Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for making articles made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of thermoplastic material with good gas-barrier characteristics. In one preferred method and apparatus, preforms are injection molded, barrier-coated immediately thereafter, and remain on a mold portion for a time to speed cooling of the completed preform. Preferably the barrier-coated articles take the form of preforms coated by at least one layer of barrier material and the containers are blow-molded therefrom. Such barrier-coated containers are preferably of the type to hold beverages such as soft drinks, beer or juice. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET as well as key physical properties similar to PET.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for making articles made of polyester, preferably virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of recycled or post-consumer PET and one or more layers of a material with good gas-barrier characteristics, preferably silicon oxide. Preferably, the recycled PET layer comprises about 25% to about 50% of the entire material content. Preferably the articles take the form of preforms and the containers are blow-molded therefrom and the barrier layer is subsequently applied. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET. In addition, the neck of the preforms and bottles is at least partially in the crystalline state and the body is primarily in the amorphous or semi-crystalline state.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of recycling the components of composite articles and materials comprising hydroxy-phenoxyether polymers to facilitate reuse of such components. The recycling methods comprise dissolution of the hydroxy-phenoxyether polymer in an acidic solution which is separated from the other components which formed the composite article or material. The hydroxy-phenoxyether polymers may be reused as the acidic solution, or they may be precipitated by addition of a base prior to reuse.

Abstract: This invention relates to articles made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of thermoplastic material with good gas-barrier characteristics, and novel methods of making such articles. Preferably the barrier-coated articles take the form of preforms coated by at least one layer of barrier material and the containers blow-molded therefrom. Such barrier-coated containers are preferably of the type to hold beverages such as soft drinks, beer or juice. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET as well as key physical properties similar to PET. The materials and methods provide that the barrier layers have good adherence to PET, even during and after the blow molding process to form containers from preforms. Preferred barrier coating materials include poly(hydroxyamino ethers).

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for making articles made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of thermoplastic material with good gas-barrier characteristics. In one preferred method and apparatus, preforms are injection molded, barrier-coated immediately thereafter, and remain on a mold portion for a time to speed cooling of the completed preform. Preferably the barrier-coated articles take the form of preforms coated by at least one layer of barrier material and the containers are blow-molded therefrom. Such barrier-coated containers are preferably of the type to hold beverages such as soft drinks, beer or juice. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET as well as key physical properties similar to PET.

Abstract: A method for extruding, calibrating, and cooling a multi-layer profile comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a barrier material, and the product produced by such method. The method further encompasses the use of a standard can seamer and standard can closures to seal said extruded profile with food contained therein. The invention permits the extrusion and effective cooling and calibration of larger diameter and smaller thickness PET profiles or pipes in commercial quantities with effective control of quality and eccentricity of the profiles produced.