The present invention is a method for manufacturing inflatable articles, or bladders for inflatable articles, that is time-efficient, simple, inexpensive and permits the uninterrupted manufacture of numerous and even customized article or bladder configurations and sizes, without expensive configuration-specific, metal tooling. The method includes the steps of applying a barrier material to a side of a first film, providing a second film with the first film so that the barrier material is disposed between the first and second films, adhering the first film to the second film so that the films are sealed together in areas except where the barrier material has been applied to form at least one inflatable compartment and sealed peripheral edge, and cutting along the sealed peripheral edge to form an inflatable article or bladder for use in an article of manufacture. The barrier material may be a paint, ink, paper or surface treatment that effectively prevents the first film from adhering to the second. The inflatable article or bladder of the present invention may be used as or in athletic equipment, for example, including footwear.

The present invention relates to a process for devolatilising polymer-containing media such as, in particular, polymer melts, polymer solutions and dispersions and also devolatilisation apparatuses for carrying out the abovementioned process.

A system and method for protecting metal and concrete structures from bacteria-induced corrosion, wherein the method includes creating a viscoelastic, self-healing wrapping material configured to encapsulate a metal structure or a concrete structure by combining a thermoplastic blend, at least one filler, at least one paraffinic oil, and at least one biocide formulated to be effective against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, wherein the anaerobic bacteria includes sulfate-reducing bacteria; wrapping an exterior surface of a metal structure or a concrete structure with the viscoelastic, self-healing wrapping material; and placing the wrapped metal structure or concrete structure in an operational environment, wherein the viscoelastic, self-healing wrapping material is operative to prevent or greatly reduce corrosion of the metal structure or concrete structure caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria occurring or located in the operational environment.

A gasket (13) for use in a medical syringe is provided, which includes a main body (14) made of an elastic material, and a lamination film (15) provided on a surface of the main body (14). The gasket (13) has a circumferential surface portion (17) to be kept in contact with an inner peripheral surface of a syringe barrel (11) of the syringe. The gasket (13) has a groove (22) provided in the circumferential surface portion (17) thereof as extending circumferentially thereof. The groove (22) has a depth of not less than 0.8D (m), preferably not less than D (m), wherein D (m) is the thickness of a portion of the lamination film (15) present in the circumferential surface portion (17) of the gasket (13).

A system including a polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet comprises a base sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and a multiplicity of spaced rails projecting from the first surface of the base sheet. The rails comprise a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the first surface of the base sheet and a top portion on the distal end of the stem opposite the base sheet. The top portion comprises a first surface opposite the base sheet and a second surface facing the first surface of the base sheet. Additionally, the rails have a length greater than the width of the stems. The first surface of the base sheet, the second surface of the top portion and the surface of the stem defines a cavity with walls, and an adhesive coated on at least a portion of the cavity wall.

This invention relates to the preparation of a dynamically vulcanized alloy comprising at least one elastomer and at least one thermoplastic resin. More specifically, the process produces dynamically vulcanized alloys with unique morphological features which have good impermeability and low temperature flexibility. In the process, the thermoplastic resin is added into the extruder in two stages with an intermediate addition of a compatibilizer. Also during the final addition of thermoplastic resin, the elastomeric curatives are added to the extruder.

This invention relates to the preparation of a dynamically vulcanized alloy comprising at least one elastomer and at least one thermoplastic resin, having a G at 1% strain and 100 C. as determined according to ASTM D7605 of about 4,500 to about 7,500 kPa. More specifically, the process produces dynamically vulcanized alloys with unique morphological features which have good impermeability and low temperature flexibility. In the process, the thermoplastic resin is added into the extruder in two stages with an intermediate addition of a compatibilizer. Also during the final addition of thermoplastic resin, the elastomeric curatives are added to the extruder.

A technique of manufacturing an elastomeric container closure or plunger with embedded functional components to avoid thermal damage to the components is described. The technique includes molding a drug-contacting part from a first material at a first temperature and for a first length of time defining a first thermal exposure; after molding the drug-contacting part, inserting ancillary components into the drug-contacting part, where the ancillary components have an operational thermal budget less than the first thermal exposure; and overmolding the drug-contracting part and the ancillary components with a second material at a second temperature for a second length of time to form a non-drug-contacting part that mechanically connects the non-drug-contacting part and the drug-contacting part to form the elastomeric container closure and seals the ancillary components inside the elastomeric container closure. The overmolding defines a thermal exposure less than the operational thermal budget of the ancillary components.