Abstract: Plastic additives which are useful as nucleating agents and which are especially useful for improving the optical properties of polymeric materials are provided. More particularly, this invention relates to certain symmetric DBS compounds comprising specific pendant groups, such as C3-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, phenyl, and methylenedioxy (as the combination of two available sites on the pertinent ring system), as well as wherein the individual benzylidene ring systems may be indan or tetralin. Because of the required symmetrical configuration, the pendant groups on each ring system of the dibenzylidene sorbitol compound must be located at the same positions. Such compounds may be added to or incorporated within polymer compositions which may then be utilized within, as merely examples, food or cosmetic containers and packaging.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions comprising specific metal salts of hexahydrophthalic acid (HHPA) in order to provide highly desirable properties within thermoplastic articles are provided. The inventive HHPA derivatives are useful as nucleating and/or clarifying agents for such thermoplastics, are practical and easy to handle. Such compounds provide excellent crystallization temperatures, stiffness, and acid scavenger compatibility within target polyolefins. Also, such compounds exhibit very low hygroscopicity and therefore excellent shelf stability as powdered or granular formulations. Thermoplastic additive compositions and methods of producing polymers with such compounds are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: An improved procedure and apparatus for introducing liquids within a thermoplastic or thermoset production system are provided. Such an inventive apparatus comprises a storage tank for the desired liquid, a device which connects to a flow channel (such as a manifold or pipe) through which the target thermoplastic or thermoset composition is flowing, and a transfer line connecting the storage tank with the connecting device. The connecting device itself easily attaches and detaches to the flow channel through a spring-loaded or sliding-lock mechanism. Such a novel apparatus permits an ease in changeover from one liquid to another without the need for time-consuming cleaning and without complicated shut-off, removal, and replacement steps.

Abstract: Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are extremely low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat such discoloring), and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well.

Abstract: Fabric softener compositions comprising certain red colorants that exhibit excellent deep, dark red colorations (for aesthetic purposes) and mix very well with other colorants to provide differing red shades and tints therein, which simultaneously exhibit very low, if any staining capabilities on fabrics treated therewith, are provided. Such deep and dark red colorations have heretofore been unavailable within fabric softener formulations due to the tendency of such prior colorants to exhibit unacceptable staining levels, particularly when formulated at similar deep and dark shades as now provided within the inventive low-staining formulations. Apparently, and quite unexpectedly, the colorants present therein react favorably with quaternary ammonium salt softening agents in a manner to prevent reaction with the fibers of the treated fabrics themselves, thereby preventing staining thereon and therein.

Abstract: Certain novel formulations of turf additives that act in such a manner as to permit proper amounts of moisture to contact root systems in order to reduce dry spots within highly managed turf areas and/or lawns. It is theorized that the accumulation of humic acid (and other natural byproduct deleterious compounds) at the topsoil surface in most cultivated grassy areas including sandy soils (such as, in particular, golf greens), results in the production of an effective organic waxy coating on the soil components. Such a coating is hydrophobic in nature and thus dries out the soil itself. The inventive formulation thus permits removal of such accumulated humic acid (and other compounds) from the topsoil to the level necessary to provide effective moisture penetration for sustained grass growth therein (hereinafter referred to as “redistributes”).

Abstract: Blue colorants comprising a chromophore having at least one poly(oxyalkylene) chain attached to the 1- position, the 4- position, or both, through aromatic amino group or groups, of an anthraquinone backbone are provided. Such colorants exhibit excellent amine/base stability and thermal stability, effective colorations, excellent low extraction rates, and high lightfastness levels, particularly when incorporated within certain media and/or on the surface of certain substrates, particularly polyesters, polyolefins, and polyurethanes. The poly(oxyalkylene) chain or chains can be conveniently tailored to increase the solubility or compatibility in different solvents or resins thereby permitting the introduction of such excellent coloring chromophores within diverse media and/or or diverse substrates as well as provides a liquid colorant which facilitates handling. Compositions and articles comprising such colorants are provided as well as methods for producing such inventive colorants.

Abstract: The invention provides a flame retardant/heat resistant agent and adhesive, which includes one or more oxides of phosphorus, antimony, silicon and melamine cyanurate as the flame retardant agents and which can increase both the flame retardant/heat resistance of the cloth material and the binding strength of the cloth to a variety of thermoplastic polymers. The invention can be used in strengthening applications such as thermoplastic automobile accessories such as airbag deployment doors where a flame retardance/heat resistance is also required.

Abstract: Certain thermoplastic additives (combinations of clarifying and nucleating compounds) that induce simultaneously low clarity and high nucleation efficacy are provided. Such additives include combinations of certain bicyclic salts (which by themselves induce very high nucleation efficacy) and thermoplastic clarifying agents, including certain dibenzylidene sorbitol acetals and derivatives (hereinafter collectively referred to as “DBSs”)(which alone provide very low haze measurements and thus highly desirable clarity characteristics). In comparison, other types of standard thermoplastic nucleators, such as sodium benzoate and sodium 2,2′-methylene-bis-(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate provide relatively high peak crystallization temperatures, but do not combine synergistically with clarifiers, such as DBSs, to provide the same results as for the inventive combination of bicyclic salts and DBSs.

Abstract: Improvements for in-mold polyurethane foam and/or resin products and the ability to provide surface coatings of such products exhibiting bright coloration and reduced colorant migration through utilization of easy-to-use polymeric colorants in simplified and environmentally friendly processing methods are disclosed. The inventive surface coating formulations include polyurethane-reactive polymeric colorants admixed with prepolymer and excess amounts of certain isocyanate compounds. Such a composition is applied (by spraying, for example) to a polyurethane prepolymer (for the production of the internal polyurethane article) which is then introduced within a mold in order to form a particularly shaped or configured polyurethane article with a colored surface coating. Upon curing through exposure to heat, the coating composition reacts with the introduced polyurethane prepolymer to form a surface over the target internal polyurethane.

Abstract: Durable non-electrically conductive metal treatments (such as coatings or finishes) for yarns and textile fabrics. Such treatments preferably comprise silver and/or silver ions; however, other metals, such as zinc, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, gold, manganese, magnesium, and the like, may also be present or alternatively utilized. Such a treatment provides, as one example, an antimicrobial fiber and/or textile fabric which remains on the surface and does not permit electrical conductivity over the surface. The treatment is extremely durable on such substrates; after a substantial number of standard launderings and dryings, the treatment does not wear away in any appreciable amount and thus the substrate retains its antimicrobial activity (or other property).

Abstract: A specific combination of two different polyolefin clarifying and nucleating agents, namely 3,4-dimethyldibenzylidene sorbitol and p-methyldibenzylidene sorbitol is provided. Such a combination surprisingly provides improved clarification and crystallization temperatures to polypropylene articles and formulations, better than bis-p-methyldibenzylidene sorbitol alone and equivalent or better than 3,4-dimethyldibenzylidene sorbitol. Such a combination of compounds thus permits the utilization of a new additive for the purpose of modifying polyolefin properties, such as polypropylene clarification and nucleation. The inventive combination may be introduced within any polyolefin composition, again preferably polypropylene, which may then be molded into any shape or form. A method of producing a polyolefin plastic utilizing the inventive combination of compounds is also provided.

Abstract: A specific combination of two different polyolefin clarifying and nucleating agents, namely bis(3,4-dimethyldibenzylidene) sorbitol (3,4-DMDBS) and bis(3,4-dichlorodibenzylidene) sorbitol (3,4-DCDBS). Such a combination surprisingly provides improved clarification comparable to polypropylene articles and formulations, better than DCDBS alone and equivalent or better than DMDBS alone. Such a combination of compounds thus permits the utilization of a new additive for the purpose of modifying polyolefin properties, such as polypropylene clarification and nucleation. The inventive combination may be introduced within any polyolefin composition, again preferably polypropylene, which may then be molded into any shape or form. A method of producing a polyolefin plastic utilizing the inventive combination of compounds is also provided.

Abstract: A yellow colorant comprising a chromophore having at least one poly(oxy-C2-C4-alkylene) chain attached to an aromatic methine backbone having at least one cyanoester moiety attached thereto is provided. The ester portion must include a C1-C8 (such as ethyl, butyl, hexyl, or ethyl-hexyl) pendant group and the poly(oxyalkylene) chain must be at most 10 monomers and at least 3 monomers, with ethylene oxide as the capping group. Such a specific group of coloring agents provides the best overall yellow colorations or effects (either alone or in blends with other coloring agents, particularly at low color loadings) as well as the best overall low extraction levels when present within clear polyester (such as polyethylene terephthalate, for example), when compared to all other known polymeric yellow colorants for the same end-use. Compositions and articles comprising such colorants are provided as well as methods for producing such inventive colorants.

Abstract: Compounds of and compositions comprising specific salts of saturated [2.2.2] dicarboxylate in order to provide highly desirable properties within thermoplastic (e.g., polyolefin) articles are provided. The inventive salts and derivatives thereof are useful as nucleating and/or clarifying agents for such thermoplastics, are easy to produce and handle, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Such compounds induce high peak crystallization and improved stiffness within thermoplastics. Also, thermoplastic compositions comprising such novel nucleating agents exhibit improved heat distortion properties and clarity levels in comparison with the closest unsaturated salt nucleating agents. Thermoplastic additive compositions and methods of producing thermoplastics with such compounds are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to antimicrobial fabrics which are treated with a specific durable and regenerable halamine/chlorine system and methods of removing residual active chlorine from the target textile surface without reducing the antimicrobial activity of the textile. Such methods comprise contacting an amine-treated fabric first with a halogen-based bleach (or other halogenated liquid) to produce halamines at the fabric surface, and subsequently washing the resultant halogenated fabric with a reducing agent which removes the residual, unbonded halogen (such as chlorine) from the fabric surface but does not, surprisingly, remove the halamine halogen. The remaining halamine halogen thus provides the desired antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel airbag coating compositions and systems comprising pre-expanded or non-expandable microspheres that provide effective insulation for the target airbag fabric during exothermic inflation. The inventive airbag fabrics are either pre-calendered prior to application of this composition or are coated through a gap (floating) knife method with such heat-expandable microsphere-containing compositions. The coated airbag fabrics and cushions may then be heated to evaporate the solvent within the coating composition. The resultant fabric thus exhibits the presence of the microsphere constituents of the coating compositions both within the interstices between the individual yarns of the fabric and over the raised yarns of the fabric.

Abstract: Coated inflatable fabrics and more particularly concerns airbag cushions to which very low add-on amounts of silicone-based coating have been applied and which exhibit extremely low air permeability are provided. The inventive inflatable fabrics are primarily for use in automotive restraint cushions that require low permeability characteristics (such as side curtain airbags). Traditionally, heavy, and thus expensive, coatings of compounds such as neoprene, silicones, and the like, have been utilized to provide such required low permeability. The inventive fabric utilizes an inexpensive, very thin, substantially uniform silicone coating to provide such necessarily low permeability levels. Thus, the inventive coating comprises at least a single layer comprising a majority of silicone-based material, wherein the total thickness of the single layer is at most about 3.0 ounces per square yard as applied to a target fabric surface.

Abstract: Colorants comprising a chromophore having two methine moieties attached to a benzodifuranone backbone, wherein said moieties optionally have at least one poly(oxyalkylene) chain, preferably at least two such chains attached thereto are provided. Such colorants exhibit excellent thermal stability, effective colorations, excellent low extraction rates, and effective lightfastness levels, particularly when incorporated within certain media and/or on the surface of certain substrates, particularly polyesters. The optional poly(oxyalkylene) chains also increase the solubility in different solvents or resins thereby permitting the introduction of such excellent coloring chromophores within diverse media and/or on diverse substrates as well as provides a liquid colorant which facilitates handling. Compositions and articles comprising such colorants are provided as are methods for producing such inventive colorants.

Abstract: Compositions comprising specific disodium hexahydrophthalate(HHPA) salts in combination with acid scavengers (such as organic calcium salts or dihydrotalcite complexes) that provide highly desirable and effective nucleating properties within polymer articles (such as polyolefins) are provided. Surprisingly, such a combination of HHPA salt and acid scavenger provides high crystallization temperatures, low haze, and/or high flexural modulus to the finished polymer product. Other sodium salt polymer nucleators (such as sodium benzoate) deleteriously react with calcium organic salt acid scavengers such that characteristically high crystallization temperatures are drastically reduced when in combination with calcium salts (such as calcium stearate). Also, sodium benzoate when combined with dihydrotalcite acid scavengers produce extremely high haze levels in the finished target polymer article, whereas the inventive compositions surprisingly reduce haze.