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.

A shoe component includes a foam member including a thermoplastic material and a mixed material mixed to each other, wherein the weight percentage of the thermoplastic material is 90 wt % to 99 wt %, and the weight percentage of the mixed material is 10 wt % to 1 wt %. A manufacturing method of the shoe component is also disclosed herein.

A system and method of additively manufacturing a part via salt micro-spheres. The method includes mixing salt micro-spheres with an additive manufacturing material to form an additive manufacturing material mixture. The additive manufacturing material mixture is deposited on a build platform layer by layer and cured so as to create a structure having pores formed by the salt micro-spheres. The salt micro-spheres may then be dissolved and flushed from the pores.

A process of microcellular foam molding an article includes using a modifier to modify properties of amorphous PLA, pouring the modified amorphous PLA into a high pressure vessel, dissolving an SCF in the high pressure vessel to impregnate the modified amorphous PLA in the high pressure vessel which is configured to allow the SCF to effuse through, forming foamed pellets, conveying the foamed pellets to a mold in a second vessel filled with water or oil, heating the second vessel, and cooling the second vessel until a foamed article is finished in the mold.

The present invention provides a continuous process for solid-state expansion of a biopolymer, e.g., polylactic acid, which can be used to manufacture reduced-density thermoplastic materials with improved physical and thermal properties. By incorporating multiple stages of heating into the process as a means to regulate heat flux, unprecedented control of microstructure and crystallinity can be achieved. Thermoplastic sheets with the distinct cellular characteristics imparted by the process disclosed herein were found to be thicker and stronger than materials prepared by conventional processes. Thermoforming sheets with such characteristics enabled the production of light-weight, thermally-stable, compostable products that resist warping, and are thus suitable for a range of industrial applications.

The disclosure provides an injection molding apparatus, including a mold unit, an injecting unit, and a counter pressure unit. The mold unit is adapted to provide a first cavity and a second cavity. The injecting unit is adapted to inject a first material into the first cavity to form a first molded object. The second cavity is adapted to accommodate the first molded object. The injecting unit is adapted to inject a second material into the second cavity to form a second molded object, such that the first molded object and the second molded object in the second cavity are combined. The second material is a foaming material. And the counter pressure unit is adapted to provide gas into the second cavity to increase the pressure in the second cavity.

Microporous structures in face films are described for improving printability of the films. Also described are laminates and pressure sensitive adhesive laminates including the microporous structured face films. Various related methods are additionally described.

An insulating structure for an appliance includes an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein an insulating cavity is defined therebetween. A plurality of hollow nano-spheres are disposed within the insulating cavity, wherein each of the hollow nano-spheres includes a diameter in the range of from approximately 50 nanometers to approximately 1000 nanometers and has a wall that defines the internal space, and wherein the wall of each hollow nano-sphere has a thickness that is in a range of from approximately 0.5 nanometers to approximately 100 nanometers. A fill material is disposed in the insulating cavity and wherein the fill material is disposed in the space defined between the plurality of hollow nano-spheres, and wherein the fill material includes at least one of powdered silica, granulated silica, other silica material, aerogel and insulating gas.

An ultrasound-detectable polymeric device that offers superior visibility of the body of the device and decreased ultrasound angle dependence through the use of microcavities and methods of manufacturing thereof is disclosed. These microcavities enable superior ultrasound visualization due to diffuse reflection of sound waves when compared to solid polymeric objects, ensuring that a strong signal is received at the source of the ultrasound transducer and providing strong image contrast throughout the entire cross-section of the implant that is also robust to variable angles of insonation.

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.