Abstract: Disclosed is a method for managing a loyalty rewards program. The method comprises maintaining a plurality of loyalty reward accounts, each linked to a payment vehicle enrolled in the loyalty rewards program and each recording at least one loyalty index derived from purchases made using the payment vehicle, the at least one loyalty index being redeemable for any one or more of discounts, goods or services. The method also comprises accruing interest on the at least one loyalty index recorded for each of the plurality of loyalty reward accounts, administering accrued interest for each of the plurality of loyalty reward accounts in accordance with rules of the loyalty rewards program and increasing the loyalty index associated with one of the plurality of loyalty reward accounts by a factor determined in response to the accrued interest on that loyalty index.

Abstract: This disclosure in certain embodiments relates to thermoplastic sheet compositions and applications incorporating such materials. More specifically this disclosure addresses thermoplastic sheets comprising: a) from 5 to 98.5 wt % of an essentially uncross-linked, random ethylene copolymer having from 20 wt % to 90 wt % repeat units from ethylene and from 10 wt % to 80 wt % of repeat units from one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomers based upon the weight of the random ethylene copolymer; b) from 0.3 to 83.5 wt % of a polypropylene-based thermoplastic; and c) from 0.3 to 24.5 wt % of a vulcanized rubber dispersed phase. The disclosure also relates to methods of making the sheet compositions. One method includes incorporating a thermoplastic vulcanizate to provide the c) vulcanized rubber and in come cases, to supplement the b) polypropylene thermoplastic.

Abstract: An article for sealing the contents of a container, the article comprising a member adapted for sealing the container, where the member includes a thermoplastic vulcanizate including a dynamically cured butyl rubber, a thermoplastic polyurethane having a glass transition temperature of less than about 60° C., and a synthetic oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elastomeric composition for use in extruding elastic articles of manufacture which comprises thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), polyolefins, styrene-olefins polymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate polymers, maleic anhydride-olefin polymers, and phenolic resins. The elastomeric compositions are particularly useful in extruding these compositions for the preparation of sheets, fibers and fibrous nonwoven fabrics in an extruder attached to an extensional flow mixer.

Abstract: Flexible materials substantially resistant to the growth of microorganisms in aqueous systems comprising fluoropolymers such as TEFLON bonded to polymeric substrates derived from polymeric blends comprising thermoplastic polyurethanes, olefin copolymers, maleic anhydride-olefin copolymers, olefin-vinyl acetate copolymers and phenolic resins. The fluoropolymers are bonded e.g. laminated onto the polymeric substrates e.g. by coextrusion and used in the preparation of tubes, hoses, covers and liners to inhibit microbial growth on surfaces submerged in water.

Abstract: Polymeric articles comprising a layer of fluoropolymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene bonded e.g. extruded onto a polymeric substrate derived from a polymeric blend comprising polyolefins, maleic anhydride-olefin copolymers, polyamides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, isoprene-styrene copolymers, and phenolic resins. The articles include fuel lines, tubes, hoses, containers, and sheet material for various uses.

Abstract: This invention relates to articles of manufacture having ultra-violet stability and a high coefficient of friction derived from a polymeric blend comprising thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) or polyvinyl chloride, a styrene-isoprene block copolymer, a maleic anhydride-ethylene copolymer, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a phenolic resin, and a color reagent. These polymeric blends are capable of being bonded to a substrate, without the use of a tie layer, to prepare articles including slip-resistant walkways, and various sizes of tubing or hoses useful in various systems such as fuel systems.

Abstract: Flexible tubing derived from laminated polymeric materials having inner and outer walls wherein the inner wall of the laminated tubing is substantially resistant to bacteria growth and consist essentially of thermoplastic silicone rubber, and the outer wall of said laminated tubing consist essentially of polymeric rubber derived from a polymeric blend comprising olefin polymers. The flexible polymeric tubing is particularly useful in aqueous systems such as tubing for milk and portable water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-frequency weldable thermoplastic rubber composition, to a method of rendering non-polar thermoplastic rubbers high-frequency weldable, to a high-frequency weldable shaped article obtainable from the composition according to the invention, to a method for manufacturing said shaped articles and to a method of high-frequency welding of said articles. Furthermore, the present invention relates to shaped high-frequency welded articles obtainable by the method according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-frequency weldable thermoplastic rubber composition, to a method of rendering non-polar thermoplastic rubbers high-frequency weldable, to a high-frequency weldable shaped article obtainable from the composition according to the invention, to a method for manufacturing said shaped articles and to a method of high-frequency welding of said articles. Furthermore, the present invention relates to shaped high-frequency welded articles obtainable by the method according to the present invention.