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: 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 reusable packaging materials, methods and designs that provide improved life cycles to the package. In one aspect, there is provided an effective and economical means for improved scuff resistance on a package, by provided the refillable container with a raised wear band around the largest circumference of the container. The wear band focuses the wear such that the abrasion pattern develops in a controlled and aesthetically benign manner.

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: 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 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: 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: 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 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: The present invention is directed to a heat-shrinkable, thermoplastic film or bag which contains at least one homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of at least 0.90 g/cc. Oriented films made in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved optics and improved impact resistance. A homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin may be present in a monolayer film either alone or in a blend or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat-shrinkable, thermoplastic film or bag which contains at least one homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer with at least some limited long chain branching. Oriented films made in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved processability as well as improved physical properties such as excellent optics and impact resistance. A homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin with long chain branching may be present in a monolayer film either alone or in a blend or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat-shrinkable, thermoplastic film or bag which contains at least one homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of at least 0.90 g/cc. Oriented films made in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved optics and improved impact resistance. A homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin may be present in a monolayer film either alone or in a blend or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Film and sheet materials, and articles made therefrom, such as bags, pouches, trays, etc., comprise one or more layers of homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer, preferably an ethylene/styrene copolymer. The alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer has properties which can provide a desired performance characteristics such as impact resistance, printability, RF sealability, free shrink, optics, high permeability, etc. The homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer may be present in a monolayer film, either alone or in a blend, or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film. Also included is a multilayer thermoformable article comprising a web having a film of such alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymers thereto.

Abstract: A film includes a core layer including a homogeneous random alpha-olefin/cyclic olefin copolymer; and first and second outer layers including an olefinic polymer; the film having Young's modulus between about 50,000 and about 200,000 psi, free shrink between about 10% and about 80% at 240° F., and shrink tension of less than about 400 psi, or a shrink force of between about 20 and about 180 grams, at 240° F. First and second intermediate layers including an ethylene copolymer having a melt index less than about 2 g/10 minutes can be optionally included. Alternatively, a film includes a core layer including an ethylene copolymer having melt index less than about 2 g/10 minutes; first and second intermediate layers including a homogeneous random alpha-olefin/cyclic olefin copolymer; and first and second outer layers including an olefinic polymer; the film having properties as disclosed above.

Abstract: A film includes a core layer including a homogeneous random alpha-olefin/cyclic olefin copolymer; and first and second outer layers including an olefinic polymer; the film having Young's modulus between about 50,000 and about 200,000 psi, free shrink between about 10% and about 80% at 240° F., and shrink tension of less than about 400 psi, or a shrink force of between about 20 and about 180 grams, at 240° F. First and second intermediate layers including an ethylene copolymer having a melt index less than about 2 g/10 minutes can be optionally included. Alternatively, a film includes a core layer including an ethylene copolymer having melt index less than about 2 g/10 minutes; first and second intermediate layers including a homogeneous random alpha-olefin/cyclic olefin copolymer; and first and second outer layers including an olefinic polymer; the film having properties as disclosed above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat-shrinkable, thermoplastic film or bag which contains at least one homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of at least 0.90 g/cc. Oriented films made in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved optics and improved impact resistance. A homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin may be present in a monolayer film either alone or in a blend or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable film containing a homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer has a high impact strength and a high free shrink. The film can be a monolayer film or multilayer film, with the homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer present alone or in a blend, and in one or more film layers. The film is especially suited for use in heat-shrinkable bags, which can be used for the packaging of various products, especially meat.

Abstract: A tape for a tamper evident container includes an ethylene/vinyl ester copolymer, wherein the ethylene/vinyl ester copolymer has a melt index of between 5 and 3,000, and a weight average molecular weight of between 5,000 and 100,000 Daltons. The tape can be crosslinked. A tamper evident container includes a first portion; an opening capable of providing access to the interior of the tamper evident container; a closure portion arranged to be superposable with the first portion; an adhesive, applied to the first portion or closure portion; and a tape disposed, on superposition of the first portion and the closure portion, adjacent to the opening, wherein the tape comprises an ethylene/vinyl ester copolymer having a melt index of between 5 and 3,000, and a weight average molecular weight of between 5,000 and 100,000 Daltons.

Abstract: Film and sheet materials, and articles made therefrom, such as bags, pouches, trays, etc., comprise one or more layers of homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer, preferably an ethylene/styrene copolymer. The alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer has properties which can provide a desired performance characteristics such as impact resistance, printability, RF sealability, free shrink, optics, high permeability, etc. The homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer may be present in a monolayer film, either alone or in a blend, or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film. Also included is a multilayer thermoformable article comprising a web having a film of such alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymers thereto.

Abstract: Film and sheet materials, and articles made therefrom, such as bags, pouches, trays, etc., comprise one or more layers of a thermoplastic, homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer, preferably an ethylene/styrene copolymer. The alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer has properties which can can provide a desired performance characteristics such as impact resistance, printability, RF sealability, free shrink, optics, as well as many others. The homogeneous alpha-olefin-vinyl aromatic copolymer may be present in a mono-layer film, either alone or in a blend, or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film. Also included is a multilayer thermoformable article comprising a web having a film of such alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymers thereto. Finally, also included is an RF-sealable film comprising such copolymers.