Patent ID: 8741427

Claim:
An open cell foam derived from a frothed aqueous dispersion, wherein said frothed aqueous dispersion comprises: an aqueous thermoplastic polymer dispersion and one or more entrained gases or air; and wherein, prior to frothing, the aqueous thermoplastic polymer dispersion comprises: at least one thermoplastic polymer, wherein said thermoplastic polymer is selected from interpolymers of ethylene and/or propylene, with or without other monomers selected from C 4 to C 20 alpha-olefin comonomers; a dispersant; and water; and wherein the at least one thermoplastic polymer is dispersed in the water as polymer particles having a particle size from above 5 to 25 microns; wherein said open cell foam further comprises a plurality of microcavities arranged in a substantially uniform pattern on or near at least one of its surfaces; wherein the open cell foam is free of fibers.