Abstract: Systems and methods provide for an automated system for analyzing damage and processing claims associated with an insured item, such as a vehicle. An enhanced claims processing server may analyze damage associated with the insured item using photos/video transmitted to the server from a user device (e.g., a mobile device). The mobile device may receive feedback from the server regarding the acceptability of submitted photos/video, and if the server determines that any of the submitted photos/video is unacceptable, the mobile device may capture audio descriptions regarding the insured item. To aid in damage analysis, the server may also interface with various internal and external databases storing reference images of undamaged items and cost estimate information for repairing previously analyzed damages to similar items.

Abstract: A social media impact analysis (SMIA) computer device and methods for allocating resources in response to social media conversations are provided. The SMIA device stores for a plurality of escalation levels, corresponding trigger criteria and resource allocations, where each trigger criteria includes a sales impact range and a content category. The SMIA device is configured to receive tracking signals relating to social media conversations about a product over a time period, each tracking signal including a topic of social media conversation and correlated to a predicted future sales impact; detect that a tracking signal deviates from a threshold; compare the tracking signal to the trigger criteria for the escalation levels; and allocate resources automatically in response to the social media conversations according to the resource allocation for a first of the escalation levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aliphatic-aromatic polyester having a whiteness index according to ASTM E 313-73 of at least 25, to a process for preparation thereof and to the use of the aliphatic-aromatic polyester for production of polyester fibers (PF). The present invention further relates to the polyester fibers (PF) comprising the aliphatic-aromatic polyester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single-stage process for the production of starch blends in a twin-screw extruder or two twin-screw extruders arranged in series, where i) the starch, together with a plasticizer, passes through a wetting section of length 8D to 30D in an extruder or in a wetting section of length 8D to 80D if two extruders are used at temperatures below the gelatinization temperature of the starch, with mixing, where D is defined as the screw diameter of the screw cylinder and the wetting section is defined as starting at that point on the extruder screw at which the starch and the entire or partial quantity of plasticizer encounter one another and ending at that point in the extruder at which the starch is gelatinized and is digested to give thermoplastic starch; ii) in a plastifying section of length 10D to 50D the extruder temperature is adjusted stepwise to above 130° C.

Abstract: A social media impact analysis (SMIA) computer device and methods for allocating resources in response to social media conversations are provided. The SMIA device stores for a plurality of escalation levels, corresponding trigger criteria and resource allocations, where each trigger criteria includes a sales impact range and a content category. The SMIA device is configured to receive tracking signals relating to social media conversations about a product over a time period, each tracking signal including a topic of social media conversation and correlated to a predicted future sales impact; detect that a tracking signal deviates from a threshold; compare the tracking signal to the trigger criteria for the escalation levels; and allocate resources automatically in response to the social media conversations according to the resource allocation for a first of the escalation levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable three-layer polyester film of 8 to 20 ?m in thickness having a layer construction NB/C or preferably A/B/A, wherein the two outer layers (A) or (A, C) are composed of: Ai) 55% to 99.99% by weight based on the polyester mixture of the outer layers of a polyester selected from the group consisting of: polybutylene sebacate-co-terephthalate, polybutylene sebacate-co-adipate-co-terephthalate, polybutylene sebacate-co-succinate-co-terephthalate or mixtures thereof or a mixture of polybutylene sebacate-co-terephthalate and polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate; Aii) 0.01% to 5% by weight based on the polyester mixture of the outer layers of at least one additive selected from the group consisting of: a wax, a plasticizer, a nucleating agent, antifogging agents, fillers and an antiblocking agent; and Aiii) 0% to 44.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aliphatic-aromatic polyester having a whiteness index according to ASTM E 313-73 of at least 25, to a process for preparation thereof and to the use of the aliphatic-aromatic polyester for production of polyester fibers (PF). The present invention further relates to the polyester fibers (PF) comprising the aliphatic-aromatic polyester.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable polyester mixture comprising: i) 71 to 91 wt %, based on the total weight of components i and ii, of a polyester I constructed from: a-1) 40 to 70 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an aliphatic C9-C16 dicarboxylic acid or of a C9-C16 dicarboxylic acid derivative; b-1) 30 to 60 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of terephthalic acid or of a terephthalic acid derivative; c-1) 98 to 100 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of a C3-C6 diol; d-1) 0 to 2 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an at least trihydric alcohol; e-1) 0 to 2 wt %, based on the total weight of components a to e, of a chain extender, and ii) 9 to 29 wt %, based on the total weight of components i and ii, of a polyester II constructed from: a-2) 40 to 70 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an aliphatic C4-C6 dicarboxylic acid or of a C4-C6 dicarboxylic acid derivative; b-2) 30 to 60 wt %, based

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing expandable pelletized material which comprises polylactic acid which comprises the following steps: a) melting and incorporation by mixing of polylactic acid, one or more further polymers, a diepoxide or polyepoxide, and one or more additives, b) incorporation by mixing of an organic blowing agent into the polymer melt by means of a static or dynamic mixer at a temperature of at least 140° C., c) discharging through a die plate with holes, the diameter of which at the exit from the die is at most 1.5 mm, and d) pelletizing the melt comprising blowing agent directly downstream of the die plate, and under water, at a pressure in the range from 1 to 20 bar. The invention further relates to expandable pelletized material which comprises polylactic acid and which is obtainable by said process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable copolyesters with molecular weight Mn from 10 000 to 100 000 measured by GPC, obtainable via reaction of i) from 51 to 84% by weight, based on the copolyester, of a branched polyester middle block produced from aliphatic or aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and from aliphatic dihydroxy compounds with molecular weight Mn from 5000 to 25 000 measured by 1H NMR with from 15.9 to 48.9% by weight, based on the copolyester, of a lactide in the presence of a catalyst, and then the resultant polyester triblock with molecular weight Mn measured by 1H NMR from 5800 to 49 500 with ii) from 0.1 to 3% by weight, based on the copolyester, of a diisocyanate. The present invention further relates to a process for the production of, and to the use of, the abovementioned biodegradable copolyesters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable copolyesters with molecular weight Mn from 10 000 to 100 000 measured by GPC, obtainable via reaction of i) from 51 to 84% by weight, based on the copolyester, of a branched polyester middle block produced from aliphatic or aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and from aliphatic dihydroxy compounds with molecular weight Mn from 5000 to 25 000 measured by 1H NMR with from 15.9 to 48.9% by weight, based on the copolyester, of a lactide in the presence of a catalyst, and then the resultant polyester triblock with molecular weight Mn measured by 1H NMR from 5800 to 49 500 with ii) from 0.1 to 3% by weight, based on the copolyester, of a diisocyanate. The present invention further relates to a process for the production of, and to the use of, the abovementioned biodegradable copolyesters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for coating paper, wherein the coating material used is a biodegradable, aliphatic-aromatic polyester having a melt volume rate (MVR) according to EN ISO 1133 (190° C., 2.16 kg weight) of from 3 to 50 cm3/10 min.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for coating paper, wherein the coating material used is a biodegradable, aliphatic-aromatic polyester having a melt volume rate (MVR) according to EN ISO 1133 (190° C., 2.16 kg weight) of from 3 to 50 cm3/10 min.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for complete anaerobic digestion of polymer mixtures of the composition: a) 25 to 95% by weight of a polyhydroxyalkanoate selected from the group consisting of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) and b) 5 to 75% by weight of an aliphatic polyester comprising: i) 65 to 100 mol %, based on components i to ii, of succinic acid or of a succinic acid derivative; ii) 0 to 35 mol %, based on components i to ii, of an aliphatic C5-C36-dicarboxylic acid, of a corresponding acid derivative or of a mixture; iii) 98 to 100 mol %, based on components i to ii, of a C2-C8-alkylenediol or C2-C6-oxyalkylenediol; iv) 0 to 2% by weight, based on the polymer obtainable from components i to iii, of at least one polyfunctional compound comprising at least two isocyanate, isocyanurate, oxazoline or epoxide groups or at least three alco

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing expandable pelletized material which comprises polylactic acid which comprises the following steps: a) melting and incorporation by mixing of polylactic acid, one or more further polymers, a diepoxide or polyepoxide, and one or more additives, b) incorporation by mixing of an organic blowing agent into the polymer melt by means of a static or dynamic mixer at a temperature of at least 140° C., c) discharging through a die plate with holes, the diameter of which at the exit from the die is at most 1.5 mm, and d) pelletizing the melt comprising blowing agent directly downstream of the die plate, and under water, at a pressure in the range from 1 to 20 bar. The invention further relates to expandable pelletized material which comprises polylactic acid and which is obtainable by said process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for coating paper, wherein the coating material used is a biodegradable, aliphatic-aromatic polyester having a melt volume rate (MVR) according to EN ISO 1133 (190° C., 2.16 kg weight) of from 3 to 50 cm3/10 min.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing expandable pelletized material which comprises polylactic acid which comprises the following steps: a) melting and incorporation by mixing of the following components: i) from 50 to 99.9% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to iii), of polylactic acid, ii) from 0 to 49.9% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to iii), of one or more further polymers, iii) from 0.1 to 2% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to iii), of a diepoxide or polyepoxide, and iv) from 0 to 10% by weight of one or more additives, b) incorporation by mixing of v) from 3 to 7% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to iv), of an organic blowing agent into the polymer melt by means of a static or dynamic mixer at a temperature of at least 140° C., c) discharging through a die plate with holes, the diameter of which at the exit from the die is at most 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable polyester mixture comprising: i) 71 to 91 wt %, based on the total weight of components i and ii, of a polyester I constructed from: a-1) 40 to 70 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an aliphatic C9-C16 dicarboxylic acid or of a C9-C16 dicarboxylic acid derivative; b-1) 30 to 60 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of terephthalic acid or of a terephthalic acid derivative; c-1) 98 to 100 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of a C3-C6 diol; d-1) 0 to 2 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an at least trihydric alcohol; e-1) 0 to 2 wt %, based on the total weight of components a to e, of a chain extender, and ii) 9 to 29 wt %, based on the total weight of components i and ii, of a polyester II constructed from: a-2) 40 to 70 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an aliphatic C4-C6 dicarboxylic acid or of a C4-C6 dicarboxylic acid derivative; b-2) 30 to 60 wt %, based

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable polyester foil comprising: i) 80 to 95 weight %, based on the total weight of components i to ii, of a biodegradable polyester based on aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and on an aliphatic dihydroxy compound; ii) 5 to 20 weight %, based on the total weight of components i to ii, of polyhydroxyalkanoate; iii) 10 to 25 weight %, based on the total weight of components i to vi, of calcium carbonate; iv) 3 to 15 weight %, based on the total weight of components i to vi, of talc; v) 0 to 30 weight %, based on the total weight of components i to vi, of polylactic acid and/or starch; vi) 0 to 2 weight %, based on the total weight of components i to vi, of 2-(4,6-bisbiphenyl-4-yl-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)-5-(2-ethyl-(n)-hexyloxy)phenol; and to uses of these polyester foils, in particular for agricultural applications, such as mulch foils.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biodegradable polyester mixture comprising 45 to 95 wt %, based on the total weight of polyester I and II, of a polyester I constructed from an aliphatic C9-C18 dicarboxylic acid or a C9-C18 dicarboxylic acid derivative; terephthalic acid or a terephthalic acid derivative; a C3-C6 diol; an at least trihydric alcohol; and a chain extender. The biodegradable polyester mixture further comprises 5 to 55 wt %, based on the total weight of polyester I and II, of a polyester II constructed from an aliphatic C4-C6 dicarboxylic acid or a C4-C6 dicarboxylic acid derivative; terephthalic acid or a terephthalic acid derivative; a C3-C6 diol; an at least trihydric alcohol; and a chain extender. The biodegradable polyester mixture further comprises 10 to 25 wt %, based on the total weight, of calcium carbonate; and 3 to 15 wt %, based on the total weight, of talc.