Provided is a copolymer which has a mass average molecular weight (Mw) of 240,000 or greater and 3,500,000 or less, a structural unit derived from an acrylate (B1) and a structural unit derived from aromatic vinyl (B2), and a branched structure.

Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for creating a solidified material using a machine tool. In some aspects, the machine tool supplies a current to an induction coil such that the induction coil generates a magnetic field. The machine tool changes the magnetic field to induce eddy currents in a first conductor surrounding a feedstock and a second conductor surrounded by the feedstock. The machine tool uses the eddy currents to cause the feedstock to transition from a solid state to a uniform malleable state regardless of the feedstock's electrical conductivity.

A performance of a die is improved. An injection hole IH, a nozzle NZa and a nozzle NZb are formed in a center member DIa of a die DI to extend from an extrusion surface ES to an injection surface IS. A heat source HT and a plurality of heat insulating layers HI1 are arranged inside the center member DIa. One of the plurality of heat insulating layers HI1 is adjacent to the nozzle Nzb and is closer to the extrusion surface ES than the heat source HT. The other of the plurality of heat insulating layers HI1 extends in a direction from the extrusion surface ES toward the injection surface IS at a position being farther from the nozzle NZb than the heat source HT.

A performance of a die is improved. An injection hole IH, a nozzle NZa and a nozzle NZb are formed in a center member DIa of a die DI to extend from an extrusion surface ES to an injection surface IS. A heat source HT and a plurality of heat insulating layers HI1 are arranged inside the center member DIa. One of the plurality of heat insulating layers HI1 is adjacent to the nozzle Nzb and is closer to the extrusion surface ES than the heat source HT. The other of the plurality of heat insulating layers HI1 extends in a direction from the extrusion surface ES toward the injection surface IS at a position being farther from the nozzle NZb than the heat source HT.

A core-sheath conjugate fiber for artificial hair including a core part and a sheath part is provide. The core part includes a polyester-based resin composition that contains a polyester-based resin and the sheath part is comprised of a polyamide-based resin composition that contains a polyamide-based resin. The core-sheath conjugate fiber for artificial hair has a single fiber fineness of 20 dtex or more and 80 dtex or less and a coefficient of variation of the single fiber diameter of 10% or more and 40% or less. With this configuration, a core-sheath conjugate fiber for artificial hair that has a touch close to that of human hair and a good gloss, a hair ornament product including the same, and a method for producing the same are provided.

A core-sheath conjugate fiber for artificial hair including a core part and a sheath part is provided. The core part contains a polyester-based resin composition containing a polyester-based resin, and the sheath part contains a polyamide-based resin composition containing a polyamide-based resin. The core-sheath conjugate fiber for artificial hair has a core-to-sheath area ratio of core:sheath=2:8 to 8:2 and includes a hollow part, and the area of the hollow part constitutes 7% or more and 40% or less of the area of a fiber cross section. A core-sheath conjugate fiber for artificial hair that has a touch close to that of human hair and good voluminousness and curl setting property, and a hair ornament product including the same, and a method for producing the same are provided.

A chaff resistant and economically recyclable dunnage tray is disclosed. In one aspect, the dunnage tray includes a base portion formed from a first material and a top portion formed from a second material. The top portion is secured to the base portion, and defines at least one cavity or recess for supporting a machine component. The first and second materials are high density polyethylene (HDPE) materials with the second material including polyethylene elastomers, or plastomers. In one example, the dunnage tray is formed by thermoforming a co-extruded sheet including a first layer corresponding to the bottom structural portion and a second layer corresponding to the elastomer or plastomer portion. In one example, the dunnage tray is formed by thermoforming an extruded sheet to form the base portion and by attaching separately formed top portions with polyethylene elastomers, or plastomers to the thermoformed base portion. This invention provides solutions to chaffing or chipping of polyethylene dunnage trays, control of coefficient of friction and softness to minimize parts from sliding/abrading dunnage surfaces, and eliminates requirements for disassembly of dunnage trays and separation of materials prior to recycling.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus involving the extrusion of polymers or other materials. As may be implemented in accordance with various embodiments, a polymer is delivered into an inlet of a nozzle structure having the inlet and an outlet. The polymer is viscously heated and melted by rotating the nozzle structure about an axis extending through the inlet and the outlet, therein facilitating extrusion of the melted polymer through the nozzle structure outlet. A polymer supply may deliver the polymer into the nozzle structure inlet, and a coupler may facilitation rotation of the nozzle structure. A driver may further operate to control rotation of the nozzle structure relative to the coupler, for instance by generating a rotational output that causes rotation of the nozzle structure.

Disclosed are an entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition, and a method for forming and adhering an entrained polymer structure to a substrate using the entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition. The method includes providing a substrate configured to receive application of a molten entrained polymer. A particulate entrained polymer in molten form is applied in a predetermined shape, to a surface of the substrate, to form a solidified entrained polymer structure on the substrate. The entrained polymer includes a monolithic material formed of at least abase polymer and a particulate active agent. The surface of the substrate is compatible with the molten entrained polymer so as to thermally bond with it. In this way, the entrained polymer bonds to the substrate and solidifies upon sufficient cooling of the entrained polymer.