Abstract: A process for recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from cellular biomass of bacteria, said biomass being obtained by fermentation and in the form of a cellular biomass slurry in aqueous suspension, comprising the steps of: submitting the slurry to operations of injection of PHA solvent, agitation and heating, in order to form a suspension comprising PHA solvent with the dissolved PHA, water and insoluble residues; recuperating the solvent enriched with PHA; rapidly cooling the solution of PHA solvent to precipitate the dissolved PHA; micro-filtrating the suspension of PHA precipitated in the solvent, in order to separate a paste concentrated with precipitated PHA; washing with water, heating and agitating the concentrated PHA paste, to promote evaporation of the solvent and to obtain a suspension containing PHA granules; agitating and shearing the PHA granules and depleting the residual solvent; and separating the purified PHA particles from the suspension.

Abstract: A process for extracting and recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from cellular biomass comprising the steps of: extracting the polyhydroxyalkanoate with at least one non-halogenated solvent which is non-aggressive to the environment; heating the cellular biomass, in order to form a suspension comprising PHA solvent with the dissolved PHA and insoluble residues; recovering the solvent enriched with PHA; injecting the PHA-enriched solvent in a vapor flow in order to rapidly promote the complete precipitation of PHA in water, while processing the solvent evaporation; depleting the residual solvent; separating the purified PHA particles from the suspension and drying them.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a polymeric blend for the preparation of environmentally degradable materials, said blend comprising biodegradable polymers, polyhydroxybutyrate—PHB or copolymers thereof and poly(butylene adipate/butylene terephthalate) aliphatic-aromatic copolyester and at least one additive. The present invention further refers to the process for obtaining said blend, by applying the extrusion technique to obtain an adequate morphology in the distribution, dispersion and interaction of the polymers, so as to obtain compatible polymeric blends, allowing the granules of the produced polymeric blends to be utilized to manufacture several injection molded products.

Abstract: The polymeric implant is obtained from a renewable source, comprising a body formed by at least one biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalcanoates (PHAs) and copolymers thereof, said body incorporating, in its micro-structure, an active ingredient in a sufficient quantity to control at least one oestrus cycle of mammal animals. The invention further refers to a process for obtaining a polymeric implant comprising the steps of: mixing progesterone or progestogen, at least one polymer of the group of PHAs, one polymeric additive defined by poly(?-caprolactone), and at least one dispersant additive and/or solvent, to obtain a colloidal solution; evaporating the solvent of the colloidal solution, and forming a paste with the components dispersed therein; drying the paste to remove the residual solvents and control the granulometry of the polymer composite; extruding the polymeric composite and moulding the latter in an implant body.

Abstract: Composition for preparing a biodegradable polyurethane-based foam and a biodegradable polyurethane foam, comprising mixtures based on poly(hydroxybutyrate) polymer, polyols of renewable source, isocyanates and additives, with the object of preparing biodegradable polyurethane foams. In the process, the poly(hydroxybutyrate) plus the polyol, the isocyanate and the additives are previously mixed in specific mixers; once the homogenization is reached, the mixture is poured in mold for growing. After curing, the resulting product presents foam characteristics, with its density, toughness and cell size varying according to the proportion of the reagents and allowing the manufacture of several products.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an environmentally degradable polymeric blend, comprising biodegradable polymers defined by polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) or copolymers thereof and Polycaprolactone (PCL) and, optionally, at least one additive defined by a filler, nucleant, thermal stabilizer, processing aid, with the purpose of preparing an environmentally degradable polymeric blend. According to the production process described herein, the blend resulting from the mixture of the biodegradable polymers, PHB and PCL, and at least one additive, can be utilized in the manufacture of injected food packages, injected packages for cosmetics, tubes, technical pieces and several injected products.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a composition of mixtures based on poly(hydroxybutyrate) polymer and vegetable oils, with the object of preparing a degradable polyol polyester. In the process, the poly(hydroxybutyrate) plus the vegetable oil react under heating, producing the polyol polyester, which once purified can be utilized in applications similar to those of the traditional polyurethane: adhesives, foams, elastomers and paints.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymeric composition and method for producing a biodegradable polymeric composition, comprising poly(hydroxybutyrate) or copolymers thereof, a plasticizer obtained from a renewable source, a nucleant additive, a flow aid additive, and a thermal stabilizer additive. The process of obtention comprises the steps of mixing to a load of PHB or PHBV in powder, from about 2% to 30% of a plasticizer based on vegetable oils of natural origin and fatty acids of animal and vegetable origin, distilled and hydrogenated; mixing to the biopolymer already containing the plasticizer a thermal stabilizer additive, a nucleant additive; and a flow aid additive; and extruding the composition obtained in the previous step to promote, in the melt state, the incorporation of the additives in the matrix of PHB or PHBV and its subsequent granulation.

Abstract: The environmentally degradable polymeric composition is obtained from the biodegradable polymers poly (hydroxybutyrate)-PHB and copolymers thereof and poly (lactic acid)-PLA and, optionally, at least one of the additives defined by: plasticizer of natural origin, such as natural fibers; natural fillers; thermal stabilizer; nucleant; compatibilizer; surface treatment agent; and processing aid.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a polymeric composition prepared from a biodegradable polymer defined by poly-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) or copolymers thereof, and at least one other biodegradable polymer, such as polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly (lactic acid) (PLA), so as to alter its structure, and further at least one additive of the type of natural filler and natural fibers, and, optionally, nucleant, thermal stabilizer, processing aid, with the object of preparing an environmentally degradable material. According to the production process described herein, the composition resulting from the mixture of the modified biodegradable polymer and additives can be utilized in the manufacture of injected packages for food products, injected packages for cosmetics, tubes, technical pieces and several injected products.

Abstract: A process for extracting and recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from cellular biomass comprising the steps of: extracting the polyhydroxyalkanoate with at least one non-halogenated solvent which is non-aggressive to the environment; heating the cellular biomass, in order to form a suspension comprising PHA solvent with the dissolved PHA and insoluble residues; recovering the solvent enriched with PHA; injecting the PHA-enriched solvent in a vapor flow in order to rapidly promote the complete precipitation of PHA in water, while processing the solvent evaporation; depleting the residual solvent; separating the purified PHA particles from the suspension and drying them.

Abstract: A plasticized composition including (i) at least one biopolymer selected from the group consisting of poly hydrobutyrate (PHB) and PHB copolymers; and (ii) a plasticizer containing (a) a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C6-30 fatty alcohol, and (b) a glycerol ester of a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C6-24 fatty acid, wherein (a) and (b) are present in a ratio of 100:0 to 75:25 by weight is provided.

Abstract: A process for recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from cellular biomass of bacteria, said biomass being obtained by fermentation and in the form of a cellular biomass slurry in aqueous suspension, comprising the steps of: submitting the slurry to operations of injection of PHA solvent, agitation and heating, in order to form a suspension comprising PHA solvent with the dissolved PHA, water and insoluble residues; recuperating the solvent enriched with PHA; rapidly cooling the solution of PHA solvent to precipitate the dissolved PHA; micro-filtrating the suspension of PHA precipitated in the solvent, in order to separate a paste concentrated with precipitated PHA; washing with water, heating and agitating the concentrated PHA paste, to promote evaporation of the solvent and to obtain a suspension containing PHA granules; agitating and shearing the PHA granules and depleting the residual solvent; and separating the purified PHA particles from the suspension.

Abstract: A toothbrush, comprising a body having a head portion, a neck portion connected to the head portion, and a handle portion connected to the neck portion, and further comprising a plurality of bristles attached to the head portion. The body comprises a thermoplastic elastomer that is sufficiently strong to be used in the normal, intended manner for dental hygiene purposes and is sufficiently flexible to resist being fashioned into and used as a weapon. In a preferred embodiment, the body comprises approximately 50% Kraton™ DRP6031 thermoplastic rubber and approximately 50% polypropylene.

Abstract: A circulating aerial ropeway for conveying material such as loose or bulk goods has individual cars for conveying the material, each car being pivotally borne between two longitudinal carrying beams for swinging movement about a transverse, substantially horizontal axis which is above the center of gravity of the car, the car thereby being free-hanging and arranged always to assume a substantially horizontal position, each carrying beam mounting running wheels, the ropeway also having at least two laterally-spaced, parallel track ropes, a track rope being on each side of each car so that the running wheels run on the track ropes, and at least two laterally-spaced, parallel hauling ropes, a hauling rope being on each side of each car the cars having jaws for coupling the hauling rope to the car.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement in a stationary or mobile receiving bunker adapted to be fed with bulk material, particular by means of industrial trucks, with a delivery conveyor arranged under the receiving bunker, the improvement which comprises two bunker walls enclosing the receiving bunker chamber on the side away from the direction of delivery, with straight lines running through their top edges and projected onto a horizontal plane each forming an angle .alpha.<90.degree. with the longitudinal axis of the delivery conveyor also projected onto the horizontal plane.

Abstract: This invention relates to stockyard transporter and tripper car equipment which is movable on rail disposed on both sides, comprising portal uprights provided with running gears, a tripper car frame and a boom, which is mounted so that it can be lifted and lowered and/or rotated. Here the stockyard transporter is supported in the tripper car substantially without a counterweight.