Abstract: Coatings are provided in which surfaces may be activated by covalently bonding a silane derivative to the metal surface, covalently bonding a lactone polymer to the silane derivative by in situ ring opening polymerization, and depositing at least one layer of a polyester on the bonded lactone. Biologically active agents may be deposited with the polyester layers. Such coated surfaces may be useful in medical devices, in particular stents.

Abstract: A draw-molded and heat-set article obtained by draw-molding and heat-setting a hydroxyalkanoate resin comprising chiefly a polylactic acid, the draw-molded and heat-set article having a half-width (X) of a diffraction peak of 2?=10 to 25° of not larger than 1.220° and, particularly, not larger than 1.100° as found by a broad-angle X-ray measurement. The molded article possesses excellent transparency and heat resistance despite it is made of a spontaneously integrating plastic material. The draw-molded article and, particularly, a container is effectively used for containing beverages.

Abstract: A kraft paper sheet contains and/or is coated with a fungi growth-inhibiting agent that causes the kraft paper sheet to be fungi growth resistant. The kraft paper sheet alone or as part of a layered sheet material is used as a central field portion of facings for various faced building insulation assemblies. The facings, as part of an insulation assembly, are fungi growth resistant; may be perforated to provide the facing with a selected water vapor permeance; and/or may include a bonding layer, such as a heat activated bonding layer, that bonds the facing to an insulation layer of the assembly.

Abstract: A tubular product has a tubular base layer, a tubular innermost layer made of plastic by continuous extrusion, and a tubular tie layer of foamed plastic between and adhered to the base layer and the innermost layer. The tie layer is made of melt processable adhesion plastic, is extruded simultaneously with the innermost layer against the base layer, and has better adhesions to the base and innermost layers than the base and innermost layers have to each other.

Abstract: A polymer film is disclosed for effectively smoking and/or drying products packed therein, which are to be smoked and/or air dried, in particular, smoked cheeses, smoked, uncooked smoked, and air-and-sunshine dried sausages, meat and fish products. This single-layer film is produced on the base matrix of an aliphatic polyamide and/or copolyamide and/or terpolyamide and contains 4.0-50.0 wt % of a hydrophilic compound which is in a highly dispersed state, wherein the hydrophilic compound forms a disperse phase with a linear size of the domain being 0.1-3.0 ?m in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the film, and either a polymer compound or a low-molecular substance-salt, may be used as such.

Abstract: A self-cooling container for water or other beverage utilizing a non-porous moisture vapor permeable membrane is provided. The membrane allows moisture vapor to escape while preventing penetration of contaminants including liquids, particulates, and bacteria. Evaporative cooling keeps the beverage temperature below ambient. Optionally, the membrane can be laminated to a fabric material for reinforcement.

Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: A component having a surface micromechanical structure containing both movable elements and immovable elements, and a method of manufacturing same are described. The surface micromechanical structure of the component is produced in a functional layer, which is connected to a substrate via at least one electrically non-conductive first insulation layer and at least one first sacrificial layer. The movable elements of the surface micromechanical structure are exposed by removing the first sacrificial layer. The first insulation layer is made of a material which is not substantially attacked by the process of removing the first sacrificial layer. Thus the removal of the sacrificial layer may be limited in a design-controlled manner. At the same time, a reliable electrical insulation of the surface micromechanical structure with respect to the substrate of the component and a reliable mechanical fastening of the immovable elements of the surface micromechanical structure to the substrate are ensured.

Abstract: A packaging material is formed by a substrate, and an inner sealing layer comprising a polyolefin layer and an aqueous dispersion-type polyester resin layer successively disposed on the substrate. The aqueous dispersion-type amorphous polyester resin layer contains an anionic surfactant or an amphoteric surfactant and is substantially free from an organic solvent having a boiling point of at most 100° C. The thus-formed packaging material is excellent in aroma-retentivity, aroma non-adsorptivity, particulate non-adhesion, low residual solvent and sealability. The packaging material is also free from environmental problem and is therefore suitable as a packaging material for particulate medical supplies and health foodstuff.