Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of extracting arabinoxylan from corn fiber wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) heating an aqueous mixture of corn fiber and a liquid; (b) contacting the mixture of step (a) with a protease enzyme, thereby providing a proteolyzed corn fiber and a liquid; (c) separating the liquid from the proteolyzed corn fiber; (d) contacting the proteolyzed corn fiber at least once with an alkaline extractant, thereby providing an insoluble cellulose material and a liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (e) separating the insoluble cellulose material from the liquid comprising arabinoxylan; and (f) reducing the volume of the liquid comprising arabinoxylan by removing excess alkaline extractant, thereby providing a concentrated liquid comprising from about 10% to about 50% solids, wherein the solids comprise arabinoxylan. In a further aspect, the invention provides methods of preparing novel arabinoxylan esters and ethers.

Abstract: The process for producing polyesters, and in particular, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which includes the use of antimony catalyst that is acidic phosphorus additive involves the addition of the catalyst prior to or together with the additive. Moreover, the amount of additive is selected so as to provide a resin that is at least substantially free of non-acidic inorganic compounds such as antimony phosphate which can be formed by the reaction of the catalyst with the additive. The process preferably includes an esterification step, a prepolymer step, and a polymerization step with the antimony catalyst being added prior to, during, or after, the esterification step while the phosphorus-containing additive is introduced prior to or during the prepolymer stage. Polyesters having low levels of elemental phosphorus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an nanocomposite material and products produced from the nanocomposite material. This invention is also directed to a process for preparing a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprising the steps of (i) forming a concetrate comprising a layered clay material with a matrix polymer-compatible functionalized oligomer or polymer, and (ii) melt compounding the concentrate with a melt-processible matrix polymer to produce a polymer-clay nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an antiblock coating comprised of a composition that contains a dibenzoate ester moiety. The dibenzoate ester compounds, particularly 1,4-CHDM dibenzoate, provide an excellent non-stick coating to hot melt adhesives, thus providing for easier packaging, storage, and processing. In addition, such a coating facilitates recycling of materials to which the hot melt adhesive is.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester-platelet particle composite comprising at least one polyester having dispersed therein a platelet particle dispersion comprising chalcogen or platelet particles and at least one water dissipatible polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making an amide-type polymer/silicone polymer blend comprising the steps of preparing a silicone polymer emulsion comprising a silicone polymer dispersed in a liquid continuous phase; introducing the silicone polymer emulsion into an amide-type polymerization reaction medium prior to or during the reaction, wherein the reaction medium comprises 1) a diacid component and a diamine component, an oligomer of a diacid and a diamine component, or a mixture thereof; and polymerizing the components of b)1, thereby providing an amide-type polymer/silicone polymer blend. A amide-type polymer/silicone polymer blends are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods of obtaining at least one monosaccharide from corn fiber the method comprises the steps of: (a) heating an aqueous mixture of corn fiber and a liquid; (b) contacting the mixture of step (a) with a protease enzyme, thereby providing a proteolyzed corn fiber and a liquid; (c) separating the liquid from the proteolyzed corn fiber; (d) contacting the proteolyzed corn fiber at least once with an alkaline extractant, thereby providing an insoluble cellulose material and a liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (e) separating the insoluble cellulose material from the liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (f) reducing the volume of the liquid comprising arabinoxylan by removing excess alkaline extractant, thereby providing a concentrated liquid comprising from about 10 to about 50% solids, wherein the solids comprise arabinoxylan; and (g) hydrolyzing the arabinoxylan from step (f) in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent, thereby providing a mixture comprising at least one monosacc

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing the proper gas flow to pneumatically convey materials from a storage location. The device includes a plate of a size to be complementarily received over a discharge end of a convey line and connected thereto. The plate defines an orifice extending therethrough so that the orifice allows fluid communication between the convey line and atmosphere. The system blower then is used and the speed of the blower is set to establish a predetermined pressure. The blower is stopped, the device is removed, and the blower is restarted at the same speed as set using the device, which is the optimal unloading gas flow for that material.

Abstract: This invention relates to binary blends of cellulose esters and aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, cellulose esters and aliphatic polyesters as well as ternary blends of cellulose esters and/or aliphatic polyesters and/or aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters and/or polymeric compounds as well as fibers, molded objects, and films prepared therefrom.

Abstract: The invention herein provides a silicone polymer emulsion comprising: a) a silicone polymer; and b) a surfactant; and a liquid continuous phase comprising a diol, wherein the diol comprises from about 25 to about 100% by weight of the continuous phase. Further provided is a method of making a condensation polymer/silicone polymer blend comprising the steps of: a) preparing a silicone/polymer emulsion comprising a silicone polymer in a liquid continuous phase; b) introducing the silicone polymer emulsion into a condensation polymerization reaction medium prior to or during the condensation polymerization reaction, wherein the condensation polymerization reaction medium comprises (1) a diacid, di-isocyanate, dialkyl carbonate, diaryl carbonate, dihalo carbonate or a mixture thereof, wherein the continuous phase, the condensation polymerization reaction medium or both comprises a diol component; and c) polymerizing the diol and component b(1) thereby forming a condensation polymer/silicone polymer blend.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new polyester compositions, novel processes to prepare molded articles from these new polyester compositions, and novel containers fabricated from polyester/clay composites for food and beverages. The processing methods employed in this invention enable containers to be formed which exhibit excellent clarity. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process comprising forming a parison from a composite composition comprising about 0.01 to about 25 weight % platelet particles dispersed in at least one polyester at a processing temperature which is at least 50° above the Tg of said polyester; and molding said parison into a clear, thin walled article.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of making a nylon 6/silicone polymer blend comprising the steps of preparing a silicone polymer emulsion comprising a silicone polymer dispersed in a liquid continuous phase; introducing the silicone polymer emulsion into a nylon 6 ring opening reaction either prior to or during the nylon 6 ring opening reaction medium wherein the reaction medium comprises caprolactam; and opening the ring and reacting the caprolactam, thereby providing a nylon 6/silicone polymer emulsion blend. Nylon 6/silicone polymer blends are also provided by the invention herein.

Abstract: A novel composition is provided comprising a copolyester having CHDM moieties in amounts of about 1 to about 20 mole percent, and a particular antistat, that is extrudable.