The present invention relates to a polymeric composition suitable for watercrafts or nautical applications. The present invention relates also the use of a transparent polymeric composition for watercrafts. More particularly the present invention relates to a transparent (meth)acrylic polymer composition and relates also to a process for preparing such a (meth)acrylic polymer composition, its use in watercrafts and watercraft comprising it.

Provided is a block copolymer comprising a polymer block (A) formed from repeating units of formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is methyl or ethyl, and a polymer block (B) formed from repeating units of formula (II): ##STR00002## as well as a hydrogel comprising the block copolymer.

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.

Methods and systems are provided for forming a molded foam article. An example method may include molding a plurality of separate pieces of closed-cell foam by exposure to a temperature cycle within a sealed mold to soften the plurality of pieces sufficiently for physical bonding; and forming a molded foam article with the pieces bonded together without an adhesive, wherein, during the temperature cycle, the mold is unsealed at least once to release gases and/or pressure. In another example, a method includes exposing a filled, sealed mold filled with a plurality of pieces of foamed material to a heating cycle; at a threshold temperature, unsealing the filled, sealed mold until a pressure reduces to within a threshold of atmospheric pressure; and, following the unsealing, cooling the filled mold prior to removing a molded foam article.

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.

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.

Methods of additive manufacturing using noble metals and/or copper metal, and binder compositions for use during the additive manufacturing methods, are generally described. In some instances, the methods of additive manufacturing include de-binding (and in some cases sintering steps) that afford metal-based composites, de-bound metal structures, and metal objects containing noble metals (e.g., silver, gold, platinum) and/or copper that have improved properties, such as relatively high densities. In certain aspects, combinations of certain metal powders (e.g., noble metal and/or copper powders) with certain binder compositions may result in improved properties of resulting metal objects produced by the additive manufacturing process, such as relatively low surface roughnesses. The binder compositions described may include a low molecular weight polymer (e.g., including an acrylic acid repeat unit) and, in some cases, a cross-linking agent.

An apparatus for the thermo-forming and/or thermo-adhesive bonding of semi-finished products comprises: an oven (6) having walls (8, 9, 11, 12) delimiting a chamber (13) configured for housing at least one semi-finished product (4); devices (15, 16, 20) for generating a flow of heated fluid; wherein at least one of the walls (11) has a plurality of openings (19) in fluid communication with the devices (15, 16, 20). Baffles (23) and/or closing elements (24) are mounted near at least some of the openings (19). The baffles (23) are configured to divert the heated fluid leaving the openings (19). The closing elements (24) are configured to obstruct some of the openings (19). The baffles (23) and/or the closing elements (24) are movable with respect to the walls (11) and/or they are replaceable, in order to change conditions of the flow of heated fluid in the chamber (13).

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 present disclosure provides a process. In an embodiment, the process includes providing a foamable composition. The foamable composition includes an ethylene-based elastomer, a blowing agent, and a peroxide. The process includes heating the foamable composition to form a pliable formulation. The pliable formulation has (i) a viscosity (0.1 rad/s at 180 C.) from greater than 70,000 Pa.Math.s to 2,000,000 Pa.Math.s, (ii) a tan delta (0.1 rad/s at 180 C.) from 0.2 to less than 2, (iii) a strain hardening index greater than 2.5 to 6, and (iv) an extensional viscosity (1 s.sup.1 at 180 C.) from greater than 400,000 Pa-s to 7,000,000 Pa-s. The process includes introducing the pliable formulation into a mold having an expandable mold cavity and unidirectionally expanding the expandable mold to form a crosslinked foam article. The process includes cooling, in the expanded mold, the crosslinked foam article; and removing the crosslinked foam article from the expandable mold.