Provided is a method for producing a V-ribbed belt having a plurality of V-shaped ribs extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in a width direction. The method includes: setting a shaped structure having a plurality of ridges arranged adjacent to one another in a belt mold including a plurality of compressed rubber layer-shaping grooves arranged adjacent to one another on an inner peripheral surface of the mold; molding a belt slab by crosslinking the shaped structure set in the mold, while compressed rubber layer-forming portions face radially outward and are fitted in the compressed rubber layer-shaping grooves, the compressed rubber layer-forming portions comprised of a surface rubber layer and a core rubber layer which are to constitute surface and inner portions, respectively; and cutting the belt slab into ring-shaped pieces having two or more of the compressed rubber layer-forming portions.

A process for the continuous and solvent-free production of a pressure-sensitive adhesive based on solid EPDM rubber, the pressure-sensitive adhesive produced thereby, and an adhesive tape containing the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is produced in a continuously operating assembly in the form of a planetary roller extruder having a filling section and a compounding section, the compounding section consisting of at least two coupled roller cylinders, by

a) feeding the solid EPDM rubber and any further components into the filling section of the planetary roller extruder,
b) transferring the components from the filling section into the compounding section,
c) adding liquid EPDM rubber, plasticizer, tackifier resin, and any further components to the compounding section, and
d) discharging the resultant pressure-sensitive adhesive,
which process comprises feeding the solid EPDM rubber as a melt into the filling section.

A shaped structure and a fabric material are set in a belt mold such that the shaped structure and the fabric material are respectively positioned inside and outside with respect to each other. While each of compression layer-forming portions comprised of ridges of the shaped structure covered with the fabric material is fitted in an associated one of compression layer-shaping grooves of the belt mold, the shaped structure is pressed toward the belt mold and heated to be crosslinked, and integrated with the fabric material, thereby molding a cylindrical belt slab. The belt slab is cut into ring-shaped pieces having two or more of the compression layer-forming portions.

The present invention describes compostable or biobased foams that are useful for fabricating foamed articles and methods for producing the same. The foams are produced using a compound comprising a compostable or biobased polyester and a blowing agent. Additives including plasticizers and chain extenders are optionally included in the compostable or biobased composition. These foams can be produced using conventional melt processing techniques, such as single and twin-screw extrusion processes. In one embodiment, foamed strand profiles are cooled and cut using conventional strand pelletizing equipment. In another embodiment, foamed beads are produced by cutting the foamed strand at the face of the extrusion die and the foamed bead or strand is subsequently cooled. The resulting compostable or biobased foamed bead has a specific gravity less than 0.15 g/cm.sup.3 and the foam is compostable, as determined by ASTM D6400.

The disclosure relates to a method for producing an extruded sheet, which includes: a) providing calcium carbonate (CaCO3) powder; b) providing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) powder; c) providing additives as stabilisers, e) heating the mixture until the PVC softens to form a kneadable mass and the CaCO3 at least partially bonds to the PVC; f) cooling the mass; g) conveying the mass to an extruder; h) melting and extruding the mass by means of an extruder and moulding into a sheet by means of a slotted nozzle; i) pressing the still-warm sheet to a desired final thickness by means of at least two calendar rolls; and j) at least one layer of a pigmented lacquer is applied to the upper side; and k) an additional lacquer is applied to the pigmented lacquer to increase the scratch resistance.

Anti-fog compositions comprising a primary film having opposing major planar surfaces and a central coplanar region, and processes for making such anti-fog compositions. The central coplanar region is disposed between the opposing major planar surfaces. The primary film comprises cellulose acetate, plasticizer, and an anti-blocking agent. The anti-blocking agent has an average particle size ranging from 0.02 microns to 6 microns. The cellulose acetate has a degree of substitution that increases from the opposing major planar surfaces toward the central coplanar region or that is substantially constant throughout the thickness of the composition. The composition is formed by saponifying a precursor film to improve hydrophilicity.

Anti-fog compositions comprising a primary film having opposing major planar surfaces and a central coplanar region disposed between the opposing major planar surfaces and comprising cellulose acetate and a plasticizer. The cellulose acetate may have a degree of substitution less than 2.6. The plasticizer may be selected from the group consisting of 1,2,3-triacetoxypropane (triacetin), tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, triphenyl phosphate, tris(clorisopropyl)phosphate, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, bornan-2-one, PEG-DGE, PPG-DGE, tributyl phosphate, and combinations thereof. The primary film has a thickness greater than 90 microns.

A needle shield remover for a medicament delivery device is presented that has a metal tubular body, a proximal part, a distal part, and a substantially circular cross-section, where the tubular body is arranged with a slot extending from a distal end of the body, at least half the length of the body, towards a proximal end, such that at least the distal part of the body may flex radially outwards to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force on a needle shield accommodated by the body.

An example of a multi-fluid kit for three-dimensional (3D) printing includes an elasticity agent to be applied to at least a portion of a build material composition during 3D printing and a fusing agent to be applied to the at least the portion of the build material composition during 3D printing. The elasticity agent includes a plasticizer having: a formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein n is an integer ranging from 3 to 8; or a formula (II):

##STR00002##

wherein m is an integer ranging from 3 to 8. The fusing agent includes an energy absorber.

Processes are disclosed for recovering stiff poly(vinyl butyral) from a plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) multilayer sheet containing the stiff poly(vinyl butyral) and soft poly(vinyl butyral). The processes include grinding the plasticized poly(vinyl butyral) multilayer sheet to obtain a granulate; adding additional plasticizer to the granulate to remove at least a portion of the soft poly(vinyl butyral); and physically separating the granulate from the resulting solution.