Abstract: A kit that contains a substantially blank mask, a mannequin head-form in the shape of a human head, at least one marker for applying a removable ink indicia to such blank mask, and preferably a set of instructions and forms to enhance the use of the mask. The blank mask is a continuous, stretchable and elastically resilient washable see-through mesh fabric that conforms to the head when worn by the user. The mask is placed over the head-form, a character drawn on the mask, and after use the mask can be washed and reused.

Abstract: The invention is directed to thermoplastics derived from feathers. The thermoplastics are prepared by blending whole feathers or portions thereof with a plasticizer in an amount ranging from about 20 wt to about 40 wt % and a reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % to form a mixture; and either extruding the mixture to form an article, or pressing the mixture into a film at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Biodegradable materials and methods of their manufacture. Certain embodiments of the biodegradable materials include a crustacean shell material, at least one of gelatin, glycerin, and sorbitol, and water, wherein the biodegradable material is characterized in that, when it is exposed to water for an extended period of time, the material at least partially decomposes. Particular embodiments may comprise additional components including sorbitol and glycerin in the case of biodegradable golf ball embodiments, for example.

Abstract: A plastic molding composition includes a powder, gelatin, a polar solvent, and an adhesion reducer. The powder contains at least one of a ceramic particle and a metal particle. The adhesion reducer reduces adhesion of the gelatin so that a molded product, which is molded from the composition with a molding die, is removed from the molding die without being broken. The adhesion reducer is a water-soluble or water-dispersible compound. The adhesion reducer has a HLB value, calculated by Griffin's method, ranging from 10 to 20.

Abstract: A plastic molding composition includes a raw powder, gelatin, a polar solvent, and a plasticizer. The raw powder contains at least one of a ceramic particle and a metal particle. The plasticizer reduces the minimum amount of the solvent necessary to give flowability to the composition. The plasticizer is a water-soluble or water-dispersible compound. The plasticizer has a ratio of hydroxyl number to carbon number per molecule in a range from 8% to 100%. The plasticizer is in solid or liquid form. When the plasticizer is in liquid form, the plasticizer has volatility equal to or lower than volatility of water.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for manufacturing plastic materials from decolorized blood protein. The method includes the following steps: contacting the blood protein an oxidizing agent to form a blood protein composition that includes unreacted oxidizing agent; removing at least a portion of the unreacted oxidizing agent from the blood protein composition to form a decolorized blood protein composition; and treating the decolorized blood protein composition in the presence of a plasticizer with sufficient pressure and temperature to form the plastic material. The present disclosure also provides a plastic material including a blood protein residue having a percent whiteness of 35%-100% and a plasticizer.

Abstract: The top of an opening of a glass container is hot end coated, and then is coated with a coating agent of an aqueous solution containing casein and polyphenol and one or more members selected from copper sulfates, calcium hydroxides, and ferric chlorides. Thereafter, a sealing material, to which a thermoplastic resin is applied, is adhered to the top of the opening of the glass container, whereby the water resistance of the sealing of the glass container becomes excellent irrespective of weathering of glass.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet material that is of use as an equivalent to skin for in vitro testing of cosmetic ingredients and/or formulations. The sheet material comprises protein and a humidity control agent so that it is ready to use. Tests that can be performed on the sheet material are for example make up smearing, colour evaluation, sun protection factor measurements, UVA-protection, water resistance of cosmetic products, sunless tanning applications, etc.

Abstract: To achieve sealing with excellent water resistance irrespective of weathering of glass. The top of an opening of a glass container is hot end coated, and then is coated with a coating agent of an aqueous solution containing casein and polyphenol and one or more members selected from copper sulfates, calcium hydroxides, and ferric chlorides. Thereafter, a sealing material, to which a thermoplastic resin is applied, is adhered to the top of the opening of the glass container, whereby the water resistance of the sealing of the glass container becomes excellent irrespective of weathering of glass.

Abstract: A composite of one or more repeat sequence protein polymers and either one or more metal oxides or one or more plasticizers alters material properties of the repeat sequence protein polymers, including the morphology of the polymers as well as the elastic modulus and tensile strength. The morphology of the composite is aligned, generally parallel nanofibers.

Abstract: Water-resistant, protein-based adhesive dispersion compositions and methods for preparing them are provided. The adhesive dispersions are prepared by copolymerizing a denatured vegetable protein, such as soy flour, that has been functionalized with methylol groups with one or more reactive comonomers, and preparing an acidic dispersion of the adhesive. The adhesive dispersions exhibit superior water resistance, and can be used to bond wood substrates, such as panels or laminate, or in the preparation of composite materials.

Abstract: A composition suitable for making films, wherein the composition contains keratin obtained from avian feathers and at least one OH containing plasticizer. Protein-based films containing at least one protein and at least one OH containing plasticizer, wherein the protein is a protein whose PE value is ?2.5 where PE=(S+T+Y)/C where PE is plasticizer efficiency and where S, T, Y, and C are the amino acids serine, threonine, tyrosine, and cysteine, respectively, in the protein. Preferably the protein is keratin obtained from avian feathers.

Abstract: A biodegradable biopolymer material consists of silk fibroin from domesticated silkworm; silk fibroin from wild silkworm; a composite material comprising silk fibroin from domesticated silkworm and silk fibroin from wild silkworm; or a composite material comprising either silk fibroin from domesticated silkworm or silk fibroin from wild silkworm and at least one secondary substance selected from the group consisting of cellulose, chitin, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, keratin from wool and polyvinyl alcohol. The material may be prepared by, for instance, casting an aqueous solution of domesticated silkworm silk fibroin on the surface of a substrate and then cast drying the applied solution. The biodegradable biopolymer material is effectively used as, for instance, a metal ion-adsorbing material, a sustained release substrate for a useful substance such as a medicine, a biological cell-growth substrate and a biodegradable water-absorbing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous adhesive dispersions containing A) 0.1-10 wt. % adhesive polymer in the form of a dispersion with respect to the overall weight of the dispersion, B) 0.1-100 parts by weight of constituent A), an anionic or cationic polyelectrolyte and C) 0-50 parts by weight in relation to the 100 parts by weight of constituents A) of at least one polyalkyleneglycol with a molar mass of 200-100,000 g/mol. The invention also relates to the use of said dispersions in the production of multi-layered paper or paper material.

Abstract: Encapsulation compositions in which an encapsulate (A) is encapsulated in a matrix (B) may be prepared by: