Polymers in Sport and Leisure

References and Abstracts
Item 235
Macplas International
May 1997, p.137
WARM HANDS
Ski gloves have been developed which use a polyesterurethane
for the glove and feature a thermoplastic PU liquid
heat transfer bladder which is filled with an oil-based fluid.
The hand-shaped bladder absorbs heat generated by an iron
oxide heat pack and spreads the warmth evenly over the
entire hand for several hours at a time. The properties
afforded by polyurethane which makes it suitable for this
particular applications are described.
JPS ELASTOMERICS CORP.; SEALTECH
USA
Accession no.662641
Item 236
Packaging Technology & Science
10, No.3, May-June 1997, p.129-43
OVERVIEW OF SMART TECHNOLOGY
Goddard N D R; Kemp R M J; Lane R
UK,Defence Research Agency
Over the last five years, researchers working in most of
the major industrial sectors have given at least some
thought to how they might apply ‘smart’ technology -
important areas being in transport, building, civil
infrastructure, biomedicine, sport and leisure, power
generation and oil, gas and petrochemical. The prospects
for ‘intelligent packaging’ have been assessed most
notably by CEST and Pira International. Interest in ‘smart’
packaging has been sustained over the four years since
this pioneering study, with the focus of attention gradually
shifting from abstract conjecture to practical application.
A systematic definition of ‘smart’ technology is presented,
and some of the major advances being made under this
technological umbrella are briefly reviewed. The UK
Defence Research Agency (DRA) has been active in
‘smart’ technology from its earliest days and has
concentrated mainly on aerospace and defence
applications. However, there has been a conscious effort
to identify wider opportunities for the exploitation of the
contributing ‘smart’ technologies. Some ideas relevant
to packaging which are currently being developed in
conjunction with the DRA’s Packaging Authority are
outlined, together with an invitation for interested
companies to participate in various DRA-led joint
development programmes. 26 refs.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION; UK;
WESTERN EUROPE
Accession no.662334
Item 237
Rubber and Plastics News
27, No.6, 20th Oct.1997, p.45
PU SPIKES STEP IN WHERE METAL ONCE
TREAD
Whitford M
The recent trend by golf courses to ban metal spikes began
about five years ago and has already affected about 2,100
of USA’s 14,000 golf courses, according to Softspikes.
The reason for outlawing metal spikes was their causing
a total of more than 40 million US dollars’ damage to
America’s golf courses and clubhouses each year,
according to a US Golf Association study. For upscale
courses, the repair costs are much higher. One course
owner projected a 60,000 US dollars annual savings in
clubhouse repairs alone if it barred metal spikes. The ban
really should come as no surprise to golfers or metal cleat
makers. Competitor Maven Golf Products expects the
number of courses outlawing metal spikes to more than
double by the end of 1998, exceeding 5,000. By the year
2000, 90% of US courses will be spikeless. PU cleats
currently have about 30% of the golf footwear market; if
all US courses require metal-free spikes, the PU cleat
market will soar to between 90 and 100 million US dollars
annually. Details are given.
SOFTSPIKES INC.; US,GOLF ASSOCIATION;
MAVEN GOLF PRODUCTS LLC
USA
Accession no.662197
Item 238
Rubber and Plastics News
27, No.6, 20th Oct.1997, p.43
WEAPONS UPGRADE
Whitford M
More so than most other sports, the difficulty of golf
frequently leaves its players desperately searching for a
cure-all club or ball. According to Ram Golf, the main
item in the bag that they are willing to spend the most
money on is the putter, which is used in 25-50% of all
golf strokes. Most players have two or three putters but
are very willing to go out and buy another one if they feel
it will help their short game. In addition to marketing its
Rambrand golf ball, Ram is in the booming business of
making putters featuring PU inserts. Ram’s Zebra-brand
putter features a club-head surface 60-70% comprised of
PU. The Z-shaped insert typically fills a cavity that is 3
in. wide, 0.75 in. tall and 0.5 in. deep. Details are given.
ODYSSEY GOLF INC.; RAM GOLF CORP.
USA
Accession no.662195
Item 239
Rubber and Plastics News
27, No.6, 20th Oct.1997, p.35/7
CLUB GRIPS BATTLE FOR RESPECT IN
MARKET
Whitford M
US golf grip makers claim that the average golfer
mistakenly disregards the product’s importance in swing
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