Abstract: Formulations of poly(vinyl chloride) are disclosed that have properties to endure the rigors of continuous extrusion blow molding to form double-walled, blow-molded poly(vinyl chloride) articles. The formulations satisfy a test that each formulation has a 40 cm parison formation time of at least 40 seconds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating an optical fiber, an optical fiber preform, and an optical fiber core rod are disclosed herein. In particular, the process of fabricating an optical fiber preform involves, during a modified chemical vapor deposition process, collapsing the substrate tube into an optical fiber preform, and compressing the optical fiber preform in the longitudinal direction. An optical fiber preform that is shorter, but larger in diameter is thus formed. The optical fiber preforms therefore can be stacked during the optical fiber fabrication process, which is useful in drawing longer optical fibers with comparable outer diameter and core diameter to that used as the industry standard.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and product formed by applying the method to the apparatus for obtaining an accurate impression of a body part or other form. The impression is obtained using a casting blank formed of a thermoplastic material that is resiliently rigid at room temperature and malleable when heated to low temperatures above room temperature. The casting blank is heated until suitably malleable, applied adjacent the body part or form to obtain an impression, cooled until suitable resiliency returns to create a completed cast, and the completed cast then removed from the body part or form. The completed cast may then be used to form subsequent impressions by repeating the same process, substituting the prior completed cast for the casting blank.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a honeycomb extrusion die has the steps of: preparing a die base metal in which a plurality of intersecting slits are arranged in a front surface thereof and a plurality of raw material feeding holes communicated with the slits are arranged in a back surface thereof; forming a plating layer on the die base metal by means of electrolytic plating; (1) and forming a TiCN layer on the plating layer by means of CVD (chemical vapor deposition); or (2) forming a TiN layer on the plating layer by means of CVD (chemical vapor deposition); and forming a TiCN layer on the TiN layer by means of CVD. In this manner, the honeycomb extrusion die is obtained.

Abstract: Optical fiber preforms can comprise a glass preform structure with an inner cavity. A powder can be placed within the inner cavity having an average primary particle size of less than about one micron. The powder can be in the form of an unagglomerated particles or a powder coating with a degree of agglomeration or hard fusing ranging from none to significant amounts as long as the primary particles are visible in a micrograph. Powders can be placed within a preform structure by forming a slurry with a dispersion of submicron/nanoscale particles within a cavity within the prefrom. In other embodiments, a powder coating is formed within a preform structure by depositing the powder coating directly from a reaction product stream. The formation of the powder coating can be formed within the reaction chamber or outside of the reaction chamber by flowing the product particle stream through a conduit leading to the preform structure. In additional embodiments, a powder coating is placed on an insert, e.g.

Abstract: A mill blank assembly for a dental prosthesis includes a milling section and a support section for supporting the assembly in a milling machine. In certain embodiments, the milling section is adhesively bonded to the support section by a direct chemical bond that provides enhanced resistance to unintentional detachment of the milling section from the support section during a subsequent machining operation. Optionally, the support section includes a passageway that receives a quantity of flowable dental restorative material used to make the milling section, such that the restorative material that is located in the passageway provides additional resistance when hardened to unintentional detachment of the milling section from the support section.

Abstract: A glass preform having a living hinge section that is formed by introducing a continuous strand of fibrous material onto a portion of a screen and overspraying the strand and the rest of the screen with a chopped string binder material, therein forming a matted structure. The matted structure is subsequently heated to fuse together the binder material of adjacent chopped string binders to form the preform having a living hinge section. The preform may then be molded to form a three dimensional composite part such as a truck box. The living hinge section of the preform improves the flexibility of the preform during the molding process, thereby allowing for the preparation of complex three dimensional shapes.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyester film which has excellent productivity while ensuring a transferred image having excellent shape reproducibility and gradation and is particularly suitable for use as a base film for a heat-sensitive transfer ribbon. This film is formed by simultaneous biaxial orientation and contains 0.1 to 2 wt % of inert inorganic particles having an average particle diameter of 0.5 to 5 &mgr;m. This biaxially oriented polyester film has a value of 0.028 or less obtained by dividing the heat shrinkage factor (HS) (%) in a longitudinal direction at 200° C. by the F-5 value (N/mm2) (F5) in the longitudinal direction measured at normal temperature (about 23° C.) of the film.

Abstract: Press roll (10) for a laminating machine for producing a packaging material which comprises a carcass layer (42) consisting of paper or carton, and which carcass layer exhibits crease lines, through holes, openings or slits (43), which carcass layer exhibits, on one of its sides, a barrier layer (23), a plastic lining (31) which is arranged outside the barrier layer, and film (25) of laminant thermoplast which is arranged between the carcass layer and the barrier layer, with the said press roll (10) exhibiting a circular-cylindrical jacket surface having a facing (40) consisting of an elastic material. According to the invention, the said facing (40) comprises sections (44, 44′) in the jacket surface, which sections exhibit local deformation ability in relation to the surrounding facing (40, 44). The invention also relates to a method for producing packaging material and to packaging material which has been produced using this method.

Abstract: A preform (20) for a plastics container (2) having a substantially rectangular body portion with a substantially rectangular neck (4) thereto, the preform (20) being characterised by four upstanding sidewalls defining a substantially rectangular neck portion (24) thereto, and a base portion (22) of substantially rectangular transverse sections, the base portion (22) comprising four sections (26, 28, 30, 32) each extending from the lower end of an associated sidewall and tapering in both width and thickness toward the centre of the base portion (22), one section (26, 28, 30, 32) to form each wall (6, 8, 10, 12) of the container (2), the base portion (22) further comprising a central section (34) into which the tapering sections (26, 28, 30, 32) merge, said central section to form part at least of base of the resilient container (2).

Abstract: The flow of radon from the ground into a building is suppressed by placing a plastic film on or under the lowest floor of the building. The plastic film is made of a material having an oxygen diffusivity of less than about 10 cubic centimeters per day.

Abstract: A dental prosthesis blank and a combined dental prosthesis blank and blank holder. The dental prosthesis blank provides for forming a dental prosthesis therefrom and the blank holder holds the blank during the forming of the prosthesis. The blank comprises a first free end for forming the dental prosthesis therefrom and a positioning end for positioning the blank in the blank holder. The positioning end includes a cylindrical cone, i.e. extension, having a pair of reference surfaces defined by a slot extending along the axis of the cylindrical extension. The blank holder includes a reference element such as a bar that fits within the space between the reference surfaces.

Abstract: An ornamental molding and method of manufacture have a positive molding (1) made of solidified foam material coated with predetermined cementitious-like material having a selected ornamental shape and predetermined resistivity to natural destructiveness. A negative molding (6) in which the positive molding is formed also is made preferably from solidified foam material that is coated with a release agent. The solidified foam material is preferred for its light weight, ease of forming and low cost. Additional advantages of the solidified foam material are long life with coating protection for the positive mold and contrastingly easy destruction and discard of the negative mold after being used to make the positive molding. For a wide selection of ornamental moldings, the positive and the negative moldings can be formed together by parting them from a single piece of solidified foam material with a cutting instrument (8) that can include a hot wire, a hot rod, a fluid jet stream or a laser beam.

Abstract: An improved multi-layer preform is provided which includes: (a) a plastic inner liner, having a cylindrical-walled lower portion and a cylindrical-walled upper portion integral with and extending upwardly from said lower portion, and (b) a molded outer layer. The liner further includes (a) a mount means, such as a generally continuous annular groove, or (b) a vent means, such as a plurality of recesses or grooves positioned circumferentially about the upper portion of the liner, or (c) both a mount means and vent means used in functional combination.

Abstract: The parison (1) is made from one or more thermoplastic resins, and includes a neck (2) based on an aromatic polyester and preferably based on PET, which neck is provided with a thread and is not thermally stabilized. The thread has a profile in longitudinal section that is asymmetrical, making it possible to obtain a thread whose profile in longitudinal section is of improved symmetry after the neck (2) has been thermally stabilized. A receptacle, and in particular a bottle, is obtained by stretching and blowing a parison, and in which at least the neck (2) has been thermally stabilized, and has preferably been completely crystallized.

Abstract: A plastic blow molded container having a central vertical axis constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a cylindrical upper rim, an oriented neck portion, a lower body portion, and a closed base portion. The upper rim of the container includes a top surface having a planar inner edge and an outer edge. The inner edge is generally flat and perpendicular to the vertical axis of the container and the outer edge may be curled or curved to provide additional rigidity. The oriented neck portion depends from the upper rim and includes a means to accept a closure, such as a set of integral threads. When viewed in vertical cross section, the outer vertical line formed by the outer axial points of said means to accept a closure is substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the container. The lower body portion is generally cylindrical over the majority of its vertical length. The closed base portion supports the container and depends from the lower body portion.

Abstract: A mill blank assembly for making a dental prosthesis includes a milling section and a support section. The support section is adapted to fit in a chuck or collect of a milling machine. One of the milling section and the support section includes a projection that extends into a recess of the other, in order to enhance the strength of the bond between the milling section and the support section. As a result, the completed assembly is less likely to fracture or become disassembled during the milling process.

Abstract: A dental mill blank comprising a resin and a filler, wherein the blank is fabricated such that it passes a Thermal Shock Test. The mill blank is substantially free of cracks and discontinuities. Further, the blank may have superior cuttability and hardness.

Abstract: Polyester containers having a reduced coefficient of friction (“COF”) are produced by increasing the surface roughness of the polyester using either thermal crystallization or solvent crystallization. Because the low COF reduces or eliminates friction between polyester containers, the containers do not become entangled and disrupt the manufacturing process. As a result, the containers move easily through typical conveying and filling lines in manufacturing processes that use the containers.

Abstract: From about 50 to about 90% by weight of fibers, in particular wood fibers, and/or pellets made from cellulose or from wood, are mixed with from about 10 to about 50% by weight of a hot-curing resin, each of the percentages by weight being based on the total weight of the mixture. Instead of a single resin it is also possible to use a mixture made from two or more hot-curing resins. The mixture made from fibers and/or pellets and resin is kneaded and homogenized and then passed on to an extruder which has various heating zones in which the mixture is heated. Care has to be taken here that the maximum temperature, arising at the extruder exit, does not exceed about 120° C., since above this temperature the resin(s) begin(s) to cure.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the formulation of thermoplastic pellets from a combination of raw sludge material from a paper mill with thermoplastic material from post industrial or consumer sources. Initially, waste raw sludge material is transported via a conveyor to a dryer for removal of excess water. The waste thermoplastic material is preferably shredded into a desired size and transported to a densifier. The dried sludge is added to the densifier where the shredded thermoplastic material and dried sludge is suitably mixed with additive agents. The mixed sludge and shredded thermoplastic material is then transported to a grinder for grinding. The ground material is then transported to a hopper for introduction into an extruder. The ground combined material is then subjected to an extrusion process for the formulation of thermoplastic pellets having supplemental fibers to enhance the properties for use as starting material in an injection molding process.

Abstract: A co-layer stretch blow molding preform comprises an outer plastic preform and an inner plastic preform, wherein the inner plastic preform includes an infrared energy absorbing material which is absent from the outer plastic preform.

Abstract: A dimensionally-stable, injection-molded portion of a blow molded intermediate article is engaged by a conveyance mechanism of a trimmer to controllably drive the intermediate article within the trimmer to permit accurate and high speed severing of the injection molded portion and moil from a blown finish container body. An injection-molded, closed end preform is provided having a neck finish with an internal and/or external peripheral drive surface. The preform is utilized to form an intermediate article including a container body and moil. The injection-molded neck portion of the intermediate article remains substantially unchanged from its as-manufactured preform condition and provides a dimensionally stable surface for use in driving and rotating the intermediate article within the trimmer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a preform, which is a base material of an optical fiber, comprising: forming porous-glass-base-material by accumulating glass particles; dehydrating the porous-glass-base-material by heating the porous-glass-base-material in an atmosphere of gas that contains chlorine; heating the porous-glass-base-material dehydrated by the dehydrating with a first heating temperature in an atmosphere of a first inert gas; and vitrifying the porous-glass-base-material by heating the porous-glass-base-material with a second heating temperature in an atmosphere of second inert gas.

Abstract: Commercially available polyester-based resin that has been stored in ambient air is dried in an oxygen-depleted atmosphere, then heated to a temperature above the melting point and injected into a preform mold. Heating and injection molding of the resin is preferably conducted in an atmosphere substantially devoid of oxygen. Preforms made using the method exhibit reduced acetaldehyde levels compared to conventional methods.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-layer, composite footwear upper having a three-dimensional geometry includes the steps of forming a substantially planar composite sheet from two or more layers, heating the composite sheet, and compression molding the composite sheet into the three-dimensional geometry of the footwear upper. The composite sheet is formed by laminating a first layer of thermoplastic foam to a second layer of thermoplastic urethane (TPU), preferably in the form of a TPU film. A third layer of mesh fabric can be interposed between the first and second layers. The composite sheet is compressed after heating in a mold cavity to achieve the desired three-dimensional geometry. The composite sheet can be compression molded into separate sections which are assembled after molding to form the footwear upper. Alternatively, the composite sheet can be compression molded into a seamless, unitary footwear upper that requires minimal, if any, assembly for completion.

Abstract: A wide-mouth plastic container is formed from a preform that is blow-molded to form an intermediate container article that has blown threads located below a moil. The moil is severed above the blown threads to yield the finished container. A preform and process for manufacturing the wide-mouth container are disclosed.

Abstract: A preform for making a prosthetic limb socket includes an injection molded flat circular disk of rigid thermoplastics material, and the disk has a peripheral portion with an embedded reinforcing ring which was spaced as an insert within the mold cavity. The preform is heated within an oven on a flat surface support ring, and the softened disk is manually drawn and stretched downwardly over a positive model of a residual limb while vacuum is introduced through small holes within the model to form a plastic socket which conforms to the positive model. After the plastic cools, the annular base portion of the disk with the embedded reinforcing ring is trimmed from the socket, and the model is removed from the socket.

Abstract: A preform for forming a hollow blow molded plastic container is provided with a closed base, a multilayer body-forming portion extending from the base, and an open neck portion that extends from the body portion. The body portion includes a co-extruded inner liner that includes (a) an innermost polymer layer, (b) at least one oxygen-scavenging layer, and (c) at least one high-oxygen barrier layer for retarding the migration of gases and moisture therethrough. An outermost layer is molded over the inner liner to form a preform. The liner and preform are formed so that the wall thickness of the individual layers can easily be varied along their lengths, however, at any given point along the length of the co-extruded liner (a) the wall thickness of the innermost polymer layer is less than 0.50 of the wall thickness of the inner liner and (b) the wall thickness of the inner liner is less than 0.25 of the total wall thickness of the preform body portion.

Abstract: A friction engaging device, such as, for example a braking disc and a friction couple, brake disc/pad are disclosed. The friction engaging device is a carbon-ceramic composite comprising a carbon fibre network and a filler comprising silicon carbide. One device comprises, by weight, from 35-50% carbon fibre, 14-30% free carbon, 10-28% silicon carbide, 5-14% silicon and 5-14% silicon oxide. Also disclosed is a method of producing a friction engaging device in which a carbon-carbon composite comprising 10 to 60% by weight of a carbon fiber network and from 40 to 90% by weight free carbon is impregnated with silicon under conditions such that substantially all of the carbon fibre network remains as carbon fiber, and a proportion of the free carbon present in the volume is converted within the volume to silicon carbide by reaction with the silicon.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing component includes a quartz body characterized by silicon oxide filled micro cracks. The component is utilized as a processing component in a semiconductor furnace system. The quartz body is prepared by cleaning the component to remove a build up silicon layer and to expose micro cracks in the surface of the component and to etch the micro cracks into trenches. A silicon layer is applied onto the processing component body and at least a portion of the silicon is oxidized to silica to fill the trenches in the surface of the component body.

Abstract: A method for reducing or eliminating plate-out during the process used to produce stretch blow molded containers from polyester preforms by crystallizing the low molecular weight polyester molecules in or on the preform exterior surface before stretch blow molding the preform into a container. The molecules are crystallized using a crystallization process selected from (1) treating the outer surface of the preform with a solvent that is capable of crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester or (2) heating the outer surface of the preform to a temperature and for a time suitable for crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester. Plate-out is reduced because the crystallized molecules do not migrate out of the preform and form plate-out deposits on the mold.

Abstract: A method of bonding a rubber substrate to an epoxy resin based substrate which is particularly suitable for constructing selected components of rocket motors such as motor cases. The subject method includes disposing an acrylate between the substrates to be bonded together. The interfacial layer preferably has at least one rubber constituent and at least one acrylate therein. The disclosed method is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, bonding an unvulcanized EPDM rubber substrate to an aliphatic-type epoxy resin based composite substrate containing fibrous reinforcement elements such as graphite or carbon fibers. Upon disposing the disclosed interfacial layer between the substrates to be bonded, the substrates are preferably co-cured at an elevated temperature to complete the bonding thereof.

Abstract: A squeezable tube-shaped plastic container (10, 100) having a one-piece construction formed by extrusion blow-molding techniques. The container (10, 100) has a retractable end wall (26, 126) which is positionable into an outwardly projecting position and an inverted position. The end wall (26, 126), as blown, is in the outwardly projecting position and is thereafter inverted so that a tamper indicating covering (28, 128) can be attached to the end (14, 114) of the container (10, 100) thereby sealing the end wall (26, 126). The inverted end wall (26, 126) permits the container (10, 100) to be free standing on the standing ring (20, 120). In use, the flexible sidewall (12, 112) of the container (10, 100) is squeezed to snap the end wall (26, 126) from the inverted position to an outwardly projecting position to enable ready access to a dispensing opening (32, 132) on the end wall (26, 126).

Abstract: A blank for producing a formed dental part has closely toleranced reference faces being arranged at one end of a blank member lying opposite a retainer projection. The reference faces comprise two surfaces lying opposite one another that have a defined spacing from one another with close tolerances. The surfaces are advantageously formed by a reference part with a cylindrical cross section that is secured onto the blank member.

Abstract: The novel polyester (first polyester [A]) of the invention comprises dicarboxylic acid constituent units derived from at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and diol constituent units derived from diols comprising ethylene glycol and a polyalkylene glycol having a C2-C10 alkylene chain, wherein the proportion of constituent units derived from the polyalkylene glycol is 0.001 to 10% by weight based on the diol constituent units. The polyester [A] has an excellent crystallization rate, is suitably used, singly or as compositions together with another polyester [B] and/or other polymers, for production of molded products such as films, sheets, laminates, preforms and bottles, which have excellent thermal, gas barrier and transparency properties.

Abstract: A microcellular injection blow molding system and method, and microcellular blow molded articles produced thereby, are described. The system is equipped to extrude microcellular material that changes in thickness, material density, or both in the machine direction while maintaining a constant pressure drop rate during nucleation just prior to extrusion, providing the ability to produce consistent uniform microcellular material independent of material thickness. The systems and methods are particularly useful in production of strong, thin-walled, non-liquid-permeable, opaque containers that do not contain reinforcing agent, chromophore, or residue of chemical blowing agent or chemical blowing agent by-product.

Abstract: A preform or parison for manufacturing a container having a large interior diameter body and small interior diameter opening is prepared by molding the preform in two parts, a body having a generally cylindrical sidewall with one open end and one closed end, and a preform end having a diameter sized to mate with the sidewall and an opening therein for accessing the interior of the preform, and then joining the preform body and preform end to form a complete preform having an internal diameter larger than the diameter of the opening. The preform so formed is then used in a conventional blow molding process to produce a container having a large internal diameter and a narrow access opening.

Abstract: A new process for making a labeled container using a stretch blow molding process wherein a label sleeve is positioned over at least a portion of the exterior surface of a preform to produce a sleeved preform and the sleeved preform is stretch blow molded to produce a labeled container having a snug-fit label.

Abstract: A polyethylene terephthalate multi-layer preform (26) and a method for making the preform provides an inner layer (28) of virgin polyethylene terephthalate and an injection molded outer layer (30) of post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate which by weight is at least 75% of the total weight of the preform. The inner layer (28) of virgin polyethylene terephthalate is thermoformed prior to the injection molding of the outer layer (30) of post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate. A relatively large amount of the post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate can be utilized due to the thermoforming and injection molding as disclosed. More specifically, the post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate preferably by weight is 85%, most preferably in the range of 88 to 92% and optimally about 90% of the total weight of the preform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an impression of a socket used in a prosthetic device. The impression is formed using a blank formed of a material which is malleable at low temperatures. The blank is inserted inside the socket and heated so that the blank assumes a molded shape which conforms to the shape and size of the socket. The molded blank is then cooled and removed from the socket. The blank material has a sufficient flexibility to allow the molded blank to deflect or bend significantly during removal yet return to its molded shape. The molded blank may then be used to form a new socket.

Abstract: Co-processable multi-layer laminates having a high Tg layer and at least one low Tg layer with layers having properties of high strength, lo- or no-haze, and transparency after processing into various multi-layer forms are useful for packaging and container applications. The multi-layer laminate has at least one low Tg layer of a first thermoplastic polyester having at least one crystallization rate inhibitor. The total amount of crystallization rate inhibitor is effective to prevent substantial haze in the low Tg layer upon heating. In most applications, the total amount of crystallization rate inhibitor also does not substantially inhibit strain-induced crystallization of the at least one low Tg layer when the laminate is stretched during processing. The multi-layer laminates of the invention have improved properties such as reduced shrinkage and/or high barrier properties, with a very small amount of high Tg material used to impart these improved properties to the laminate.

Abstract: A process for blowing a balloon from a tubular parison of a thermoplastic polymer material by radially expanding the parison at an elevated temperature and pressure, the process characterized in that:

Abstract: The multilayer plastic container comprises a neck portion, a body portion, adjacent the neck portion, forming a cylindrical wall, and a bottom portion adjacent the body portion and opposite the neck portion. The cylindrical wall comprises a first layer of PET, a layer of EVOH adjacent the first layer of PET and a second layer of PET adjacent the layer of EVOH. The EVOH has an average thickness which is greater near the neck portion of the container than near the bottom portion of the container.

Abstract: A dental mill blank comprising a resin and a filler, wherein the blank is fabricated such that it passes a Thermal Shock Test. The mill blank is substantially free of cracks and discontinuities. Further, the blank may have superior cuttability and hardness.

Abstract: A multi-layer preform, includes: (a) a plastic inner liner, comprised of a cylindrical walled body, which may or may not include a tapered annular shoulder portion, and a cylindrical walled neck portion extending upwardly from the body, and (b) a molded outer layer. Prior to the outer layer being molded over the plastic inner liner, at least a portion of the liner is crystallized by a heat treatment process. The molded outer layer may include a means to receive a closure device. When the preform is at an acceptable temperature range for orientation, the multi-layer preform can be blow-molded to form a multi-layer container having improved properties.

Abstract: When a glass melt of an optical glass having a refractive index (nd) of at least 1.7 and an Abbe number (&ngr;d) of 28 to 41 is flowed down from a flow pipe made of Pt or a Pt alloy to form glass gobs continuously, there is caused a problem that the glass gobs have striae or that the weight variability among the glass gobs is large, and the problem can be overcome by the use of an optical glass comprising silicon oxide and boron oxide, the ratio of a content of the silicon oxide to a content of the boron oxide being greater than 0.78, the optical glass having a contact angle of at least 40° to Pt or a Pt alloy at a predetermined temperature equivalent to, or higher than, its liquidus temperature or in a predetermined temperature range whose lower limit is equivalent to, or higher than, the liquidus temperature and having a sag temperature Ts of 580° C. or lower.

Abstract: An inexpensive and disposable, highly absorbent pad for placement on a floor surface, directly in front of a urinal, for absorbing fluid not deposited within the confines of the urinal which would otherwise drip on the floor. Fluid absorbed by the pad is prevented from reaching the underlying floor thereby eliminating the problems associated with fluids being deposited on the floor. The pad includes a normally concealed incorporates a normally concealed, flexible, thin plastic disposal container connected to a pad removal member. The disposal container is stored in a normally concealed location, preferably beneath the pad, and automatically deploys and envelops the pad when a force is exerted on the removal member during the pad removal process.

Abstract: An artificial fragrance emitting flower article has at least one artificial flower having a stem. A vessel has an open top defined by a rim and an interior chamber defined by an inside surface of the vessel. A base having a top surface is mounted within the interior chamber of the vessel. The stem of the artificial flower is partially encased in the base. A fragrant gel layer is positioned on the top surface of the base to emit fragrance through the open top of the vessel.

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).