Abstract: A push-in earplug is provided. The push-in earplug comprises an elongate core comprising a core material. The push-in earplug also comprises an outer layer comprising a foam material, the outer layer covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongate core. The push-in earplug also comprises a channel extending through the elongate core from a first end of the elongate core to the second end of the elongate core.

Abstract: A push-in earplug is provided. The push-in earplug comprises an elongate core comprising a first material and a second material. The push-in earplug also comprises an outer layer comprising a foamable material, the outer layer covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongate core. The second material is configured to thermally bond to the outer layer during activation of the foamable material.

Abstract: A push-in earplug is provided. The push-in earplug comprises an elongate core comprising a core material. The push-in earplug also comprises an outer layer comprising a foam material, the outer layer covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the elongate core. The push-in earplug also comprises a channel extending through the elongate core from a first end of the elongate core to the second end of the elongate core.

Abstract: Foam compositions are provided including a polylactic acid polymer; second (e.g., polyvinyl acetate) polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 25° C.; and plasticizer. Also described are articles comprising the foam compositions, such as a sheet or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are further described herein.

Abstract: An earplug comprises a core and a sound-attenuating body attached to the core, the sound-attenuating body comprising a tip cavity extending proximally from the tip of the sound-attenuating body and comprising a distal opening. The tip cavity side wall includes a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the core. The plurality of protrusions may include from 2 to 12 protrusions. A method of making an earplug includes covering at least a portion of a core with a material including unactivated foaming agent; inserting an end of the core and at least a portion of the material into a mold cavity; and activating the foaming agent to create a sound-attenuating body. The sound-attenuating body has a base, tip, and tip cavity with a plurality of protrusions. The mold cavity may include a boss with a cup and plurality of cut-outs on the cup for forming the protrusions.

Abstract: An earplug assembly that includes an earplug. The assembly also includes a flexible cord extending from a first cord end to a second cord end and the first cord end fixed to the earplug, the flexible cord formed of copolymer comprising ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments. The flexible cord has an elastic modulus of 10 MPa or greater at 100% elongation.

Abstract: An earplug assembly and method of forming the same is described. The method includes uniaxially stretching a cord formed of copolymer including ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments to form a cold-drawn cord. The cold drawn cord has an elongation to break of 250% or less. The method then includes fixing the cold drawn cord to an earplug.

Abstract: A composition comprising olefin oligomers of one or more olefin monomers, the olefin monomers comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof. A composition comprising substantially hydrogenated olefin oligomers, wherein the olefin oligomers are oligomers of one or more olefin monomers, the olefin monomers comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof. A process comprising a) contacting 1) a catalyst system and 2) a monomer feedstock comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof in a reaction zone; and b) forming olefin oligomers.

Abstract: An earplug assembly includes a first earplug, a second earplug, and a cord including a first end, a second end, each earplug including a stem and a sound attenuating body. A method for preparing the earplug assembly includes attaching the first and second ends of the cord to the first and second earplugs, respectively, by contacting a hot tip to the proximal end of the stem of the earplug to form an attachment point, removing the hot tip, and contacting or inserting the end of the cord to the attachment point to thermally bond the end of the cord to the stem of the earplug.

Abstract: A composition comprising olefin oligomers of one or more olefin monomers, the olefin monomers comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof. A composition comprising substantially hydrogenated olefin oligomers, wherein the olefin oligomers are oligomers of one or more olefin monomers, the olefin monomers comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof. A process comprising a) contacting 1) a catalyst system and 2) a monomer feedstock comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof in a reaction zone; and b) forming olefin oligomers.

Abstract: An earplug comprises a core and a sound-attenuating body attached to the core, the sound-attenuating body comprising a tip cavity extending proximally from the tip of the sound-attenuating body and comprising a distal opening. The tip cavity side wall includes a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the core. The plurality of protrusions may include from 2 to 12 protrusions. A method of making an earplug includes covering at least a portion of a core with a material including unactivated foaming agent; inserting an end of the core and at least a portion of the material into a mold cavity; and activating the foaming agent to create a sound-attenuating body. The sound-attenuating body has a base, tip, and tip cavity with a plurality of protrusions. The mold cavity may include a boss with a cup and plurality of cut-outs on the cup for forming the protrusions.

Abstract: An earplug assembly and method of forming the same is described. The method includes uniaxially stretching a cord formed of copolymer including ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments to form a cold-drawn cord. The cold drawn cord has an elongation to break of 250% or less. The method then includes fixing the cold drawn cord to an earplug.

Abstract: A composition comprising olefin oligomers of one or more olefin monomers, the olefin monomers comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof. A composition comprising substantially hydrogenated olefin oligomers, wherein the olefin oligomers are oligomers of one or more olefin monomers, the olefin monomers comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof. A process comprising a) contacting 1) a catalyst system and 2) a monomer feedstock comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof in a reaction zone; and b) forming olefin oligomers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a process which generally includes contacting i) a monomer or mixture of monomers, ii) a haloaluminate ionic liquid, and iii) one or more halide components in a reaction zone, and oligomerizing the monomer or mixture of monomers in the reaction zone to form an oligomer product. The combination of the haloaluminate ionic liquid and halide component can constitute a catalyst system which is used in embodiments of the process to produce the oligomer product.

Abstract: Foam compositions are provided including a polylactic acid polymer; second (e.g., polyvinyl acetate) polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 25° C.; and plasticizer. Also described are articles comprising the foam compositions, such as a sheet or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are further described herein.

Abstract: A composition comprising olefin oligomers of one or more olefin monomers, the olefin monomers comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof. A composition comprising substantially hydrogenated olefin oligomers, wherein the olefin oligomers are oligomers of one or more olefin monomers, the olefin monomers comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof. A process comprising a) contacting 1) a catalyst system and 2) a monomer feedstock comprising a branched C10 olefin monomer comprising i) 3-propyl-1-heptene, ii) 4-ethyl-1-octene, iii) 5-methyl-1-nonene, or iv) any combination thereof in a reaction zone; and b) forming olefin oligomers.

Abstract: The present application relates to method for oligomerizing olefin or for producing polyalphaolefin utilizing catalyst mixtures comprising aluminum halides and an organic liquid carrier. A process comprising contacting 1) a catalyst mixture comprising i) an aluminum trihalide and ii) an organic liquid carrier comprising first olefins, wherein the organic liquid carrier first olefins comprise at least 60 mole % 1,2-disubstituted olefins, trisubstituted olefins, or any combination thereof; and 2) a monomer comprising second olefins to form an oligomer product. An oligomer product produced by the process comprising contacting 1) a catalyst mixture comprising i) an aluminum trihalide and ii) an organic liquid carrier comprising first olefins, wherein the organic liquid carrier olefins comprise at least 75 mole % 1,2-disubstituted olefins, trisubstituted olefins, or any combination thereof; and 2) a monomer comprising second olefins to form an oligomer product.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a process which generally includes contacting i) a monomer or mixture of monomers, ii) a haloaluminate ionic liquid, and iii) one or more halide components in a reaction zone, and oligomerizing the monomer or mixture of monomers in the reaction zone to form an oligomer product. The combination of the haloaluminate ionic liquid and halide component can constitute a catalyst system which is used in embodiments of the process to produce the oligomer product.