Abstract:
A method for producing a porous cross-linked polymer sheet capable of slicing quickly is provided. This method comprises a step for obtaining a porous cross-linked polymer by forming and polymerizing an HIPE, a step for dehydrating the porous cross-linked polymer, and a step for subsequently slicing the dehydrated porous cross-linked polymer. According to this invention, by performing the step of dehydration prior to the conventional step of slicing, it is made possible to prevent the porous cross-linked polymer from adhering to the blade and the guides provided for a slicer, and allow the slicing to be attained quickly. By removing the salt from the polymer, it is further made possible to prevent a production device from gathering rust and the porous cross-linked polymer from permitting adhesion of rust thereto.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for forming hinged starch-bound matrices. Starch-based compositions are molded between heated molds in order to form a cellular matrix and also to remove the water from the starch-based compositions in order to form a binding matrix of solidified starch. The molding apparatus is configured to form one or more creases within the hinge area in order to define one or more lines upon which the hinge will bend. The molding apparatus is also configured such that the region of the mold corresponding to the inner surface of the hinge area will transfer heat more slowly to the inner hinge surface, resulting in reduced thickness of the skin of the inner hinge. This increases the collapsibility, or ability of the inner surface of the hinge to fold or buckle, during the bending action. This in turn reduces the bending radius of hinge such that the hinging action exerts less strain on the outer surface of the hinge. The inner surface of the hinge may optionally be treated with glycerin or other polyols soften the inner surface. The outer surface of the hinge may optionally be coated with an elastomeric material, such as polyvinyl alcohol, in order to strengthen the outer surface and reduce its tendency to fracture during the hinging action.
Abstract:
Relatively thin, collapsed, i.e. unexpanded, polymeric foam materials that, upon contact with aqueous body fluids, expand and absorb such fluids, are disclosed. A process for consistently obtaining such relatively thin, collapsed polymeric foam materials by polymerizing a specific type of water-in-oil emulsion, commonly known as High Internal Phase Emulsions or "HIPE", is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A lightweight absorbent foam is produced using a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE), the production of which incorporates the use of capillary viscosity measurements as an in-line diagnostic for HIPE quality. The in-line diagnostics yield measurements of viscosity slope and amplitude. These measurements offer several advantages for monitoring emulsion quality, including stable high resolution measurement of hardware-independent parameters of the whole flow, without the need for sampling.
Abstract:
POROMERIC MATERIALS, PARTICULARLY LEATHER SUBSTITUTES, HAVE A NON-WOVEN BACKING AND A MICROPOROUS POLYURETHANE FILM FACING, THE INTERMEDIATE LAYER BEING A FOAM COAGULATED FROM A DISPERSION CONTAINING MORE THAN 45% RESIN BY WEIGHT AND AIR IN A VOLUMETRIC RATIO DISPERSION TO AIR OF 1:2 TO 2:1.
Abstract:
The difficulty in readily removing water from cured water-inthermosettable resin emulsions has been overcome by adding to the emulsion from about 0.005 to 10 parts per 100 parts of emulsion of a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer, nonionic surfactant wherein the hydrophobe portion of the nonionic surfactant has a molecular weight of at least about 1,000. Dewatering of the cured emulsion may be readily effected even at ambient temperatures and at elevated temperatures without cracking or damage to the porous thermoset resin.
Abstract:
Microporous sheets or molded articles, permeable to water vapor are prepared from sedimenting and redispersible aqueous polyurethanes. The dispersions are in microgel form, the particles having an average minimum diameter of from 2 to 500 microns, preferably 8 to 100 microns. A second component binds the microgel together without impairing the microporosity. The products of the invention are useful as artificial leather in the preparation of raincoats, handbags, belts, shoes, upholstery and also as vibration and sound-damping materials.