Abstract: The invention provides a flexible plastic formulation capable of being extruded, blow-molded, ethylene oxide and radiation sterilized. The plastic formulation of the invention comprises: a) from about 60 to about 94 percent by weight of a copolymer consisting essentially of ethylene and vinyl acetate units; b) from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of a block copolymer, the block copolymer consisting essentially of a central block copolymer molecule including generally equal proportions of ethylene and butylene units, and terminal blocks of polystyrene; and c) from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight of an ultra-low density polyethylene material. The plastic formulations of the invention are useful in the manufacture of blood bags, tubing and the like.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resin bag whereby the peripheral edge of the bag such as a resin air baa is not bulky, the bonding strength is still sufficient, and the productivity is increased, is provided. A first resin sheet 1 and a heat-resisting sheet 3 are overlaid on each other and are disposed in a cavity 13 of a mold 7. The diameter of the heat-resisting sheet 3 is smaller than that of the first resin sheet 1 so that a portion of the sheet 1 is exposed outside the heat-resisting sheet 3. After injecting resin 2′ into the cavity 13 through a sprue bush end 12, the resin 2′is pressed and expanded to mold a second resin sheet 2 and bond the sheet 2 to the sheet 1 at the peripheries thereof.

Abstract: There is provided an improved two-ply sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of a single sheet of sterilization material. The sheet is folded forming at least one fold. The folded sheet forms first and second overlapping panels and two layers of sterilization material. Preferably, the panels are bonded to each other. The folded single sheet provides two layers of sterilization material covering the article to be sterilized.

Abstract: The invention provides amembrane that includes as a gas-barrier component a polyester polyol-modified polyurethane, the polyester polyol portion having repeating units in which the total number of carbon atoms is about eight or less. The membrane has a gas transmission rate of 15.0 or less for nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A pressurizable bladder for the manufacture of a composite shaft manufactured from a flexible elastomeric material and adapted for supporting at least one layer of fiber impregnated with resin has an opening for pressurization of the bladder to compress the impregnated fiber against female tooling while the tooling is heated to cure the resin. The bladder has a wall of variable thickness to permit outer contours of the bladder to conform to inner contours of the female tooling.

Abstract: Heat-shrinkable polyester films suitable for label use, wherein the value of tan &dgr; for dynamic viscoelasticity in a main shrinkage direction of the film is 0.15 or higher at 65° C. and takes a maximum of 0.40 or higher at a temperature of 65° C. to 100° C. both inclusive, and the heat shrinkability in the main shrinkage direction of the film after treatment in hot water at 80° C. for 10 seconds is 30% or higher, have excellent shrinkage characteristics over a wide range of temperature extending from low temperatures to high temperatures, particularly in the low temperature range, which may cause only rare occurrence of shrinkage spots, wrinkles, strains, longitudinal sinking, and other defects during heat shrinkage, and which may further have excellent break resistance.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.

Abstract: A flexible insulated pouch. The flexible insulated pouch includes a pouch having multiple plies of closed cell polypropylene foam. The pouch is surrounded by a film bag made of material which acts as a moisture and oxygen barrier. The film bag is joined to one side of the pouch by a heat seal.

Abstract: This invention provides a film structure and a method of making it, as well as packages formed therefrom, wherein the sealing properties of a single-site catalyst, SSC or metallocene polymer surface sealing layer are substantially increased as compared with a monolayer film of such a polymer. This invention provides in one embodiment a sealant film having at least two layers comprising a surface sealing layer and an adjacent hot tack strength boosting layer, the surface sealing layer being selected from single-site catalyst (SSC) interpolymers of ethylene and one or more C4-C8 &agr;-olefins having a density in the range of about 0.87 to about 0.915 gm/cc and a melt index of from about 0.2 to about 10 dg/minute, and a CDBI of greater than 30%; and the adjacent hot tack strength boosting layer increases the hot tack strength of the sealing layer by an amount of at least 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to inflatable fabrics which comprise two separated and distinct fabric layers in discrete areas of such fabrics as well as C-shaped seam-producing materials to which such fabric layers are attached. The resultant inflatable fabric composite this includes inflatable areas separated, at least partially, by seamed barrier areas. This configuration will form “pillowed” structures within the target fabric upon inflation. Such seam-producing materials are incorporated within the two-layer structure as C-shaped peel seams in relation with the individual fabric layers. Upon inflation, the seams then act as shear seams which greatly increases the overall strength of the two-layer inflatable fabric. These shear seams thus provide a relatively effective manner of reducing air permeability within the entire fabric article. Such a fabric may be utilized in numerous and various applications wherein fabric inflation is desired or necessary.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable film with improved shrink characteristics has ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer with nine to twenty percent by weight vinyl acetate, with narrow molecular weight distribution and a high degree of short chain branching. A multilayer embodiment includes a first layer of an acid copolymer, an ethylene alpha olefin copolymer, or blends of the two; and a second layer of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer with nine to twenty percent by weight vinyl acetate, with narrow molecular weight distribution and a high degree of short chain branching.

Abstract: A medical device, at least a portion of which is composed of a polymeric material in which the polymeric material is a melt blend product of at least two different thermoplastic polymers, one of the thermoplastic polymers being a thermoplastic liquid crystal polymer (LCP) having a melting point of less than 250° C. The portion of the device made from the melt blend may be a catheter body segment or a balloon for a catheter. The LCP blends suitably also include a non-LCP base polymer having a melting point in the range of about 140° C. to about 265° C.

Abstract: Rubbery products having a transition temperature that shrink from a second shape and size toward their original shape and size upon application of energy equivalent in result to raising the temperature of the rubbery product above the transition temperature. Also, hypo-allergenic rubbery products made from polybutadiene and its copolymers, trans-1,4-polybutadiene and its copolymers, synthetic isoprene and its copolymers, or synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene and its copolymers. Such rubbery products (not all of which need to be made to shrink) can be used in condoms, gloves, catheters, baby-bottle nipples, and dental dams, to name just a few.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilation catheter is provided herein. The method includes the steps of: (i) positioning a tube in a preconditioned mold; (ii) expanding the tube in a preconditioned mold to form a parison; (iii) positioning the parison in a balloon mold; and (iv) expanding the parison within the balloon mold to form the balloon. Thus, the tube is initially expanded into a parison in the preconditioned mold. Subsequently, the parison is expanded into a balloon in the balloon mold. Because of this unique manufacturing process, polyester block copolymers can be formed into balloons. Some of these polyester block copolymers could not be formed into a balloon using prior art blow molding processes. The resulting balloon exhibits superior characteristics, including relatively thin and consistent walls, soft texture, low uninflated crossing profile, expansion in a predictable fashion, and good tensile strength.

Abstract: A cylindrical balloon for medical tubes, which is susceptible to bending operations, comprises a low stretchable section formed, by a partial cross-linking treatment, on the balloon along the circumferential direction thereof.

Abstract: Flexible packaging for articles includes an inflatable hollow body in the form of a double-walled tubular formed body in which the article to be packaged is fixed after inflating the hollow body. The hollow body can be shaped as desired by folding and joining techniques to enable both transport packaging for geometrically simply or complexly shaped articles, and also a likewise flexible and effective protective covering of individual hazardous articles.

Abstract: A pouch containing a flowable material and films and processes for making the pouch are disclosed. The pouch is made from a sealant film having at least two heat-sealed edges and made from a material comprising a copolymer of ethylene and at least one C4-C10 alpha-olefin manufactured in a polymerization process using a single-site polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: An oxygen-absorbing composition comprising (a) a powdery or particulate crosslinked polymer containing carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds and having a high heat resistance and being easy to grind due to crosslinked structure, and (b) a catalyst. The oxygen-absorbing composition can be used in a dry state and can be utilized in an oxygen absorbent package. An oxygen-absorbing multilayered body can be formed from the oxygen-absorbing composition. A sheet or a film oxygen-absorbing multilayered body can be made from the oxygen-absorbing composition.

Abstract: A syndiotactic polypropylene copolymer is disclosed which comprises 70 to 99.9 mole % of propylene and 0.1 to 30 mole % of an olefin other than propylene; in the 13C-NMR spectrum of the syndiotactic polypropylene copolymer, a ratio of the intensity of a peak at about 20.2 ppm to the sum of the intensities of the total peaks attributable to methyl groups in propylene units at about 19-22 ppm being 0.3 or more. Also disclosed are extrusion-molded high-transparency articles, especially films and sheets and blown films, obtained by the extrusion of a polypropylene substantially having a syndiotactic structure.

Abstract: Balloons for use on medical devices such as catheter balloons are formed from polymer blend products which include a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), a crystallizable thermoplastic polymer, especially thermoplastic polyesters such as PET, and a compatabilizer. The compatabilizer may be an ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymer, an ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, an ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, an ethylene-methyl acrylate-maleic anhydride terpolymer, an ethylene-methyl-methacrylic acid terpolymer, an acrylic rubber, an ethylene-ethyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer or a mixture of two or more such polymers.

Abstract: An animal repelling garbage bag composition is provided including a garbage bag and a mixture applied to the garbage bag for repelling animals therefrom.

Abstract: To provide a polyacetal composition with improved toughness, wear resistance, and flowability. The polyacetal composition contains 100 wt % of polyacetal and 0.5-5 wt % of a block copolymer, which has its central portion made of an amorphous polymer that forms an elastic domain at room temperature and which has polyethylene glycol chains with molecular weight of 2000 or higher at its two ends.

Abstract: A method of preserving produce by providing a plastic packaging material having a thickness of up to about 500 microns and a permeability to water vapor exceeding about 1.5 g mm m−2 per day at 38° C. and 85-90% relative humidity, whereby when the material is used to package produce, no condensation or minimal condensation appears on a surface of the material. Related methods and products produced thereby are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element with a determined permeability, said element comprising a first layer and a second layer welded together with interposition of a band of fibers, so as to form a plurality of adjacent welding points, which are separated the one from the other, the fibers of the band having a melting temperature at most 5° C. higher than the melting temperature of at least one of said layers, whereby at the welding points, fibers of the band are molten into the welding lines, so that between two adjacent welding lines, fibers of the band are not molten and form a channel for the exchange of gases but avoiding the passage of solid particles.