Thermoformed polymeric foam articles are described herein In some embodiments, the articles are made by a manufacturing method (e.g., a continuous process) which involves the extrusion and subsequent thermoforming of a blowing agent containing thermoplastic sheet. The thermoformed polymeric foam articles may have a lower density than the precursor sheet from which they are formed. In some but not all embodiments, the precursor sheet is a multi-layer sheet which includes at least one foam layer. In such embodiments, the thermoformed articles also include multiple layers and at least one foam layer.

Process for manufacturing an applicator (3) comprising a loading/application part (4), with the succession of steps a/ a mould is provided, b/ thermoplastic elastomer material (M) with a hardness before injection of between 5 Shore A and 70 Shore A and inert gas (G) suitable for a physical foaming process are provided, c/ they are mixed, d/ the mixture is injection-moulded in the mould, e/ after the thermoplastic elastomer material has cooled and physical foaming thereof has been carried out, the filler/application part (4) which has an inner structure (11) with closed cells (11a) and a microporous surface structure (12) is removed, and with the absence of a step of depositing on the microporous surface structure (12) a flock or flock adhesion material.

A multilayer membrane comprising at least two co-extruded layers where the two co-extruded layer contain different polymers and one of the two co-extruded layers contains an extrusion additive. Examples of useful extrusion additives may include a nucleating agent or a pore-forming particulate. A method for making the membrane is also disclosed. Using an extrusion additive when co-extruding two different polymers avoids some of the drawbacks associated with processes involving the co-extrusion of different polymers, particularly processes where a co-extruded non-porous precursor is later stretched to form pores. For example, the drawback of lower permeability, difficulty to make lower Gurley, and splittiness may be improved.

The present invention relates to a mono or multi-layer biaxially oriented polypropylene film having a density of ≤0.72 g/cm.sup.3, a process for producing the mono or multi-layer biaxially oriented polypropylene film, the use of at least one natural calcium carbonate as cavitation agent in the mono or multi-layer biaxially oriented polypropylene film, an article comprising the mono or multi-layer biaxially oriented polypropylene film as well as the uses.

A process for injection molded microcellular foaming various flexible foam compositions from biodegradable and industrially compostable bio-derived thermoplastic resins for use in, for example, footwear components, seating components, protective gear components, and watersport accessories wherein a process of manufacturing includes the steps of: producing a suitable thermoplastic biopolymer or biopolymer blend; injection molding the thermoplastic biopolymer or biopolymer blend into a suitable mold shape with inert nitrogen gas; controlling the polymer melt, pressure, temperature, and time such that a desirable flexible foam is formed; and utilizing gas counterpressure in the injection molding process to ensure the optimal foam structure with the least amount of cosmetic defects and little to no plastic skin on the outside of the foamed structure.

The present invention relates to a composite material with a graded or homogeneous matrix, the production method thereof, and the uses of same.

The invention relates to a container (30), in particular a bottle (30), for storing and optionally applying a liquid, solvent-containing compositions, having a multi-layer wall (20) comprising at least one side wall of the bottle, the bottom of the bottle and optionally a discharge region at the opening of the bottle, the multi-layer wall (20) comprising at least an inner layer (21), a barrier layer (22) and an outer layer (23), the barrier layer (22) being adapted to form a barrier for oxygen and/or water vapour, the inner layer (21) and/or the outer layer (23) having a microcellular structure (24), the microcellular structure (24) having fluid bubbles (25), and the fluid bubbles (25) being product of a physically and/or chemically introduced blowing agent. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for producing a container, in particular a bottle (30) for storing and optionally applying a liquid, solvent-containing composition, having a multi-layer wall (20), as well as use of a multi-layer wall (20) for producing the container (30).

Example biodegradable tubular members and methods of producing biodegradable tubular members are described. A biodegradable product includes an elongated tubular member. The elongated tubular member includes one or more cellulose esters and a plurality of pores in the tubular member. The plurality of pores are sized and structured in the elongated tubular member to allow permeation or infiltration of at least one of water or bacteria into at least a portion of the plurality of pores and promote biodegradability of the elongated tubular member.

A method of microcellular foam molding an article is provided with, in one embodiment, filling a mold with a polyolefin compound; adding a crosslinking agent to the polyolefin compound to form a crosslinked mold; placing the crosslinked mold in a second mold having vent holes; placing the second mold in a pressure vessel; dissolving gas under high pressure to form a supercritical fluid (SCF) in the pressure vessel; effusing the SCF through the vent holes into the crosslinked mold to form a SCF permeated mold; releasing pressure of the pressure vessel to cause the SCF permeated mold to foam; and finishing a foamed article in the second mold.

A polyolefin microporous film includes: a polyethylene-based resin; and a polyolefin (B) other than polyethylene. The polyolefin microporous film has peaks at temperatures of lower than 150° C. and 150° C. or higher respectively in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). A half width of the peak at lower than 150° C. is 10° C. or lower. A puncture strength in terms of 10 μm is 2.0 N or more.