Abstract: A biodegradable composition, is obtained by heating a melting together at least one lignin and/or a lignin containing material with a protein. This composition may contain one or more additives. Also disclosed are articles produced with this composition.

Abstract: The preparation and the use of pulverulent compositions consisting of (a) from 10 to 90% by weight of cellulose, (b) from 5 to 60% by weight of an alkali metal caseinate, and (c) from 5 to 85% by weight of a polymer c1) an N-vinyllactam polymer obtained by copolymerization of from 90 to 99.5% by weight of one or more N-vinyllactam monomers and from 0.5 to 10% by weight of a crosslinking monomer, or c2) a polymer obtained by copolymerization of from 50 to 99.5% by weight of at least one vinyl heterocyclyl monomer having a PKa of at least 3.8, from 0 to 49.5% by weight of another copolymerizable monomer and from 0.5 to 10% by weight of a crosslinking monomer, or c3) a mixture of the polymers c1) and c2). The compositions are used in the treatment of biological liquids of plant origin in an unfermented or partially or completely fermented state for sensory stabilization of the liquids with a view to preserving taste and color.

Abstract: A biologically degradable polymer mixture is proposed which consists essentially of starch and at least one hydrophobic polymer. The hydrophobic polymer is in this connection at least substantially biologically degradable and thermoplastically processable and the mixture with the starch comprising a polymer phase mediator or a macromolecular dispersing agent so that the starch is present in the mixture as disperse phase with the hydrophobic polymer as continuous phase, and the phase mediator or the dispersing agent is responsible for the molecular coupling of the two phases. As starch there is preferably used thermoplastic starch which has been prepared substantially with the exclusion of water by means of sorbitol or glycerol. The production of the biologically degradable polymer mixture is also carried out substantially with the exclusion of water.

Abstract: A process for reducing the amount of lipids within natural rubber latices comprising the steps of obtaining a natural rubber latex from a guayule bush, the latex having a dry natural rubber content of from about 10 to about 40 percent by weight, adding from about 0.1 to about 25 parts by weight of a surfactant per one hundred parts by weight of dry natural rubber, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group including nonionic, ionic, and amphoteric surfactants, adding from about 1,000 units to about 500,000 units of a lipid reducing enzyme preparation per gram of dry natural rubber, wherein the lipid reducing enzyme preparation is selected from the group including lipases from plant, animal, synthetic and microbial sources, adding a pH buffer to maintain the pH in a range of from about 5 to about 12, mixing the natural rubber latex with the lipid reducing enzyme preparation for a period of between one-half hour to about 24 hours at a temperature of from about 20.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ink-jet recording process which comprises applying a first liquid at least containing a water-soluble resin having at least one carboxyl group or anhydride thereof, or sulfonic group per molecule to a recording medium and then applying an ink at least comprising water, an organic solvent, a dye, an alkali-soluble resin and an alkali to the portions where the first liquid has adhered, thereby forming an image. An ink set and an instrument for use in such a process are also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent agriculture residue product and method of making the product. Preferably the agriculture residue material is reduced in size, adhesive added, consolidated to form panels or other shapes and heated to cure the adhesive. Preferably, the agriculture material is reduced in size from less than about 2 inches and the adhesive is present in an amount ranging from between about 2% to about 20% by dry weight. The products possess good absorption characteristics, durability and the ability to retain absorbed liquids upon application of pressure to saturated panels.

Abstract: Polymers containing a plurality of free hydroxy groups, such as cellulose, agarose or polyvinyl alcohol, are contacted in absence of reactants for hydroxy groups, with at least one N-heterocyclic compound, e.g. pyridine, pyrrole, pyridazine, their partially or fully hydrogenated analogs and any of these which may be substituted, in a pre-activation step prior to reaction with reactant for free hydroxy groups in the polymer, the polymer-bound residue of which reactant may be thereafter reacted in turn with amino compounds containing at least one unsubstituted N-attached hydrogen atom, e.g. proteins, thereby to form amine-polymer conjugates. The invention further relates to a powder, bandage, patch or like cover for application to wounds which has been manufactured from polymer containing a plurality of hydroxy groups by a process which includes the step of providing an amine conjugated to the polymer; the amine may be, e.g., trypsin, chymotrypsin, lysozyme, collagenase, albumin and hyaluronidase.

Abstract: A biologically degradable polymer mixture is proposed which consists essentially of starch and at least one hydrophobic polymer. The hydrophobic polymer is in this connection at least substantially biologically degradable and thermoplastically processable and the mixture with the starch comprising a polymer phase mediator or a macromolecular dispersing agent so that the starch is present in the mixture as disperse phase with the hydrophobic polymer as continuous phase, and the phase mediator or the dispersing agent is responsible for the molecular coupling of the two phases. As starch there is preferably used thermoplastic starch which has been prepared substantially with the exclusion of water by means of sorbitol or glycerol. The production of the biologically degradable polymer mixture is also carried out substantially with the exclusion of water.

Abstract: A urea-resin composition comprising a urea-formaldehyde reaction product, cellulose material, and at least one substance selected from the group cosisting of .alpha.-amino acid, powdered collagen and gelatin. The present invention provides urea-resin compositions which, having a property to harden under heating, are themselves biodegradable and have sufficient physical properties to be applied for practical purposes.

Abstract: Materials containing fine natural organic material particles are disclosed. As the fine particles, superfine silk fibroin particles are produced by a process comprising a first step of comminuting silk fibroin into coarse particles with dry mechanical comminuting means, a second step of comminuting the coarse silk fibroin particles into fine particles with dry mechanical comminuting means, and a third step of comminuting the fine silk fibroin particles into superfine particles with an average particle diameter of 10 .mu.m or below with dry mechanical comminuting means, the silk fibroin particles being beta-treated during or after at least one of the first to third comminuting steps. Specific examples of the material are films, sheets, paints, fiber treating materials, etc.

Abstract: An air-entraining agent for use in cementitious mixtures having fly ash. The air-entraining agent being particularly well suited for use with high carbon or high LOI fly ash.

Abstract: Novel aerated fibrous slurry comprising fibrous material, foaming agent, stabilizer, water and gas, which when dried to a water content of not more than 10% by weight, forms a dry, resilient fibrous foam composition. The dry, resilient fibrous foam composition is useful as an inexpensive cushioning filler, as a heat insulating material and as an absorbent of liquids.

Abstract: A water-soluble, biodegradable, repulpable, waterbearing colloidal hydrogel material manufactured from a mixture of natural organic materials, water and additives which is capable of being heated and applied with hot melt glue application equipment for use in paper bag sealing, corrugated and paperboard carton closure, and fishing lures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a water vapor responsive self sealing thin film which is formed from a blend of at least about 75 weight percent of a water dispersible polymer; from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of a xerogellant; and from about 7.5 to about 20 weight percent of a plasticizing agent.

Abstract: Polymers containing a plurality of free hydroxy groups, such as cellulose, agarose or polyvinyl alcohol, are contacted in absence of reactants for hydroxy groups, with at least one N-heterocyclic compound, e.g. pyridine, pyrrole, pyridazine, their partially or fully hydrogenated analogs and any of these which may be substituted, in a pre-activation step prior to reaction with reactant for free hydroxy groups in the polymer, the polymer-bound residue of which reactant may be thereafter reacted in turn with amino compounds containing at least one unsubstituted N-attached hydrogen atom, e.g. proteins, thereby to form amine-polymer conjugates. The invention further relates to a powder, bandage, patch or like cover for application to wounds which has been manufactured from polymer containing a plurality of hydroxy groups by a process which includes the step of providing an amine conjugated to the polymer; the amine may be, e.g., trypsin, chymotrypsin, lysozyme, collagenase, albumin and hyaluronidase.

Abstract: An improved joint compound is provided that has from about 0.2 to about 0.9% of a thickener system selected from unborated hydroxypropylguar or a blend of an unborated hydroxypropylguar and 1-3% of a cellulose ether. This thickener system is either in dry form or as a fluid suspension. This joint compound is useful for the installation of wall board paneling in residential commercial, and industrial buildings.

Abstract: To form a binder from naturally occurring products without extraction or purification steps, the binder utilizes proteins from the germ or endosperm of cereal grasses or from the seed of buckwheat, oil seed plants, Amaranthus or leguminous plants or from leaves. The protein has a thermoplastic microstructure with linear polymers of moleculer weight of at least 2,000 linked with peptide linkages of at least 50 in number. The naturally occurring product is ground or milled without further processing and thus includes carbohydrates, particularly as cellulose, and possibly fats, yeast or materials yielding ash upon burning, with the carbohydrates being at least 5 percent of the proteins by weight. The binder may include some initiators or catalysts to polymerize fats or other initiators or catalysts to polymerize proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to footwear additives made using recycled materials. In particular, the invention relates to an additive used in the formation of an article of footwear where the additive comprises finely divided recycled footwear materials. The recycled footwear materials may be scraps generated during the manufacture of the article of footwear, or defective or used articles of footwear. The additive materials can be selected from the group consisting of leather, cotton, thermoplastics, synthetic and natural rubber, millable/partially crosslinked polyurethane, and synthetic fibers. The thermoplastics include polyamides, polyesters and polyurethanes.

Abstract: The hydrogel of the invention contains polyvinyl alcohol (a hydrogel support), and a high water-absorbent resin and/or a hydrophilic high molecular compound, which are capable of containing a large amount of water. The rate of evaporation of water from this hydrogel is slow. The hydrogel retains water for a long time and releases an active ingredient gradually. The hydrogel containing a pharmacologically active substance is useful as a pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: A biodegradable plastic composition for use in production of shaped articles includes polyglycolide and a high molecular weight substance selected from poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid), a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid, polycaprolactone, polyglutamic acid, polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol, polyalkylene oxide, cellulose acetate and mixtures thereof, the amount of the polyglycolide being 5-60 % based on the total weight of the polyglycolide and the high molecular weight substance.

Abstract: To form a composition board from naturally occurring products without extraction or purification steps, the naturally occurring material is held together with a binder that is added or is already within the naturally occurring material. In one embodiment, the binder utilizes proteins from the germ or endosperm of cereal grasses or from the seed of buckwheat, oil seed plants, Amaranthus or leguminous plants or from leaves. The protein has a thermoplastic microstructure with linear polymers of molecular weight of at least 2,000 linked with peptide linkages of at least 50 in number. The naturally occurring product is ground or milled without further processing and thus includes carbohydrates, particularly as cellulose, and possibly fats, yeast or materials yielding ash upon burning, with the carbohydrates being at least 5 percent of the proteins by weight. The binder may include some initiators or catalysts to polymerize fats or other initiators or catalysts to polymerize proteins.

Abstract: This invention relates to formaldehyde-free, aqueous glue dispersions which contain polyisocyanates. These systems are particularly suitable for gluing veneers and surface materials on wood and wood products. The systems are prepared from polyisocyanates in combination with extenders based on flours and cold water-soluble of hydrolyzed natural starch. In this process, polyisocyanates or aqueous dispersions thereof are added while stirring to aqueous solutions or mixtures of starch and flour.The extender-containing adhesive systems are aqueous glue dispersions having increased service life which in their preferred embodiment contain about 15 to 30% by weight of polyisocyanates, preferably polyphenyl-polymethylene polyisocyanate (PMDI), 10 to 15% by weight of starch which is soluble in cold water and 14 to 25% by weight of (cereal) flour and optionally, other additives and the appropriate quantity of water adding up to 100% by weight.

Abstract: A coating composition for coated front copy papers comprises pre-treated carboxylated soybean protein, pigment, binder, phenolic resin, and defoamer. In a preferred embodiment, the carboxylated soybean protein is pre-treated by the steps of:(a) adding carboxylated soybean protein to water in a mixer,(b) continuing mixing to achieve an even dispersion,(c) heating the dispersion to a temperature of 58.degree.-65.degree. C. while continuing mixing,(d) adding sufficient ammonia solution to neutralize the carboxylic acid groups in the protein, and(e) maintaining the temperature in the range 58.degree.-65.degree. C. until the reaction is complete as indicated by pH, or by complete dissolution of the protein, and(f) adding defoamer and mixing by gentle agitation.A method for coating paper is also claimed.

Abstract: An alanine dosimeter that enables accurate and simple measurement of the absorbed dose of an ionizing radiation is disclosed. The dosimeter uses as an alanine binder agent at least one member selected from among synthetic rubbers, and natural rubber.

Abstract: An enhanced water-absorbency hydrophilic polymer material, suitable for use in for example wound dressings, is prepared by a process in which a water-containing organic hydrogel comprising a gelable polysaccharide and/or protein or polypeptide interspersed with a polymer of a hydrophilic acrylic or methacrylic acid derivative is permeated with a base, the pH of said hydrogel being raised to at least 9 during treatment with said base.

Abstract: Paper coating compositions contain at least one pigment, at least one binder, and, as an insolubilizer for the binder, the product of the reaction of a low molecular weight polyacrylamide with glyoxal and a urea or a cyclic urea.

Abstract: A writing or recording fluid on an aqueous basis, such as an ink, comprising coloring agents, binder, water and, optionally, other additives. The invention discloses polyurethane, preferably a linear polyurethane in aqueous dispersions as the binder.

Abstract: The invention is a composition of matter and method for its use in reducing formaldehyde emission from wood composite panels bonded with aminoplast resins. The preferred composition comprises urea, a carbohydrate based material such as cooked or gelatinized starch, and an acidic catalyst for the resin. The ratio of urea to carbohydrate based material is in the range of 10:1 to 40:1 while the urea forms from 20-60% of the composition. In use, the composition is preferably sprayed on the wood particles, flakes or fiber in the blender at the same time resin is added. Typical usage is 0.4-3 parts, on a urea basis, added to each 100 parts of dry wood substance. Depending on several factors, the reduction in formaldehyde emission ranges from 60-90% without serious deterioration occurring in any other product physical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new azulmic acids stabilized by condensation with carbonyl compounds, several processes for their preparation and their use for various purposes.

Abstract: Methods of making and using a stable diagnostic reagent for use in serological testing procedures, and in particular, non-auto-agglutinating polystyrene latex particles with surfaces containing a protein, substantially methylated serum albumin, and a bound, negatively-charged polymeric compound. The particles may be sensitized with a number of negatively-charged compounds, including proteins, polysaccharides and various cell nuclear components. When the coated latex particles are adsorbed with native deoxyribonucleic acid, the resultant immunological reagent can be used to detect certain autoimmune diseases, particularly serum lupus erythematosus.

Abstract: Water-based paints exhibiting improved stability and application properties are obtained by adding to 100 gallons (379 liters) of paint from 1 to 7 pounds (0.45 to 3.2 kg) of Heteropolysaccharide S-156.