Abstract: A process for producing raw rubber from a deproteinized natural rubber is disclosed, which comprises coagulating rubber particles in the deproteinized natural rubber latex by: (1) adding a nonionic surfactant having a cloud point of from 20.degree. to 100.degree. C. and a molecular weight of 300 or more to the deproteinized natural rubber latex and heating the latex to a temperature not lower than the cloud point of the nonionic surfactant; or (2) adding a coagulation assistant selected from the group consisting of: (a) an anionic surfactant, (b) an amphoteric surfactant, (c) a nonionic surfactant, (d) a nonionic or amphoteric oligomer or polymer, and (e) an anionic oligomer or polymer, to the deproteinized natural rubber latex; and then recovering the coagulated rubber particles. According to the process of the present invention, raw rubber containing substantially no metal ion can be produced with a high efficiency.

Abstract: Containers use in the storing, dispensing, packaging, and/or portioning of food and beverage products are disclosed. The disposable and nondisposable food and beverage containers are manufactured from aggregates held together by organic binders in order to be lightweight, insulative, inexpensive, and more environmentally compatible than those currently used for storing, dispensing, packaging, or portioning such products. The food and beverage containers of the present invention are particularly useful for dispensing hot and cold food and beverages in the fast food restaurant environment. The structural matrices of the food and beverage containers include a hydrated organic binder paste (formed by mixing the binder with water) in combination with appropriate aggregate materials, such as fibers to add flexibility and strength, glass spheres to make the product more lightweight and insulative, or clay to make the product extremely inexpensive yet strong.

Abstract: There are provided a deproteinized natural rubber latex which comprises a purified product of proteolytically treated natural rubber latex and contains fine particles of natural rubber latex, a deproteinized natural rubber which comprises a dehydrated product of the deproteinized natural rubber latex, and a process for the production of deproteinized natural rubber latex which comprises subjecting a latex solution prepared by (1) adding water and/or a surfactant to a natural rubber latex and then proteolytically treating the resulting latex solution or (2) proteolytically treating a natural rubber latex and then adding water and/or a surfactant to the treated natural rubber latex, to purification using a rotary plate membrane separation apparatus.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more inorganic aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and the passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and apparatus for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and then passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be cut, rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued to fashion articles from the sheets.

Abstract: A class of modified hydrophilic prepolymers and polymers is disclosed which are characterized by their specific reactivity. Isocyanate-capped oxyethylene-based prepolymers are modified by reacting with a compound having an isocyanate-reactive group which is a sulfhydryl group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group, and a non-isocyanate-reactive group, in quantities sufficient to modify at least a portion of the isocyanate groups of the prepolymer. Where said first functional group is an amino group contained in a diamine or polyamine compound or is a carboxyl group, the modifying compound is present in quantities sufficient to modify all or substantially all of the isocyanate groups of the prepolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite polymeric material suitable for biological and medical applications and to the method for preparation thereof. The composite material consists of 1-99 wt. % of hydrophilic polymer or copolymer based on methacrylic or acrylic esters, 1-99 wt. % of fibrillar collagen, and up to 2.5 wt. % of a crosslinking agent, based on both polymeric components. The composite material may further comprise biologically active compounds and other auxiliary materials, as fillers and/or plasticizers. The composite material is prepared by dispersing the fibrillar collagen in a solution or a highly swollen dispersion of the synthetic hydrophilic polymer or copolymer in a lytropic agent and the subsequent removal of the lyotropic agent, thus forming a matrix of the synthetic polymer or copolymer penetrated by fibrillar collagen or vice versa. The composite material may be applied on a solid support or reinforced with glass, plastics, cellulose, or metallic materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite polymeric material suitable for biological and medical applications and to the method for preparation thereof. The composite material consists of 1-99 wt. % of hydrophilic polymer or copolymer based on methacrylic or acrylic esters, 1-99 wt. % of fibrillar collagen, and up to 2.5 wt. % of a crosslinking agent, based on both polymeric components. The composite material may further comprise biologically active compounds and other auxiliary materials, as fillers and/or plasticizers. The composite material is prepared by dispersing the fibrillar collagen in a solution or a highly swollen dispersion of the synthetic hydrophilic polymer or copolymer in a lyotropic agent and the subsequent removal of the lyotropic agent, thus forming a matrix of the synthetic polymer or copolymer penetrated by fibrillar collagen or vice versa. The composite material may be applied on a solid support or reinforced with glass, plastics, cellulose, or metallic materials.

Abstract: A gelatinous adhesive composition and a tacky article of manufacture are produced by heating at least one polyhydric alcohol and at least one material selected from the group consisting of naturally occurring high molecular weight polysaccharide gums, other than gum Karaya, and resins which are a copolymer of a vinyl ether and a second component selected from maleic anhydride and its corresponding free acid, together in the absence of solvent to promote chemical reaction between the components and to drive off water produced in the reaction, the reaction being carried substantially to completion. In another embodiment, the components are at least one polyhydric alcohol, a resin which is a copolymer of a vinyl ether and a second component selected from maleic anhydride and its corresponding free acid, and a material selected from the group consisting of gelatin and naturally occurring high molecular weight polysaccharide gums.