Abstract: The present invention provides acrylic polymer-optical brightener compositions. The invention also provides acrylic polymer-optical brightener compositions further comprising near infrared absorbing compounds. The invention also provides processes for making such compositions. Still further, the invention provides methods for detecting and/or separating fluorescing and/or near infrared emitting articles from non-fluorescing and/or non-near infrared emitting articles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 22, 1999
Date of Patent:
December 19, 2000
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Mahendra K. Sharma, Richard Hsu-Shien Wang, James J. Krutak
Abstract: This invention provides the preparation of water-dispersible polyester/acrylic hybrids via a two-stage emulsion polymerization process. For example, methacrylic acid and/or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate are copolymerized with styrene/acrylic monomers to yield a relatively hydrophilic and hydro-plasticized first stage. Subsequent additions of hydrophobic monomers to this first stage "seed" results in an inversion of the latex such that the more hydrophilic first stage is at the particle surface. This results not only in improved stability of the resulting latex without the use of additional surfactants, as evidenced by the production of reduced amounts of coagulum, while it also offers relatively low minimum filming temperatures due to the hydroplasticization of the shell of the particle. Furthermore, the use of the water-dispersible polyester results in extremely fine latex particle sizes which can significantly enhance coating properties such as film gloss and clarity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 15, 1997
Date of Patent:
December 14, 1999
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Mark Dwight Clark, Hieu Duy Phan, James Russell Salisbury, Glen Dennis Shields
Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing molded polyester articles. More particularly, the invention concerns an apparatus and method for continuously producing molded polyester articles having low acetaldehyde content from a melt prepared by continuously reacting polyester precursors. The polyester is prepared and formed into useful shaped articles in a single, integrated, continuous melt-to-mold process without an intermediate solidification of the melt.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 24, 1997
Date of Patent:
October 19, 1999
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Lanney Calvin Treece, Max Lamar Carroll, Jr., Eric Gray Olsen