colorant. Embodiments of plastic containers comprising PET and an EMA additive are also disclosed.

Breathable, thermoplastic films, laminates, and methods of making films having a basis weight less than or equal to 15 gsm and a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 500 grams H.sub.2O/24-hour/m.sup.2, wherein the film has a ratio of the MD load at break to the CD load at break of less than about 10, and at least one of a machine-direction notched Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 5 g or a machine-direction notched trapezoidal tear strength of at least about 15 g.

An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.