Importance

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Abstract

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for making a thermoplastic polymer sheet and particularly a thermoplastic polymer netting structure. It further relates to a process and apparatus for splitting a thermoplastic polymer sheet or net structure so as to divide the sheet or net at the center thereof into two thin sheets. According to the invention, a previously formed plastic sheet or netting structure is reheated and then placed between two opposed heated smooth surfaces such as metal rolls. The sheet or net is heated to a temperature within the range of temperatures wherein the adhesion of the resin forming the sheet to the metal rolls is good and where its cohesion is poor. The opposed faces of the sheet or net structure adhere to the heated smooth surfaces. The opposed heated surfaces are separated; this causes the sheet or net to split in half to follow each surface. The split halves are quick-cooled to a temperature in the temperature range in which the resin's cohesion is increased and adhesion to the rolls is reduced so that the split sheet halves can be removed from the smooth roll surface.

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First Claim