Abstract: A method of making a foam using a renewable resource and a foam thereof is disclosed. The foam is made using green polyethylene polymers made from renewable sugarcane ethanol. The use of these polymers to make foam has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide gas emissions by more than half. The foam can be used in a variety of applications and can also be made with blends of renewable LDPE and non-renewable LDPE.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a floor underlayment material comprising a film sheet having an inner surface attached to a foam sheet and an outer surface including a plurality of recesses formed therein. The plurality of recesses define one or more fluid pathways through which a fluid may migrate across the outer surface of the film layer. The underlayment material may be used in a flooring system to help prevent or limit the accumulation of a fluid between the floor and the subfloor. In one embodiment, the underlayment material may be disposed between a subfloor and floor with the outer surface of the film layer being disposed adjacent to the underside of the floor. The one or more fluid pathways provide channels through which a fluid such as moisture vapor may escape from within a flooring system and thereby reduce the accumulation of moisture in the flooring system.

Abstract: The invention is a foam blend comprising a polyethylene, polypropylene, and a rubber component. The foam blend has improved flexibility at sub-zero temperatures without sacrificing the desirable physical characteristics that are commonly associated with polypropylene foams. As a result, the foam is particularly useful for producing articles that require flexibility at temperatures approaching and below 0° F. In some embodiments, the foam blend may have at least 50 percent by weight polypropylene and up to about 45 percent by weight polyethylene. The rubber component in the blend may be from about 3 to 10 weight percent, with 5 weight percent being particularly useful. The foam blends are suitable for producing a variety of articles where it is desirable to have improved flexibility at cold temperatures. In a particularly useful application, the foam blend may be used in concrete expansion joint fillers or totes.

Abstract: A laminate for use as a floor underlayment material includes a film disposed on at least one surface of an expanded foam web. The foam web includes a plurality of ribs projecting from one surface of the web in a length direction thereof so as to define a corrugated surface. The film is disposed on the surface of the foam web opposite the corrugated surface. The film is preferably formed from a high density polymer so as to enhance the moisture barrier properties of the laminate. When installed between a subfloor and finish flooring, the laminate defines channels which enable moisture emanating from the subfloor to be directed out from the flooring system.

Abstract: A laminate for use as a thermal insulating material includes a layer of a metal laminated to an expanded foam web. The foam web is formed with a plurality of ribs projecting from one surface of the web in the length direction thereof. The metal layer is laminated to the free edges of the ribs so as to define a plurality of closed channels extending in the length direction of the laminate. The metal layer may include a layer of a polymer to facilitate adherence of the metal layer to the foam web.