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: The invention relates to polymeric blends comprising from about 2 to about 30 percent by weight thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer; from about 55 to about 145 parts by weight copolyester per 100 parts by weight thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer; from about 400 to about 1,000 parts by weight ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer per 100 parts by weight thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer; from about 15 to about 85 parts by weight softening agent per 100 parts by weight thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer; and from about 15 to about 85 parts by weight compatibilizing agent per 100 parts by weight thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. These blends exhibit high adhesion to polyesters.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric blends comprising at least about 40 percent by weight thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer; and from about 10 to about 250 parts by weight ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer per 100 parts by weight thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. These blends exhibit high adhesion to polycarbonates and polycarbonate alloys.

Abstract: A sports ball bladder and method of manufacture which produces a sports ball in which a valve element (48) is fused to the bladder and is disposed away from a parting line (40) of a mold (34). The bladder is made by extruding a parison (64) and closing a mold cavity (42) in surrounding relation thereof. A blow needle (46) supports the valve element thereon and delivers fluid pressure to an interior area (68) of the parison. The expanding parison fills the mold cavity and impinges on the valve element. The expanded parison is cooled to solidify the thermoplastic material. The pressure in the interior area is then relieved through the blow needle and the mold is opened. To avoid thinning of the bladder adjacent to the parting line, thermoplastic material is pushed inwardly into the mold cavity from a pinch pocket (80) as the mold is closed. After the ball bladder is formed, a valve member (72) is inserted into the valve element to enable holding of the bladder in an inflated condition.