Abstract: The present invention provides isoflavone compositions exhibiting improved solubility (e.g., light transmittance), taste, color, and texture characteristics, and methods for making the same. The isoflavone compositions are useful for incorporation in a variety of foodstuffs, beverages, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical compositions allowing for improved taste, texture, color, and optical properties of the same.

Abstract: Polymeric carpet and a method of making and recycling such carpet, the carpet having fibers, backing and extruded adhesive all of completely recyclable materials, the recycling being accomplished in one melting step, without a separation step.

Abstract: A catalyst in carbonylation processes for producing esters, carboxylic acids, and carboxylic acid anhydrides from lower alkyl alcohols, ethers, esters, alcohol producing derivatives. The catalyst includes a catalytically active metal selected from Group VIII metals, tin mixtures thereof associated with a carbonized polysulfonated divinylbenzene-styrene copolymer.

Abstract: A two-dimensional display having a three-dimensional visual appearance has printed on a substantially flat or planar surface a predetermined message or information. Superposed over the message is a lenticular lens. Adjacent to the message are a series of spaced apart lines which may either be coplanar or non-coplanar relative to the message. The spaced apart lines are arranged so that they are in a non-registration relationship with the spacing of individual lenticules forming the lenticular lens. The display produces an appearance of having the lines float or move as a viewer's focal angle or perspective of the display changes. A method for making such a display is also provided.

Abstract: In a liquid phase carbonylation process for the production of acetic anhydride by reacting a feed stream which includes methyl acetate, methanol and carbon monoxide using a Group VIII metal-containing catalyst, and preferably a rhodium containing material, a liquid reaction product is continuously withdrawn from the carbonylation zone and fed to an evaporation/separation zone for separating volatile constituents of the reaction from the non-volatile constituents which, includes a portion of the Group VIII metal catalyst from the carbonylation reactor. The Group VIII metal catalyst is contacted with a gas stream which includes hydrogen for a period of from about 0.001 seconds to about 200 seconds as it is being returned to the carbonylation zone.

Abstract: A copolyester blend resistant to ultraviolet radiation includes a polyethylene terephthalate based copolyester having 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; an effective amount of an ultraviolet radiation absorber selected from the group consisting of benzoxazinones, dimeric benzotriazoles, triazines and mixtures thereof; from about 5 mol % to about 40 mol % isophthalic acid residues in the copolyester, and from 5 mol % to 20 mol % 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid residues present in the copolyester, wherein the mole percent of the diacid is based on 100 mole percent of dicarboxylic acid or equivalents. The copolyester blend is useful in making UV radiation resistant thermoformed articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for depolymerizing recycled polyester into its component ester monomers and half esters includes a first reactor for depolymerizing the recycled polyester, a separator for separating ester monomeric components and half-esters from secondary materials produced in the first reactor, and a second reactor for producing a low molecular weight polyester from liquefied separator products.

Abstract: A method for producing an organic cellulose derivative fibrillated fiber includes the steps of mixing a cellulose ester containing stream and a coagulant stream in a first zone of relatively moderate turbulence to produce a slurry containing cellulose ester fibers, passing the slurry containing cellulose ester fibers to a second zone having relatively low turbulence for a sufficient time to increase the hardness of the cellulose ester fiber; and passing the cellulose derivative fibers through a third zone having relatively high shear to produce a fibrillated fiber having a diameter of about 0.5 to about 50 microns and a degree of fibrillation greater than about 6.

Abstract: A process for making pellets from a viscous material includes the steps of extruding the viscous material from a first conduit into a pelletizing fluid in a first zone; and passing the extruded viscous material and pelletizing fluid into a second zone having an increase in the velocity of the pelletizing fluid and a step-wise reduction in the pressure relative to the first zone. Advantageously, this step change combination produces sufficient forces by the pelleting fluid on the viscous material sufficiently to form discrete pellets of a substantially uniform size distribution.

Abstract: A method for the vapor-phase carbonylation of lower alkyl alcohols to esters and optionally, carboxylic acids using a catalyst having a platinum on a solid support material as a first component and a vaporous halide as a second component. Desirably, the catalyst includes platinum on an activated carbon support and the vaporous halide is selected from hydrogen halides, alkyl halides and aryl halides having up to 12 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for recovering suitable polyester feedstock material from recycled polyester includes the steps of depolymerizing the polyester into its component ester monomers and half-esters; separating the monomers and half-esters from other secondary materials; and mixing the component ester monomers and half-esters with additional monomers to produce a low molecular weight polyester. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the recycled polyester is contacted with a component monomer or oligomer thereof to liquefy the polyester before the polyester is depolymerized.The invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out the process. The apparatus includes a first reactor for depolymerizing the recycled polyester, a separator for separating ester monomeric components and half-esters from secondary materials produced in the first reactor, and a second reactor for producing a low molecular weight polyester from the liquefied separator products.

Abstract: The use of a specified molecular weight range of poly(alkylene ether)s, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG), and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), and end-capped poly(alkylene ether)s, as plasticizers for polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(propylene terephthalate) (PPT), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN), and poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT), that are non-volatile during drying processes as well as during melt processing. Such poly(alkylene ether)s and end-capped poly(alkylene ether)s decrease the melt viscosity of the polymer matrix and depress the glass transition temperature, and thereby improve the processability of polyesters.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device having a plurality of pixel electrodes for transmitting light, a first panel having an activation portion for selectively activating the plurality of pixel electrodes, an orientation layer formed on the activation portion, a light shielding pattern formed on the orientation layer, a second panel having a second orientation layer, a liquid crystal formed between the first and second panels, a polarizing plate or a color filter and a protective film on at least one of the aforementioned surfaces wherein the protective layer includes a cellulose ester selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose formate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose having an inherent viscosity of from about 1.0 to less than 2.0 dl/g.