Abstract: The present invention relates to a new, particularly economical process for preparing particulate water-soluble cellulose derivatives. The process involves forming a feed composition of swollen and/or dissolved cellulose derivative, and water. The feed composition is contacted with a superheated gas mixture, in a sieve-free high rotational speed gas jet impact mill, and the cellulose derivative of the feed composition is converted into a solid state form of finely particulate particles. The superheated gas mixture, with which the feed composition is contacted, is selected from: (i) a superheated gaseous mixture of steam and an inert gas; and (ii) a superheated gas mixture of steam and air. The superheated gas mixture has a steam content of 40 wt. % to 99 wt. %, based on the total weight of the superheated gas mixture.

Abstract: Described is a building material composition prepared from or having added thereto a particulate material selected from particulate polysaccharides or particulate polysaccharide derivatives. The particulate material of the building material composition is prepared by a method comprising: (a) forming a feed composition comprising a member selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides and polysaccharide derivatives, and 35 wt. % to 99 wt. % of water, based on the total weight of the feed composition, wherein said member is at least one of swelled and dissolved in the feed composition; (b) contacting, in a mill, the feed composition with a gas stream, thereby converting simultaneously the water of said feed composition into water vapor, and said member of said feed composition into a solid state form of finely particulate material; (c) separating the particulate material from the gas stream; and (d) optionally drying the particulate material.

Abstract: A cellulose ether that is predominantly substituted in the C3 position of the anhydroglucose unit of the cellulose is described. In an embodiment of the present invention, the partial degree of substitution in the C3 position of the cellulose ether is ?60%, based on the total degree of substitution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coextruded biaxially stretched tubular film for the durable and crease-free covering of goods packaged in the liquid or pasty state, in particular foodstuffs such as sausage-meat for boiling or cooking or soft cheese, which are heated during and/or after they are packaged.

Abstract: Described is a process of preparing alkylhydroxyalkyl cellulose, e.g., methylhydroxypropyl cellulose (MHPC). The process includes: (a) alkylating cellulose with an aqueous caustic solution containing from 1.5 to 5.5 equivalents of alkali metal hydroxide, e.g., NaOH, per anhydroglucose unit (AGU) of said cellulose, in the presence of a suspension agent, e.g., dimethyl ether, which contains alkyl halide, e.g., methyl chloride, in an amount of from (equivalents of alkali metal hydroxide per AGU minus 1.4) to (equivalents of alkali metal hydroxide per AGU plus 0.8); (b) reacting the alkalised cellulose of step (a) with one or more alkylene oxides, e.g., propylene oxide, at a temperature higher than 65° C., e.g., 85° C.

Abstract: A process of both milling and drying a solvent-moist material (e.g., water-moist methylhydroxyethylcellulose) is described. The process includes, (a) providing a mill-dryer (100) which includes, in series, a heat exchanger (1), a mill (2) and a particulate separating apparatus (105) connected by conduits (8), (9) and (11, 12), which together define a mill-dryer circuit (103). The mill-dryer (100) also includes a bypass conduit (14), which provides optionally at least partial gaseous bypass of the heat exchanger (1). The process further includes: (b) introducing the solvent-moist material into the mill (2); (c) circulating a vapor stream (e.g.

Abstract: Finely divided polysacharide derivatives are described. The finely divided polysacharide derivatives are prepared by a process comprising: a) forming an aqueous composition comprising a polysaccharide derivative and water, in which the polysaccharide derivative is soaked or dissolved; b) converting the polysaccharide derivative of the aqueous composition into finely divided solid particles by, (i) contacting the aqueous composition with superheated water vapor in a dryer-pulverizer; or (ii) causing the polysaccharide derivative of the aqueous composition to flocculate; and c) optionally drying the finely divided solid particles of step b). The primary structures of the polysaccharide starting material are largely removed, and the product has a shape factor of less than 5 and greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A method of producing a cellueose ether that is predominantly substituted in the C2 position of the anhydroglucose unit of the cellulose is described. The regioselectively substituted saccharide ester produced according to the method of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of oligo-saccharide ester and polysaccharide ester, having a partial average degree of substitution (AS) at the C2 position of its anhydroglucose unit of at least 90% relative to the total AS. Also described is a blood plasma expander comprising the regioselectively substituted ester.

Abstract: Process for producing dyed, tubular food wrappings from non-woven fabric coated with regenerated cellulose, characterized in that an alkaline dye liquor containing at least one dye which has been previously converted into an alkali-soluble form by chemical reduction and which can be converted into its insoluble form by oxidation is admixed to the viscose solution used for the production of the layer of regenerated cellulose, a tubular non-woven fabric is coated with the mixture of viscose solution and dye liquor, the viscose is coagulated and regenerated to form cellulose hydrate gel and the dye distributed in the viscose is reconverted into its insoluble form by oxidation; tubular food wrappings produced by this process and their use as synthetic casings for sausages.

Abstract: Described is a single or multi-layered film having at least one polyamide layer (I) containing dispersed nanoscale nucleating particles. The smallest components of the dispersed nanoscale nucleating particles in layer (I) have an extension of less than 100 nm in at least one randomly selected direction for each component, based on a weighted average of all components of the dispersed nanoscale nucleating particles. Crystalline structures emanating from the surface of the dispersed nanoscale nucleating particles are formed after the layer (I) is cooled from the molten state at a rate of from 10 to 20° C. per minute. The dispersed nanoscale nucleating particles are present in the polyamide layer (I) in an amount of from 10 ppm to 3000 ppm, based on the total weight of layer (I).

Abstract: Described is a flexible, multilayered film comprising, (i) an outer layer composed substantially of polyamide containing nanodispersed filing material (e.g., in an amount of from 0.1 and 3 wt. %), and (ii) at least one additional polyamide layer. The multilayered film of the present invention may be produced by flat film or blown film methods. Also described is a method of using the multilayered film of the present invention as a packaging for foodstuff.

Abstract: A method for packaging food, which comprises packaging food in an at least eight-layer co-extruded, adhesive free and EVOH-free thermoformable film comprised of polyamide, polyolefin, and/or copolymers based on olefins, wherein the film has a first outer layer comprised of polyamide, a second outer layer comprised of a polyolefin or olefin copolymer and the film does not delaminate at temperatures between 50° C. and 150° C.

Abstract: Described is a thermoformable film comprising at least one layer (I) of polyamide containing solid anisotropic fillers (A) and individual spherulites. The anisotropic fillers (A) of the layer (I) of the thermoformable film, in a number-weighted average of all the dispersed constituents of the anisotropic fillers (A), have a dimension of no more than 10 nm in at least one first direction (r1) freely selectable for each dispersed constituent and, in at least one second direction (r2) perpendicular to the first direction (r1), have a dimension of at least 50 times the dimension in the first direction (r1). The individual spherulites in the layer (I) have a number-average distance from each other of no more than 50 nm, and the cores of a majority of the individual spherulites in the layer (I) are free of a filler particle of the anisotropic fillers (A). Also described is a method of preparing the thermoformable films of the present invention, and methods of using the films for, for example, packaging foodstuffs.

Abstract: Described is a stretched multilayered film comprising: (a) a polyolefin layer; and (b) at least one peelable outer layer. Each peelable outer layer (b) independently is 0.5 to 5 &mgr;m thick, comprises a copolymer of vinyl acetate and ethylene, and has a vinyl acetate proportion of from 3 to 30 wt. %, based on the weight of the peelable outer layer (b). Also described is a method of using the multilayered film as a packaging film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoformable, multilayer, co-extruded adhesive-free and EVOH-free film containing polyamide, polyolefins, and/or copolymers based on olefins. This film is particularly suitable for the packaging of products that have been subjected to a heat treatment in thermoformed films. The films are characterised by an outer layer of polyamide and a second outer layer of polyolefins or coploymers based on olefins, wherein the film composite does not delaminate even at temperatures between 50° C. and 150° C.

Abstract: Described is a film having at least a single layer and at least one copolyamide layer (I) containing dispersed nanoscale nucleating particles. Crystalline structures extending from the dispersed particle surfaces are formed after the layer (I) is cooled from a molten state at a cooling rate of from 10° C. to 20° C. per minute. The dispersed nanoscale nucleating particles are present in layer (I) in an amount of from 10 ppm to 2000 ppm, based on the total weight of layer (I). Also described is a method of using the film of the present invention in packaging foodstuffs.

Abstract: A thermoformable, multilayer, co-extruded adhesive-free and EVOH free film having an outer layer of polyamide and a second outer layer polyolefin, olefin copolymer or a mixture thereof, with inner polyamide and polyolefin or olefin copolymer layers, and layers of coupling polymer.

Abstract: Described is a method of treating or coating homogeneously at least a portion of the surface of a material selected from metallic materials having a thickness of less than 100 &mgr;m and/or polymeric materials. The method of the present invention comprises exposing at least a portion of the surface of the material to an atmospheric plasma generated by an indirect plasmatron. In the method of the present invention, the surface of the material may undergo at least one of an increase in surface tension, a surface grafting, a surface cleaning and a surface sterilization.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a substantially fiber-free carboxymethyl cellulose which predominantly exhibits elastic properties, to the use thereof as a superabsorbent material, and to the use thereof as an adjuvant substance for achieving suitable rheological and water retention properties for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food sectors, and for industrial applications, e.g. as an additive for coating materials, for the sealing of cables and for use in tunnelling and in civil and underground engineering.

Abstract: A thermoformable, puncture-resistant multi-layered film with surface slip, prepared by coextrusion and built up from polyolefin-based, polyamide-based and adhesion promoting polymer layers and its use for packaging sharp-edged goods, in particular foodstuffs.