Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer film demonstrates reduced roll blocking capabilities. The film can either be breathable or nonbreathable. The breathable elastic film includes a core layer of a thermoplastic elastomer and a filled semi crystalline predominantly linear polymer and at least one skin layer of a polyethylene or filled polyethylene. The film core layer includes between about 25 and 70 weight percent filler, between about 5 and 30 by weight percent semi-crystalline linear polymer, and between about 15 and 60 by weight elastomer. The nonbreathable film desirable includes a core of 80-98 percent film volume and a skin of 20-2 percent film volume, with the core including both styrenic block copolymers and single site catalyzed polyethylenes and the skin including single site catalyzed polyethylenes and additional amounts of roll blocking prevention agents (antiblock agents).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bonded cross machine direction extensible nonwoven web materials and a process for making, and laminates of the cross machine direction extensible nonwoven web materials. The extensible nonwoven webs are of substantially uniform basis weight and comprise continuous thermoplastic fibers having an average diameter greater than about 10 microns and a plurality of thermal bond points in a pattern and the nonwoven web. In certain embodiments, the force required to extend the bonded nonwoven web 30 percent in the cross machine direction is less than about 60 percent of the cross machine direction peak tensile force of the bonded nonwoven web. In other embodiments, the force required to extend the bonded nonwoven web 30 percent in the cross machine direction is less than about 30 percent of the force required to extend the web to 30 percent in the machine direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing the skins or hulls from seeds, including those of legumes, grains, drupes, silques, and achenes involves wetting the seeds with an alkaline solution and then with a peroxygen solution. The two substances react underneath the skin to liberate gas between the seed meat and the skin. The gas bubbles blister the skin, causing it to become loosened. Slight mechanical action is used to dislodge the blistered skins from the seed meats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bleaching the shells of in-shell nuts and for bleaching the meats of shelled nuts involves wetting the nuts with an alkaline solution and then with a peroxygen solution. The two substances react to form a bleaching agent which whitens the shell or nut meat. Slight mechanical brushing may be used to dislodge debris loosened by the process. The apparatus includes means for recycling the reagents through the system without causing the desired temperature and concentration of the reagents to deviate significantly from predetermined values.