Abstract: There is provided a paint including a pigment, a carrier liquid, a binder, one or more additives, and a taggant corresponding to the one or more additives. The taggant is provided in an amount up to substantially 0.1% by weight of the paint. The taggant is excitable by infra-red or UV light at one wavelength to emit light at one or more other wavelengths, the emission wavelength or spectrum of the taggant being indicative of the additive(s) in the paint. A method of authenticating the paint on a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a paint including a pigment, a carrier liquid, a binder, one or more additives, and a taggant corresponding to the one or more additives. The taggant is provided in an amount up to substantially 0.1% by weight of the paint. The taggant is excitable by infra-red or UV light at one wavelength to emit light at one or more other wavelengths, the emission wavelength or spectrum of the taggant being indicative of the additive(s) in the paint. A method of authenticating the paint on a substrate is also provided.

Abstract: The intention provides a method of coating wooden pallets having a low moisture content with an elastomer coating, so as to provide pallets combining the advantageous qualities of wooden and plastic pallets. The pallets are light and inexpensive, tough and durable, water and damage resistant, fire retardant and non-slip. They can be produced by treating existing wooden pallets. The pallets may also have an RFID attached before coating for tracking the pallets and goods transported thereon.

Abstract: In some aspects, the invention provides a data processing system configured to provide distributed management of a pool of pallets from pallet introducers, each pallet including an identification tag including electronically stored identification information, the system comprising: an input interface for receiving data relating to an identification tag read at a plurality of locations; a database adapted to store, for each pallet of the pool of pallets, a record comprising data read from the identification tag, tracking data identifying the location of the pallet, pallet activity data and pallet introducer data; an interface for receiving identifiers of pallets introduced by an introducer; an interface for a pallet user receiving or dispatching a pallet to upload identifiers of pallets received or dispatched; logic to monitor events relating to a pallet for actionable or chargeable events; logic to credit an account related to the introducer of a pallet for a chargeable event.

Abstract: An extrudable PVA-containing composition is disclosed, which enables PVA articles to be manufactured on conventional extrusion apparatus. The composition includes a lubricant, such as a fatty acid amide, and is formed into pellets by cold pressing. The compositions are suitable for manufacturing a variety of products.

Abstract: An extrudable PVA-containing composition is disclosed, which enables PVA articles to be manufactured on conventional extrusion apparatus. The compositions includes a lubricant, such as a fatty acid amide, most preferably octodecanamide and is most preferably formed into pellets by cold pressing.,The compositions are suitable for manufacturing a variety of products.

Abstract: A capsule is formed from a PVA composition by blow moulding. Such capsules can at last provide a viable alternative to gelatin for bio-degradeable capsule containing a pharmaceutical or consumable or other substance, for example a detergent. The capsules may contain solid or liquid substances. Blow moulding apparatus suitable for forming such capsules is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An extrudable PVA-containing composition is disclosed, which enables PVA articles to be manufactured on conventional extrusion apparatus. The compositions includes a lubricant, such as a fatty acid amide, most preferably octodecanamide and is most preferably formed into pellets by cold pressing. The compositions are suitable for manufacturing a variety of products.

Abstract: The invention provides a compounded polymer feedstock formed by cold-pressing of the ingredients into tablets or pellets. This avoids the need for heating associated with conventional pellet-forming processes, and is particularly suitable for compounding of heat-sensitive materials such as PVA. The invention also provides a novel tablet-forming apparatus, suitable for forming large volumes of pressed compounded polymer feedstock, together with tablets of the feedstock, and methods of manufacturing plastics products using the tablets.

Abstract: A capsule is formed from a PVA composition by blow moulding. Such capsules can at last provide a viable alternative to gelatin for bio-degradeable capsule containing a pharmaceutical or consumable or other substance, for example a detergent. The capsules may contain solid or liquid substances. Blow moulding apparatus suitable for forming such capsules is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: The invention provides a compounded polymer feedstock formed by cold-pressing of the ingredients into tablets or pellets. This avoids the need for heating associated with conventional pellet-forming processes, and is particularly suitable for compounding of heat-sensitive materials such as PVA. The invention also provides a novel tablet-forming apparatus, suitable for forming large volumes of pressed compounded polymer feedstock, together with tablets of the feedstock, and methods of manufacturing plastics products using the tablets.

Abstract: Composite polymeric articles, which may be in layer or film form, comprise a larger portion of a polymer which is water soluble at 20.degree. C. against a smaller proportion of a polymer which is substantially water-insoluble at that temperature. For example, a layer product may have a thin layer (e.g. less than 5 microns) of insoluble polymer superimposed on a thicker layer (e.g. at least 20 microns) of soluble polymer. Both polymers are conveniently polyvinyl alcohol, which is non-toxic and useful in a number of domestic applications, e.g. as a diaper backing sheet. The insoluble portion gives water resistance but negligible mechanical strength; the soluble part gives the mechanical strength. On dissolution of the soluble portion, the insoluble portion disintegrates mechanically. Articles may be made by co-extrusion or by molding.