Flow Polymers, Inc.

Polymer Innovations, Inc.

Perfect Impression Footwear Company

James W Hoover

Aaron Scott Puhala

Maurice E Wheeler

James V Fusco

William H Weber

Dan T Moore

Xiaofan Luo

Harvey Lewis Kaufman

Michael S Ivany

E Timothy McDonel

Pamela S MacMillan

Cameron R Fraser

Deborah L James

This invention is based upon the discovery that hydroxylated carboxylic acids which contain at least 17 carbon atoms and zinc, aluminum or alkaline earth metal salts thereof, such as zinc ricinoleate, act effectively as deodorants in asphalt and asphalt containing compositions. The present invention more specifically discloses an asphalt additive composition which is comprised of (1) an asphalt, (2) 0.05 weight percent to about 4 weight percent of a partitioning agent, and (3) at least 0.1 weight percent of a deodorant selected from the group consisting of (a) a hydroxylated carboxylic acid which contains at least 17 carbon atoms and (b) an aluminum, zinc, or alkaline earth metal salt of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid which contains at least 17 carbon atoms. In many applications it is beneficial for the asphalt additive composition to further include 0.5 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of a polymer additive.

Deodorized asphalt additive composition

This invention is based upon the discovery that a hydroxylated carboxylic acids which contain at least 17 carbon atoms and zinc, aluminium, or alkaline earth metal salts thereof, such as zinc ricinoleate, act effectively as deodorants in asphalt and asphalt containing compositions. The present invention more specifically discloses an asphalt additive composition which is comprised of (1) an asphalt, (2) 0.05 weight percent to about 4 weight percent of a partitioning agent, and (3) at least 0.1 weight percent of a deodorant selected from the group consisting of (a) a hydroxylated carboxylic acid which contains at least 17 carbon atoms and (b) an aluminium, zinc, or alkaline earth metal salt of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid which contains at least 17 carbon atoms. In many applications it is beneficial for the asphalt additive composition to further include 0.5 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of a polymer additive.

This invention is based upon the discovery that activated carbon can be used to sequester polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that may be present in asphalt and creosote compositions. The treatment of asphalt and creosote compositions with activated carbon accordingly reduces the level of free polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in such compositions by sequestering them therein or removing them from the composition. After being sequestered the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons remain trapped in the asphalt or creosote composition, and are not available to the environment during normal processing into useful industrial products. This sequestration reduces the risk of exposing humans and the environment to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which would otherwise be free to migrate from the asphalt or creosote product during manufacturing and the service life of the product. In other words, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are absorbed onto the activated carbon and are not available for bioaccumulation from the environment.

Sequestering polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in asphalt

A solid calcium oxide desiccant dispersion for use in rubber compounds. The dispersion comprises 30-94 weight percent calcium oxide and 3-55 weight percent asphalt and optionally 0.5-12 weight percent fatty acid agent and 0.5-14 weight percent plasticizer. The dispersion is added to rubber compounds at the rate of 1-20 parts per hundred parts rubber.

Desiccant dispersion for rubber compounds

A solid coupling agent for use in a vulcanizable rubber compound containing siliceous filler. The coupling agent includes an organosilane, a powderizing agent, and a fatty acid dispersion aid including fatty acid and a salt-forming agent.

Coupling agent composition

A non-phenolic tackifier compound which includes starch and asphalt, and is substantially free of cross-linked fatty acids. Preferably, the tackifier compound further includes a hydrocarbon tackifying resin, and a binding resin composed of a styrene copolymer, or an ethylene copolymer.

Non-phenolic rubber tackifier

A method of reducing fouling of a mold caused by vulcanization of a rubber compound in the mold. Pursuant to the method, about 0.2-20 phr of a fouling inhibitor composition comprising starch is added to the rubber compound before the rubber compound is vulcanized in the mold. The fouling inhibitor composition is substantially free of cross-linked fatty acids, asphalt, tackifying resins, and synthetic plasticizers. More molding cycles can be run before the mold is cleaned.

Method for reducing mold fouling

A zinc oxide dispersion for use in rubber compounds having at least 40, preferably 74-92, weight percent zinc oxide powder and at least five weight percent of a binder selected from the group consisting of asphalt and terpene tackifiers. The dispersion also preferably includes at least 0.5 weight percent stearifying agent such as stearic acid.

Zinc oxide dispersion

An additive for latex rubber compounds is provided, the additive comprising crosslinked fatty acid and preferably lightweight microcellular filler, preferably expanded perlite. The additive is prepared as an aqueous emulsion and increases tear resistance in latex rubber compounds.

Latex rubber additive and latex rubber compounds

Footwear such as a shoe or boot has an upper, an outsole and an insole. The insole comprises a layer of thermoplastic material and a heater member. The heater member is capable of generating heat by being energized by electrical energy and is capable upon being energized of effectively heating and softening the thermoplastic material so that the insole may be conformed to the shape of the underside of a foot of a person, in order to provide a custom-fitting footbed and custom-fitting footwear. The heater member preferably includes an etched foil heating element which heats by electrical resistance.

Custom-fitting footwear

A removable insole is provided which includes a layer of thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material preferably including ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene vinyl acetate modified by the addition of carbonyl groups. A custom-fitting insole is preferably produced by heating a substantially flat insole in a microwave oven until the thermoplastic material softens, placing the heated insole in a shoe, and having a person insert their foot into the shoe and walk around to form an impression.

Insole

A rubber additive is provided, which comprises crosslinked fatty acid and starch, and preferably further comprises a carrier, preferably an asphalt carrier. The rubber additive increases tear resistance when added to a rubber compound.

Rubber additive and rubber compounds

A method of producing a custom-fitting article such as a custom-fitting footbed (for example, a removable insole), a custom-fitting hand grip, a custom-fitting body pad, and a custom-fitting orthopedic cast. A member for producing same and a composition for use in connection therewith are also provided. A member, such as a gel pad or gel-filled envelope, is provided which comprises a body of formable material having a minimum setting temperature greater than 130.degree. F. and being setable by heating for a period not exceeding 30 minutes and subsequent cooling. The member is conformed by biasing it against a body part of a person or mammal with sufficient pressure to conform the member to the shape of the body part. The member is then heated for a period not exceeding 30 minutes and thereafter cooled so that the formable material is set and the member remains flexible while resiliently retaining an impression of the body part. The composition preferably comprises uncured silicone rubber, an effect amount of crosslinking agent, and effective amounts of a) fine powder ethylene copolymer or terpolymer or a mixture thereof and b) liquid plasticizer.

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Akron, OH, United States of America

James W Hoover