Abstract: Disclosed are elastomeric compounds including an elastomer and a silicon-treated carbon black, and optionally including a coupling agent. The elastomeric compound exhibits poorer abrasion resistance in the absence of a coupling agent, lower hysteresis at high temperature and comparable or increased hysteresis at low temperature compared to an elastomer containing an untreated carbon black. A variety of elastomers and formulations employing such elastomers are contemplated and disclosed. Elastomeric compounds incorporating an elastomer and an oxidized, silicon-treated carbon black are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing elastomers compounded with the treated carbon black.

Abstract: Elastomer composites and elastomer blends comprising particulate fillers having selected structure and surface area values are disclosed as well as elastomer composites and elastomer blends having improved properties. Methods of making and using elastomer composites and elastomer blends are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are saccharide-derivatized oligosaccharides. The derivatized oligosaccharides preferably are prepared by extruding a malto-oligosaccharide mixture with a saccharide or mixture of saccharides having a DP ranging from 1 to 4. The products are low in digestibility, and thus in various embodiments are suitable for use as bulking agents, for controlled energy release products, and for other purposes.

Abstract: Elastomer composites and elastomer blends comprising particulate fillers having selected structure and surface area values are disclosed as well as elastomer composites and elastomer blends having improved properties. Methods of making and using elastomer composites and elastomer blends are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are food products, in particular sports drinks and energy bars, that include isomalto-oligosaccharides. In one embodiment, at least 35% of the nutritive carbohydrate content of the food product comprise an isomalto-oligosaccharide. In another embodiment, at least 35% of the caloric content of the food product is attributed to the isomalto-oligosaccharide. In another embodiment, the isomalto-oligosaccharide is present in an amount effective to provide a nutritive caloric content of at least 50 kcal.

Abstract: Disclosed are saccharide-derivatized oligosaccharides. The derivatized oligosaccharides preferably are prepared by extruding a reaction mixture comprising a saccharide having a DP ranging from 1 to 4, oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of at least 5, and, optionally an oligosaccharide having a degree of polymerization of at least 20. The products are low in digestibility, and thus in various embodiments are suitable for use as bulking agents, for controlled energy release products, and for other purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing product consistency of a particulate material or the product containing the same, by measuring and/or analyzing at least one interfacial potential property value of the particulate material. The method may be used as a QA/QC method to insure product consistency.

Abstract: A luggage includes a retaining device for easily hooking a handle of an auxiliary bag to the luggage. A retainer has one end pivotally secured to the front portion of the hook, and the other end movable toward the rear portion of the hook, for retaining the handle in the hook. A latch is slidably received in the hook for detachably securing the other end of the retainer to the hook, and thus for stably retaining the handle to the hook. The users may easily attach the handle of the auxiliary bag to the hook. A button may be used to disengage the latch from the other end of the retainer.

Abstract: Disclosed are starch granules prepared via treating starch with a glucoamylase enzyme. The starch granules prepared in accordance with the present invention are hydrophobic relative to native starch granules, and are suitable for use in numerous applications. Also disclosed are a porous starch product, a delayed release product, and a method for absorbing fluid from the skin. The delayed release product comprises a product carried within the pores of the porous granular starch. The method for absorbing fluid comprises applying a fluid-absorbing effective amount of the dried, ground granules.

Abstract: An aggregate including a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase is described, wherein a difference between BET (N2) surface area and t-area of the aggregate is from about 2 to 10 m2/g; a difference between BET (N2) surface area and t-area of from about 1 to 50 m2/after HF treatment; a ratio of from about 0.1 to 10; a weight average aggregate size measured by DCP after HF treatment that is reduced by about 5% to 40%; a silica ash content in the aggregate of from about 0.05% to 1% based on the weight of the aggregate after HF treatment and based on ash resulting from silicon-containing compound; and a BET surface area of silica ash in the aggregate of from about 200 m2/g to 700 m2/g, wherein the silicon-containing species phase is present primarily at the surface of the aggregate.

Abstract: Disclosed are saccharide-derivatized oligosaccharides. The derivatized oligosaccharides preferably are prepared by extruding a malto-oligosaccharide mixture with a saccharide or mixture of saccharides having a DP ranging from 1 to 4. The products are low in digestibility, and thus in various embodiments are suitable for use as bulking agents, for controlled energy release products, and for other purposes.

Abstract: A method of making an aggregate having a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase is described and includes introducing a carbon black-yielding feedstock and a silicon-containing compound feedstock into different stages of a multi-stage reactor. The reactor operates at a sufficient temperature to decompose the silicon-containing compound and to form a carbon black phase from the carbon black-yielding feedstock. At least one of the feedstocks may include a diluent, such as an alcohol, water, and aqueous based solution, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Rubber compositions containing surface-modified, ambient pressure dried, highly dispersible silica gels are disclosed. Methods of making rubber compositions containing such surface-modified silica gels, and methods of functionalizing the surface-modified silica gel in-situ in the presence of an elastomeric component are also disclosed. Articles, including tires and tire components, made from the reinforced rubber compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Elastomer composites and elastomer blends comprising particulate fillers having selected structure and surface area values are disclosed as well as elastomer composites and elastomer blends having improved properties. Methods of making and using elastomer composites and elastomer blends are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bale of elastomer composite is formed of elastomer and filler, the bale having a void volume of at least 3%. In another aspect, a container is provided, at least a portion of the container being occupied by elastomer composite pieces of elastomer and filler, wherein the occupied portion of the container has a void volume of at least 3%.

Abstract: A variety of methods to prepare a polymer composition containing at least one polymer and at least one modified pigment are described. The methods, in part, involve introducing a slurry containing at least one modified pigment into an emulsion or solution polymer prior to dewatering. Other polymer systems can be used including aqueous based polymerizations and solvent-based polymerizations, which can include free radical polymerizations. Other methods involve the formation of a modified pigment in the presence of an emulsion or solution polymer and then recovering the polymer composition containing the modified pigment. Compositions containing at least one modified pigment and the emulsion or solution polymer are also described as well as uses for the polymer compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are elastomeric compounds including an elastomer and a silicon-treated carbon black, and optionally including a coupling agent. The elastomeric compound exhibits poorer abrasion resistance in the absence of a coupling agent, lower hysteresis at high temperature and comparable or increased hysteresis at low temperature compared to an elastomer containing an untreated carbon black. A variety of elastomers and formulations employing such elastomers are contemplated and disclosed. Elastomeric compounds incorporating an elastomer and an oxidized, silicon-treated carbon black are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing elastomers compounded with the treated carbon black.

Abstract: A method of making an aggregate having a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase is described and includes introducing a carbon black-yielding feedstock and a silicon-containing compound feedstock into different stages of a multi-stage reactor. The reactor operates at a sufficient temperature to decompose the silicon-containing compound and to form a carbon black phase from the carbon black-yielding feedstock. At least one of the feedstocks may include a diluent, such as an alcohol, water, and aqueous based solution, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of making an aggregate having a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase is described and includes introducing a carbon black-yielding feedstock and a silicon-containing compound feedstock into different stages of a multi-stage reactor. The reactor operates at a sufficient temperature to decompose the silicon-containing compound and to form a carbon black phase from the carbon black-yielding feedstock. At least one of the feedstocks may include a diluent, such as an alcohol, water, and aqueous based solution, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition is described which comprises at least one elastomeric component, at least one reinforcing filler, and at least one wet skid enhancing filler, for improving the wet skid resistance of the resultant composition. The wet skid enhancing filler is defined by a high Moh's hardness and large particle size. The resulting composition exhibits improved wet skid resistance compared to the same composition having no wet skid enhancing filler. Articles made from the elastomeric compositions are also described as well as methods of improving wet skid resistance and methods of making wet skid resistant materials.