Abstract: A method of improving the water permeability and/or cleaning a porous polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane, preferably a hydrophobic/hydrophilic blended membrane, eg P VdF/PVP comprising the step of contacting the porous polymeric membrane with a source of monopersulfate, preferably an aqueous solution of 2KHSO5.KHSO4.K2SO4.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a first portion having a lower ground engaging surface, an upper surface, and a recess formed in the upper surface. The upper surface of the first portion is in contact with the upper. A second portion is seated in the recess in the first portion and has an upper surface, with the upper surface of the second portion being in contact with the upper. The second portion comprises a foam material having a density less than 0.25 g/cm3.

Abstract: A continuous method for production of a porous hollow fibre membrane having regioselective affinity for compounds in blood or other biologically active fluids to be removed during purification of blood or said fluids is disclosed, as well as a porous hollow fibre membrane produced by said method, an adsorption device containing such a porous hollow fibre membrane, and use of such a porous hollow fibre membrane.

Abstract: A method of preventing the accumulation of debris within cavities or voids of crop engaging components of an agricultural combine is provided. To prevent debris accumulation within such cavities, the cavities of such crop engaging components are first identified. Then, the cavities are injected with a fill material, such as self-expanding foam to fill the cavity and adhere thereto. A rasp bar for mounting to a rotor of an agricultural combine is also provided. The rasp bar includes a rasp bar element, a mounting bracket, a fastener, and a fill material for filling a cavity formed by the rasp bar.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to an extruder for preparing a mixture of polymer and diluent. The extruder includes multiple extruder stages, the multiple extruder stages comprising an inlet stage, a dispersion stage, and at least one mixing stage comprising a reverse mixing screw segment having a helical flight that traverses and forms an outer periphery thereof, the helical flight having a plurality of notches positioned therealong. A process for extruding the polymer-diluent mixture is also provided.

Abstract: A microporous asymmetrical membrane formed of one or more layers wherein the “tight” side of the membrane has an “opened” face or otherwise highly-porous reticulated surface is described. The microporous asymmetrical membrane has high throughput and high flux, even when used for filtering viscous materials, such as serum or plasma. The membrane's surface can be formed by ablation or solvation, or in a two or more layered structure, through an appropriate selection of casting dopes.

Abstract: Expandable or pre-expanded thermoplastic particles, e.g. polystyrene particles, used to form foam containers e.g. cups, bowls, are coated with a coating composition comprising a liquid part consisting of a) liquid polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 200 to 800; and a solid part comprising components selected from the group consisting of b) polyolefin wax, e.g. polyethylene wax, c) a metal salt of higher fatty acids, e.g. zinc stearate or calcium stearate; d) polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 900 to 10,000; and e) a fatty bisamide or fatty amide, e.g. ethylene bis-stearamide; and combinations of b) through e). The coating composition prevents or resists leakage of liquids and foods with oil and/or fatty components and improves the rim strength and ATF properties of foam containers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a foam body having an anisotropic cell structure, the method including the steps of: expanding a polymer at an elevated temperature to form an initial foam body; and cooling the initial foam body under a negative pressure. There is also provided a method of manufacturing a foam body having an anisotropic cell structure, the method including the steps of: (a) in a first expansion step, expanding a foamable polymer composition substantially isotropically to form an initial foam body having an isotropic cell structure; and (b) in a second expansion step, expanding the initial foam body anisotropically in a selected direction under a negative pressure which applies an expanding force in the selected direction to provide a final foam body having an anisotropic cell structure. Apparatus for the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing of an asymmetric hollow fiber membrane, comprising the steps of extruding a polymer solution through the outer ring slit of a hollow fiber spinning nozzle, simultaneously extruding a center fluid through the inner bore of the hollow fiber spinning nozzle, into a precipitation bath, whereby the polymer solution contains 10 to 26 wt-% of polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES) or polyarylethersulfone (PAES), 8 to 15 wt-% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and 60 to 80 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP), the center fluid contains 60 to 70 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 30 to 40 wt-% water, and the precipitation bath contains 70 to 82 wt-% N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone (NAP) and 18 to 30 wt-% water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strand-like profile body for dental cleaning, wherein the cross-section of the profile body comprises a bottom section (10) and first wall sections (12) and second wall sections (14), which adjoin the bottom section and are arranged opposite of each other, and wherein furthermore the bottom section (10) together with the first and second wall sections (12, 14) forms at least one recess (16, 18) in the profile body for receiving a tooth. The invention further relates to a method for the production thereof and the use thereof for cleaning teeth.

Abstract: A molded respirator is made from a monocomponent monolayer nonwoven web containing a bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous monocomponent polymeric microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition. The respirator is a cup-shaped porous monocomponent monolayer matrix whose matrix fibers are bonded to one another at least some points of fiber intersection. The matrix has a King Stiffness greater than 1 N. The respirator may be formed without requiring stiffening layers, bicomponent fibers, or other reinforcement in the filter media layer.

Abstract: A selective membrane having a high fouling resistance. In one embodiment, the selective membrane is a composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane in which a hydrophilic coating is applied to the polyamide layer of the membrane, the hydrophilic coating being made by covalently bonding a hydrophilic compound to residual acid chlorides of the polyamide membrane, the hydrophilic compound including (i) at least one reactive group that is adapted to covalently bond directly to the polyamide membrane, the at least one reactive group being at least one of a primary amine and a secondary amine; and (ii) at least one non-terminal hydroxyl group.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polymer matrices and methods for preparing polymer matrices.

Abstract: A test paper includes a porous membrane capable of separating an object that should be filtered out of a sample by filtration, the porous membrane carrying a reagent capable of reacting with a specified component of the sample to result in coloring. The porous membrane includes a first layer having a surface on which the sample is supplied and a second layer having a surface at which sample percolation and measuring are effected, the first layer composed of large pore portions, the surface of the first layer consisting of a smooth surface having open pore portions, the second layer composed of minute pore portions the surface of the second layer consisting of a surface having open pore portions. The porous membrane has a thickness of 50 to 200 ?m and a porosity of 60 to 95%.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a method for modifying the surface adhesion characteristics of expanded foams and beads or other expanded structures or components formed therefrom, whereby the expanded foams and beads or other expanded structures or components formed therefrom, are contacted with a composition containing at least one oxidizing agent and an activator. The oxidizing agent in the composition is present in a kinetically degrading state capable of producing at least one chemical intermediate that is reactive with the expanded foams and beads or other expanded structures or components wherein the expanded foams and beads or other expanded structures or components formed therefrom, are maintained for an interval sufficient to produce or modify functional groups in the polymeric substrate/virgin polymeric material. The oxidizing agent of choice is a halogenated bivalent oxygen compound.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method for producing expandable styrene-modified olefin-based resin particles comprising steps of: impregnating styrene-modified olefin-based resin particles with an easily volatile blowing agent to obtain expandable resin particles, and impregnating 100 parts by weight of the expandable resin particles with 0.1 to 2.0 parts by weight of a surfactant at a temperature of 10 to 30° C. and at a pressure of 0.05 to 0.30 MPa, to obtain expandable styrene-modified olefin-based resin particles.

Abstract: To provide a membrane capable of efficiently collecting fine particles for a long period of time, disclosed is a polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane wherein the mean pore size in the surface of the membrane is larger than the mean pore size in the back thereof and the mean pore size continuously changes from the surface toward the back.

Abstract: A solution of polymer uniformly dissolved into a solvent is prepared in a solution preparing step. The solvent contains good and poor solvent components for the polymer. The solution is discharged from a coating die to a support to be a coating film thereon in a primary body forming step. A water drop generating step and a fluidity decreasing step are performed in parallel with each other while wet air is applied to the coating film. Water drops are generated on a surface of the coating film in the water drop generating step. The good solvent component is evaporated from the coating film to decrease fluidity of the solution for forming the coating film in the fluidity decreasing step. In the water drop evaporating step, dry air is applied to the coating film. The solvent and the water drops are evaporated from the coating film to obtain the porous film.

Abstract: The objection of this invention is to provide an article with a foamed surface having a porous structure in the surface of a plastic base, an implant and a method of producing them. The article has a body and a superficial layer formed in a surface of the body, the layer including small-diameter and large-diameter pores, wherein part of the small-diameter and large-diameter pores are open pores which are open at the surface of the layer; the open pores have small open pores with an average diameter of 5 ?m or less and large open pores with an average diameter from 10 to 200 ?m; and the large open pores have an inner wall with passages connected with the small-diameter large-diameter pores. The implant is the article itself or the article with a bioactive substance in the layer thereof. The method provides an example of producing the article and implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet which is excellent in heat resistance and flexibility, has a small diameter of cells, can be developed in various utilities, and is excellent in vacuum moldability. The method for producing a polyolefin-based resin crosslinked foamed sheet according to the present invention comprises the steps of supplying a foamed sheet with closed cells, comprising a polyolefin-based resin, to a gap between one pair of rolls which have different circumferential speeds, and are rotated so that rotation directions on facing surfaces are the same direction, and applying a compression force and a shear stress to the foamed sheet with closed cells simultaneously to rupture a part of closed cells of the foamed sheet with closed cells to communicate closed cells into open cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microporous membrane having an improved balance of important properties such as melt down temperature and thickness fluctuations. The invention also relates to a system and method for producing such a membrane, the use of such a membrane as a battery separator film, batteries containing such a membrane, and the use of such batteries as a power source in, e.g., electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

Abstract: Polyurethane shapes containing a core layer of a water soluble polymer such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) are produced by casting onto a surface an aqueous mixture containing a pre-polymer of a hydrophilic polyurethane as a first layer of uncured polyurethane, covering the uncured first layer with release paper and compressing the layer, uncovering the uncured first layer and distributing PEO on the uncured surface, applying a second layer of uncured polyurethane on top of the PEO while the polyurethane is still uncured, then covering the resulting mass with release paper and compressing it to form an integrated, layered shaped article containing a core region enriched in PEO that when wetted releases PEO over an extended period.

Abstract: A process for producing porous structures from polyamide by dissolving the polyamide in an ionic liquid and precipitating or coagulating the dissolved polyamide by contacting the solution with a liquid precipitant medium. Fibers are produced from the dissolved polyamide in a wet-spinning process by precipitation in protic solvents, in particular water, a C1-4-alkanol or mixtures thereof, and subsequent freeze-drying. Foils, films or coatings are produced by blade coating the dissolved polyamide onto a substrate surface, optionally spraying with protic solvent, in particular water, a C1-4-alcohol or mixtures thereof, dipping into a precipitation or coagulation bath, freeze-drying of the resulting foil, of the film or of the coated substrate. Molded parts are prepared by extracting the dissolved polyamide with protic solvents, preferably water, a C1-4-alcohol or mixtures thereof, wherein the dissolved polymer is transformed to a solid or wax-like state by cooling and extracted after subsequent moulding.

Abstract: Partially expanded closed-cell unmatured polystyrene bead with a partial vacuum within the cells inside the bead, which may be coated with an air impervious coating to retain a partial vacuum inside cells for a prolonged period of time. The resulting bead has improved thermal insulating properties and may be used for insulation.

Abstract: Disclosed are void-containing polyester shrink films which show excellent density retention upon exposures to high temperatures. The films have high shrinkage and retain their low density after processing under conditions of temperature and moisture used in typical recycling processes. The films are useful for sleeve label and other shrink film applications, and their lower density allows them to be readily separated from soft drink bottles, food containers and the like during recycling operations. Also disclosed is a process for void-containing polyester shrink films having high shrinkage and low density after exposure to elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Millimeter to nano-scale structures manufactured using a multi-component polymer fiber matrix are disclosed. The use of dissimilar polymers allows the selective dissolution of the polymers at various stages of the manufacturing process. In one application, biocompatible matrixes may be formed with long pore length and small pore size. The manufacturing process begins with a first polymer fiber arranged in a matrix formed by a second polymer fiber. End caps may be attached to provide structural support and the polymer fiber matrix selectively dissolved away leaving only the long polymer fibers. These may be exposed to another product, such as a biocompatible gel to form a biocompatible matrix. The polymer fibers may then be selectively dissolved leaving only a biocompatible gel scaffold with the pores formed by the dissolved polymer fibers.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a mouse pad capable of enhancing the precision of detecting a displacement of an optical mouse includes: mixing silicone and light reflecting particles to form a mixed material; putting the mixed material into a mold to form a pad body by hot pressing; coating a transparent coating onto a surface of the pad body to form a flat smooth layer on the surface to produce a mouse pad. Since the smooth layer is on the surface of the mouse pad, users can smoothly move an optical mouse on the smooth layer. The optical mouse emits a light to the mouse pad to detect a displacement, and each light reflecting particle forms an image with a significant difference on an optical sensor of the optical mouse by a light reflection or refraction to determine the optical mouse moving direction and displacement according to the images.

Abstract: A method for processing a stamp material generally includes: heating one of a pressing member and a surface layer of the stamp material; pressing the surface layer of the stamp material using the pressing member; and cooling the stamp material to normal temperature.

Abstract: A molded product includes a matrix formed of a polymer material and a plurality of capsules dispersed in the matrix. An unevenness is formed on a surface due to expansion of the capsules. Some of the capsules have expanded without bursting and include an exposed outer shell portion that protrudes from a surface, and/or some of the capsules have burst and include an outer shell protruding portion that protrudes outward from the surface. Finish processing is performed, which eliminates the outer shell protruding portions and/or the exposed outer shell portions from the surface. This results in a molded product in which a color difference due to frequency of contacting an object, etc. is not easily generated.

Abstract: A hydrophilic semipermeable hollow-fibre membrane for blood treatment, with an integrally asymmetric structure based on a synthetic polymer. The hollow-fiber membrane possess on its inner surface a separating layer and an adjoining open-pored supporting layer, and has an ultrafiltration rate in albumin solution of 5 to ?25 ml/(h·m2·mmHg). The hollow fiber membrane is free from pore-stabilizing additives and has a maximum sieving coefficient for albumin of 0.005 and a sieving coefficient of cytochrome c that satisfies the equation SCcc?5·10?5·UFRAlb3?0.004·UFRAlb2+0.1081·UFRAlb?0.25.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a method for changing characteristics of a plastic component, wherein a medium is introduced into the plastic component, which encompasses a porosity and wherein the medium forms a homogenous compound with the plastic component by at least partially dissolving the plastic component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer microporous membrane comprising polyethylene and polypropylene and having an improved balance of properties including improved thickness variation in at least one planar direction. The invention also relates to a system and method for producing such a membrane, the use of such a membrane as a battery separator film, and batteries containing such a membrane.

Abstract: A solution (11) containing an organic solvent, a polymer and a plasticizer (TPP, BDP or the like) which is not less than 0.01 wt. % and not more than 50 wt. % of the polymer is cast onto an endless belt (51) to be a casting film (22). Water vapor is condensed from ambient gas on a surface of the casting film (22) passing through a first area (46) to form water drops. The water drops on the casting film (22) passing through a second area (47) are grown and the organic solvent thereof is evaporated. The water drops on the casting film (22) passing through a third area (48) are evaporated. The casting film (22) after passing through the third area (48) is peeled from the endless belt (51) as a flexible porous film (17) by a peel roller (57).

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionalized adsorbent for removal of acid gases, which comprises a pore-expanded mesoporous support having a pore volume of between 0.7 and 3.6 cc/g, a median pore diameter of between 1 and 25 nm, and a BET surface area of between 500 and 1600 m2/g. The support is functionalized by addition of acid-gas reactive functional groups within the pores and external surface of said support material. Also provided are methods of manufacturing the adsorbent and methods of use.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method for injection-molded articles, comprising subjecting a resin composition for use in injection molding, which contains a polylactic acid resin and PET fibers with a lactic acid component content of 50% by weight or more, and is compounded at a compounding temperature of 230° C. or lower, to injection molding at an injection molding temperature of 190 to 230° C. to obtain a molded article of high strength in which voids around the PET fibers are 50% or less on the PET fibers in sectional area in the article's sections, and the PET fibers within the article are not deteriorated. The molded article has a higher strength than conventional, and is applicable as a constituent part for larger products with heavier weights, such as copying machines and printers.

Abstract: In order to produce a coating having an attractive, velvet-like or suede-like appearance for a substrate by application of a liquid plastic dispersion to the die surface 3 consisting of hydrophobic plastic and subsequent solidification of this plastic material, a die is used whose surface 3, according to the invention, has a gloss of less than 2.2 according to DIN 67530 at an angle of incidence of 60° and is provided with microscopically small well-like indentations 4.

Abstract: The invention provides porous matrices that comprise one or more surfactants that can be used in non-aqueous environments.

Abstract: A microporous asymmetrical membrane formed of one or more layers wherein the “tight” side of the membrane has an “opened” face or otherwise highly-porous reticulated surface is described. The microporous asymmetrical membrane has high throughput and high flux, even when used for filtering viscous materials, such as serum or plasma. The membrane's surface can be formed by ablation or solvation, or in a two or more layered structure, through an appropriate selection of casting dopes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing polylactic acid-based resin foamed particles for in-mold foam-molding from which a polylactic acid-based resin foam-molded article excellent in heat resistance and mechanical strength can be obtained by in-mold foam-molding. In the method of the present invention for producing polylactic acid-based resin foamed particles for in-mold foam-molding, a rotary blade is rotated at a given rotation speed while being always in contact with the front end surface of a nozzle and a polylactic acid-based resin extrudate extrusion-foamed through a nozzle is cut with the rotary blade, so that it is possible to cut the polylactic acid-based resin extrudate surely to obtain substantially spherical polylactic acid-based resin foamed particles.

Abstract: Membranes as well as a methods of treating membranes are disclosed. The method of treating a membrane includes contacting the membrane with a first solvent, contacting the membrane with an inert solvent, and contacting the membrane with an amine reactive compound. The first solvent includes a solvent having a Hansen solubility parameter in a range from about 10.0 to about 18. The membrane includes a polymer having an amine group.

Abstract: Provided are a polyolefin microporous membrane having a thickness of from 1 to 100 ?m, a pore diameter of from 0.01 to 1 ?m, and protrusions having a height of from 0.5 to 30 ?m formed by embossing on at least one of the surfaces of the membrane; a production method of the membrane; and a separator for battery made of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides porous membranes with at least a partially modified surface as well as methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing reverse osmosis membranes having improved permeability as well as membranes prepared by such methods.

Abstract: Filtration devices may include a shape-memory material having a compressed run-in position or shape and an original expanded position or shape. The shape-memory material may include an open cell porous rigid polyurethane foam material held in the compressed run-in position at the temperature below glass transition temperature (Tg). The foam material in its compressed run-in position may be covered with a fluid-dissolvable polymeric film and/or a layer of fluid-degradable plastic. Once filtration devices are in place in downhole and are contacted by the fluid for a given amount of time at temperature, the devices may expand and totally conform to the borehole to prevent the production of undesirable solids from the formation.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a porous elastomer, the method comprising the steps of: providing a predetermined amount of a liquid elastomer and a predetermined amount of a porogen; mixing the liquid elastomer and the porogen in vacuum until a homogenous emulsion without phase separation is formed; curing the homogenous emulsion until polymerizations of the emulsion is reached, thereby forming a cured emulsion; and removing the porogen from the cured emulsion. The method can advantageously be used for forming biocompatible porous elastomers and biocompatible porous membranes.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for improving the antifouling properties and for increasing the selectivity of commercial composite polyamide nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes comprising circulating a low concentration of water soluble monomers and an initiating redox couple in an aqueous solvent, without transverse pressure over the surface of the membrane thereby effecting a free-radical graft polymerization on the surface of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making porous cross-linked charged cellulosic polymeric membranes capable of binding to a target molecule. The invention provides methods for separating target molecules from other components in a solution comprising use of membranes obtainable by the process of the invention. The method has particular utility in separating proteins and nucleic acids from cell lysates and cultures.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing reverse osmosis membranes having improved permeability as well as membranes prepared by such methods.

Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane, which comprises a separating functional layer comprising a reactant of polyfunctional amine with polyfunctional acid halide, wherein a water-soluble organic material is in contact with the separating functional layer, and the separating functional layer has a boron removal ratio of 95% or more, when seawater at 25° C. having a pH of 6.5, a boron concentration of 5 ppm and a TDS concentration of 3.5% by weight is permeated under an operation pressure of 5.5 MPa.