Abstract: Fresh produce is preserved by coating the exterior surface of the produce with a coating composition comprising an aqueous solution of from about 0.5 to about 4 percent by weight of a cellulose derivative, preferably sodium carboxymethylcellulose, from about 0.05 to about 0.5 percent by weight of konjac, and from about 0.03 to about 0.1 percent by weight of surfactant, preferably dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate. Optional constituents include antimicrobials, plasticizers and antifoaming agents. The coating composition is effective to control respiratory exchange, i.e., the passage of gases, particularly oxygen, ethylene, carbon dioxide and water vapor, into and out of the produce, thereby to control maturation and ripening of the produce.

Abstract: Fresh produce is preserved by coating the exterior surface of the produce with a coating composition comprising an aqueous solution of from about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of substantially hydrolyzed cold water insoluble polyvinyl alcohol, about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of low molecular weight cold water soluble starch, and about 0.03 to about 5 percent by weight of surfactant. Optional constituents include antimicrobials and plasticizers. The coating composition is effective to control respiratory exchange, i.e., the passage of gases, particularly oxygen, ethylene and carbon dioxide, into and out of the produce, thereby to control maturation and ripening of the produce.

Abstract: A powder injection molding composition or feedstock is made of 70% or more by weight of a powdered metal or ceramic and 30% or less by weight of a binder system. The binder system contains a sufficient amount of polypropylene or polyethylene to hold the so-called brown preform of the molded metal or ceramic powder together for the sintering step of the injection molding process and a sufficient amount of partially hydrolyzed cold water soluble polyvinyl alcohol water and plasticizer to facilitate molding of the composition into the so- called green preform of the article to be manufactured. The debinding step of the injection molding process for transforming the green preform into the brown preform consists simply of immersing the green preform in water at ambient temperature to dissolve the polyvinyl alcohol. The binder system is nonhazardous, safe, harmless and fully degradable.

Abstract: A powder injection molding composition or feedstock is made of 70% or more by weight of a powdered metal or ceramic and 30% or less by weight of a binder system. The binder system contains a sufficient amount of polypropylene or polyethylene to hold the so-called brown preform of the molded metal or ceramic powder together for the sintering step of the injection molding process and a sufficient amount of partially hydrolyzed cold water soluble polyvinyl alcohol, water and plasticizer to facilitate molding of the composition into the so-called green preform of the article to be manufactured. The debinding step of the injection molding process for transforming the green preform into the brown preform consists simply of immersing the green preform in water at ambient temperature to dissolve the polyvinyl alcohol. The binder system is nonhazardous, safe, harmless and fully degradable.

Abstract: Plant nutrients that are released in soil over a controlled period of time are comprised of plant nutrient particles containing urea and on the surface of the particles a water insoluble, biodegradable, interpenetrating polymer network comprised of a biuret, a urethane and tung oil; more specifically, an interpenetrating network comprised of the reaction product of the urea and an isocynate reactive with urea, the reaction product of the isocyanate and an alcohol reactive with isocyanate to form a urethane, and the reaction product of the urethane and tung oil. A method of making the controlled release plant nutrient conveniently and economically is also disclosed.

Abstract: Cold water insoluble, hot water soluble and/or dispersible, disposable films, fabrics and other useful articles of manufacture are formed from a miscible polymeric resin blend comprised of cold water soluble partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, cold water insoluble hot water disintegrable aliphatic polyester, and minor proportions of processing and performance aids. The aliphatic polyester has a melt temperature above the normal body temperature of a human (37 degrees C.; 98.6 degrees F.) and is present in the resin blend at a concentration sufficient to constitute the continuous phase of the blend, with the polyvinyl alcohol constituting a discontinuous phase of the blend. The aliphatic polyester thus renders the resin blend, and the partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol in the blend, cold water insoluble and determines the temperature at which articles formed from the blend will be subject to dissolution in an aqueous bath and subsequent disposal in an environmentally and ecologically sound fashion.

Abstract: Electron beam radiation of resin blends and compounds comprises in major part by weight of cellulose acetate accelerates the rate and increases the degree of biodegradation of the compounds and products made therefrom, and renders the same fully compostable, without sacrifice of physical properties.