A homogeneous dry mechanical blend of freely flowable pellets, granules or powders comprising plastic resin and/or plastic additive concentrates is vacuum packaged in order to lock the constituents of the blend in place and eliminate their segregation due to differences in specific gravity, size and shape. The vacuum packaged composition remains immobilized until the vacuum package is opened and the vacuum is released. Thus, the homogeneity of the blend is maintained during shipping, handling and storage. Providing a homogeneous customized mechanical blend of plastic compounded additive concentrates is an economical and preferred method of providing an intermediate product to a user for the molding or extruding of a plastic end product.
A vane intended for a headbox of a paper machine or equivalent is moistened and enclosed in a vapor-proof package to ensure the straightness of the vane. At least a portion of the vane is made of a water-absorbing material, such as plastic or a composite. Advantageously, the vane contains moisture in an amount that corresponds to the equilibrium moisture content of the vane in headbox conditions. It is enclosed in a package, preferably a vacuum package, which retains the moisture of the vane until the vane is put into use.
