Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article includes applying a colored medium on a first polymeric sheet to establish an image on the first polymeric sheet. The method further comprises forming a fluid-filled bladder element at least partially from the first polymeric sheet, and assembling the fluid-filled bladder element in the article so that a first portion of the fluid-filled bladder element having the image is exposed to view, and a second portion of the fluid-filled bladder element is blocked from view by the article. An article comprises a fluid-filled bladder element at least partially formed from a first polymeric sheet, and a colored medium establishing an image on the first polymeric sheet. A first portion of the fluid-filled bladder element having the image is exposed to view, and a second portion of the fluid-filled bladder element is blocked from view by the article.

Abstract: A foamed article is made by infusing the article of thermoplastic elastomer with a supercritical fluid, then removing the article from the supercritical fluid and either (i) immersing the article in a heated fluid or (ii) irradiating the article with infrared or microwave radiation.

Abstract: A foamed article is made by infusing the article of thermoplastic elastomer with a supercritical fluid, then removing the article from the supercritical fluid and either (i) immersing the article in a heated fluid or (ii) irradiating the article with infrared or microwave radiation.

Abstract: Pellets, beads, particles, or other pieces of a thermoplastic elastomer having a maximum size in at least one dimension of 10 mm or less (collectively, “pellets”) are infused with a supercritical fluid in a pressurized container, then rapidly depressurized and heated either by immersion in a heated fluid or with infrared or microwave radiation to foam the pellets The pellets are prepared with at least two different densities. Pellets with different densities, thermoplastic elastomer compositions, or foam response rates are placed in different areas of a mold. The mold is filled with pellets, then the pellets are molded into a part. The part has areas of different density as a result of the placement of pellets of different density.

Abstract: Membranes and methods for producing them are disclosed. The membranes comprise a core layer comprising a composite of alternating thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and barrier microlayers, and they comprise at least one cap layer that is bonded to the core layer or a structural layer. In some embodiments, at least the cap layer comprises a polydiene polyol-based TPU. The membrane may further comprise a rubber layer bonded to the cap layer.

Abstract: Pellets, beads, particles, or other pieces of a thermoplastic elastomer having a maximum size in at least one dimension of 10 mm or less (collectively, “pellets”) are infused with a supercritical fluid in a pressurized container, then rapidly depressurized and heated either by immersion in a heated fluid or with infrared or microwave radiation to foam the pellets The pellets are prepared with at least two different densities. Pellets with different densities, thermoplastic elastomer compositions, or foam response rates are placed in different areas of a mold. The mold is filled with pellets, then the pellets are molded into a part. The part has areas of different density as a result of the placement of pellets of different density.

Abstract: A foamed article is made by infusing the article of thermoplastic elastomer with a supercritical fluid, then removing the article from the supercritical fluid and either (i) immersing the article in a heated fluid or (ii) irradiating the article with infrared or microwave radiation.

Abstract: Pellets, beads, particles, or other pieces of a thermoplastic elastomer having a maximum size in at least one dimension of 10 mm or less (collectively, “pellets”) are infused with a supercritical fluid in a pressurized container, then rapidly depressurized and heated either by immersion in a heated fluid or with infrared or microwave radiation to foam the pellets The pellets are prepared with at least two different densities. Pellets with different densities, thermoplastic elastomer compositions, or foam response rates are placed in different areas of a mold. The mold is filled with pellets, then the pellets are molded into a part. The part has areas of different density as a result of the placement of pellets of different density.

Abstract: Decorative foamed articles are prepared from foamed pellets, beads, particles, or other articles of a thermoplastic elastomer infused with a supercritical fluid in a pressurized container, then rapidly depressurized and heated either by immersion in a heated fluid that can rapidly heat the article or with infrared or microwave radiation to heat and foam the pellets, beads, particles, or other articles that are then molded into the articles. The pellets are dyed with a nonionic or anionic dye one of: (1) before being infused with the supercritical fluid, (2) during being infused with the supercritical fluid by a nonionic or anionic dye dissolved or dispersed in the supercritical fluid, which optionally comprises a polar liquid, (3) during immersion in the heated fluid, where the heated fluid contains the dye, or (4) after being foamed.

Abstract: Gas barrier layers and composites contain a low gel sheet produced from a composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a hydroxyl functional copolymer, and a gel reducing additive. The gel reducing additive has functional groups that can react with isocyanate groups to reduce gel formation during the processing of blends of urethane containing polymers and hydroxyl functional polymers. Multilayer composites containing the low gel sheets can be made into inflatable membranes for containing an inflationary gas. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the membranes are used as bladders of cushioning devices in the soles of shoes, particularly athletic shoes.

Abstract: Gas barrier layers and composites contain a low gel sheet produced from a composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a hydroxyl functional copolymer, and a gel reducing additive. The gel reducing additive has functional groups that can react with isocyanate groups to reduce gel formation during the processing of blends of urethane containing polymers and hydroxyl functional polymers. Multilayer composites containing the low gel sheets can be made into inflatable membranes for containing an inflationary gas. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the membranes are used as bladders of cushioning devices in the soles of shoes, particularly athletic shoes.

Abstract: Gas barrier layers and composites contain a low gel sheet produced from a composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a hydroxyl functional copolymer, and a gel reducing additive. The gel reducing additive has functional groups that can react with isocyanate groups to reduce gel formation during the processing of blends of urethane containing polymers and hydroxyl functional polymers. Multilayer composites containing the low gel sheets can be made into inflatable membranes for containing an inflationary gas. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the membranes are used as bladders of cushioning devices in the soles of shoes, particularly athletic shoes.

Abstract: A multi-layer composite has at least one elastomer layer and at least one barrier layer. In various embodiments, the composite contains at least two elastomer layers alternating with at least two barrier layers. In other embodiments, the composite comprises at least ten alternating barrier and elastomer layers. The barrier layer is made of an amorphous polymer, and is provided in the form of a film. Preferably, the amorphous polymer film has a gas transmittance rate (GTR) of less than 40 cc·mil/m2·day·atm, preferably less than 20 cc·mil/m2·day·atm, measured as nitrogen transmittance at 0% relative humidity at 23° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: A multi-layer composite has at least one elastomer layer and at least one barrier layer. In various embodiments, the composite contains at least two elastomer layers alternating with at least two barrier layers. In other embodiments, the composite comprises at least ten alternating barrier and elastomer layers. The barrier layer is made of an amorphous polymer, and is provided in the form of a film. Preferably, the amorphous polymer film has a gas transmittance rate (GTR) of less than 40 cc·mil/m2·day·atm; preferably less than 20 cc·mil/m2·day·atm; measured as nitrogen transmittance at 0% relative humidity at 23° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention also provides a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention further provides fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.

Abstract: A method for improving adhesion between two adjacent layers of a laminate membrane includes annealing the laminate membrane at a temperature between an ?-transition temperature and a ?-transition temperature of at least one polymeric component of at least one of two adjacent layers for a time sufficient for the at least one polymeric component of at least one of the adjacent layers to partially diffuse into the other adjacent layer. A sealed, inflated bladder of the invention prepared from the laminate membrane can experience high strains without layer separation or peeling of the laminate layers, even at a seam.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.