Abstract: A hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition made from a first polymer of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion, or a mixture thereof, where the acrylic acid portion and the methacrylic acid portion each, independently, comprise from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight and also including an Ionomer-type copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight. Methods of making articles from such compositions. Methods of disposal of such compositions in hot liquid and alkaline conditions.

Abstract: A method of absorbing oil or wax by contacting the oil or wax with a non-woven, woven, or knitted fabric prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol fiber. A method of recovering oil or wax contained in such a fabric using water and at a rate surprisingly faster than the rate of oil or wax recovery from cotton. A method of absorbing oil or wax from a mixture of oil or wax and sand by contacting the mixture with a fabric made from polyvinyl alcohol. Method of disposing of such fabrics which have been soiled or saturated with the oil or wax. The method is also applicable to other hydrocarbons such as aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvents.

Abstract: A fabric comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers, and a solvent, wherein the fabric is at least partially saturated with the solvent; a kit comprising a container, and a plurality of adjacent sheets disposed within the container, wherein the sheets comprise the fabric; a kit comprising a container; and a roll of the fabric disposed within the container; wherein the fabric comprises a width and a length, the lengthlwidth ratio is greater than 10:1, a series of perforations traverse the width of the fabric at evenly spaced intervals; and a method of using the fabric comprising contacting the fabric with the residue of a chemical or mechanical process.

Abstract: A hot alkaline liquid soluble or dispersable composition made from a first polymer of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer having a methacrylic acid portion, or a mixture thereof, where the acrylic acid portion and the methacrylic acid portion each, independently, comprise from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total copolymer weight and also including an Ionomer-type copolymer having an acrylic acid portion, a methacrylic acid portion, or a combination thereof, comprising from 10 to 30 wt. % of the total Ionomer copolymer weight. Methods of making articles from such compositions. Methods of disposal of such compositions in hot liquid and alkaline conditions.

Abstract: A method of absorbing oil or wax by contacting the oil or wax with a nonwoven or woven fabric prepared from a polyvinyl alcohol fiber. A method of recovering oil or wax contained in such a fabric using water and at a rate surprisingly faster than the rate of oil or wax recovery from cotton. A method of absorbing oil or wax from a mixture of oil or wax and sand by contacting the mixture with a fabric made from polyvinyl alcohol. Method of disposing of such fabrics which have been soiled or saturated with the oil or wax. The method is also applicable to other hydrocarbons such as aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon solvents.

Abstract: A method of disposing of garments after use. The garments, linens, drapes, towels and other useful articles are provided as woven, non-woven, knitted or otherwise formed fabric of thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol polymer fiber, the fiber being water soluble only at temperatures above approximately 37.degree. C. and preferably above 50.degree. C. After use, the fabric is subjected to water at a sufficient temperature to substantially dissolve the fabric whereupon the water and dissolved fabric are subjected to disposal.

Abstract: A method and treatment composition for neutralizing formaldehdye. The treatment composition contains polyethylenimine, urea and an acid having a pH of less than 6. Treatment of formaldehyde solutions with the treatment composition results in a suspension that it easily disposable and non-toxic.

Abstract: A method for containing potentially infectious devices. The potentially infectious devices are deposited in a container which contains a monomer, a reducing agent and water. An oxidizing agent is later added to cause polymerization of the monomer to immobilize the devices, and to act as a disinfecting agent due in large part to the exothermic nature of the reaction. In an alternate embodiment, the composition contains a monomer, a thickener and water. Before use, this solution is admixed with an oxidizing and reducing agent and the thickened solution is poured into a container having disposed therein potentially infectious devices. Related methods, kits, devices, and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mop head made from a plurality of fibers of polyvinyl alcohol that are only water soluble at temperatures above 37.degree. C., where the fibers are formed into a mop head. A disposable cleaning rag made from at least one layer of a plurality of fibers of polyvinyl alcohol that are only water soluble at temperatures above 37.degree. C., wherein the fibers are formed into a disposable cleaning rag.

Abstract: An article made from a fabric layer permeable to a first liquid such as water, blood or urine. The article has one side that repels the liquid and another side which absorbs the liquid. The article can be disposed of by heating in a selected liquid, which dissolves or disperses the article. The article may also have a plastic layer affixed thereto to provide additional impermeability. Two of the fabric layers may be affixed with the impermeable sides facing each other to provide an article capable of absorbing fluids from both sides, yet preventing fluids from penetrating from one side to the other. An optional plastic layer may be juxtaposed between the facing sides to provide a further fluid barrier. A method of disposing of such articles comprising contacting the articles with a sufficiently hot second liquid for a sufficient period of time to disperse or dissolve substantially the articles.

Abstract: A towel, sponge and gauze made from a plurality of fibers of polyvinyl alcohol that are only water soluble at temperatures above 37.degree. C. The polyvinyl alcohol fibers have a degree of hydrolysis of at least 80% with a degree of polymerization between approximately 300 to 3000.

Abstract: A method of disposing of garments after use. The garments, linens, drapes, towels and other useful articles are provided as woven, non-woven, knitted or otherwise formed fabric of thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol polymer fiber, the fiber being water soluble only at temperatures above approximately 37.degree. C. and preferably above 50.degree. C. After use, the fabric is subjected to water at a sufficient temperature to substantially dissolve the fabric whereupon the water and dissolved fabric are subjected to disposal.

Abstract: A mop head made from a plurality of fibers of polyvinyl alcohol that are only water soluble at temperatures above 37.degree. C., where the fibers are formed into a mop head. A disposable cleaning rag made from at least one layer of a plurality of fibers of polyvinyl alcohol that are only water soluble at temperatures above 37.degree. C., wherein the fibers are formed into a disposable cleaning rag.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of a hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbon is intimately mixed with an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution includes a hydrophilic monomer, a cross-linking agent and an emulsifier. The emulsion is then solidified for disposal through the addition of reduction/oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A method of forming a useful molded part or film of polyvinyl alcohol. The polyvinyl alcohol, together with a plasticizer is injection or blow molded to form the useful molded part or melt processed (blown or cast extrusion) to form the film wherein upon forming the useful molded part or film, the plasticizer is substantially removed to create the useful molded part or film which is selectively hot water soluble and which is resistant to the affects of moisture below the solubility temperature.

Abstract: A mop head comprising a bundle of fibers bound together to create mop head fabric. The fibers are composed of polyvinyl alcohol which is water soluble at temperatures above approximately 93.degree. C. The polyvinyl alcohol fibers are produced by a process of dope extrusion and which contain wetting and anti-blocking agent.

Abstract: A method of converting a toxic composition containing an aldehyde to a composition which is substantially non-toxic. The aldehyde is reacted with a compound having protic oxygen or nitrogen atoms and a polyimine or polyimine derivative to absorb or swell the aldehyde-containing composition and preferably to yield a substantially solid reaction product by way of a substantially irreversible reaction.

Abstract: A method of disposing of photographic fixer and developer. The fixer and developer, preferably in equal quantities, are mixed and the mixture combined with an absorbing polymer which is substantially insoluble in the mixture of photographic fixer and developer. The polymer is capable of absorbing at least approximately 20 times its weight of the electrolytic aqueous base solution of fixer and developer. Once immobilized, the silver precipitates as insoluble silver sulfide and the mixture can be disposed of in a landfill or similar site designed to receive nontoxic waste.

Abstract: A method of producing an absorbent composition. A polymeric material characterized as having surface anionic reactive sites is mixed with a source of multivalent metal ions to render the polymeric material sorbent of aqueous liquids. A dispersant is then added to form a wet slurry which is subsequently dried to a granular consistency.

Abstract: A method of disposing of utensils after use. The utensils are provided as molded, formed or extruded articles which are only water soluble at temperatures above 37.degree. C. After use, the utensils are subjected to water at a sufficient temperature to substantially dissolve them whereupon the water and dissolved articles are subjected to sewer disposal.