Abstract: This disclosure provide new multilayer polyester (particularly PET) containers that have improved gas barrier properties over conventional monolayer PET containers. In particular, a 2,5-furandicarboxylate polyester (for example, poly(ethylene furan-2,5-dicarboxylate) (PEF)) barrier layer that has superior gas barrier and mechanical properties relative to PET, that is “sandwiched” between two PET layers, has been found to achieve a significantly higher barrier against gas permeation relative to conventional monolayer PET container of the same size and shape. Associated preforms, methods, and compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a process for removing acrolein or allyl alcohol from a polyester composition, the process comprising: combining a polyester composition derived from 1,3-propanediol with an amino amide or a primary amine; wherein the amino amide or the primary amine is combined in sufficient quantities to scavenge acrolein or allyl alcohol produced from degradation of the polyester composition. An analysis of reactions between anthranilamide (AAA) and acrolein demonstrates how amines or amino amides can scavenge acrolein from thermally processed poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene furan-2,5-dicarboxylate), and thermodynamic models are presented as guidance for matching targets with scavenging agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are bio-based polyester fibers, particularly a PET fibers, and a method of making the same by: contacting bio-based MEG composition with a diacid composition to form a polyester composition; and spinning and/or drawing the resulting polyester composition into a fiber; wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises: a) monoethylene glycol (MEG); and b) from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C3-Cy2 1,2-diol, wherein the C3-Cj2 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic.

Abstract: This disclosure provides new methods, compositions, containers, preforms, and designs for refillable carbonated soft drink bottles having improved caustic stress cracking resistance. The method of this disclosure combine the use of PET-based co-polyester resin that incorporates a cyclic hydrocarbon diacid co-monomer and/or a cyclic hydrocarbon diol comonomer, with a bottle design incorporating a petaloid base, for unexpectedly enhanced performance.

Abstract: Several embodiments disclosed herein pertain to polymer compositions with optical enhancing agents. In some embodiments, the compositions are provided as polymer (layers including medical films), devices, or parts of devices. Some embodiments provide methods of making such compositions and articles of manufacture comprising them, as well as methods of using polymer compositions or the articles made therefrom. In several embodiments, the polymer formulation includes a base polymer and an optical enhancing additive. In some embodiments, surprisingly, the optical enhancing additive confers upon the polymer film improved stability, including thermal stability.

Abstract: This disclosure provides new methods to characterize and relate residual stress and orientation imparted to the injection molded polymeric preform with orientation and residual stress in the resulting blow molded bottle. The method developed allows one to define and map the coupled thermal stress histories of both processes to define applicable preferred mutual processing windows for both preform and bottle molding processes. Stretch blow-molding parameters are developed using the disclosed method.

Abstract: This disclosure provides economical and effective methods and apparatus for repairing scratches and scuffs on refillable bottle surfaces that minimally contaminates the bottle during the refurbishing process. In one aspect, the method comprises the steps of: a) adding at least one fluid into the polymeric packaging material such as a bottle to form at least a partially filled packaging material; and b) applying at least one heat source to an exterior surface of the at least partially filled packaging material to form a repaired polymeric packaging material. Apparatus and recycling systems that incorporate this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Preforms and methods of processing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) polymers, such as poly(ethylene-2,5-furandicaboxylate (PEF), to produce preforms and articles, such as containers. The present invention also includes preforms with superior processing characteristics and containers, such as PEF beverage bottles, with superior performance properties.

Abstract: Polymers and copolymers, and systems and methods for processing the same. Advantageously, the polymers and copolymers of the present invention have undergone processing in a falling strand devolatilizer and rotary disk finisher such that a low-cost, low-energy, and high-production-rate product is produced.

Abstract: Polyester multilobed prepolymer pellets and methods of making and using the same are provided. The multilobed polyester pellets have an increased surface area to volume ratio which improves intraparticle diffusion mass transfer rates resulting in a reduction of pellet drying and solid state polymerization processing times.

Abstract: This disclosure provides effective methods for expanding the processing window for poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) and poly(ethylene furanoate) co-polymer (PEF co-polymer) polyester preforms, such that these preforms can be beneficially used in the fabrication of bottles and containers, including bottles for carbonated soft drinks. The processing window is expanded by, for example, pre-conditioning the PEF or PEF co-polymer preform prior to stretch blow-molding by contacting the PEF or PEF co-polymer preform with water or high (>50%) relative humidity air for a desired time period and at a temperature greater than or equal to ambient temperature, to take advantage of the unique and unexpected properties afforded the preform by water sorption at these temperatures.

Abstract: This disclosure provides new heat sealable, barrier laminate packaging structures used for beverage component pouches or cartridges, including new structures and chemical compositions of the pouch made to contain the beverage base, component, or component concentrate. These structures and compositions used for heat sealable, barrier laminate packaging balance good heat sealability with improved performance for flavor scalping, oxygen permeability, and/or undesirable moisture ingress or egress, which affect the stability and useful life of the pouch or cartridge and its contents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyethylene furanoate (PEF) copolymers and methods for processing the same to provide PEF articles, as well as the articles so produced.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an investigation of the kinetic uptake properties of water in amorphous PEF and PET across the entire water activity interval at various temperatures, and also investigates the corresponding equilibrium uptake properties at the same conditions. Uptake data were measured using three independent and complementary methodologies, and excellent agreement was observed among all three methodologies. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for methods of plasticizing poly(ethylene furanoate) film by cold water sorption, and provides a plasticized poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) film made according to the disclosed methods. Methods for making thin films of PEF are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are bio-based polyester fibers, particularly a PET fibers, and a method of making the same by: contacting a bio-based MEG composition with a diacid composition to form a polyester composition; and spinning and/or drawing the resulting polyester composition into a fiber; wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises: a) monoethylene glycol (MEG); and b) from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C3-C12 1,2-diol, wherein the C3-C12 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a process for removing acrolein or allyl alcohol from a polyester composition, the process comprising: combining a polyester composition derived from 1,3-propanediol with an amino amide or a primary amine; wherein the amino amide or the primary amine is combined in sufficient quantities to scavenge acrolein or allyl alcohol produced from degradation of the polyester composition. An analysis of reactions between anthranilamide (AAA) and acrolein demonstrates how amines or amino amides can scavenge acrolein from thermally processed poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene furan-2,5-dicarboxylate), and thermodynamic models are presented as guidance for matching targets with scavenging agent.

Abstract: Syrup dispensing cups are provided that include a body structure that includes a first polyester or co-polyester resin with one or more first co-monomers incorporated into the first resin at a first mol % and having an intrinsic viscosity from about 0.45 dL/g to about 1.3 dL/g when measured at a temperature of 25 C. The body structure has a first opening that is sealed with a first sealing layer and a second opening sealed with a second sealing layer, in which each sealing layer includes a second PET-based co-polyester resin having one or more second co-monomers incorporated into the second resin at a second mol %, and the ratio of the first mole % to the second mol % is less than 1. Methods for or enhancing the shelf-life of syrup dispensing cups are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymers and copolymers, and systems and methods for processing the same. Advantageously, the polymers and copolymers of the present invention have undergone processing in a falling strand devolatilizer and rotary disk finisher such that a low-cost, low-energy, and high-production-rate product is produced.

Abstract: This disclosure provides new methods to characterize and relate residual stress and orientation imparted to the injection molded polymeric preform with orientation and residual stress in the resulting blow molded bottle. The method developed allows one to define and map the coupled thermal stress histories of both processes to define applicable preferred mutual processing windows for both preform and bottle molding processes. Stretch blow-molding parameters are developed using the disclosed method.

Abstract: Syrup dispensing cups are provided that include a body structure that includes a first polyester or co-polyester resin with one or more first co-monomers incorporated into the first resin at a first mol % and having an intrinsic viscosity from about 0.45 dL/g to about 1.3 dL/g when measured at a temperature of 25 C. The body structure has a first opening that is sealed with a first sealing layer and a second opening sealed with a second sealing layer, in which each sealing layer includes a second PET-based co-polyester resin having one or more second co-monomers incorporated into the second resin at a second mol %, and the ratio of the first mole % to the second mol % is less than 1. Methods for or enhancing the shelf-life of syrup dispensing cups are also provided.