Abstract: This relates variously to techniques for comminuting polymeric foams, to techniques for preparing polymeric foams containing that comminuted foam, and to the resulting comminuted foam powder and polymeric foams. The procedures may be used on foams containing production contaminants such as polyolefins, paper, and foam skins and on other foams containing consumer contaminants such as wood, metal, leather, etc. The comminuted foam powder, with or without contaminants, preferably is screened or sifted to obtain a foam powder having a particle size of about 2 mm or less.

Abstract: This relates variously to techniques for comminuting polymeric foams, to techniques for preparing polymeric foams containing that comminuted foam, and to the resulting comminuted foam powder and polymeric foams. The procedures may be used on foams containing production contaminants such as polyolefins, paper, and foam skins and on other foams containing consumer contaminants such as wood, metal, leather, etc. The comminuted foam powder, with or without contaminants, preferably is screened or sifted to obtain a foam powder having a particle size of about 2 mm or less.

Abstract: This relates variously to techniques for comminuting polymeric foams, to techniques for preparing polymeric foams containing that comminuted foam, and to the resulting comminuted foam powder and polymeric foams. The procedures may be used on foams containing production contaminants such as polyolefins, paper, and foam skins and on other foams containing consumer contaminants such as wood, metal, leather, etc. The comminuted foam powder, with or without contaminants, preferably is screened or sifted to obtain a foam powder having a particle size of about 2 mm or less.

Abstract: This relates variously to techniques for comminuting polymeric foams, to techniques for preparing polymeric foams containing that comminuted foam, and to the resulting comminuted foam powder and polymeric foams. The procedures may be used on foams containing production contaminants such as polyolefins, paper, and foam skins and on other foams containing consumer contaminants such as wood, metal, leather, etc. The comminuted foam powder, with or without contaminants, preferably is screened or sifted to obtain a foam powder having a particle size of about 2 mm or less.

Abstract: This relates variously to techniques for comminuting polymeric foams, to techniques for preparing polymeric foams containing that comminuted foam, and to the resulting comminuted foam powder and polymeric foams. The procedures may be used on foams containing production contaminants such as polyolefins, paper, and foam skins and on other foams containing consumer contaminants such as wood, metal, leather, etc. The comminuted foam powder, with or without contaminants, preferably is screened or sifted to obtain a foam powder having a particle size of about 2 mm or less.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the quantity of emissions emanating from a foam-forming composition during the preparation of a fully-cured foam comprising contacting emissions emanating from the foam-forming composition during preparation of the fully-cured foam with vegetable oil. A further aspect provides a method for reducing the quantity of emissions emanating from a fully-formed foam during hot processing of the foam comprising contacting emissions emanating from the foam during such hot processing with vegetable oil.

Abstract: An improved process for rapidly cooling hot freshly polymerized foam is provided by passage of a fluid coolant stream having a water vapor content which initially is in the range from slightly below to above the dew point. In preferred embodiments the cooling fluid stream is recirculated, and auxiliary blowing agents and gaseous reaction products are removed and recovered.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for removing fine particulate matter and vapors from a process exhaust air stream, and particularly those emitted during post-production curing or post-treatment of foamed plastics, such as polyurethane foam, in which the exhaust air stream is passed through a transfer duct into which is introduced a water spray in the form of a mist of fine droplets in an amount which exceeds the saturation point; thereafter the exhaust air stream is introduced into a filter chamber having a cross-sectional area that is substantially greater than that of the transfer duct, and the exhaust air stream passes through at least one, and preferably a plurality of high surface are a filters, whereby a portion of the water is removed from the exhaust air stream and collected in the filter chamber prior to the discharge of the exhaust air stream into the environment.

Abstract: Improved ignition resistant, flexible, open-celled polyurethane foams are described. The foams are formed in situ from the reaction, in the presence of a catalyst, of an isocyanate, one or more blowing agents including water, a foam stabilizer, a polyether polyol, melamine, and a standard flame retardant additive. Preferred standard flame retardants are halogenated phosphorus esters and a blend of about 80 to 85% pentabromodiphenyl oxide in an aromatic phosphate plasticizer. The melamine is present in the foam formulations in an amount of from 30 to 40 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyol. The standard flame retardant is present in an amount of from 15 to 25 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyol. The compositions of the invention are particularly suitable for use in furniture, bedding, and carpet padding.

Abstract: Improved, flexible, open-celled polyurethane foams of reduced density, but with stability and firmness characteristics comparable to those of standard foams, are described. The foams are formed in situ from the reaction, in the presence of a catalyst, of an isocyanate, one or more blowing agents including water, a foam stabilizer, a polyether polyol, and a liquid salt produced from the reaction of CO.sub.2 with a water-soluble amine or amino alcohol. Preferred amines or amino alcohols for the CO.sub.2 salt include primary amines and polyols which contain primary amino end groups, secondary amines which contain primary hydroxyl groups, and a variety of low molecular weight aminohydroxy compounds. The liquid salt is present in the foam formulations in an amount of at least 2 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyol.

Abstract: Improved, flexible, open-celled polyurethane foams of reduced firmness, but with densities comparable to those of standard foams, are described. The foams are formed in situ from the reaction of isocyanate, one or more blowing agents including water, a foam stabilizer, polyether polyols or polyester polyols or a mixture of these polyols, and monofunctional materials chemically analogous to the polyols, in the presence of a catalyst. The monofunctional materials can be alcohols, polyesters, or polyethers. Useful monofunctional alcohols have carbon chain lengths of at least 3, and preferably from 8 to 20. Useful monofunctional polyesters have molecular weights from 300 to 2000, and preferably from 300 to 800. Useful monofunctional polyethers, which are derived from the reaction of a monofunctional alcohol with propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide, have molecular weights from 100 to 3000, and preferably from 200 to 1800.

Abstract: Improved methods are provided for incorporating carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide generating compounds into polyurethane foam forming compositions as blowing agents to eliminate or reduce the amount of low boiling liquid auxiliary blowing agents, such as methylene chloride and chlorofluorocarbons conventionally used in the manufacture of urethane foams.

Abstract: Flexible, resilient, polyurethane foam having improved flame retardancy and intumescent properties is prepared from a reaction mixture comprising a polyether polyol, an organic polyisocyanate, a blowing agent, a surfactant, a catalyst, a flame retardant, and hydrated alumina. Alternatively, the mixture also comprises a low-viscosity linear polyester.The hydrated alumina is predispersed in a mixture comprising flame retardant and low-viscosity linear polyester, and alternatively a char former and a fugitive viscosity modifier.

Abstract: Flexible polyurethane foam having reduced tendency to form burning embers and which produces a char when it is ignited and burned is provided by incorporating into the reaction mixture before foaming an aldehyde or an aldehyde generator.In a preferred embodiment, flexible polyurethane foam of increased flame retardance is provided by also incorporating a flame retardant into the reaction mixture before foaming.

Abstract: Flexible polyurethane foam having reduced tendency to form burning embers when it is ignited and burned is provided by incorporating into the reaction mixture before foaming a ketone or benzaldehyde.In a preferred embodiment, flexible polyurethane foam of increased flame retardance is provided by also incorporating a flame retardant into the reaction mixture before foaming.

Abstract: Fragrance-emitting articles comprising a polyurethane foam containing a particulate filler and a fragrance material, and a method of making such articles, are disclosed. The method includes the essential steps of pre-mixing particulate filler and fragrance and dispersing the pre-mix in a liquid polyol, before adding the other reaction mixture components, and provides a polyurethane foam having a controlled rate of release of the fragrance.

Abstract: Filled detergent hydrophilic flexible polyurethane foams having a reduced and controlled rate of release of detergent from the foam are provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a one-shot process for the manufacture of a filled detergent hydrophilic flexible polyurethane foam from a clay filler, an alkylaryl sulfonate detergent, a normally liquid polyether polyol, tolylene diisocyanate and water as a blowing agent.