Abstract: The disclosure provides tubes comprising ultra high molecular weight poly(ethylene) (UHMWPE). Such tubes can have thin walls and be suitable for applications, e.g., as catheter liners. Methods for preparing such tubes include dip coating a core into a dispersion comprising the UHMWPE, where the dispersion advantageously further comprises an eco-friendly solvent and can optionally include one or more additional components (e.g., fillers and/or other polymers).

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to ultra high molecular weight poly(ethylene) (“UHMWPE”) tubes with an average wall thickness of 0.2 mm or less; a tensile stress at break greater than 40 MPa; and a storage modulus of greater than 500 MPa at 23° C. The disclosure further relates to preparing and using such tubes and to constructions (e.g., catheter constructions) and components thereof including such tubes.

Abstract: The disclosure provides tubes including a blend of two or more polyethylenes. For example, the blend can comprise at least 80% by weight of one or more of LLDPE, LDPE, MDPE, and HDPE, and no more than 20% by weight of UHMWPE. Such tubes can have low average wall thicknesses, e.g., 0.1 mm or less, rendering them suitable for use as catheter liners.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides extruded PTFE composite tubes with a reduced coefficient of friction (COF). In some embodiments, such extruded PTFE composite tubes may exhibit a reduced change in coefficient of friction between about 20° C. and about 40° C. with the inclusion of secondary polymeric particles with small particle sizes (<100 ?m) at loading percentages of less than about 50 weight %.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to tubes, such as thin walled catheter liners with small wall thicknesses (e.g., less than 1 mm), including crosslinked fluoropolymers, e.g., crosslinked poly(tetrafluoroethylene). The disclosure further provides methods of manufacturing such tubes and systems for manufacturing such tubes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides modified polymeric thin-walled tubes with one or more conductive pathways along at least a part of a length or a circumference of the polymeric tube, suitable for use as liners in catheter construction. The one or more conductive pathways are formed of a conductive ink and are on a surface of the polymeric tube and not embedded within the walls of the tube.

Abstract: Methods for preparing oriented polymer tubes, such as biodegradable polymer tubes suitable for in vivo use, are provided herein. The disclosed methods provide alternatives to the typical extrusion/expansion methods by which oriented polymeric tubes for such uses are commonly produced. Advantageously, the disclosed methods can provide more homogeneous molecular orientation of crystallizable polymers within the tube walls, which can endow such polymeric tubes with enhanced strength (e.g., resistance to compression) and toughness.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a dual layer heat shrink tube having: an inner polymeric layer with a thickness t1 and an outer diameter D1; and an outer, expanded polymeric layer with a thickness t2? and an outer diameter D2? obtained by expanding a polymer tube from D2 to D2? and t2 to t2? at a selected temperature so that D2??2(t2?)>D1, wherein a ring cut from a cross-section of the dual layer heat shrink tube, slit into a rectangle and gripped at cut ends by tension grips within a DMA, and subjected to a temperature sweep of 3° C./min at a frequency of 1 Hz from the onset of a melting endotherm of the inner polymeric layer to that of the outer, expanded polymeric layer is greater than 1° C. and less than 12° C. The disclosure further provides associated methods for preparing and using such tubes, as well as to products comprising such tubes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides extruded PTFE composite tubes with a reduced coefficient of friction (COF). In some embodiments, such extruded PTFE composite tubes may exhibit a reduced change in coefficient of friction between about 20° C. and about 40° C. with the inclusion of secondary polymeric particles with small particle sizes (<100 ?m) at loading percentages of less than about 50 weight %.

Abstract: Methods for preparing oriented polymer tubes, such as biodegradable polymer tubes suitable for in vivo use, are provided herein. The disclosed methods provide alternatives to the typical extrusion/expansion methods by which oriented polymeric tubes for such uses are commonly produced. Advantageously, the disclosed methods can provide more homogeneous molecular orientation of crystallizable polymers within the tube walls, which can endow such polymeric tubes with enhanced strength (e.g., resistance to compression) and toughness.

Abstract: Methods for preparing oriented polymer tubes, such as biodegradable polymer tubes suitable for in vivo use, are provided herein. The disclosed methods provide alternatives to the typical extrusion/expansion methods by which oriented polymeric tubes for such uses are commonly produced. Advantageously, the disclosed methods can provide more homogeneous molecular orientation of crystallizable polymers within the tube walls, which can endow such polymeric tubes with enhanced strength (e.g., resistance to compression) and toughness.

Abstract: Methods for preparing oriented polymer tubes, such as biodegradable polymer tubes suitable for in vivo use, are provided herein. The disclosed methods provide alternatives to the typical extrusion/expansion methods by which oriented polymeric tubes for such uses are commonly produced. Advantageously, the disclosed methods can provide more homogeneous molecular orientation of crystallizable polymers within the tube walls, which can endow such polymeric tubes with enhanced strength (e.g., resistance to compression) and toughness.

Abstract: A method for enhancing/accelerating the depolymerization of polymers (e.g., those containing hydrolyzable linkages) is described herein. The disclosed method generally involves contacting a polymer comprising hydrolyzable linkages with a solvent and an alcohol to give a polymer mixture in which the polymer is substantially dissolved, wherein the contacting is conducted at a temperature at or below the boiling point of the polymer mixture. A resulting depolymerized polymer can be separated therefrom (including, e.g., monomers and/or oligomers). Such methods can be conducted under relatively mild temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: A bag-in-box system for use in dispensing a pumpable product includes a carton, a flexible thermoplastic pouch disposed in the carton, a spout joined to the pouch, a spout closure, and a pumpable product disposed in the pouch, the flexible thermoplastic pouch including an outer wall including a coextruded film having a polyethylene layer, a tie layer, and a polyamide layer, and a discrete inner wall including an ethylene polymer or copolymer, or a composition like that of the outer wall, the outer wall sealed to the inner wall at the perimeter of the pouch. Optionally, a discrete intermediate wall can be disposed between the outer wall and inner discrete wall of the pouch. The system can further include a pump operatively connected to the pouch and carton to dispense the pumpable product from the pouch.

Abstract: A coextruded multilayer blown film includes a core layer including a blend of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and an active oxygen barrier composition including a blend of a thermoplastic resin having carbon-carbon double bonds substantially in its main chain, a transition metal salt, and an oxygen barrier polymer; two intermediate layers each including polyamide; a first outer layer including high density polyethylene; a second outer layer including olefinic polymer; and two tie layers each adhering an intermediate layer to the first and second outer layers respectively; wherein from 20% to 65% by weight of the coextruded multilayer blown film is made up of high density polyethylene. A package includes a food product in a hermetic pouch made from the coextruded film, optionally adhered to a PET film, such as a printed, or trap-printed PET film, to form a laminate, the pouch having a longitudinal seal and transverse heat seals.

Abstract: A bag-in-box system for use in dispensing a pumpable product includes a carton, a flexible thermoplastic pouch disposed in the carton, a spout joined to the pouch, a spout closure, and a pumpable product disposed in the pouch, the flexible thermoplastic pouch including an outer wall including a coextruded film having a polyethylene layer, a tie layer, and a polyamide layer, and a discrete inner wall including an ethylene polymer or copolymer, or a composition like that of the outer wall, the outer wall sealed to the inner wall at the perimeter of the pouch. Optionally, a discrete intermediate wall can be disposed between the outer wall and inner discrete wall of the pouch. The system can further include a pump operatively connected to the pouch and carton to dispense the pumpable product from the pouch.

Abstract: A method for evaluating and controlling a mixing process for polymer-based compounds includes the steps: obtaining initial starting conditions and values for viscosity dependent parameters; increasing batch temperature by a differential amount; calculating mixing parameters such as batch temperature, dispersion, viscosity, and torque based upon fundamental kinetic, thermodynamic, and theological models; determining whether an endpoint or end points of one or more mixing parameters has been achieved; and changing one or more conditions so as to achieve the desired endpoint(s).

Abstract: A method for evaluating and controlling a mixing process for polymer-based compounds includes the steps: obtaining initial starting conditions and values for viscosity dependent parameters; increasing batch temperature by a differential amount; calculating mixing parameters such as batch temperature, dispersion, viscosity, and torque based upon fundamental kinetic, thermodynamic, and Theological models; determining whether an endpoint or end points of one or more mixing parameters has been achieved; and changing one or more conditions so as to achieve the desired endpoint(s).