The present invention is directed to an apparatus for forming a multi-layer web formed from at least two polymeric film tubes in intimate contact with each other but not bonded to each other. The apparatus and method includes the use of a blown film extrusion die that extrudes two separate blown film polymeric tubes via two separate annular die lips. A fluid cooling system applies cooling fluid across a plurality of surfaces of the two blown film tubes. One of the die lips may be at a different height from the other die lip. The frost line of one blown film tube may be at a different height from the other blown film tube.

A system according to various embodiments can include a source for supplying a material to be treated, an extruder, at least two screws, and a drive coupled to the screws for axially rotating the screws. The extruder includes an inlet for receiving the material, which is fed therein in a controlled manner. The screws are provided within the housing of the extruder. The screws have a plurality of compression and release stages that create mechanical heat which is directly applied to the material to change the mechanical properties of the material thereby facilitating a conversion of a physical state of the material from a non-compactable state to a compactable state as the screws rotate and move the material longitudinally along the screws to produce a final product, for example, a feed tub for use as an animal feed.

A concrete dowel placement system and methods for making the same. The system allows for accurate and easy substantially-parallel or parallel placement of slip dowels within sections of concrete so that adjacent sections of concrete may be allowed to undergo thermal expansion and contraction while remaining in a common plane without cracking or faulting. The system includes a coupler and a sheath. The sheath is configured to be slidably extensible over the coupler and may be held to the coupler by friction. Additionally, a method of constructing the concrete dowel placement system includes extruding material to form two tubes of different sizes. The tubes are then attached to each other, then material is extruded to form a sheath. Alternatively, construction may include extruding material to form a tube, then removing some of the material from the tube in order to form a coupler.

A concrete dowel placement system and methods for making the same. The system allows for accurate and easy substantially-parallel or parallel placement of slip dowels within sections of concrete so that adjacent sections of concrete may be allowed to undergo thermal expansion and contraction while remaining in a common plane without cracking or faulting. The system includes a coupler and a sheath. The sheath is configured to be slidably extensible over the coupler and may be held to the coupler by friction. Additionally, a method of constructing the concrete dowel placement system includes extruding material to form two tubes of different sizes. The tubes are then attached to each other, then material is extruded to form a sheath. Alternatively, construction may include extruding material to form a tube, then removing some of the material from the tube in order to form a coupler.

Methods for forming an electrode for use in forming a honeycomb extrusion die. The method includes forming, by means of an additive manufacturing process, an electrode includes a base having a web extending from the base. The web defines a matrix of cellular openings. The method further includes forming a secondary electrode having a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins are shaped and arranged so as to mate with the matrix of cellular openings defined by the web of the electrode. The method further includes machining the electrode using the secondary electrode to smooth surfaces of the electrode formed by the additive manufacturing process.

Methods for forming an electrode for use in forming a honeycomb extrusion die. The method includes forming, by means of an additive manufacturing process, an electrode includes a base having a web extending from the base. The web defines a matrix of cellular openings. The method further includes forming a secondary electrode having a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins are shaped and arranged so as to mate with the matrix of cellular openings defined by the web of the electrode. The method further includes machining the electrode using the secondary electrode to smooth surfaces of the electrode formed by the additive manufacturing process.

A concrete dowel placement system and methods for making the same. The system allows for accurate and easy substantially-parallel or parallel placement of slip dowels within sections of concrete so that adjacent sections of concrete may be allowed to undergo thermal expansion and contraction while remaining in a common plane without cracking or faulting. The system includes a coupler and a sheath. The sheath is configured to be slidably extensible over the coupler and may be held to the coupler by friction. An outer surface of the sheath may be textured. Additionally, a method of constructing the concrete dowel placement system includes extruding material to form two tubes of different sizes. The tubes are then attached to each other, then material is extruded or injection molded to form a sheath. Alternatively, construction may include extruding material to form a tube, then removing some of the material from the tube in order to form a coupler.

A concrete dowel placement system and methods for making the same. The system allows for accurate and easy substantially-parallel or parallel placement of slip dowels within sections of concrete so that adjacent sections of concrete may be allowed to undergo thermal expansion and contraction while remaining in a common plane without cracking or faulting. The system includes a coupler and a sheath. The sheath is configured to be slidably extensible over the coupler and may be held to the coupler by friction. An outer surface of the sheath may be textured. Additionally, a method of constructing the concrete dowel placement system includes extruding material to form two tubes of different sizes. The tubes are then attached to each other, then material is extruded or injection molded to form a sheath. Alternatively, construction may include extruding material to form a tube, then removing some of the material from the tube in order to form a coupler.

A solar reactive mulch film comprising one or more layers of heat shrink material pre-strained at a predetermined temperature and tension. Immediately cooling the pre-strained layers retains molecular deformation stresses in the material which facilitate shrinkage but not expansion on exposure to solar radiation. The mulch film adapted to be laid over longitudinal growing beds and held tautly by burying its side edges in soil. Exposure of uncovered portions of film to solar radiation causes shrinkage in one or more directions whereby in combination with the weight of the soil holding it down, maintains tautness of the mulch over a growing period. Methods of manufacture and use of the same.

The invention relates to an apparatus for producing tubular films stretched in-line by blow molding with an extruder, a film blowing line, a lay-flat unit, an oscillating haul-off unit, and a stretching line for monoaxially stretching the film laid flat in machine direction. According to the invention, the stretching line is arranged above the extruder between the lay-flat unit and the oscillating haul-off unit.