Abstract: A computer-based system is described that includes a plurality of end-user devices and a computing device executing a contract assessment tool in an enterprise network. An example method includes initiating, by an agent device and with the contract assessment tool, an assessment session for a contract being negotiated; presenting, by the contract assessment tool and to the agent device, one or more prompts for information related to the contract; receiving, by the contract assessment tool and from the agent device, input data representative of the information related to the contract; determining, by the contract assessment tool, whether negotiations for the contract are to be escalated to an enterprise legal group; generating, by the contract assessment tool, one or more reports associated with the contract; and outputting, by the computing device, the one or more reports to at least one of the end-user devices.

Abstract: A film, preferably, a multi-layered film, including a polymer composition, wherein the polymer composition includes: within a range from 1 wt % to 25 wt % of a cyclic olefin copolymer based on the weight of the polymer composition, and within a range from 75 wt % to 99 wt % (the remainder of material) of a polyethylene based on the weight of the polymer composition, wherein the cyclic olefin copolymer has a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of at least 80.degree. C. The films may be used in shrink packaging application.

Abstract: A film, preferably, a multi-layered film, comprising a polymer composition, wherein the polymer composition comprises: within a range from 1 wt % to 25 wt % of a cyclic olefin copolymer based on the weight of the polymer composition, and within a range from 75 wt % to 99 wt % (the remainder of material) of a polyethylene based on the weight of the polymer composition, wherein the cyclic olefin copolymer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 80° C. The films may be used in shrink packaging application.

Abstract: Described is a polyethylene composition comprising at least one polyethylene having a crystallinity of less than 60, or 55, or 50% and within a range from 0.2 wt % to 15 wt % of cyclic-olefin copolymer and within a range from 0.2 wt % to 15 wt % of hydrocarbon resin, by weight of the polyethylene composition. The polyethylene compositions can be formed into useful articles such as films and injection molded and thermoformed articles.

Abstract: Provided is a composition having 70 wt % to 90 wt % of a first propylene-olefin copolymer component having an ethylene content of 15 to 21 wt %; and 10 wt % to 30 wt % of a second propylene-olefin copolymer component having an ethylene content of 6 to 10 wt %; wherein the weight average molecular weight of the first component is 250,000 to 1,780,000 g/mol higher than the weight average molecular weight of the second component; wherein the reactivity ratio product of the first component is less than 0.75; wherein the reactivity ratio product of the second component is greater than or equal to 0.75.

Abstract: Described is a polyethylene composition comprising at least one polyethylene having a crystallinity of less than 60, or 55, or 50% and within a range from 0.2 wt % to 15 wt % of cyclic-olefin copolymer and within a range from 0.2 wt % to 15 wt % of hydrocarbon resin, by weight of the polyethylene composition. The polyethylene compositions can be formed into useful articles such as films and injection molded and thermoformed articles.

Abstract: Provided is a composition having 70 wt % to 90 wt % of a first propylene-olefin copolymer component having an ethylene content of 15 to 21 wt %; and 10 wt % to 30 wt % of a second propylene-olefin copolymer component having an ethylene content of 6 to 10 wt %; wherein the weight average molecular weight of the first component is 250,000 to 1,780,000 g/mol higher than the weight average molecular weight of the second component; wherein the reactivity ratio product of the first component is less than 0.75; wherein the reactivity ratio product of the second component is greater than or equal to 0.75.

Abstract: Improved fastening systems are described. More particularly, improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles are described.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for making a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, by polymerizing a first and second polymer solution (each having 75 to 99 wt % propylene-derived units, 1 to 25 wt % ethylene-derived units, and 0.05 to 6 wt % diene-derived units); combining the first and second polymer solution to produce a polymer blend solution; removing solvent from the polymer blend solution to produce a polymer blend; mixing the polymer blend with a coagent and a vinyl-terminated silane compound; subjecting the polymer blend to electron beam irradiation to grafting the vinyl-terminated silane compound to either or both of the first polymer and the second polymer to form a grafted polymer blend; and moisture curing the grafted polymer blend to form a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, wherein the grafted cross-linked polymer blend is substantially free of peroxide.

Abstract: Provided herein is a process for making a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, by polymerizing a first and second polymer solution (each having 75 to 99 wt % propylene-derived units, 1 to 25 wt % ethylene-derived units, and 0.05 to 6 wt % diene-derived units); combining the first and second polymer solution to produce a polymer blend solution; removing solvent from the polymer blend solution to produce a polymer blend; mixing the polymer blend with a coagent and a vinyl-terminated silane compound; subjecting the polymer blend to electron beam irradiation to grafting the vinyl-terminated silane compound to either or both of the first polymer and the second polymer to form a grafted polymer blend; and moisture curing the grafted polymer blend to form a grafted cross-linked polymer blend, wherein the grafted cross-linked polymer blend is substantially free of peroxide.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making thermoplastic polymer pellets. The process has the following steps: (a) melting a thermoplastic polymer to form a polymer melt; (b) extruding the melt through a die to form a substantially continuous molten polymer extrudate wherein the die has a contact surface bearing a polymer coating having a surface energy of less than 25 mN/m at 20° C.; (c) cooling the extrudate to form a cooled extrudate; and (d) pelletizing the cooled extrudate to form a plurality of polymer pellets. Provided is also a polymer pellet shipping system and a stable thermoplastic polymer pellet.

Abstract: Improved fastening systems are described. More particularly, improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles are described.

Abstract: Elastic composite laminates are disclosed. The laminates include an elastic member bonded to at least one facing material. In accordance with the present disclosure, an adhesive composition is coextruded with an elastomeric material to form the elastic member. In this manner, the elastic member can be bonded to the facing material in a stretched state without having to apply a separate adhesive layer between the two materials. In one embodiment, the elastic member can be bonded to the facing material according to a pattern that includes bonded areas and non-bonded areas.

Abstract: Improved fastening systems are described. More particularly, improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles are described.

Abstract: Continuous or continual in-line processes for forming adhesive polymer blend compositions are described, as well as the application of those blends to a variety of substrates. In one or more embodiments, a first polymer component is provided in a first vessel, and a second polymer component is provided in a second vessel. The first polymer component comprises one or more styrenic block copolymers and one or more hydrocarbon tackifier resins, and the second polymer component comprises a polyolefin. The first and second polymer components are extracted from their respective holding vessels, mixed, and applied to a substrate. In some embodiments, the first and second polymer components may further comprise various additives. Adhesive blend compositions formed from the inventive processes are also described.

Abstract: A fastening system that includes an auto-adhesive layer and a cover layer. The cover layer engages the auto-adhesive layer such that the auto-adhesive layer is exposed as the cover layer is stretched. In some embodiments, stretching the cover layer causes the cover layer to rupture (i.e., tear) so that the auto-adhesive layer may be exposed for subsequent bonding. The term “auto-adhesive” refers to self-adhesive properties of a polymeric material where an auto-adhesive is substantially non-adhesive with respect to many other materials. Also disclosed is a method of joining a fastening system to an item. The method includes positioning the fastening system near the item. The method further includes exposing an auto-adhesive layer by stretching a cover layer that is engaged with the auto-adhesive layer and then engaging the auto-adhesive layer on the fastening system with an auto-adhesive layer on the item.

Abstract: High-viscosity elastomeric adhesive compositions including a high softening point tackifier resin in combination with a base polymer can be used to create elastomeric composite laminates having effective adhesion and elastic properties. The elastomeric adhesive compositions suitably have a viscosity between about 100,000 and about 500,000 cps at between about 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149 degrees Celsius) and about 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Facing layers, such as nonwoven webs, films, elastic strands, fastening material, absorbent material, and the like, can be laminated to one or both surfaces of the elastomeric compositions to form elastomeric composite laminates. A method of making such compositions and laminates involves forming the compositions into elastomeric adhesive films and/or strands.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions comprising a polypropylene copolymer containing at least 85 mole % propylene and at least than 15 mole % co-monomer. The adhesive composition has a variety of end uses specifically in elastic attachment applications for nonwoven disposable articles.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making thermoplastic polymer pellets. The process has the following steps: (a) melting a thermoplastic polymer to form a polymer melt; (b) extruding the melt through a die to form a substantially continuous molten polymer extrudate wherein the die has a contact surface bearing a polymer coating having a surface energy of less than 25 mN/m at 20° C.; (c) cooling the extrudate to form a cooled extrudate; and (d) pelletizing the cooled extrudate to form a plurality of polymer pellets. Provided is also a polymer pellet shipping system and a stable thermoplastic polymer pellet.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to webs, components, composites, and strands comprising re-activatable adhesive compositions, as well as health-and-hygiene products employing such webs, components, composites, and strands. By inputting energy to the web, component, composite, or strand (including, for example, an elastic web, component, composite, or strand) comprising a re-activatable adhesive composition, the adhesive is activated (i.e., rendered tacky) so that it can be used to join or adhere the web, component, composite, or strand to another material (or another location on the same web, component, composite, or strand). Generally, energy will be inputted to the adhesive in the form of infrared heat, heat, or ultrasonic energy, although any energy form may be used, so long as the energy is capable of activating the adhesive. Prior to activation, webs, components, composites, and strands comprising such re-activatable adhesives are convenient to handle because the adhesive is not yet tacky.