A sensing system for measurement of a multilayered blown polymeric film. A feedblock supplies polymeric material streams to an annular blown film die to form a plurality of layers of different polymeric materials. A sensing system is positioned adjacent to a film bubble extruded from the blown film die, wherein the blown film bubble includes annular layers of at least two different polymeric materials. The sensing system emits a signal toward selected circumferential positions around the film bubble and receives a plurality of reflected signals at each circumferential position. Each reflected signal in the plurality of reflected signals is generated at an interface between annular layers that includes a refractive index change detectable by the sensing system. A processor processes the reflected signals from the sensing system, and for each circumferential position determines a layer thickness profile for each polymeric material in the film.

A method of producing XY mechanical test specimens uses material extrusion additive manufacturing. Toolpaths are generated which vary a width of individual beads from a first narrow width in a gage length to a second width greater than the first width in a test specimen grip region. The test specimens produced using additive manufacturing or 3D printing processes reduce a severity of stress concentrators that cause the specimens to fail in the gage length.

A method of producing XY mechanical test specimens uses material extrusion additive manufacturing. Toolpaths are generated which vary a width of individual beads from a first narrow width in a gage length to a second width greater than the first width in a test specimen grip region. The test specimens produced using additive manufacturing or 3D printing processes reduce a severity of stress concentrators that cause the specimens to fail in the gage length.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for applying a mixture of a first compound and a second compound, the apparatus comprising a first extruder for processing a first compound and a second extruder for processing a second compound, wherein the outlet from the first extruder is in fluid communication with a first channel of a housing, and the outlet from the second extruder is in fluid communication with a second channel of the housing, wherein a gear pump is positioned in each channel, wherein a nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first channel and an outlet of the second channel, and a coextruded continuous strip is produced. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound may be adjusted instantaneously.

A seal assembly includes a body portion defining a mounting channel for receiving a vehicle flange. A base of the body portion defines an outer surface of the body portion with the outer surface defining a first axis of curvature adapted to correspond with a contour of the flange. The seal assembly further includes a sealing lip portion co-extruded with the body portion and defining a notch having a notch configuration, an element disposed in the notch and pre-formed to have an element configuration corresponding to at least a part of the notch configuration, and a molding material molded to a back surface of the element, secured to the sealing lip portion within the notch, and extending across the notch, with the element and the molding material defining a contour lip portion that in combination with the sealing lip portion defines an external sealing lip of the seal assembly.

A seal assembly includes a body portion defining a mounting channel for receiving a vehicle flange. A base of the body portion defines an outer surface of the body portion with the outer surface defining a first axis of curvature adapted to correspond with a contour of the flange. The seal assembly further includes a sealing lip portion co-extruded with the body portion and defining a notch having a notch configuration, an element disposed in the notch and pre-formed to have an element configuration corresponding to at least a part of the notch configuration, and a molding material molded to a back surface of the element, secured to the sealing lip portion within the notch, and extending across the notch, with the element and the molding material defining a contour lip portion that in combination with the sealing lip portion defines an external sealing lip of the seal assembly.

This invention relates to an anisotropic multilayer film and the process of making a multilayer film, wherein a supercritical blowing agent is introduced to at least one layer, wherein at least one layer comprises 10 to 100 percent by weight LLDPE with a melt index of 0.2 to 2 g/10 min. The film in this invention can have a surface with an average Sheffield smoothness, according to TAPPI T 538, of less than 100. The film in this invention can have a puncture propagation tear resistance, in accordance with ASTM D2582, greater than 500 g/mil.

This invention relates to an anisotropic multilayer film and the process of making a multilayer film, wherein a supercritical blowing agent is introduced to at least one layer, wherein at least one layer comprises 10 to 100 percent by weight LLDPE with a melt index of 0.2 to 2 g/10 min. The film in this invention can have a surface with an average Sheffield smoothness, according to TAPPI T 538, of less than 100. The film in this invention can have a puncture propagation tear resistance, in accordance with ASTM D2582, greater than 500 g/mil.

Breathable multilayer films suitable for a wide variety of uses (e.g., protective apparel, surgical gowns, surgical drapes, aprons, roofing material, house wrap, etc.) are disclosed. The breathable multilayer film may include a monolithic core layer. The monolithic core layer may comprise at least one highly breathable polymer. The breathable multilayer film may also include at least one skin layer. The skin layer or layers may comprise at least one highly breathable polymer, a filler, and a non-breathable material. An exemplary structure of the breathable multilayer film provides a monolithic core layer, a first skin layer on one side of the monolithic core layer, and a second skin layer on the other side of the monolithic core layer. An exemplary construction of one or both of the skin layers includes one or more highly breathable polymers, a filler, and a non-breathable material. The filler, for example, may comprise calcium carbonate.

Structures for use in forming products having a wood grain appearance include, for example, a plurality of extruded layers having different colors/shades spirally wound about a longitudinal axis to an outer surface to define the structure. The plurality of extruded layers include varying thicknesses along a spiral length of the plurality of layers and/or portions of the plurality of extruded layers encircling the longitudinal axis include portions disposed at different distances from the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the spirally winding includes forming a cylindrical structure, and pressing the cylindrical structure into a cuboid structure having a square or rectangular cross-section across the longitudinal axis and at least a portion of the plurality of extruded layers defining a square or rectangle pattern across the longitudinal axis. Longitudinal portions may be cut from the structures to form the products having a wood grain appearance.