Abstract: Retinyl hydroxyesters and retinyl oligo-hydroxyesters were prepared using a chemoenzymatic process from retinol and short chain esters of hydroxycarboxylic acids or short chain esters of hydroxycarboxylic acids. The presence of the hydroxyl group on the acid can result in a mixture of esters from various oligomers of the hydroxycarboxylic acid. The retinyl ester products are readily enzymatically hydrolyzed in vitro, which indicates that application to the skin should result in release of the anti-aging ingredient retinol (without the inherent instability and irritation) along with the acid, which, if chosen appropriately, should also have desirable biological effects. This combination should be effective as an anti-aging skin care ingredient.

Abstract: Disclosed are unsaturated polyester resins comprising residues of 1,2-propanediol, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic diacid, and 2-butenedioic acid. Also disclosed are curable compositions containing admixtures of the unsaturated polyesters and aromatic vinyl compounds copolymerizable with the unsaturated polyesters, and coatings and casted and molded articles obtained from the curable compositions. The curable compositions are useful for coatings and casted and molded articles that have at least one surface that is persistently exposed to organic or aqueous liquids.

Abstract: An agitation system including a motor that is capable of measuring the torque output of the motor required to mix a suspension. The motor is attached to an agitator which is placed in a suspension to be measured. The agitator is placed in the suspension and the agitation system is turned on for a period of time. This period determined by the type of agitator used and the characteristics of the suspension. When the suspension is well mixed and the torque measurement on the agitator becomes stable, the agitation system is stopped. The suspension is allowed to sit without agitation for a period of time and the agitation system is started again. After a period of time the agitation system is started and the amount of torque needed to begin turning the agitator is measured.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer compositions having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. The blends of the present invention are useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce oxygen-scavenging compositions.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to baby bottles and other articles produced by blow molding from polymeric materials having glass transition temperatures ranging from 100° C. to 130° C., as well as to processes for producing them. These articles can be exposed to boiling water and can be produced by using a suitable combination of a stretch ratio of less than 3 and a preform temperature at least 20° C. greater than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymeric material.

Abstract: Esters of 4,5-disubstituted-oxy-2-methyl-3,6-dioxo-cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl alkyl acids were prepared chemically and/or enzymatically. Depending upon the ester, improved melanocyte cytotoxicity was achieved. Improved cytotoxicity characteristics are consistent with ester analogs being more physiologically compatible and less irritating to skin than their corresponding acids.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enables the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer compositions having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. The blends of the present invention are useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce oxygen-scavenging compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxygen-scavenging polymer compositions having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides, and a metal catalyst. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. The blends of the present invention are useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze, and comprising immiscible blends of at least one polyester comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxygen-scavenging polymer compositions having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of at least one polyester comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides, and a metal catalyst. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. The blends of the present invention are useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer compositions having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of at least one polyester comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. The blends of the present invention are useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce oxygen-scavenging compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing a plurality of crystallizable polymer pellets includes a step in which the pellets are contacted with a temperature adjusting fluid in a crystallizer. The fluid adjusts the temperature of the pellets by having a temperature sufficient to allow at least partial crystallization of the plurality of polymeric pellets while maintaining the average pellet temperature of the plurality of pellets below the melting temperature of the pellets. A crystallizer implementing the methods of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus which reduces the fines in a liquid discharge stream and/or increases the dryness of a solids discharge stream while under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a reactor operable to facilitate a chemical reaction in a reaction medium flowing therethrough. The reactor can include a horizontally elongated reactor segment containing a horizontally elongated tubular member and a tray disposed within the tubular member. The reaction medium can flow through the reactor segment on the tray and on the bottom of the tubular member in generally opposite directions. The reactor also can include a header and multiple horizontally elongated reactor segments coupled to the header and spaced vertically apart from one another. The reactor can be used to produce polyesters.

Abstract: A reactor system operable to facilitate a chemical reaction in a reaction medium flowing therethrough. The reactor system includes a heat exchanger for heating the reaction medium and a disengagement vessel for disengaging vapor from the heated reaction medium.

Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing. In one embodiment, the process comprises (a) forming polyester polymer particles from a polyester polymer melt; (b) quenching at least a portion of the particles, (c) drying at least a portion of the particles, (d) crystallizing at least a portion of the particles, (e) annealing at least a portion of the particles. At all points during and between steps (b) through (e), the average bulk temperature of the particles is maintained above 165° C.

Abstract: A multi-level tubular reactor operable to facilitate a chemical reaction in a reaction medium flowing therethrough. The tubular reactor can include a plurality of horizontally elongated and vertically spaced reactor segments coupled to and extending outwardly from a common header. One or more of the reactor segments can contain a tray that divides the internal volume of the reactor segment into upper and lower chambers. The reaction medium can flow away from the header in the upper chambers and back to the header in the lower chambers.

Abstract: A sloped tubular reactor operable to facilitate a chemical reaction in a reaction medium flowing therethrough. The reactor can include a plurality of spaced apart internal trays disposed at different elevations in a downwardly sloping elongated tubular member.