A multilayer foam film with an enhanced perceived surface whiteness comprising for light-blocking, signage, and general packaging application is disclosed. In an embodiment, the film has a bulk density of less than 0.962 gr/cm.sup.3 wherein more than 50% of the cells in the foam layer are closed cells. In an embodiment, the multilayer foam film has a thickness greater than 1 mil and one of the solid skin layers contains white pigment. In another embodiment the white skin layer has a skin whiteness value of greater than 80 according to ASTM E313-73, and a skin layer tint value of less than 1 according to ASTM E313-73, and The lightness value (L*) of the white skin layer of greater than 90 in CIE L*a*b* dimension according to ASTM E308. In an embodiment, the film has a very smooth surface with a smoothness value of less than 25 in Sheffield smoothness unit configuration according to TAPPI T 538.

A microcellular shoe stiffener has at least one adhesive layer coextruded with and carried on a stiffener core. A liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, is introduced into the extruder for the stiffener core to produce a closed cell foam with a gaseous component. The gas reduces the weight and cost of the stiffener with out significantly reducing stiffness and resiliency.

The invention(s) disclosed herein relate to improved methods and materials for manufacturing biodegradable, compostable filler materials for packing, shipping and storage. The filler materials disclosed herein are made of all-natural elements and may be manufactured from readily available food-waste or other plant-based waste materials. These materials are also rapidly decomposable and have a reduced environmental impact compared to other known packing materials.

A therapeutic, fitness, and sports enhancement device which includes a cylindrically shaped body having a predetermined density and predetermined diameter, the body including a plurality of projections of a predetermined shape. One or more of the predetermined density and the predetermined diameter in combination with the predetermined shape of the projections optimize mobilization of soft tissue structures of the human body.

The process for forming closed cell expanded low density polyethylene foam includes the steps of: providing a mixture including low density polyethylene pellets and an effective amount of hydrocarbon scavenger additives or degassing agents, such as glycerides; adding a primary blowing agent comprising one of liquid propane, liquid butane, and combinations thereof, to the mixture and gasifying the blowing agent to expand the low density polyethylene; forming the expanded low density polyethylene into sheets, curing the expanded low density polyethylene until 80%, generally at least 99%, of the primary blowing agent is dissipated from cells within the expanded low density polyethylene forming evacuated closed cell low density polyethylene sheets.

Aspects hereof provide methods for molding a single-phase solution comprised of a polymer composition and a gas. The polymer composition and the gas are maintained under pressure during the molding operation to prevent a cellular structure from being formed by the dissolved gas in the polymer composition coming out of solution. The mold cavity in which the single-phase solution is introduced for molding purposes is pressurized to a mold pressure that is sufficient to maintain the single-phase solution as a single-phase solution as the mold cavity is filled. Subsequent to filling the mold cavity with the single-phase solution under pressure, the resulting article may be exposed to a reduction in pressure causing the entrapped gas to form a cellular structure.

Composite materials having superior material properties useful as impact absorbing devices can be fabricated by embedding a lattice structure (e.g., polymer lattice structure) within a foam, so that the foam reinforces the lattice structure under impact. Materials and dimensions of the foam and the lattice structure may be selected to achieve composite materials having tailored impact absorbing elastic and/or viscoelastic responses over a wide range of temperatures.

A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) foam having a soft open-cell inner layer and a washable closed-cell outer layer which surrounds and substantially seals the inner layer, and which may be used alone or in combination with other components to produce useful articles. The TPE foam includes a base resin which is a styrenic block copolymer, and a foaming agent. A process of forming and molding the TPE foam includes using a shutoff nozzle to prevent the foaming agent from activating before reaching the mold cavity, using an oversized gate to minimize shear heat, and using oversized vents. An earplug may be constructed by molding the TPE foam over a core or body formed from a material which is denser than the TPE foam. A first earplug design may employ a constrained layer damping effect, while a second earplug design may employ an adjustable sound attenuation effect.

Core for a composite material sandwich panel, the core having a rectangular array of aligned elongate elements, composed of balsa wood, in a continuous matrix of a polymeric foam which has been moulded around the elements, wherein the elements each have a polygonal cross-section, the matrix filling voids between adjacent elements and bonding together the elements to form a unitary body and the array of elements extends between the opposite major surfaces in a thickness direction of the core and wherein woodgrain of the elements extends in the thickness direction.

Aspects hereof provide methods for molding a single-phase solution comprised of a polymer composition and a gas. The polymer composition and the gas are maintained under pressure during the molding operation to prevent a cellular structure from being formed by the dissolved gas in the polymer composition coming out of solution. The mold cavity in which the single-phase solution is introduced for molding purposes is pressurized to a mold pressure that is sufficient to maintain the single-phase solution as a single-phase solution as the mold cavity is filled. Subsequent to filling the mold cavity with the single-phase solution under pressure, the resulting article may solidify entrapping the compressed gas, or the article may be exposed to a reduction in pressure causing the entrapped gas to form a cellular structure.