Abstract: Soft and elastic polymer products are obtained by stretching a composition comprising a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units. The first randomly repeating monomer unit has structure (I), wherein R1 is H, or C1 or C2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2. The second randomly repeating monomer unit is different from the first randomly repeating monomer unit and has structure (II), wherein m is 2 to about 9. At least about 70 mole % of the copolymer comprises randomly repeating monomer units having the structure of the first randomly repeating monomer unit (I). The products exhibit advantageous combinations of softness and elasticity while maintaining strength.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to highly attenuated fibers produced by melt spinning a composition comprising destructurized starch, a thermoplastic polymer, and a plasticizer. The present invention is also directed to highly attenuated fibers containing microfibrils which are formed within the starch matrix. Nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the highly attenuated fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Environmentally degradable molded or extruded articles comprising a blend of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer and an environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer are disclosed. Such compositions provide annealing cycle times to form molded or extruded articles that are less than annealing cycle times to form a molded or extruded article lacking the environmentally degradable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer.

Abstract: Environmentally degradable films comprising a blend of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer and a polylactic acid polymer or copolymer are disclosed. Laminates having a first layer comprising a PHA copolymer and a second layer comprising a PLA polymer or copolymer are also disclosed. Disposable articles comprising the environmentally degradable films or laminates are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multicomponent fibers. The fibers may be in a side-by-side, sheath-core, segmented pie, islands-in-the-sea configuration, or any combination of configurations. Each component of the fiber will comprise destructurized starch and/or a thermoplastic polymer. The present invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the multicomponent fibers. The nonwoven webs may also contain other synthetic or natural fibers blended with the multicomponent fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: Soft and elastic polymer products arc obtained by stretching a composition comprising a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanrate copolymer comprising at least two randomly repeating monomer units. The first randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure (I), wherein R1 is H, or C1 or C2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2. The second randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure (II), wherein R2 is a C3-C19 alkyl or C3-C19 alkenyl. At least about 70 mole % of the copolymer comprises randomly repeating monomer units having the structure of the first randomly repeating monomer unit (I). The products exhibit advantageous combinations of softness and elasticity while maintaining strength.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multicomponent fibers. The fibers may be in a side-by-side, sheath-core, segmented pie, islands-in-the-sea configuration, or any combination of configurations. Each component of the fiber will comprise destructurized starch and/or a thermoplastic polymer. The present invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the multicomponent fibers. The nonwoven webs may also contain other synthetic or natural fibers blended with the multicomponent fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: A hair growing agent composition containing a pharmaceutically active component, solvent and the additive shown by the following formula (I) or (II) wherein, R1 is an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 30, an aryl group or a group shown by the formula (R2)3SiO— or —YO(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)bR3; at least one R1s is an alkyl group having a carbon number of 6 to 30 or a group shown by the formula —YO(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)bR3; R2 is an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 5 or an aryl group; R3 is a hydrogen, an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 6 or an acetoxy group; Y is a divalent organic group bound to an adjacent silicon atom through a carbon-silicon bond and to a polyoxyalkylene block through an oxygen atom; R4is an alkyl group having a carbon number of 6 to 30 or a group shown by the formula —YO(C2H4O)a(C3H6O)bR3; m is 1 to 50: and a and b are 0 to 50 respectively and satisfy the relationship a+b≧2.

Abstract: Environmentally degradable molded or extruded articles comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate C4C6 copolymer composition having short annealing cycle times are provided. Such short annealing cycle times are achieved by compositions having a percentage of C6 units of 2-8%. Desirable annealing cycle times are obtained for molded or extruded articles, particularly for tampon applicators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for grinding a plastic material to produce superfine particles and compositions, such as suspensions and dry powders, resulting from such process. Common ice is the abrasive for grinding.

Abstract: A dispersible absorbent product comprises a mechanically weakened fibrous web. The dispersible absorbent product can absorb a sufficient amount of fluid without becoming overloaded and suffering from leakage, and is dispersible using a standard toilet. The mechanically weakened regions of the web enhance the dispersibility of the product. Additionally, the dispersible absorbent products may be pre-moistened with a composition. The pre-moistened products are stable in storage, easily dispersible down a toilet, and deliver cleaning, conditioning, and like benefits. Methods of making such dispersible absorbent products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A food service item comprises a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising two randomly repeating monomer units wherein the first randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure (i) wherein R1 is H or a C1-2 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2; and the second randomly repeating monomer unit has the structure (ii) wherein R2 is a C3-19 alkyl or a C3-19 alkenyl. At least about 50% of the randomly repeating monomer units have the structure of the first randomly repeating monomer unit.

Abstract: A method of disposing of a biodegradable plastic comprises the step of exposing the biodegradable plastic to a hot alkaline solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for grinding a plastic material to produce superfine particles and compositions, such as suspensions and dry powders, resulting from such process. Common ice is the abrasive for grinding.

Abstract: A melt spinnable fiber is provided that comprises a first component comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and a second component comprising thermoplastic starch where the second component is not encompassed by another component or components or if encompassed by another component or components then the second component encompasses a hollow core. A particular use of such a fiber is for removal of the second component in the presence of a solvent in order to produce fibers with desired properties. An agent may be present in the second component for controlling the rate of removal of the second component thereby allowing for physical manipulation of the fiber prior to complete removal of the component. The invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the fibers.

Abstract: An agricultural item comprising a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising two randomly repeating monomer units.

Abstract: Methods of reducing exposure to latex comprise forming an item comprising a biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer comprising two randomly repeating monomer units.

Abstract: Coated substrates include a coating and a substrate is selected from the group consisting of paper, fabric, thread and yarn.

Abstract: Environmentally degradable finely attenuated fibers produced by melt spinning a composition comprising destructurized starch, a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer, and a plasticizer are disclosed. The present invention is also directed to highly attenuated fibers containing thermoplastic polymer microfibrils which are formed within the starch matrix of the finely attenuated fiber. Nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the highly attenuated fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Films comprising a blend of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer and destructured starch are disclosed. Laminates having a first layer comprising a PHA copolymer and a second layer comprising a PHA copolymer/starch blend or thermoplastic starch are also disclosed. Disposable articles comprising the environmentally degradable films or laminates are also disclosed.