Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described herein are blends of starch or starch-based materials with polymeric materials, where the starch or starch-based material is intimately blended with the polymeric material, so as to exhibit very small particles sizes (e.g., less than 2 ?m, or less than 1 ?m) for the starch or starch-based material in the matrix of the polymeric material. Such intimate dispersion of very small particles provides for far more of the particles dispersed more evenly throughout the matrix of the polymeric material, which may enhance various performance characteristics of the blended composite material. Methods of producing articles from such blends exhibiting such small particles and excellent dispersion are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are blends of carbohydrate-based polymeric materials with other polymeric materials, where the carbohydrate-based polymeric material is intimately blended with the other polymeric material, so as to exhibit very small particles sizes (e.g., less than 2 ?m, or less than 1 ?m) for the carbohydrate-based polymeric material in the matrix of the other polymeric material. Such intimate dispersion of very small particles provides for far more of the particles dispersed more evenly throughout the matrix of the other polymeric material, which may enhance various performance characteristics of the blended composite material, and provide for more consistent achievement of such characteristics, from batch to batch. Methods of producing articles from such blends exhibiting such small particles and excellent dispersion are also disclosed. While suitable for use in a wide variety of fields, examples may include for the coating of paper cups, and as a capsule material for sustained release fertilizer.

Abstract: Described herein are starch-based materials, and formulations including such for use in directional alignment extrusion processes. The present compositions exhibit critical shear stress characteristics that allow extrusion at high shear rates and line speeds, without onset of melt flow instability. The present compositions provide sufficient melt strength to allow such compositions to be directionally oriented by stretching the heated polymer (e.g., the polymer melt) following initial extrusion, directionally aligning the molecular chains of the heated polymer blend in the machine-direction, the cross-direction, or both. In an embodiment, the starch-based material is blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having desired melt flow index value(s), which serves as a diluent, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be processed under such conditions.

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec?1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible pouch. In an embodiment, the flexible pouch includes opposing flexible films. The flexible films define a common peripheral edge. A microcapillary strip is sealed between the opposing flexible films. A first side of the microcapillary strip is located at a first side of the common peripheral edge and a second side of the microcapillary strip located at a second side of the common peripheral edge. A peripheral seal extends along at least a portion of the common peripheral edge. The peripheral seal comprises a sealed microcapillary segment. The peripheral seal forms a closed flexible pouch having a storage compartment. A liquid is present in the storage compartment.

Abstract: Described herein are blends of carbohydrate-based polymeric materials with other polymeric materials, where the carbohydrate-based polymeric material is intimately blended with the other polymeric material, so as to exhibit very small particles sizes (e.g., less than 2 ?m, or less than 1 ?m) for the carbohydrate-based polymeric material in the matrix of the other polymeric material. Such intimate dispersion of very small particles provides for far more of the particles dispersed more evenly throughout the matrix of the other polymeric material, which may enhance various performance characteristics of the blended composite material, and provide for more consistent achievement of such characteristics, from batch to batch. Methods of producing articles from such blends exhibiting such small particles and excellent dispersion are also disclosed. While suitable for use in a wide variety of fields, examples may include for the coating of paper cups, and as a capsule material for sustained release fertilizer.

Abstract: Described herein are blends of starch or starch-based materials with polymeric materials, where the starch or starch-based material is intimately blended with the polymeric material, so as to exhibit very small particles sizes (e.g., less than 2 ?m, or less than 1 ?m) for the starch or starch-based material in the matrix of the polymeric material. Such intimate dispersion of very small particles provides for far more of the particles dispersed more evenly throughout the matrix of the polymeric material, which may enhance various performance characteristics of the blended composite material. Methods of producing articles from such blends exhibiting such small particles and excellent dispersion are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible pouch. In an embodiment, the flexible pouch includes opposing flexible films. The flexible films define a common peripheral edge. A microcapillary strip is sealed between the opposing flexible films. A first side of the microcapillary strip is located at a first side of the common peripheral edge and a second side of the microcapillary strip located at a second side of the common peripheral edge. A peripheral seal extends along at least a portion of the common peripheral edge. The peripheral seal comprises a sealed microcapillary segment. The peripheral seal forms a closed flexible pouch having a storage compartment. A liquid is present in the storage compartment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a food package. In an embodiment, the food package includes a microcapillary sheet having a first end and a second end and opposing surfaces. The microcapillary sheet includes a matrix composed of a polymeric material and a plurality of channels. The channels are disposed in parallel in the matrix and between the opposing surfaces. The channels extend from the first end to the second end of the microcapillary sheet. The microcapillary sheet includes a perforation traversing at least two channels. The perforation extends from a surface of the microcapillary sheet and through a wall of the at least two channels.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided. The flexible container includes four panels. The four panels form (i) a body portion; (ii) a neck portion, and a flare portion that extends from the neck portion; (iii) a tapered transition portion between the body portion and the neck portion; and (iv) the neck portion has a reduced width. The flare portion has an expanded end. The width of the flare portion gradually increases from the neck portion to the expanded end.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided. The flexible container includes four panels. The four panels form (i) a body portion; (ii) a neck portion, and a flare portion that extends from the neck portion; (iii) a tapered transition portion between the body portion and the neck portion; and (iv) the neck portion has a reduced width. The flare portion has an expanded end. The width of the flare portion gradually increases from the neck portion to the expanded end.

Abstract: A fitment is provided and includes a top portion, a base, and a channel extending through the top portion and the base for passage of a flowable material. The base includes a pair of opposing sidewalls. The sidewalls extend around the channel. The sidewalls are joined together at opposing ends. The fitment further includes at least one sealing rib extending along the sidewalls. The sealing rib includes an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block copolymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fitment. In an embodiment, a fitment is provided and includes a top portion, a base, and a channel extending through the top portion and the base for passage of a flowable material. The base includes a pair of opposing sidewalls. The sidewalls extend around the channel. The sidewalls are joined together at opposing ends. The fitment further includes at least one sealing rib extending along the sidewalls. The sealing rib includes an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block copolymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fitment. In an embodiment, a fitment is provided and includes a top portion, a base, and a channel extending through the top portion and the base for passage of a flowable material. The fitment includes a flexible valve extending across the channel. The flexible valve includes a slit which opens to permit flow therethrough. The flexible valve includes an ethylene/?-olefin multi-block copolymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a food package. In an embodiment, the food package includes a microcapillary sheet having a first end and a second end and opposing surfaces. The microcapillary sheet includes a matrix composed of a polymeric material and a plurality of channels. The channels are disposed in parallel in the matrix and between the opposing surfaces. The channels extend from the first end to the second end of the microcapillary sheet. The microcapillary sheet includes a perforation traversing at least two channels. The perforation extends from a surface of the microcapillary sheet and through a wall of the at least two channels.