Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles of footwear and components thereof, including outsoles, which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil on the outsoles. In particular, the disclosure relates to articles of footwear and components thereof including an outsole having a dispersion present on a ground facing surface of the outsole. The dispersion compositionally includes a polymeric continuous phase and a hydrophilic dispersant, and exhibits a water uptake capacity at 24 hours greater than 40% by weight. The outsoles can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil on the footwear during wear on unpaved surfaces such as sporting fields. When the outsoles are wetted with water, the outsoles can become more compliant and/or can rapidly uptake and/or expel water, which can prevent soil from adhering to the outsole and/or can assist in shedding soil present on the outsole.

Abstract: Pellets, beads, particles, or other pieces of a thermoplastic elastomer having a maximum size in at least one dimension of 10 mm or less (collectively, “pellets”) are infused with a supercritical fluid in a pressurized container, then rapidly depressurized and heated either by immersion in a heated fluid or with infrared or microwave radiation to foam the pellets The pellets are prepared with at least two different densities. Pellets with different densities, thermoplastic elastomer compositions, or foam response rates are placed in different areas of a mold. The mold is filled with pellets, then the pellets are molded into a part. The part has areas of different density as a result of the placement of pellets of different density.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which first water, then a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which first water, then a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molded foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, made by a method in which a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm3.

Abstract: A method for making a low density foamed article includes placing a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads in a cavity of an injection mold and closing the mold; combining in an extruder connected to the mold a molten polymer selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers and thermoplastic ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers with both a physical or chemical blowing agent other than a supercritical fluid present in an amount up to about 15 wt % based on molten polymer weight and a supercritical fluid that is at least one of about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent of supercritical CO2 based on molten polymer weight or about 0.1 to about 4 weight percent of supercritical N2 based on molten polymer weight, to form a mixture and injecting the mixture into the mold and foaming the mixture to form the low density foamed article.

Abstract: Foamed thermoplastic elastomeric polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer articles are made with a combination of a supercritical fluid and a non-supercritical fluid blowing agent.

Abstract: Foamed thermoplastic elastomeric polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer articles are made with from about 0.1 to about 4 weight percent of supercritical fluid nitrogen based on polymer weight and from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent of a supercritical fluid carbon dioxide based on polymer weight, with the supercritical fluid nitrogen and the supercritical fluid carbon dioxide being separately added to the molten polymer.

Abstract: Decorative foamed articles are prepared from foamed pellets, beads, particles, or other articles of a thermoplastic elastomer infused with a supercritical fluid in a pressurized container, then rapidly depressurized and heated either by immersion in a heated fluid that can rapidly heat the article or with infrared or microwave radiation to heat and foam the pellets, beads, particles, or other articles that are then molded into the articles. The pellets are dyed with a nonionic or anionic dye one of: (1) before being infused with the supercritical fluid, (2) during being infused with the supercritical fluid by a nonionic or anionic dye dissolved or dispersed in the supercritical fluid, which optionally comprises a polar liquid, (3) during immersion in the heated fluid, where the heated fluid contains the dye, or (4) after being foamed.

Abstract: A foamed article is made by infusing the article of thermoplastic elastomer with a supercritical fluid, then removing the article from the supercritical fluid and either (i) immersing the article in a heated fluid or (ii) irradiating the article with infrared or microwave radiation.

Abstract: Pellets, beads, particles, or other pieces of a thermoplastic elastomer having a maximum size in at least one dimension of 10 mm or less (collectively, “pellets”) are infused with a supercritical fluid in a pressurized container, then rapidly depressurized and heated either by immersion in a heated fluid or with infrared or microwave radiation to foam the pellets The pellets are prepared with at least two different densities. Pellets with different densities, thermoplastic elastomer compositions, or foam response rates are placed in different areas of a mold. The mold is filled with pellets, then the pellets are molded into a part. The part has areas of different density as a result of the placement of pellets of different density.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which first water, then a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm3.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for stabilizing glycerin-in-oil emulsions, which can be used to significantly reduce thermal instability or instability over time compared to traditional cosmetics or topical formulations. The compositions comprise one or more oil-soluble rheological modifiers and optionally one or more emulsifiers in a glycerin-in-oil emulsion.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions comprising a Boger fluid are provided as well as methods for using such compositions in cosmetics that exhibit Boger fluid-like characteristics, such as self-leveling. These cosmetics provide for ease of application and aid in achieving a smooth, even, and/or glossy finish on skin and hair.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for stabilizing glycerin-in-oil emulsions, which can be used to significantly reduce thermal instability or instability over time compared to traditional cosmetics or topical formulations. The compositions comprise one or more oil-soluble rheological modifiers and optionally one or more emulsifiers in a glycerin-in-oil emulsion.