Patent ID: 8052913

Claim:
A process for the production of a polymeric article, the process comprising: a) forming a ply comprised of layers of the same type of polymeric material including: i) a first layer derived from strands of an oriented polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene or polyester; ii) a second layer derived from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene or polyester; iii) a third layer derived from strands of an oriented polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene or polyester; wherein the second layer has a lower degree of molecular orientation and a lower peak melting temperature than that of the first and third layers; (b) subjecting the ply to conditions of time, temperature and a single pressure sufficient to melt at least 10% but no more than 30% by volume of the first layer, to substantially melt the second layer and to melt at least 10% but no more than 30% by volume of the third layer; and to compact the ply; and (c) cooling the compacted ply.