The invention relates to heat treatment of polymorphic semicrystalline or crystallizable polymers to increase the content of the highest melting crystalline form. Such heat treatment results in a polymer powder that has a consistent, uniform melting range, improved flow and improved durability of the powder particle size for applications that require powder flow at elevated temperatures. In addition to improved powder properties, the articles produced from the powders also exhibit better physical properties in both appearance and in mechanical properties. Thus the invention also includes polymer powders and articles produced by the described processes.

The invention relates to heat treatment of polymorphic semicrystalline or crystallizable polymers to increase the content of the highest melting crystalline form. Such heat treatment results in a polymer powder that has a consistent, uniform melting range, improved flow and improved durability of the powder particle size for applications that require powder flow at elevated temperatures. In addition to improved powder properties, the articles produced from the powders also exhibit better physical properties in both appearance and in mechanical properties. Thus the invention also includes polymer powders and articles produced by the described processes.

The invention relates to heat treatment of polymorphic semicrystalline or crystallizable polymers to increase the content of the highest melting crystalline form. Such heat treatment results in a polymer powder that has a consistent, uniform melting range, improved flow and improved durability of the powder particle size for applications that require powder flow at elevated temperatures. In addition to improved powder properties, the articles produced from the powders also exhibit better physical properties in both appearance and in mechanical properties. Thus the invention also includes polymer powders and articles produced by the described processes.

The invention is directed to a foamed injection moulded article comprising a foam composition obtained by foaming high density polyethylene having a quotient of melt strength and apparent viscosity >2 cN/K.Math.Pa.Math.s wherein the melt strength is determined as described in ISO 16790:2005 and the apparent viscosity is determined as described in ISO 11443:2014.

Medical devices that are flushable in a standard toilet are disclosed. The medical devices are made at least in part of material that when introduced into water (of a toilet) disintegrate and/or fragment or are fragmentable before or after introduction into water such that they can be easily carried by the water through the disposal system. At least a portion of the device is intended for insertion into a patient or subject wherein the body-insertable portion retains its structural integrity while in use but is fragmentable once outside the body and exposed to a selected condition.

Medical devices that are flushable in a standard toilet are disclosed. The medical devices are made at least in part of material that when introduced into water (of a toilet) disintegrate and/or fragment or are fragmentable before or after introduction into water such that they can be easily carried by the water through the disposal system. At least a portion of the device is intended for insertion into a patient or subject wherein the body-insertable portion retains its structural integrity while in use but is fragmentable once outside the body and exposed to a selected condition.

A preform coating device is provided with: a rotational holding part that horizontally holds a preform and rotates the preform about the axis of the preform, and that grasps a spout of the preform; a conveyance part that conveys the preform by moving the rotational holding part; a dispenser that discharges a coating liquid toward the preform; a preform support part that supports the bottom-side end of the cylindrical barrel of the preform while the dispenser is discharging the coating liquid; and a spout support part that supports the outer circumferential surface of the spout of the preform while the dispenser is discharging the coating liquid.

A preform coating device is provided with: a rotational holding part that horizontally holds a preform and rotates the preform about the axis of the preform, and that grasps a spout of the preform; a conveyance part that conveys the preform by moving the rotational holding part; a dispenser that discharges a coating liquid toward the preform; a preform support part that supports the bottom-side end of the cylindrical barrel of the preform while the dispenser is discharging the coating liquid; and a spout support part that supports the outer circumferential surface of the spout of the preform while the dispenser is discharging the coating liquid.

Methods and apparatus to form venting channels on a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example method includes contacting an outer surface of a tool to an outer resin layer of a panel. The outer surface of the tool has protrusions. The example method includes moving the outer surface of the tool on the outer resin layer of the panel in a first direction to cause the protrusions of the tool to form first venting channels on the outer resin layer of the panel and coupling a decorative layer to the outer resin layer of the panel via an adhesive layer. The first venting channels are to vent at least one of gas or vapor away from the decorative layer to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the outer resin layer.

Methods and apparatus to form venting channels on a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example method includes contacting an outer surface of a tool to an outer resin layer of a panel. The outer surface of the tool has protrusions. The example method includes moving the outer surface of the tool on the outer resin layer of the panel in a first direction to cause the protrusions of the tool to form first venting channels on the outer resin layer of the panel and coupling a decorative layer to the outer resin layer of the panel via an adhesive layer. The first venting channels are to vent at least one of gas or vapor away from the decorative layer to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the outer resin layer.