Abstract: Disclosed is a novel thermoplastic article having metallic wire, rod and/or bar embedded therein produced by applying heat and pressure to a laminate comprising, in order, (1) an upper sheet material, (2) metallic wire, rods or bars, and (3) a lower sheet material to produce a thermoplastic article having metallic wire, rod and/or bar embedded therein. The upper and lower sheet materials are formed from a copolyester having an inherent viscosity of 0.5 to 1.2 dL/g, when measured at 25.degree.C. using 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a copolyester having an inherent viscosity ranging from about 0.4 to about 1.4 and a cold crystallization temperature ranging from about 120 to about 160.degree. C. Such copolyesters comprise the reaction product of a glycol component comprising from about 85 to about 100 mole % of 1,3-propanediol, a dibasic acid component comprising from about 85 to about 100 mole % of a dibasic acid selected from terephthalic acid, napthalenedicarboxylic acid, anhydrides, acid chlorides, and lower alkyl esters thereof, and mixtures thereof, and from about 5 to about 15 mole % of a comonomer. The presence of the comonomer lowers the crystallization temperature of the copolyesters according to the invention such that amorphous preforms can be easily molded from the copolyesters. Such amorphous preforms are readily stretch blow molded into bottles or other container shapes or may be injection molded into various shapes or objects or extruded into film or sheeting.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic polymeric fibers which have utility as temporary acquisition/distribution absorbent structures and permanent storage/distribution absorbent structures in a wide range of absorbent products such as diapers, feminine napkins, and adult incontinent pads. These fibers are short, highly distorted, and bulky characterized by lengths between 2 and 37 mm, short-range distortion factors between 5 and 70, long-range distortion factors between 0.05 and 0.9, and single fiber bulk factors between 0.5 and 10.0. They may or may not have capillary channels on the surface. The advantages of these materials are their increased absorbency, reduced wet collapse at low densities, reduced rewet, reduced loss of liquid under pressure, and their ability to be desorbed by distribution materials such as capillary channeled fibers or by conventional storage materials such as fluff pulp or superabsorbent polymer fiber or powder.

Abstract: A solid, air stable adhesive composition containing wax and a polyolefin having a viscosity no greater than 2,000 centipoise and a needle penetration hardness of at least 50 dmm is disclosed. It is further disclosed that propylene-ethylene copolymer is the preferred polyolefin of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel thermoplastic article having a fabric comprised of textile fibers embedded therein produced by applying heat and pressure to a laminate comprising, in order, (1) an upper sheet material, (2) a fabric comprised of textile fibers, and (3) a lower sheet material to produce a thermoplastic article having the fabric embedded therein. The upper and lower sheet materials are formed from a copolyester having an inherent viscosity of 0.5 to 1.2 dL/g, when measured at 25.degree. C. using 0.

Abstract: A novel, continuous process for the manufacture of novel higher molecular weight and higher acid numbered maleated polypropylenes with lower color at higher efficiencies involving specified ratios of polypropylene, maleic anhydride, and free radical initiator is described. The novel maleated polypropylenes have an acid number greater than 4.5, a yellowness index color of no greater than 76, and a number average molecular weight of at least 20,000. The process entails continuously forming an intimate mixture of molten polypropylene and molten maleic anhydride at one end of a reactor, continuously introducing a free radical initiator, and continuously removing high acid number high molecular weight maleated polypropylene of low color from the opposite end of the reactor.

Abstract: A liquid/dense gas extraction column process providing intimate contact between a dense gas and a fluid feed containing a solute and operating in an enhanced solubility region provides solubility of a solute in the dense gas to be at least 250% by weight greater than the solubility of the solute in the dense gas at the same operating temperature and 200 bar pressure. The enhanced solubility region for carbon dioxide is a pressure range of between 450 and 1200 bar in combination with a temperature range between 50 and 300.degree. C. The column has a diameter greater than about 3.5 centimeters and a height to diameter ratio greater than about 5.

Abstract: A high pressure laminate is made of several layers of paper, including from bottom to top core sheets, a decor sheet and an overlay sheet. The core sheets are either composed of cellulose fibers or composed of 30 to 90 weight percent cellulose acetate fibers and 70 to 10 weight percent cellulose fibers. The core sheets are respectively coated with either a lamination polymer or a plasticizer. The decor sheet is composed of a mixture and a conventional amount of paper making dye. The mixture comprises 30 to about 90 weight percent cellulose acetate fibers, 10 to 70 weight percent cellulose fibers and 0 to 20 weight percent fillers. The decor sheet is coated with a plasticizer. The overlay sheet is composed of cellulose fibers and is coated with a lamination polymer. Upon application of heat and pressure to the several layers a laminate is formed having thermoplastic properties, improved postformability and a significant reduction in the release of volatile organics during formation.

Abstract: Disclosed is are high molecular weight copolyester compositions which possess high melt viscosity and melt strength which render them foamable with a wide range of foaming agents. The copolyesters consist essentially of (A) diacid residues comprising (i) from about 99.9 to about 95 mol % of residues of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8 to 12 carbon atoms and (ii) from about 0.1 to about 5.0 mol % of residues of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid sulfonate monomer containing at least one divalent metal sulfonate group attached to an aromatic nucleus, and (B) diol residues comprising residues of at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, the mol % being based on 100 mol % dicarboxylic acid residues and 100 mol % diol residues.

Abstract: Disclosed is are high molecular weight copolyester compositions which possess high melt viscosity and melt strength which render them foamable with a wide range of foaming agents. The copolyesters consist essentially of (A) diacid residues comprising (i) from about 99.9 to about 95 mol % of residues of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8 to 12 carbon atoms and (ii) from about 0.1 to about 5.0 mol % of residues of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid sulfonate monomer containing at least one divalent metal sulfonate group attached to an aromatic nucleus, and (B) diol residues comprising residues of at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, the mol % being based on 100 mol % dicarboxylic acid residues and 100 mol % diol residues.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for removing sterols and phosphorous compounds from naturally occurring lipid mixtures. The process involves hydrolyzing a naturally occurring lipid mixture containing phospholipids, triglycerides, and sterols to form a two-phase product containing a fatty acid phase comprised of free fatty acids and sterols, and an aqueous phase comprised of water, glycerol, and glycerol phosphoric acid esters. The aqueous phase is separated from the fatty acid phase and the crude fatty acid phase is heated to convert the free sterols to fatty acid sterol esters. The free fatty acids are distilled from the fatty acid sterol esters to yield purified fatty acids which are free of cholesterol and other sterols, and phosphorous compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the selective epoxidation of olefins, including diolefins, having more than 2 carbon atoms by the catalytic oxidation of such an olefin in the presence of a supported, fluorine-promoted, silver catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a synthetic laminate structure and a method for making the synthetic laminate structure. More particularly, the synthetic laminate structure contains an outer layer comprising a substantially transparent copolyester, a printed or colored film layer having opposed surfaces wherein at least one of the surfaces is colored or has an image printed thereon, a backing layer, and a laminating enhancer layer comprising a polyurethane disposed between the outer layer and the film layer, the laminated enhancer layer providing a bond between the outer layer and film layer characterized by a substantial absence of visible air pockets or adhesion discontinuities.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable film is made from a copolyester blend of 1 to 98.5 weight percent PETG copolyester, 98.5 to 1 weight DEG modified PET copolyester having a b* value of less than 15, 0.5 to 3 weight percent anti-blocking agent, and optionally, 5 to 15 weight percent crystallizable polyester. The PETG copolyester has a dicarboxylic acid component of at least 95 mol percent terephthalic acid and a diol component of 65 to 80 mol percent ethylene glycol and 35 to 20 mol percent 1,4-cyclohexane-dimethanol. The DEG modified PET copolyester has a dicarboxylic acid component of at least 75 mol percent terephthalic acid; a diol component of 10 to 50 mol percent diethylene glycol and 50 to 90 mol percent ethylene glycol; catalyst residues of 20 to 100 ppm manganese, 50 to 300 ppm antimony, 0 to 100 ppm titanium and 40 to 150 ppm phosphorus; and color control agent residues of (i) 40 to 100 ppm cobalt, (ii) 1.5 to 10 ppm of blue compounds of substituted 1,4-bis(2,6-dialylanilino) anthraquinones and 0.

Abstract: Synthetic fiber that are capable of spontaneously transporting water on their surface satisfy the equation(1-X cos .theta..sub.a)<0,wherein.theta..sub.a is the advancing contact angle of water measured on a flat film made from the same material as the fiber and having the same surface treatment, if any,X is a shape factor of the fiber cross-section that satisfies the following equation ##EQU1## wherein P.sub.w is the wetted perimeter of the fiber and r is the radius of the circumscribed circle circumscribing the fiber cross-section and D is the minor axis dimensionacross the fiber cross-section, and wherein the uphill flux value of said fiber is from 2 to 60 cc/g/hr when measured from a reservoir of synthetic urine test fluid along a 20 cm long ramp to an absorbant on an attached platform at 10 cm height.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibrous structures comprised of shaped fibers wherein the thickness of the compressed fibrous structure at 1.00 psi is .gtoreq.1.3 times that of a similar compressed structure having the same area density and made from round cross section fibers of the same dpf as the shaped fibers. The invention is useful in articles such as coats, gloves, boats, shoes, etc. made using the structures disclosed herein. The surprising feature of structures according to the present invention is the thickness retention at high pressures. This retained thickness under pressure translates directly into decreased heat transfer or improved insulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyester/plasticizer blends which are useful as heat-shrinkable films or sheets in low temperature shrink packaging applications. The heat-shrinkable films or sheets comprise a blend of (A) 90 to 99 weight percent of a polyester having a glass transition temperature of 40.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. and an inherent viscosity of 0.5 to 1.2 dL/g and (B) 1 to 10 weight percent of a plasticizer selected from a C.sub.5 to C.sub.35 monoglyceride prepared from the reaction of glycerol and a fatty acid having 4 to 30 carbon atoms, wherein the combined weights of (A) and (B) total 100 percent. The polyester comprises a dicarboxylic acid component comprising repeat units from at least 80 mole percent of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8 to 14 carbon atoms and a diol component comprising repeat units from at least 10 mole percent of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, based on 100 mole percent dicarboxylic acid and 100 mole percent diol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward efficient, high-yield processes for making ascorbic acid, 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, and esters of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. The processes comprise reacting the appropriate starting materials with a hydrolase enzyme catalyst such as a protease, an esterase, a lipase or an amidase.

Abstract: A UV stabilized multi-layer structure which has an easily visible UV protective layer comprises a UV protective layer and an underlying polymeric layer. The polymeric layer is either a polyester or a polycarbonate. The UV protective layer, which is exposed to UV radiation and protects the polymeric layer, comprises a UV absorbing compound, an optical brightener present in an amount sufficient to cause visual illumination of the UV protective layer upon exposure to a light source and a polymeric base material of either a polyester, polycarbonate or acrylic. Upon exposure to a UV light or white light source the UV protective layer is visibly illuminated. A method of detecting the UV protective layer in the UV stabilized multi-layer structure is also provided.

Abstract: A high pressure laminate is made of several layers of paper, including from bottom to top core sheets, a decor sheet and an overlay sheet. The core sheets are either composed of cellulose fibers or composed of 30 to 90 weight percent cellulose acetate fibers and 70 to 10 weight percent cellulose fibers. The core sheets are respectively coated with either a lamination polymer or a plasticizer. The decor sheet is composed of a mixture and a conventional amount of paper making dye. The mixture comprises 30 to about 90 weight percent cellulose acetate fibers, 10 to 70 weight percent cellulose fibers and 0 to 20 weight percent fillers. The decor sheet is coated with a plasticizer. The overlay sheet is composed of cellulose fibers and is coated with a lamination polymer. Upon application of heat and pressure to the several layers a laminate is formed having thermoplastic properties, improved postformability and a significant reduction in the release of volatile organics during formation.