The present invention relates to methods for making wear and oxidation resistant polymeric materials by high temperature melting. The invention also provides methods of making medical implants containing cross-linked antioxidant-containing tough and ductile polymers and materials used therewith also are provided.

The invention relates to a device comprising a first fixing element, a further fixing element and a folded planar composite; wherein the first fixing element comprises a first fixing surface and the further fixing element comprises a further fixing surface; wherein the folded planar composite is at least partially fixed between the first fixing surface and the further fixing surface; wherein the folded planar composite comprises a first composite region; wherein the first composite region comprises a first layer sequence comprising a first composite layer comprising a first carrier layer, a second composite layer comprising a second carrier layer, a third composite layer comprising a third carrier layer and a fourth composite layer comprising a fourth carrier layer; wherein in the first composite region the second composite layer is joined to the third composite layer and the third composite layer is joined to the fourth composite layer; wherein in the first composite region the third carrier layer is characterised by a smaller layer thickness than in each case one selected from the group consisting of the first carrier layer, the second carrier layer and the fourth carrier layer or a combination of at least two of these; wherein the first fixing surface or the further fixing surface or both comprises a recess comprising a first recess region; wherein the first composite region is located at least partially between the first recess region and the first fixing surface or the further fixing surface.

The invention relates to a device comprising a first fixing element, a further fixing element and a folded planar composite; wherein the first fixing element comprises a first fixing surface and the further fixing element comprises a further fixing surface; wherein the folded planar composite is at least partially fixed between the first fixing surface and the further fixing surface; wherein the folded planar composite comprises a first composite region; wherein the first composite region comprises a first layer sequence comprising a first composite layer comprising a first carrier layer, a second composite layer comprising a second carrier layer, a third composite layer comprising a third carrier layer and a fourth composite layer comprising a fourth carrier layer; wherein in the first composite region the second composite layer is joined to the third composite layer and the third composite layer is joined to the fourth composite layer; wherein in the first composite region the third carrier layer is characterised by a smaller layer thickness than in each case one selected from the group consisting of the first carrier layer, the second carrier layer and the fourth carrier layer or a combination of at least two of these; wherein the first fixing surface or the further fixing surface or both comprises a recess comprising a first recess region; wherein the first composite region is located at least partially between the first recess region and the first fixing surface or the further fixing surface.

A packaging machine for producing sealed packages of a pourable product from a packaging material web advancing along a web advancement path comprises an isolation chamber separating inner and outer environments, and a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the packaging material web and in fluid connection with the isolation chamber. The sterilization apparatus comprises a main shielding chamber housing an irradiation device and comprising an advancement channel having inlet and outlet openings, and through which, in use, the packaging material web advances, and first and second auxiliary shielding chambers having respectively first and second inner spaces fluidically connected to the advancement channel. A pressure control controls a first pressure in the first auxiliary shielding chamber, a second pressure in the second auxiliary shielding chamber and a third pressure in the isolation chamber, the third pressure being higher than the second pressure and the second pressure being higher than the first pressure.

A packaging machine for producing sealed packages of a pourable product from a packaging material web advancing along a web advancement path comprises an isolation chamber separating inner and outer environments, and a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the packaging material web and in fluid connection with the isolation chamber. The sterilization apparatus comprises a main shielding chamber housing an irradiation device and comprising an advancement channel having inlet and outlet openings, and through which, in use, the packaging material web advances, and first and second auxiliary shielding chambers having respectively first and second inner spaces fluidically connected to the advancement channel. A pressure control controls a first pressure in the first auxiliary shielding chamber, a second pressure in the second auxiliary shielding chamber and a third pressure in the isolation chamber, the third pressure being higher than the second pressure and the second pressure being higher than the first pressure.

Methods of making oxidation and wear resistant polymeric materials using peroxide cross-linking and high temperature melting process are disclosed. A multiple step procedure for enabling the manufacturing of such material without size limitations is also disclosed.

Methods of making oxidation and wear resistant polymeric materials using peroxide cross-linking and high temperature melting process are disclosed. A multiple step procedure for enabling the manufacturing of such material without size limitations is also disclosed.

An electron beam irradiation device includes an electron gun, a housing, and an electron beam emission window. A rod portion of the housing includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member, a cooling gas flow space, and a wall member. The window is provided at an end portion on a distal end side of the first tubular member. The second tubular member surrounds the first tubular member. The cooling gas flow space includes at least a cooling gas flow path provided between an outer wall surface of the first tubular member and an inner wall surface of the second tubular member. The wall member is provided so as to perform partition between an electron beam emission space and the cooling gas flow space. The wall member is provided with a cooling gas ejection hole. The hole has a flow path sectional area smaller than a flow path sectional area of the cooling gas flow path.

An electron beam irradiation device includes an electron gun, a housing, and an electron beam emission window. A rod portion of the housing includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member, a cooling gas flow space, and a wall member. The window is provided at an end portion on a distal end side of the first tubular member. The second tubular member surrounds the first tubular member. The cooling gas flow space includes at least a cooling gas flow path provided between an outer wall surface of the first tubular member and an inner wall surface of the second tubular member. The wall member is provided so as to perform partition between an electron beam emission space and the cooling gas flow space. The wall member is provided with a cooling gas ejection hole. The hole has a flow path sectional area smaller than a flow path sectional area of the cooling gas flow path.

A sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a web of packaging material advancing along a web advancement path-comprises an irradiation device for sterilizing the advancing packaging material web, a main shielding chamber housing the irradiation device and comprising an advancement channel having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and through which, in use, the packaging material web advances along the sterilization portion, an auxiliary shielding chamber upstream of the advancement channel along the web advancement path, the auxiliary shielding chamber having an inner space in fluid connection with the advancement channel and comprising an extraction opening allowing gas extraction from the auxiliary shielding chamber. An aspiration device generates a first flow of gas within the advancement channel from the outlet opening to the inlet opening and a second flow of gas from the inlet opening to the extraction opening.