Described herein are low protein concentration gelling compositions comprising keratin proteins.

The invention relates to a process for producing superabsorbent polymer particles, comprising surface postcrosslinking, classifying the surface postcrosslinked superabsorbent polymer particles, deagglomerating the separated oversize fraction using a roll crusher and recycling the disintegrated oversize fraction before or into the classification of the surface postcrosslinked superabsorbent polymer particles.

Polymers suitable for forming carbon nanotube-functionalized reverse thermal gel compositions, compositions including the polymers, and methods of forming and using the polymers and compositions are disclosed. The compositions have reverse thermal gelling properties and transform from a liquid/solution to a gele.g., near or below body temperature. The polymers and compositions can be injected into or proximate an area in need of treatment.

The present invention provides a water-soluble film having excellent solubility in cold water, high strength, and excellent hard-water resistance. The present invention also provides a method for simply producing such a water-soluble film. One aspect of the present invention relates to a water-soluble film including a polymer containing an anionic group other than a sulfonic acid (salt) group, and a water-soluble resin. The anionic group-containing polymer excludes an acrylic acid homopolymer. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing a water-soluble film that includes a polymer containing an anionic group other than a sulfonic acid (salt) group, and a water-soluble resin. The method includes mixing a polymer containing an anionic group other than a sulfonic acid (salt) group and a water-soluble resin.

Disclosed herein are water-soluble films and resulting packets including a water-soluble film coated by a powder, wherein the powder includes a mixture of a powdered lubricant and an active agent. Optionally, the active agent may be encapsulated, e.g. microencapsulated, for release of the active agent through mechanisms including, but not limited to, mechanical rupture, melt, ablation, dissolution, diffusion, biodegradation, or pH-controlled release. Active ingredients described include enzymes, oils, flavors, colorants, odor absorbers, fragrances, pesticides, fertilizers, activators, acid catalysts, metal catalysts, ion scavengers, bleaches, bleach components, fabric softeners and combinations thereof. Examples of packet fills include laundry detergents, bleach and laundry additives, fabric care, dishwashing, hard surface cleaning, beauty care, skin care, other personal care, and foodstuffs.

Water-soluble films made from copolymers of butene-diol and vinyl alcohol, wherein the films have improved barrier properties (such as low transmission rates for oxygen and water vapor) as well as good solubility. The water-soluble films may form at least a portion of a water-soluble unit dose article, a flexible package, and/or a personal care product or products.

Provided are superabsorbent materials composed of agar, and one or more water-soluble natural polysaccharides, and dietary compositions containing such superabsorbent materials. The disclosed superabsorbent materials have various food and therapeutic applications and can be used as loading vehicles for nutrients and therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for preparing such superabsorbent materials.

A disintegrable film is disclosed, including at least one water-soluble polymer having a molecular weight greater than about 700 kDa, and at least one water-soluble plasticizer having a molecular weight less than about 0.8 kDa. A further disintegrable film is disclosed wherein the disintegrable film is a tacky adhesive film, includes a storage modulus of about 310.sup.6 dyn/cm.sup.2 or less at 1 rad/s and 25 C., includes a disintegration resistance factor sufficient to resist disintegration for a disintegration time after contact with a disintegrating fluid, includes a tan evaluated at an angular frequency of 0.01 rad/s and 25 C. of less than about 1, the at least one water-soluble polymer constitutes between about 3 wt % to about 70 wt % of the disintegrable film, and the at least one water-soluble plasticizer constitutes between about 30 wt % to about 60 wt % of the disintegrable film.

A novel synthetic functionalized backbone polymer is provided which is a polyanionic side-chain functionalized back-bone polymer comprising a hydrophilic backbone polymer functionalized with an activated alkene or epoxy group. The functionalized backbone polymer may be combined with a free or protected thiol-containing compound to form a crosslinked hydrogel having bio-medical application, and may additionally be combined with a hydrogel matrix to yield a hydrogel system useful for in vivo delivery of cells and other therapeutic agents.

The invention relates to a classification process for superabsorbent polymer particles, comprising classifying the water-absorbent polymer particles in a screen machine under reduced pressure wherein the pressure above the uppermost sieve is from 0 to 4.0 mbar per sieve higher than below the undermost sieve.