Abstract: This invention relates to eco-friendly solutions and gels for making high strength ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin (UHMWPO) fibers, films, filters, membranes by solution and gel spinning techniques. This invention also makes soft, strong, oriented, and elastic fibers from styrenic block copolymers. The polymers are first dissolved or dispersed in a cyclic terpene. In some embodiments, the fibers are extruded or drawn from the solution or gel, and cooled to form a gel filament. In some embodiments, the fibers and films are soft and elastic by making the spinnable solution or gel from polyolefin and styrenic block copolymers or other elastomeric polymers in cyclic terpene. In some embodiments the fibers and films produced can be oriented by stretching or drawing in the gel state before and/or during and/or after removal of cyclic terpene.

Abstract: This invention relates to eco-friendly dip formable solutions and dispersions for making dip formed articles. Some embodiments of the invention include coatable, dip formable, or emulsifiable solution composition comprising one or more styrenic block copolymers in cyclic natural terpenes, such as citrus peel extract which can be used to form an article. In some embodiments dip formable solutions and dispersions comprise of styrenated block copolymers and polyolefins. In some embodiments the styrenated block copolymers are saturated, unsaturated, or a blend. In some embodiments, the styrenated block copolymers comprises an oil or a plasticizer. In some embodiments the articles are made from an emulsion. In some embodiments the articles are made from a plastisol.

Abstract: This invention relates to eco-friendly solutions and gels for making high strength ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin (UHMWPO) fibers, films, filters, membranes by solution and gel spinning techniques. This invention also makes soft, strong, oriented, and elastic fibers from styrenic block copolymers. The polymers are first dissolved or dispersed in a cyclic terpene. In some embodiments, the fibers are extruded or drawn from the solution or gel, and cooled to form a gel filament. In some embodiments, the fibers and films are soft and elastic by making the spinnable solution or gel from polyolefin and styrenic block copolymers or other elastomeric polymers in cyclic terpene. In some embodiments the fibers and films produced can be oriented by stretching or drawing in the gel state before and/or during and/or after removal of cyclic terpene.

Abstract: This invention relates to eco-friendly dip formable solutions and dispersions for making dip formed articles. Some embodiments of the invention include coatable, dip formable, or emulsifiable solution composition comprising one or more styrenic block copolymers in cyclic natural terpenes, such as citrus peel extract which can be used to form an article. In some embodiments dip formable solutions and dispersions comprise of styrenated block copolymers and polyolefins. In some embodiments the styrenated block copolymers are saturated, unsaturated, or a blend. In some embodiments, the styrenated block copolymers comprises an oil or a plasticizer. In some embodiments the articles are made from an emulsion. In some embodiments the articles are made from a plastisol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of processing natural rubber latex using an extruder including a plurality of process zones by processing coagulant with latex to produce a coagulum and serum. In some embodiments, the coagulant can include an acid, a metal salt, or a mixture of both. Some embodiments can include a coagulum wash stage, and a deresination step. In some embodiments, the extruder can be operated to move coagulum through the extruder to remove at least some fraction of water to form a substantially dewatered coagulum, and a drying step to form a dried coagulum. In some embodiments, a stabilizer such as an antioxidant can be introduced into the extruder, and processed to remain in some fraction in the dried coagulum. Some alternative embodiments include a latex processing method of providing a flow of coagulant, and combining latex with the flowing using an emulsion dispensing bar.

Abstract: A polylactide hydrosol polymer formulations suitable for thin film articles and methods of making the thin film articles are provided. The formulations and methods can be use to make articles such as gloves, condoms, catheters and the like using dip forming, and various casting processes.

Abstract: Biodegradable disposable gloves and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed in which the elastomeric material used to manufacture the gloves includes a polylactic acid polymer component in combination with a biodegradable plasticizer.

Abstract: A polylactide hydrosol polymer formulations suitable for thin film articles and methods of making the thin film articles are provided. The formulations and methods can be use to make articles such as gloves, condoms, catheters and the like using dip forming, and various casting processes.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a process for separating rubber, resin and bagasse from at least a portion of a rubber producing plant including the steps of providing a plant portion and at least partially homogenizing the plant portion in the presence of a resin-solubilizing medium, and extracting rubber using a rubber solubilizing solvent. In some embodiments, the plant portion can include an antioxidant, that in some embodiments, the includes a substantially non-staining antioxidant. Some other embodiments include a process for separating rubber, resin and bagasse from a rubber producing plant comprising the steps of providing a plant portion and applying at least one antioxidant to at least a fraction of the plant portion, milling the plant portion with a milling solvent, and separating rubber form resin using phase separation fractionation. Some embodiments include separation of bagasse and resin components and one or more solvent recovery steps.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of processing natural rubber latex using an extruder including a plurality of process zones by processing coagulant with latex to produce a coagulum and serum. In some embodiments, the coagulant can include an acid, a metal salt, or a mixture of both. Some embodiments can include a coagulum wash stage, and a deresination step. In some embodiments, the extruder can be operated to move coagulum through the extruder to remove at least some fraction of water to form a substantially dewatered coagulum, and a drying step to form a dried coagulum. In some embodiments, a stabilizer such as an antioxidant can be introduced into the extruder, and processed to remain in some fraction in the dried coagulum. Some alternative embodiments include a latex processing method of providing a flow of coagulant, and combining latex with the flowing using an emulsion dispensing bar.

Abstract: A polylactide hydrosol polymer formulations suitable for thin film articles and methods of making the thin film articles are provided. The formulations and methods can be use to make articles such as gloves, condoms, catheters and the like using dip forming, and various casting processes.

Abstract: A polylactide hydrosol polymer formulations suitable for thin film articles and methods of making the thin film articles are provided. The formulations and methods can be use to make articles such as gloves, condoms, catheters and the like using dip forming, and various casting processes.

Abstract: A polylactide hydrosol polymer formulations suitable for thin film articles and methods of making the thin film articles are provided. The formulations and methods can be use to make articles such as gloves, condoms, catheters and the like using dip forming, and various casting processes.

Abstract: A polylactide hydrosol polymer formulations suitable for thin film articles and methods of making the thin film articles are provided. The formulations and methods can be use to make articles such as gloves, condoms, catheters and the like using dip forming, and various casting processes.

Abstract: Biodegradable disposable gloves and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed in which the elastomeric material used to manufacture the gloves includes a polylactic acid polymer component in combination with a biodegradable plasticizer.

Abstract: Single and multiple layer membranes such as gloves and condoms include one or more deactivating barrier layers and/or indicating layers to indicate to a user membrane breach or the presence of a harmful substance in blood or body fluids. A membrane may include one or more permeable or semipermeable layers to disperse contained substances such as lubricants, biocides, spermicides, or indicators outwardly, and may also include permeable or semipermeable layers to allow transmission of body fluids or other environmental fluids inwardly into contact with an indicating or treating substance. An intermediate layer of a multi-layer membrane may include a substance to wipe, cleanse, sterilize, or otherwise treat a piercing needle. A membrane may include a sealing or coating to entrap indicators or other agents such as biocides therein. A method of making membranes such as gloves results in a double glove having discrete inner or outer layers joined only in a cuff region.

Abstract: Single and multiple layer membranes such as gloves and condoms include one or more deactivating barrier layers and/or indicating layers to indicate to a user membrane breach or the presence of a harmful substance in blood or body fluids. A membrane may include one or more permeable or semipermeable layers to disperse contained substances such as lubricants, biocides, spermicides, or indicators outwardly, and may also include permeable or semipermeable layers to allow transmission of body fluids or other environmental fluids inwardly into contact with an indicating or treating substance. An intermediate layer of a multi-layer membrane may include a substance to wipe, cleanse, sterilize, or otherwise treat a piercing needle. A membrane may include a sealing or coating to entrap indicators or other agents such as biocides therein. A method of making membranes such as gloves results in a double glove having discrete inner or outer layers joined only in a cuff region.

Abstract: Single and multiple layer membranes such as gloves and condoms include one or more deactivating barrier layers and/or indicating layers to indicate to a user membrane breach or the presence of a harmful substance in blood or body fluids. A membrane may include one or more permeable or semipermeable layers to disperse contained substances such as lubricants, biocides, spermicides, or indicators outwardly, and may also include permeable or semipermeable layers to allow transmission of body fluids or other environmental fluids inwardly into contact with an indicating or treating substance. An intermediate layer of a multi-layer membrane may include a substance to wipe, cleanse, sterilize, or otherwise treat a piercing needle. A membrane may include a sealing or coating to entrap indicators or other agents such as biocides therein. A method of making membranes such as gloves results in a double glove having discrete inner or outer layers joined only in a cuff region.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved powder-free gloves having improved cleanliness as well as desired ergonomics over current natural rubber latex gloves. By controlling the formulation used to construct the gloves, a wide range of physical performance, aging resistance, as well as high cleanliness can be achieved. To this end, the present invention provides a powder-free glove constructed from a sequential copolymer. In an embodiment, the sequential copolymer is chosen from the group consisting of: poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene); poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene); poly (styrene-b-ethylene butylene-b-styrene); poly(styrene-b-ethylene propylene-b-styrene); radial and teleblock copolymers of the type (SI).sub.X, (SB).sub.X, and the like; and graft copolymers.

Abstract: Release surfaces comprising extruded polymer-siloxane block copolymer mixtures are provided. At least one block of the copolymer is a polymer compatible with the bulk polymeric material, while a second block is polysiloxane. Coextruded release surfaces comprising two or more polymeric layers, including one layer of a polymer-siloxane block copolymer mixture, are provided. The release surfaces serve as release liners for pressure sensitive adhesive labels and tapes.