Abstract: Biodegradable drinking straws and methods of making biodegradable drinking straws. The drinking straws are thin and functional, having a tactile feel similar to conventional drinking straws, and are biodegradable in 12 months or less. The drinking straws use less material while maintaining high thickness uniformity, reducing cost and increasing structural integrity.

Abstract: Molded foam articles are provided. The molded foam articles have at least one surface having at least a portion that has been skin-formed for forming a skin-formed living hinge for enabling a robust living hinge capable of hundreds of open/close cycles at angles of up to 270°.

Abstract: Compostable polymeric resins are provided. The compostable polymeric resins are especially suitable for single-use plastic commodities such as cutlery, sauce cups, plates, and cup, and include a compostable polymer or copolymer and calcium carbonate. The compostable polymeric resins advantageously having desirable strength and biodegradability.

Abstract: Molded foam articles are provided. The molded foam articles have at least one surface having at least a portion that has been skin-formed for improving the thermal and mechanical properties of the molded foam articles without the need for material, density, or foam particle size changes.

Abstract: Molded foam articles in the form of containers are provided. The containers have at least two portions formed from polylactic acid-based molded bead foam and joined together using a heat-seal. The at least two portions are tailor-made to have a specific size and shape suitable for thermally sensitive commodities and may be customized based on the intended destination for the commodities and potential changes in weather in route. The containers may include one or more stand-offs for providing additional thermal energy protection, further enhancing the customizability of the containers. The containers may be formed from a single, flat foam panel that is cut and formed into a container on site, dramatically increasing the versatility of the container and reducing the carbon footprint associated with the container.

Abstract: Molded foam articles are provided. The molded foam articles have at least one surface having at least a portion that has been skin-formed for improving the thermal and mechanical properties of the molded foam articles without the need for material, density, or foam particle size changes.

Abstract: Enhanced suffusion coated and laminated nylon fibers are described. The fibers are formed from a blend of an aliphatic nylon and a semiaromatic nylon that is subsequently suffused with carbon. The nylon blend demonstrates advantageous physical properties over typical nylons, and the carbon suffusion process unexpectedly improved these physical properties further.

Abstract: Molded foam articles are provided. The molded foam articles are formed from polylactic acid and include a plurality of ultra-highly planar particles. Forming the molded foam articles from polylactic acid with ultra-highly planar particles advantageously reduces molding time and manufacturing costs, and improves both mechanical and thermal properties.

Abstract: Polyamide resins including the reaction product of an intimate mixture of at least two monomers selected from HMDA and a diamine; and an organic diacid, wherein sebacic acid is present in the organic diacid in an amount of less than or equal to about 50 mol. %, and associated articles and methods are provided herein.

Abstract: Articles of disposable cutlery are provided herein that include a handle portion, utility portion, and skirt around the perimeter of the handle portion and at least part of the utility portion. The handle portion, skirt, and at least part of the utility portion have a common, uniform thickness without cutouts or ribs, which advantageously enables stacking or nesting of the cutlery, significantly reducing storage space, shipping space, and the carbon footprint associated with storage and shipping.

Abstract: Enhanced suffusion coated and laminated nylon fibers are described. The fibers are formed from a blend of an aliphatic nylon and a semiaromatic nylon that is subsequently suffused with carbon. The nylon blend demonstrates advantageous physical properties over typical nylons, and the carbon suffusion process unexpectedly improved these physical properties further.

Abstract: Planters are provided. The planters include one or more molded foam articles that are formed from polylactic acid. Forming the molded foam articles from polylactic acid advantageously enables air and water transport through the walls of the planter, reduces the overall weight of the planter, enables highly customizable shapes and sizes of planters, and enables compostability of the planter.

Abstract: Methods of making molded polystyrene articles are described. The methods include introducing steam into a mold simultaneous to filling the mold with foam particles, and cooling the mold without the use of cooling water. The method can be performed faster and with a lower temperature differential than conventional molding processes, permitting faster turn-around to the production of subsequent molded articles. The molded articles produced by the method can have thicker side walls, improved foam particle fusion, and improved compression properties as compared to conventional EPS molding processes.

Abstract: Molded foam articles are provided. The molded foam articles are formed from polylactic acid and are capable of a number of post-processing or secondary uses. Forming the molded foam articles from polylactic acid advantageously extend the life of the molded bead foam article by permitting users to cut, heat, adhere, modify, and repurpose the molded foam articles.

Abstract: Trimmer line compositions and methods for forming trimmer line compositions are provided. The trimmer line compositions include a biodegradable toughening agent and polycaprolactone and advantageously increase the degradability of the trimmer line with minimal-to-no impact on the performance of the composition as trimmer line.

Abstract: Insulating assemblies having improved thermal seals are provided. The insulating assemblies have an interface between a base portion and a lid that has an angled transitional portion and at least one elevation change. The angled transitional portion advantageously improves lid removability, assembly reusability, and resistance to thermal energy transfer.

Abstract: Compression blow formed articles having improved barrier properties and methods of making the same are provided herein.

Abstract: Injection molded articles and methods of making injection molded articles. The methods include the use of a first plasticizing unit and a second plasticizing unit on a common frame feeding a first mold and a second mold on the common frame. Separating the production of each part of a two-part article into separate plasticizers and molds allows for the tuning of production parameters on a per-part basis, improving part flatness and part-to-part weight variance.

Abstract: Methods of making molded foam articles. The methods include introducing steam into a mold simultaneous to filling the mold with foam particles. The method can be performed faster and with a lower ?T than conventional molding processes, permitting faster turn-around to the production of subsequent molded articles. The molded articles produced by the method can have thicker side walls and improved foam particle fusion as compared to conventional molding processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rapid measurement of the chemical and structural properties of plastic articles are provided. The systems and methods involve measuring both mechanical deformation of the plastic article and x-ray fluorescence of the plastic article in order to determine changes in composition as a result of contamination and/or issues associated with plastic article manufacturing lines. The systems and methods can be performed in minutes, compared to hours or days for typical testing methods.