A flexible discontinuous process produces a series of at least two articles containing thermally insulating polyurethane foam from at least three streams (A), (B) and (C). The process involves mixing the at least three streams with different mixing ratios and injecting the mixture into cavities of the articles. A production unit can be used for performing this process.

Provided is a method of recycling an additively manufactured object into a reusable thermoplastic polymer, which method in some embodiments may include: (a) providing at least one additively manufactured object produced by stereolithography from a dual cure resin, the object comprising (i) a light polymerized polymer, and (ii) a heat polymerized polymer intermixed with said light polymerized polymer; (b) comminuting the object to produce a particulate material therefrom; (c) contacting the particulate material to a polar, aprotic solvent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to extract the heat polymerized polymer from the particulate material into said solvent, leaving residual particulate material comprising said light polymerized polymer in solid form; (d) separating the residual particulate material from said solvent; and then (e) separating the heat polymerized polymer from said solvent to provide a reusable thermoplastic polymer material in solid form.

Improved soles and insoles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In an aspect, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with at least a first and a second surface region is provided. The first surface region comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The second surface region is free from expanded TPU.

The present invention provides multi-layer articles for use as a rail tie footings comprising, as the tie, an elongate rigid body having a substantially planar surface, and on the substantially planar surface comprising a a microcellular foam elastomeric pad, for example, of a substantially organic solvent free polyurethane, wherein the substantially planar surface has a peripheral landing on which there is no elastomeric pad and the elastomeric pad has a bulk density (ASTM D3676) of from 600 to 2000 Kg/m3 (0.6 to 2.0 g/cm3). In addition, the present invention provides molding methods wherein the microcellular foam elastomeric pad is molded directly on the rail tie to form a durable footing, wherein the rail tie forms the bottom boundary of a molding chamber during molding and molding comprises forming the top and side boundaries of the molding chamber by inflating an annular pneumatic seal, positioning the seal on the substantially planar surface of the elongate rigid body and keeping the microcellular foam forming materials under pressure during molding.

Intravascular inflatable medical devices and their methods of manufacture and use. The inflatable medical devices may include a conduit that includes an inflatable wall, with the inflatable wall defining a lumen therein. The inflatable wall may include an outer layer and an inner layer, and optionally an intermediate layer between the inner and layers. Intermediate layers may include one or more couplings between the outer and inner layers, and may include radial connectors extending between the outer layer and the inner layer.

Intravascular inflatable medical devices and their methods of manufacture and use. The inflatable medical devices may include a conduit that includes an inflatable wall, with the inflatable wall defining a lumen therein. The inflatable wall may include an outer layer and an inner layer, and optionally an intermediate layer between the inner and layers. Intermediate layers may include one or more couplings between the outer and inner layers, and may include radial connectors extending between the outer layer and the inner layer.

Elastomeric articles, such as gloves, made from more than one layer, are provided. The gloves can include a first (grip side) layer in which a first colorant is compounded or integrated and a second (donning side) layer in which a second colorant is compounded or integrated. Alternatively, the gloves can include a translucent first layer and a second layer in which a colorant is compounded or integrated. Either arrangement can enable a breach of the first layer to be more easily detected, either due to the high level of contrast between the first layer and the second when a first colorant and a second colorant are utilized, or due to the translucence of the first layer as compared to the donning side layer, where the intensity of the second layer is increased upon a breach of the translucent first layer.

Disclosed herein are kits for use in adding degradable foam to a tire, methods for preparing a degradable foam-containing tire, tires containing degradable foam, and methods for degrading the degradable foam in tires containing degradable foam. The degradable foam comprises a combination of (i) at least one di- or polyisocyanate, (ii) at least one polysiloxane diol, at least one polysiloxane diamine, or a combination thereof, and (iii) optionally at least one polyol.

A method of manufacturing a component for a gas turbine engine includes applying a thermoplastic polymer sheet over a composite body for the component; applying a shield over part of the composite body, the shield terminating at an end which overlies the thermoplastic polymer sheet and defines an interface between shielded and unshielded regions of the component; and pressing the shield into the thermoplastic polymer sheet so that the thermoplastic polymer sheet deforms around the end of the shield, such that the exterior profile of the component at the interface between the shielded and unshielded regions is flush.

The subject matter relates generally to devices configured to be attached to fingers and/or the hands of persons and which may aid in the playing of musical instruments. These devices are custom made to fit the fingers of a particular musician or aspiring musician precisely and optionally include an additional feature or element at the tip which beneficially improves the ability to play. These devices also may protect the fingers from the adverse effects of prolonged playing. These devices may be used independently on each finger, or may be combined together into a glove with the finger devices attached to the rest of a custom fitting glove.