Abstract

Described herein are methods for producing guayule seeds, guayule plants, and products generated therefrom. More specifically, the disclosure provides methods for the production of viable seeds from apomictic guayule plants, seeds produced by such methods, plants grown from such seeds, plant parts, biomass, and biomaterials derived therefrom.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01H 5/10 - Seeds
• A01H 5/00 - Angiosperms, i.e. flowering plants, characterised by their plant partsAngiosperms characterised otherwise than by their botanic taxonomy
• A01H 1/02 - Methods or apparatus for hybridisationArtificial pollination
• C08L 7/02 - Latex
• C08J 5/00 - Manufacture of articles or shaped materials containing macromolecular substances

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to materials and methods useful for improving the efficacy of a plant breeding program such as, for example, the method for producing hybrid seeds in a facultative apomictic crop species, which in turns are useful for, for example, commercial production of highly uniform hybrid progeny. Hybrid seeds produced by such improved breeding methods, and plant grown from such hybrid seeds are also within the scope of the present invention. The disclosure further relates to processes for making a plant-derived product derived from any of the foregoing hybrid plants, and plant-derived products produced by such processes.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01H 1/00 - Processes for modifying genotypes

Abstract

Some embodiments of the invention include a process for separating rubber, resin and bagasse from at least a portion of a rubber producing plant including the steps of providing a plant portion and at least partially homogenizing the plant portion in the presence of a resin- solubilizing medium, and extracting rubber using a rubber solubilizing solvent. In some embodiments, the plant portion can include an antioxidant, that in some embodiments, the includes a substantially non-staining antioxidant. Some other embodiments include a process for separating rubber, resin and bagasse from a rubber producing plant comprising the steps of providing a plant portion and applying at least one antioxidant to at least a fraction of the plant portion, milling the plant portion with a milling solvent, and separating rubber form resin using phase separation fractionation. Some embodiments include separation of bagasse and resin components and one or more solvent recovery steps.

IPC Classes  ?

• C08C 1/02 - Chemical or physical treatment of rubber latex before or during concentration
• C08C 1/04 - PurifyingDeproteinising
• C08L 7/00 - Compositions of natural rubber

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a method of processing natural rubber latex using an extruder including a plurality of process zones by processing coagulant with latex to produce a coagulum and serum. In some embodiments, the coagulant can include an acid, a metal salt, or a mixture of both. Some embodiments can include a coagulum wash stage, and a deresination step. In some embodiments, the extruder can be operated to move coagulum through the extruder to remove at least some fraction of water to form a substantially dewatered coagulum, and a drying step to form a dried coagulum. In some embodiments, a stabilizer such as an antioxidant can be introduced into the extruder, and processed to remain in some fraction in the dried coagulum. Some alternative embodiments include a latex processing method of providing a flow of coagulant, and combining latex with the flowing using an emulsion dispensing bar.

IPC Classes  ?

• C08C 1/00 - Treatment of rubber latex
• C08C 1/02 - Chemical or physical treatment of rubber latex before or during concentration
• C08L 7/02 - Latex

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a formula and process for making elastomeric rubber thin film articles. In particular, the formula and process is a system which produces non-Hevea or Guayule natural rubber latex (GNRL) thin film articles which have a thickness of 30-80 microns (0.03-0.08mm), and preferably less than 40 microns (0.04mm). These thin film articles exhibit physical strength properties similar to that of Hevea brazilensis natural rubber latex (NRL). More specifically, the disclosed thin rubber thin film articles exhibit unaged tensile strength of at least 24 MPa (about 3500 psi) and aged tensile strength of at least 19 MPa (about 2800 psi).

IPC Classes  ?

• C08G 83/00 - Macromolecular compounds not provided for in groups

Abstract

A novel two-layer endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff for the prevention of pneumonia is disclosed. The disclosed two-layer ETT comprises a standard HVLP cuff covered with a second layer of elastomeric material with a sterile gel inserted between the layers. The two-layer cuff forms no folds when inflated in the trachea and prevents leakage, substantially reducing the risk for pneumonia attributable to standard ETT cuffs.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61M 16/00 - Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators Tracheal tubes

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a method of rapid expanded solvent extraction of biopolymers, such as rubber, from plant materials, such as guayule, using an expanded hexane solvent. As is illustrated herein, the use of the expanded hexane solvent results in a markedly more efficient and rapid extraction process over other supercritical carbon dioxide extraction systems, including those systems using a hexane cosolvent.

IPC Classes  ?

• C08G 83/00 - Macromolecular compounds not provided for in groups

Abstract

A method for preparing multipolymers of guayule resin with methacrylic, acrylic, vinyl and styrenic monomers and the resultant compositions are disclosed. As a result of the multipolymerization, the physical and chemical properties of the resin are improved. The primary advantage of multipolymerization over mixtures of resin with homopolymers is that it leads to a homogeneous material, the properties of which can be regulated by adjusting the ratio of the concentration of monomers in the feed. One attractive feature is the production of low viscosity resins with reactive groups that can compete directly with oligomers and macro-monomers used in solventless inks, coatings and adhesives. The low cost of the resin, a byproduct from the extraction of hypoallergenic rubber from guayule and other plants bearing rubber or rubber- like hydrocarbons provides for hybrid low molecular weight copolymers that are cost competitive with state-of-the-art oligomers.

IPC Classes  ?

• C08L 93/00 - Compositions of natural resinsCompositions of derivatives thereof

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein relates to a process for making elastomeric rubber articles, and in particular, the process of producing such articles from non-Hevea brazilensis rubber sources, such as Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) natural rubber that exhibits physical strength properties similar to or superior to that of Hevea brazilensis natural rubber latex. In one embodiment, the process comprises an accelerator composition at the pre-cure stage comprised of variable combinations of a dithiocarbamate, a thiazole, a guanidine, a thiuram, or a sulfenamide. The accelerator composition may be comprised of, but is not limited to, zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), t-butyl benzothiazosulfenamide (TBBS) and diphenyl guanidine (DPG); an accelerator composition comprised of zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), n-cyclohexyl benzothiazosulfenamide (CBTS) and diphenyl guanidine (DPG). The disclosed invention also includes the elastomeric articles made by the disclosed process.

IPC Classes  ?

• C08G 83/00 - Macromolecular compounds not provided for in groups

Abstract

A bioadhesive for bonding to wet skin is disclosed, including a novel non- Hevea-based resin, which serves as a tackifier for the rubber, possessing strong wet adhesion to human skin and the remarkable property of bonding to it underwater, and a novel non-Hevea rubber that provides cohesive strength to the adhesive. Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are used in many applications where there is a need to adhere to skin, for example, medical tapes, wound or surgical dressings, athletic tapes, surgical drapes, or tapes or tabs used in adhering medical devices such as sensors, electrodes, ostomy appliances, and so on.

IPC Classes  ?

• B32B 9/04 - Layered products essentially comprising a particular substance not covered by groups comprising such substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific substance
• C08L 7/02 - Latex

Abstract

A guayule harvester comprises a hydraulic -powered cutting and conveying device pulled and powered by a farm tractor. Guides lift the shrub and expose the trunk to a pair of horizontal circular saw blades at the same time that opposed pick-up belts engage the shrub branches and impel the shrub to an elevator conveyor belt. The elevator belt carries the now-severed shrub to the height of the entrance to a transport trailer, and then drops it onto an extendable lateral conveyor, which drops it into the carrier.

IPC Classes  ?

• A01D 34/00 - MowersMowing apparatus of harvesters