Abstract: Disclosed is a variable vapor barrier comprising or produced from a composition wherein the composition comprises an ethylene copolymer, a fatty acid, and an additional polymer; the ethylene copolymer comprises repeat units derived from ethylene, a C3-8 ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and optionally a comonomer; the fatty acid is one or more carboxylic acids having fewer than 36 carbon atoms, or salts thereof; and the additional polymer is present in the from about 30 to about 85%, based on the weight of the composition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to flexible, user-adapted, continuous searching, on behalf of a particular user, for points of interest relevant to the user's current location within a specifically computed personal region of interest. In a general case, the personal region of interest is computed as a function of the user's level of disposition towards the searched-for points of interest. The level of disposition towards the searched-for points of interest may, in turn, be based on two or more of the user's location, the current date and time, a history of the user's interaction with the POI-searching system, including user-initiated searches and user selections from displayed search results, a user profile developed for, and continuously updated on behalf of, the user, and a current context for the search, as specified by a search query or by other context-specifying means.

Abstract: A method for preparing a multilayer package comprising a substrate and a composition having a moisture vapor permeation value of at least 200 g-mil/m2/24h and barrier to liquid water. The method comprises melt blending an organic acid-modified ionomer with an ethylene-containing copolymer and a copolymer comprising a dicarboxylic acid derivative as a comonomer to provide a composition and applying the composition to the substrate in a molten condition and allowing the composition to cool and solidify.

Abstract: Provided is a method for increasing the melt flow of a composition comprising a mixture of high molecular weight carboxylate functionalized ethylene copolymers (Mw between 80,000 and 500,000 Da) with low molecular weight carboxylate functionalized ethylene copolymers (Mw between 2,000 and 30,000 Da), wherein the carboxylic acid groups are at least partially neutralized to form salts containing zinc cations. The method comprises melt mixing the composition with ionomers containing cations other than zinc. Also disclosed are trimodal compositions comprising high molecular weight terpolymers, high molecular weight dipolymers and low molecular weight dipolymers wherein the carboxylic acid groups are at least partially neutralized to salts containing zinc cations and non-zinc cations. The compositions are used in films, multilayer structures and other articles of manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed are golf balls having soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers with improved softness and scuff resistance and methods for their preparation. The soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers comprise at least partially neutralized mixtures of carboxylate functionalized terpolymers (molecular weight between about 80,000 and 500,000) with carboxylate functionalized ethylene low copolymers (molecular weight between about 2,000 and 30,000).

Abstract: Various system embodiments of the present invention are directed to an automated concierge system through which users of the automated concierge system can request and obtain many types of information and services. Unlike traditional search engines and electronic query-processing interfaces, the automated concierge systems provide much greater flexibility with respect to means of access, including types of electronic devices and communications media that can be used to access the concierge services, greater flexibility in the timing of responses to information and service requests, more efficient information and service provision, and access to a much broader range of information sources and service providers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising, or produced from, a dicarboxylic acid-modified ionomer. Also disclosed are articles produced from the composition, such as golf balls. A particular multi-piece golf ball has an intermediate layer between the cover and the core, wherein the intermediate layer comprises the dicarboxylic acid-modified ionomer composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are golf balls having soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers with improved softness and scuff resistance and methods for their preparation. The soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers comprise at least partially neutralized mixtures of carboxylate functionalized terpolymers (molecular weight between about 80,000 and 500,000) with carboxylate functionalized ethylene low copolymers (molecular weight between about 2,000 and 30,000).

Abstract: Disclosed are golf balls having soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers with improved softness and scuff resistance and methods for their preparation. The soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers comprise at least partially neutralized mixtures of carboxylate functionalized terpolymers (molecular weight between about 80,000 and 500,000) with carboxylate functionalized ethylene low copolymers (molecular weight between about 2,000 and 30,000).

Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising virus in a formulation comprising a polyhydroxy hydrocarbon buffered to maintain a pH in a range from about 7 to about 8.5 at a temperature in the range from about 2° C. to 27° C. Methods for concentrating and purifying virus preparations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A phase transition golf ball comprises a phase transition material. The phase transition material may optionally include a microwave susceptor or an induction susceptor. The phase transition material preferably comprises an ethylene acid copolymer, or an ionomer of an ethylene acid copolymer. The performance of the phase transition golf ball, for example its hardness or compression, is adjusted by inducing a complete or partial phase transition in the phase transition material. The extent of the adjustment in performance is correlated with the extent of the phase transition. Preferably, the phase transition is reversible and repeatable and takes place at temperatures that might be achieved through the use of common household appliances. Also preferably, the phase transition material returns to its original state over an extended period, for example hours or days.

Abstract: A phase transition golf ball comprises a phase transition material. The phase transition material may optionally include a microwave susceptor or an induction susceptor. The phase transition material preferably comprises an ethylene acid copolymer, or an ionomer of an ethylene acid copolymer. The performance of the phase transition golf ball, for example its hardness or compression, is adjusted by inducing a complete or partial phase transition in the phase transition material. The extent of the adjustment in performance is correlated with the extent of the phase transition. Preferably, the phase transition is reversible and repeatable and takes place at temperatures that might be achieved through the use of common household appliances. Also preferably, the phase transition material returns to its original state over an extended period, for example hours or days.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a mixture of a high molecular weight (Mw between 80,000 and 500,000 Da) carboxylate functionalized ethylene terpolymer, a high molecular weight (Mw between 80,000 and 500,000 Da) carboxylate functionalized ethylene dipolymer and a low molecular weight (Mw between 2,000 and 30,000 Da) carboxylate functionalized ethylene copolymer wherein the carboxylic acid groups are at least partially neutralized to form salts containing zinc cations. The composition provides a good balance of hardness, flexural modulus and scuff resistance. The composition is used in films, multilayer structures and other articles of manufacture, such as golf balls.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blended composition comprising a humidity-dependent composition having a ratio of wet cup permeance to dry cup permeance greater than 10 and a crystallizable polymer sufficiently permeable to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor, exhibiting an increase in permeability to at least one of oxygen and carbon dioxide by a factor of at least 2.5 over a temperature range of 10° C. between 0° C. and 40° C. Also disclosed are packaging materials comprising the blended composition and methods for storing respiring materials using the packaging materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are moisture and gas permeable films which can comprise or be obtained from a blend of a polyamide with a potassium-containing ionomer of an ethylene acid copolymer, an ethylene ester dipolymer, and optional compatibilizer selected from dicarboxylate-containing polymers and ethylene glycidyl ester copolymers. The films are suitable for preparation of tubular casings and shrinkbags, in particular, casings for smoked foodstuffs.

Abstract: Disclosed are films obtained from blends of ethylene copolymers with organic acid salt-modified potassium ionomeric copolymers. The films of the present invention can be welded using RF energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer structure comprising a layer of humidity-dependent composition having a ratio of wet cup permeance to dry cup permeance greater than 10 and a layer of crystallizable polymer sufficiently permeable to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor, exhibiting an increase in permeability to at least one of oxygen and carbon dioxide by a factor of at least 2.5 over a temperature range of 10° C. between 0° C. and 40° C. Also disclosed are packaging materials comprising the multilayer structure and methods for storing respiring materials using the packaging materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are films obtained from blends of ethylene copolymers with organic acid salt-modified potassium ionomeric copolymers. The films of the present invention can be welded using RF energy.

Abstract: Disclosed are rigid or semi-rigid multilayer structures that provide high oxygen permeability values comprising metallocene polyethylene, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers or highly neutralized blends of ethylene acid copolymers, organic acid salts and optionally one or more ethylene-containing polymers or silicon-containing polymers. Such structures have improved oxygen permeability and are useful in packaging food products such as case ready meat, fish, sausage, fresh produce, and the like that require breathable packages.

Abstract: Provided is a method for increasing the melt flow of a composition comprising a mixture of high molecular weight carboxylate functionalized ethylene copolymers (Mw between 80,000 and 500,000 Da) with low molecular weight carboxylate functionalized ethylene copolymers (Mw between 2,000 and 30,000 Da), wherein the carboxylic acid groups are at least partially neutralized to form salts containing zinc cations. The method comprises melt mixing the composition with ionomers containing cations other than zinc. Also disclosed are trimodal compositions comprising high molecular weight terpolymers, high molecular weight dipolymers and low molecular weight dipolymers wherein the carboxylic acid groups are at least partially neutralized to salts containing zinc cations and non-zinc cations. The compositions are used in films, multilayer structures and other articles of manufacture.