Abstract: The present invention relates generally to stain-resist compositions, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to fibers and textiles treated with stain-resist compositions.

Abstract: A reactor for the oxidation of a precursor to an aromatic carboxylic acid or ester thereof in a liquid phase reaction mixture is disclosed. The reactor comprises an elongate vessel, substantially vertical in use, having an upper mixing element and a lower mixing element, characterised in that the upper mixing element is an axial pumping impeller and the lower mixing element is a radial pumping impeller. A process of producing a carboxylic acid or ester thereof in a reactor of the invention is also disclosed. In use, the configuration of mixing elements leads to three highly turbulent mixing zones. In a preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention oxidant, from one inlet, and solvent, precursor and catalyst, are introduced directly into a mixing zone. The highly turbulent mixing zones lead to rapid mass transfer suppressing the formation of unwanted, coloured by-products and reduced reactor fouling.

Abstract: An improved process for recycling unspent diol removed from a polyester manufacturing process wherein the diol is captured, hydrogenated, and recycled so that the final polyester product has improved color over polyesters produced using other recycled diols.

Abstract: A bulked continuous filament with a three-sided exterior configuration is characterized in that each side has a smoothly curved contour extending between a first and a second rounded tip with an inwardly extending depressed region being disposed adjacent to each tip. Generally, the filament has an exterior modification ratio in the range from about 1.4 to about 2.5, and a tip ratio in the range from about 2.0 to about 10.0. The filament generally delta-shaped void with three major apices extending centrally and axially therethrough. Each side of the void is convexly shaped and formed from a pair of facets that meet to define minor apices. The void is oriented such that each major apex extends toward the approximate midpoint of one side of the exterior of the filament and each minor apex extends toward a tip of an exterior side.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for texture heat-setting bulk continuous filament (BCF) yarns in hot air heat-setting machines that includes a preheating device/step using a mixture of steam and atmospheric air to preheat a twisted BCF yarn bundle to develop crimp memory and provide cohesion to the twisted BCF yarn bundle. Yarn bundle cohesion during texture heat-setting helps to avoid frequent breaks at the winder of the hot air heat-setting machine. The addition of the preheating device/step significantly improves the ability of hot air heat-setting machines to maintain continuous operation during texture setting of BCF yarns and makes the hot air heat-setting method commercially viable for this application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the production capacity of a conventional oxidation reactor for catalytic liquid phase oxidation of paraxylene by staging the oxidation reaction into a first high pressure and high solvent ratio reaction zone followed by the conventional reactor.

Abstract: An acid-dyeable polyester composition comprising (a) polyester and (b) secondary amine or secondary amine salt in an amount effective to promote acid-dyeability. The acid-dyeable polyester composition may be prepared by melt blending: the polyester; and polymeric additive prepared from (i) triamine containing secondary amine or secondary amine salt unit(s) and (ii) one or more other monomer and/or polymer units. One polymeric additive comprises polyamide selected from the group consisting of poly-imino-bisalkylene-terephthalamide, -isophthalamide and -1,6-naphthalamide, and salts thereof. Also, the polymeric additive, the blends, shaped articles (e.g., fibers and films), processes of dyeing, and processes for preparing an acid dyeable polyester composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the hydrogenation of tetrahydroxybutane in the presence of supported rhenium catalysts and an acid to form tetrahydrofuran and its precursors.

Abstract: A copolymer with recurring constituent units derived by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran, ethylene oxide and at least one additional cyclic ether that can be substituted or unsubstituted that decreases the hydrophilicity imparted to the copolymer by the ethylene oxide.

Abstract: Improved process for producing purified aromatic carboxylic acid in the form of dried crystals which comprises cooling the crystals in a fluidized state after the drying step to a temperature at or below 100° C. prior to packaging and an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: Improved process for producing aromatic carboxylic acids by catalytic liquid phase oxidation of a corresponding precursor in a suitable solvent comprising feeding the reactants to a first oxidation reaction zone at high pressure and high solvent ratio, wherein uptake of oxygen is less than that required for full conversion of the precursor to its corresponding carboxylic acid, and then feeding the resulting reaction medium to a second oxidation reaction zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for applying finish to an expanded filament array in a quench system with air directed inward to the filament bundle. The applicator may be used inside or proximate quench zones in a radial, pneumatic, or cross-flow quench system. The apparatus includes a spinneret, a quench zone located below said spinneret, wherein cooling gas is directed inward to an expanded filament array inside said quench zone, and an applicator inside or below said quench zone, wherein the applicator contacts the filament and delivers the finish to the expanded filament array.

Abstract: This invention provides polymer filaments having a multilobal cross-section. The cross-section can have a filament factor of about 2.0 or greater and a tip ratio of greater than about 0.2. The filaments may be used as-spun as a spin-oriented feed yarn or as a direct use yarn. The multifilament yarns made from these filaments are useful to make articles with subdued luster and low glitter.

Abstract: An additive system for polyester polymers comprising an effective amount of (i) a fatty acid amide selected from the group consisting of oleyl palmitamide, ethylene bis stearamide, ethylene bis oleomide, and stearyl erucamide; (ii) a partially or fully calcined porous poly(methylsilsequioxane); and (iii) a stabilizer comprising a primary and a secondary antioxidant.

Abstract: A chromium catalyst is disclosed for use in dehydrogenation and dehydrocyclization processes.

Abstract: A system, for example a footwear system, with moisture transport properties includes an insulating layer, which has transport properties, coupled to a fabric lining fabric with moisture transport properties. Antimicrobial efficacy can also be obtained by adding anti-bacterial treatments to the insulation and the lining, where the treatments could be anti-bacterial fibers, applications, or other technologies.

Abstract: A process for the production of an aromatic carboxylic acid comprising contacting in the presence of a catalyst, within a continuous flow reactor, one or more precursors of the aromatic carboxylic acid with an oxidant, such contact being effected with said precursor(s) and the oxidant in an aqueous solvent comprising water under supercritical conditions or near supercritical conditions close to the supercritical point such that said one or more precursors, oxidant and aqueous solvent constitute a substantially single homogeneous phase in the reaction zone, wherein the contact of at least part of said precursor with said oxidant is contemporaneous with contact of said catalyst with at least part of said oxidant.

Abstract: Multilayer shaped articles, including films, preforms and containers, and method for forming the same, having at least one layer of poly(1,3-propylene 2,6-naphthalate) and at least one layer of poly(ethylene terephthalate). Poly(1,3-propylene 2,6-naphthalate) can be co-stretched with poly(ethylene terephthalate) to form oriented multilayer structures which have superior barrier properties. The poly(1,3-propylene 2,6-naphthalate) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) layers have good adhesion and do not require an adhesive tie layer.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for increasing the polymerization rate of polyester polymers in the solid state by adding a catalytic amount of zinc p-toluenesulfonate to a polyester polymer melt that is essentially free of antimony and germanium, before solid state polymerization.

Abstract: A polymer composition and method for reducing the permeability of gases through molded polymeric containers and films by incorporating into the polymer from which the container or film is formed an effective amount of a barrier-enhancing additive, such as monoesters of hydroxybenzoic acid and hydroxynaphthoic acid.