Abstract: Shoe soles comprising a rubber composition comprising at least: 60 to 100 phr of a nitrile-butadiene rubber; between 10 and 50 phr of a reinforcing filler; a plasticizing system comprising: a hydrocarbon-based resin having a Tg of greater than 20° C.; a plasticizer that is liquid at 20° C., the Tg of which is less than ?20° C.; a crosslinking system, such that the elastomer composition based on a nitrile-butadiene rubber and a mixture of two plasticizers, one liquid plasticizer and one resin, makes it possible to obtain shoe soles having a good grip on various floors, while retaining a good wear resistance and a low hydrocarbon absorption.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel heat moldable gel and foam composition and the process for making the gel and foam composition. The gel and foam composition comprises gel infused into cells of a foam. The gel is a blend of gelling agents, such as thermoplastic polymers, resiliency components, such as styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene copolymer and softening agents, such as oils. The foam preferably has a hardness less than or equal to a hardness of the gel.

Abstract: A method for protecting an item from weight gain due to uptake of liquid comprising the step of exposing the item to plasma in a gaseous state for a sufficient period of time to allow a protective layer, particularly a polymeric layer, to be created on the surface of the item. Also encompassed is an item of footwear treated by the method.

Abstract: An athletic shoe coating for traction enhancement includes a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) and a tackyfying resin and a film former initially in solution within a solvent suitable for application to the surface of a shoe sole in liquid form, such as by spraying, rolling and brushing the solution onto the shoe sole. After the solvent evaporates a film or coating attaches or is bonded to the shoe sole that exhibits the property of dynamically modifying the traction properties of the shoe sole when pressure and shear forces are applied to the coating. Such modification causes the exterior surface of the film or coating to “refresh” the exposed surface upon impact. This imparts continued tackiness over extended use. Impact modifiers may be added for controlled release of a solvent to temporarily dissolve or soften the film or coating to promote such refreshment of the coating outer surface.

Abstract: A cannister-based, high solids, low and non-VOC aerosol adhesive and canister based system. The aerosol adhesive typically includes a high solids polymeric base, a hexane or cyclohexane and acetone solvent mixture and a compressed gas dissolved within the solvent. The compressed gas typically includes carbon dioxide, nitrogen, nitrous oxide and air. The aerosol adhesive is adapted to be filled into a cannister including a hose connected to the canister and a spray gun connected to the hose. The system typically includes high solids with a high viscosity. Thus the canister typically maintains high pressures up to 350 psi, but typically at 260 psi while maintaining 325 psi at 130° F., to deliver effective spray patterns.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly includes a lower ground engaging surface portion and an upper surface portion. The upper surface of the first portion is in contact with the upper. At least part of the lower ground engaging surface portion is a polymer material formed from a blend of polybutadiene polymer and a carboxylated butadiene-acrylonitrile or partially hydrogenated carboxylated butadiene acrylonitrile; wherein the polymer material has a density of 1.00-1.25 g/cm3 and a hardness of at least 55 Asker C.

Abstract: Non-petroleum based oils replace traditional process oils used in rubber compositions in general and specifically in footwear applications. The replacement oils, derived from plant or animal sources, represent a renewable resource and provide other advantages. The oils contain a sufficient level and distribution of fatty acid side chains to partially incorporate into the rubber at low levels, and to act as internal plasticizers at higher levels. Other compositions are free of silane coupling agents and additives that generate carcinogenic nitrosamines.

Abstract: An article of footwear, such as an athletic shoe, having a wear resistant outsole is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an upper secured to a sole having a ground engaging portion with a wear resistant material composed of a thermoplastic polymer blended with from 0.1% to 2% of a fluorocarbon additive. In a preferred embodiment, the sole has ground engaging protrusions or cleats with at least the tip of one cleat composed of the wear resistant material. Preferably, the wear resistant material is a blend of thermoplastic polyurethane, such as Bayer Corporation's TEXIN 285™ or DESMONPAN 8785™, blended with 0.1% to 2% perfluoropolyether, such as DuPont KRYTOX™ general purpose oils and greases having GPL oil grades from 100 to 107, and more preferably having GPL oil grades from 101 to 105, inclusive.

Abstract: A waterborne coating composition having a crosslinking agent and a dispersion of polymeric microparticles in an aqueous medium wherein the microparticles are prepared by first forming a mixture in the aqueous medium of ethylenically unsaturated monomers and a substantially hydrophobic, saturated fatty acid-containing polyester. The amount of fatty acid used to prepare the polyester ranges from about 20 to 80 weight percent of the total weight of the fatty acid-containing polyester. The fatty acid-containing polyester contains functional groups which are capable of reacting with the crosslinking agent. The mixture is particularized into microparticles by high stress techniques, followed by polymerization of polymerizable species within the microparticles to produce the polymeric microparticles. The amount of the fatty acid-containing polyester in the dispersion is at least 10 and up to 70 weight percent based on weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers and fatty acid-containing polyester.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel heat moldable composition and the process for making said composition. The inventive composition comprises a blend of gelling agents, such as thermoplastic polymers, resiliency components, such as styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene copolymer and softening agents, such as oils.

Abstract: A hot-melt adhesive for use as a shoe last adhesive, particularly one in a form for use in a direct through feed adhesive dispensing system, made from a melt-blend of a copolymer of ethylene and carboxylic acid, a synthetic wax such as a Fischer-Tropsch wax, and an ethylene/unsaturated carboxylic acid wax having a melt index of at least about 5000 dg/min.

Abstract: A flexible composite comprising a high tensile strength fibrous component dispersed within a flexible or resilient polymeric matrix, the matrix and fibrous component being essentially unbonded to each other so that the composite retains essentially the flexibility of the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: Process for the stiffening of textile or leather materials, includes (a) applying an aqueous polymer dispersion to a textile structure on the basis of a woven or nonwoven fabric, or a leather material; (b) drying the textile structure or leather material; and (c) the stiffening material thus produced is deformed and glued with the textile and leather material to be stiffened, in which an aqueous dispersion of a two-phase, sealable emulsion graft copolymer having a soft phase and a hard phase is applied. The hard phase has a glass transition temperature of Tg of at least 50.degree. C. and includes monomer units such as methyl methacrylate, styrene, diisopropyl fumarate and vinyl chloride. The soft phase has a glass transition temperature Tg of at least 30.degree. C.

Abstract: A polyisoprene elastomer has a polyisoprene content with an average molecular weight in the range of 15,000 to 70,000 and preferably 25,000 to 50,000. This has been cross-linked with an unsaturated aromatic compound and cured with a sulfur or peroxide curing system. The elastomer has an extremely low compression set (0 to 5%) and an extremely low durometer (Shore A, 0 to 20). The elastomer is lightweight, soft, flexible and durable and its properties make its shock-absorbing and shock-attenuating characteristics unique. It is therefore highly suitable for insole and/or midsole components in footwear.

Abstract: Unit soles having a high abrasion resistance are molded from a polymeric composition comprising radial (AB)--.sub.x -BA monoalkenyl arene/conjugated driene block copolymers, syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene, a hydrocarbon extending oil, and a filler.

Abstract: A ski boot consisting of an outer shell and an innerboot installed inside the outer shell. The outer shell is formed out of thermoplastic synthetic resin material mixed with a desired weight ratio of whisker. Mixing of whisker not only increases the flexural elasticity of thermoplastic synthetic resin material but also reduces the elastic distortion of the outer shell. Further, the abrasion-resistance of the outer shell is improved.

Abstract: A stiffening material composed of 30 to 80 weight percent filler particles and 70 to 20 weight percent binder which is thermoplastically deformable and has melt-adhesive properties in the temperature range of 50.degree. to 80.degree. C., wherein the filler particles are plastic particles or particles having plastic surfaces with a particle size distribution of 50 to 500 microns.

Abstract: Novel, solvent free adhesive compositions comprising a moisture curable polyurethane formed from a first component comprising a diisocyanate, and a second component comprising a substantially linear hydroxy polyester in proportions to provide a prepolymer having from 1.0 to 2.0 percent by weight --NCO groups available for reaction, and a third component comprising a monofunctional reactant present in an amount sufficient to react with 1-40 mole % of the reactive --NCO groups of the product of the prepolymer reaction. A layer of applied adhesive may be exposed to airborne moisture under relatively mild conditions to bring about chain extension of the moisture curable polyurethane, after which the layer of the adhesive composition may be heated to bring it to tacky adhesive condition. The chain extended adhesive composition is storable for at least several days without affecting the bond strength.

Abstract: An antistatic polymer blend composition and articles made therefrom are disclosed. The composition comprises, based on parts by weight: (a) polyvinyl chloride: 100 parts; (b) carboxylated nitrile terpolymer: 30-40 parts; (c) nonionic antistatic agent: 5-8 parts; (d) metallic stabilizers: 2-5 parts; (e) epoxidized oil: 5-10 parts; (f) primary plasticizer: 50-90 parts; and (g) lubricant: 1-2 parts. A method of protection against the effects or build up of antistatic electricity employing articles made from the composition of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a rubber composition that has a high capacity for absorbing energy. This rubber composition has a Shore A hardness in the range of about 20 to about 30 and is nontoxic. Thus, it has excellent properties for use in articles that come in close proximity to humans or animals which benefit from the ability to absorb energy, such as shoe soles, gun butt pads, baseball glove insert pads, helmet liners, hammer handles, horse shoe pads, tumbling mats, and the like. The energy absorbing rubber composition of this invention comprises a mixture of a polynorbornene rubber, a plasticizer, and a resin which is incompatible with the polynorbornene.

Abstract: An improved shoe insole having antibacterial and antifungal properties comprising a flexible polyurethane foam which is prepared from a reaction mixture incorporating an effective antibacterial and antifungal proportion of a pyridinethione compound.

Abstract: A neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymer is rendered amenable to adhesion utilizing typical foot sole primer/adhesive systems by incorporating into the sulfonated EPDM a syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene. The composition preferably includes process oils; inorganic fillers and preferential plasticizers for the neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymer.