Abstract:
The present invention relates to a plant shelter, comprising an elongate tubular body having a wall formed from a biodegradable material comprising: a matrix of natural fibres; and a bioplastic polyurethane in which the fibres are held; wherein the natural fibres comprise a woven layer. Also disclosed is a biodegradable woven sheet comprising a matrix of woven natural fibres embedded in bioplastic polyurethane for use in such a plant shelter, along with related kits. Such plant shelters may provide protection to growing plants while being enabled to break down in situ upon exposure to the elements in a timely manner.
Abstract:
Provided is a composite sheet that is particularly useful as an AQDL component in absorbent articles. The composite sheet includes a fluid acquisition component and an airlaid component. The airlaid component may include one or more airlaid layers that are successively formed overlying each other. Each of the airlaid layers are adjacent to, and in direct contact with, immediately adjacent layers of the airlaid component so that adjacent layers are in fluid communication with respect to each other. The fluid acquisition component includes a nonwoven fabric comprising a carded nonwoven fabric comprised of a plurality of staple fibers that are air through bonded to each other to form a coherent nonwoven fabric. The airlaid layer(s) include a blend of cellulose and non-cellulose staple fibers. The staple fibers may be bicomponent fibers having a polyethyelene sheath and a polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate core, and mixtures of such fibers.
Abstract:
Coated articles include a substrate and a periodic mesoporous organosilica layer adhered to a surface of the substrate. The coated articles may further include a secondary silane layer covalently attached the periodic mesoporous organosilica layer. Depending on the compositions of the layers, the combination of the periodic mesoporous organosilica layer and the secondary silane layer renders the surface of the substrate superhydrophobic or omniphobic. Methods for coating a surface of a substrate include contacting the surface with a mixture of a hydrolyzed organosilane and a poloxamer and curing the mixture on the surface to form a PMO-coated substrate. The methods may further include contacting the PMO-coated article with a secondary silane coating solution of one or more silanes, then curing the secondary silane coating solution to form a dual-coated article comprising a secondary alkylsilane layer covalently attached to the periodic mesoporous organosilica layer on the surface of the substrate.
Abstract:
A method for providing a textile product includes the steps of providing yarns, contacting the yarns with a support material to form an intermediate product and bonding the yarns to the support material to form the textile product, wherein the bonding takes place by providing a reactive nucleus precursor at a site where the yarns contact the support material, and converting the precursor into a compound having multiple reactive nuclei in the presence of a compound having multiple nucleophilic groups, as well as a textile product obtainable by the method, uses of that product and lignin for use in producing such a textile product.
Abstract:
A flame-retardant coating material and a flame-retardant substrate are provided. The flame-retardant coating material comprises: a polyurethane resin, an isocyanate compound has a plurality of isocyanate (—NCO) groups, and at least one metal hydroxide. The isocyanate groups of the isocyanate compound are linked to the polyurethane resin and the metal hydroxide, respectively. The flame-retardant coating material is halogen-free and can provide flame-retardant property and comply with environmental protection regulations.
Abstract:
Cushioning elements include a breathable material configured to allow gases to pass through at least a portion thereof, and a plurality of discrete segments of thermoplastic elastomeric gel (“gel”) heat-fused or otherwise attached to the breathable material. The gel comprises an elastomeric polymer and a plasticizer, with a plasticizer-to-polymer ratio of from about 0.3 to about 50. The plurality of discrete segments defines at least one breathable gap between adjacent discrete segments. Methods of forming cushioning elements include forming a plurality of discrete segments of gel, securing each segment to a breathable material, and providing a gas path through the breathable material and between adjacent segments. Another method includes providing molten gel within a mold, providing at least a second portion of the gel within a permeable material, and solidifying the gel to form discrete segments of gel.