An apparatus for producing at least one PLA tape includes a heating device for heating a tapelike extruded PLA film. The apparatus further includes a slitting device for slitting the PLA film heated by means of the heating device into the at least one PLA tape. The apparatus further includes a control unit which is configured to control the heating device in such a way that the PLA film is heated by the heating device to a PLA temperature in the range from 40 to 70° C. The apparatus further includes a drawing device downstream of the slitting device.

Waterproof, breathable garments and methods of making are provided. The garments may include a laminate of a seamless ePTFE membrane and at least one textile. The garment is conformable over a range of sizes, and may be shaped to fit numerous sizes and shapes of forming molds. The ePTFE membrane may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, a mold having a desired size to form a garment. Such a conformable ePTFE membrane may allow for forming multiple sizes of garments with various sizes and shapes of molds. In embodiments where the ePTFE membrane is seamless and continuous, the garment eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make garments waterproof.

Waterproof, breathable garments and methods of making are provided. The garments may include a laminate of a seamless ePTFE membrane and at least one textile. The garment is conformable over a range of sizes, and may be shaped to fit numerous sizes and shapes of forming molds. The ePTFE membrane may shrink to fit, or, alternatively, be stretched to fit, a mold having a desired size to form a garment. Such a conformable ePTFE membrane may allow for forming multiple sizes of garments with various sizes and shapes of molds. In embodiments where the ePTFE membrane is seamless and continuous, the garment eliminates the need for a waterproof seam tape, which is conventionally used to make garments waterproof.

A polyolefin material that is formed by solid state drawing of a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.

An earplug assembly that includes an earplug. The assembly also includes a flexible cord extending from a first cord end to a second cord end and the first cord end fixed to the earplug, the flexible cord formed of copolymer comprising ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments. The flexible cord has an elastic modulus of 10 MPa or greater at 100% elongation.

An earplug assembly that includes an earplug. The assembly also includes a flexible cord extending from a first cord end to a second cord end and the first cord end fixed to the earplug, the flexible cord formed of copolymer comprising ethylene segments and vinyl acetate segments. The flexible cord has an elastic modulus of 10 MPa or greater at 100% elongation.

The invention relates to transparent packaging for vacuum forming, inter alia, formed from a biaxially oriented, thermoformable polyester film as lower film (A) and a biaxially oriented polyester film as upper film (B) that is both heat-sealable and peelable (at least when the material is hot) in relation to the lower film (A). The present invention further relates to the use of such packaging to produce sealed, thermoformed packs, and to the processes for their respective production.

The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.

The invention relates to a process for producing a biaxially oriented pipe by a) forming a polyethylene composition into a tube, wherein the polyethylene composition comprises high density polyethylene (HDPE) and a second polyethylene selected from linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and a combination of LLDPE and LDPE and b) stretching the tube of step a) in the axial direction and peripheral direction to obtain the biaxially oriented pipe.

A process for making a curable resin composition comprising the steps of: (1) reacting a) an isocyanate; and b) a polyol mixture with a bimodal distribution of i) a first polyol mixture comprising polyols having an average equivalent weight of from 50 to 400; and ii) a second polyol mixture comprising polyols having an average equivalent weight of from 1000 to 5000 to form a urethane prepolymer; and (2) adding a capping agent to the urethane prepolymer to form the curable resin composition.