Abstract: Process for the preparation of heat-stable, antimony-free polyesters of neutral color and the products which can be prepared by this process A process for the preparation of heat-stable, antimony-free polyesters of neutral color by esterification of aromatic dicarboxylic acids or transesterification of lower aliphatic esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids with aliphatic diols and subsequent polycondensation in which a possible transesterification is carried out in the presence of 20 to 120 ppm, based on the catalyst metal, of a transesterification catalyst, after the esterification or transesterification has ended, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid and/or phosphonic acids or a derivative thereof are added to the esterification or transesterification batch as a completing agent in an amount which is 100% of the amount equivalent to the transesterification catalyst employed and up to 99% of the amount equivalent to the cobalt to be employed, up to 80 ppm of cobalt in the form of a cobalt compound are then adde

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making a lower molecular weight polymer from a solid stated higher molecular weight feed stock chip. In particular, the molecular weight of an industrial resin or a bottle resin is reduced in a controlled manner by the introduction of ethylene glycol. If the industrial resin is to be employed for industrial fibers, the ethylene glycol may be added at the extruder for spinning the industrial fiber. On the other hand, should the high molecular weigh chip be used for bottle resin, the molecular weight may be reduced by the introduction of ethylene glycol at the extruder for injection molding of preforms of a lower molecular weight. The ethylene glycol/polymer ratio is determined by the reduction in molecular weight that is required. The preferred resin is polyester polymer or copolymer, and especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Abstract: A polyol composition containing a polyester polyol, at least 5 weight % of a compatibilizing agent, based on the weight of the polyol and compatibilizing agent, and a hydrocarbon blowing agent. The compatibilizing agent is one or a combination of a benzoate glycol adduct, a substituted benzoate glycol adduct, a naphthenate glycol adduct, a substituted naphthenate glycol adduct, a toluate glycol adduct, or a substituted toluate glycol adduct. The hydrocarbon blowing agent is selected from cyclopentane, isopentane, n-pentane, 2-chloropropane; 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a); 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa); and n-propylbromide, or mixtures thereof. The compatibilizing agent improves the miscibility of conventional polyester polyols with hydrocarbon blowing agents. The polyol composition can be reacted with a polyisocyanate to form a foam.

Abstract: A preblended additive composition and process for the preparation of polyester resins useful in the manufacture of plastic containers such as bottles is disclosed. The additive composition includes a cobalt-containing compound that is preblended with a phosphorous compound. The polyester resin, e.g., a PET resin, may be prepared by reacting ethylene glycol with dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) or terephthalic acid (TA) in an esterification reaction. The additive composition may be prepared by quickly dumping the phosphorus compound into the cobalt compound such as cobalt acetate, and the resulting composition is added to the reactor vessel before the polycondensation reaction. On the other hand, the additive composition may be prepared by slowly dumping the phosphorus compound into the cobalt compound over a period of at least 5 minutes. Such preblending substantially eliminates any yellow or blue color, or haze in the product article.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a binder fiber containing a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene (mPE) and an adhesion promoters. A web comprising the binder fiber and absorbent is also contemplated. The present invention also comprises a binder fiber containing polyolefin, an adhesion promoter, and an enhancement agent. The polyolefin may be polypropylene, high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, or ultra low density polyethylene, manufactured with either Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalysts. A web comprising this binder fiber and absorbent is also contemplated. The adhesion promoter may be maleic anhydride grafted polyolefins, or ethylene-acrylic copolymers, or a combination of these. The enhancement agent may be one or more of titanium dioxide, talc, silica, alum, calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, and magnesium oxide.

Abstract: A preblended additive composition and process for the preparation of polyester resins useful in the manufacture of plastic containers such as bottles is disclosed. The additive composition includes a cobalt-containing compound that is preblended with a phosphorous compound. The polyester resin, e.g., a PET resin, may be prepared by reacting ethylene glycol with dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) or terephthalic acid (TA) in an esterification reaction. The additive composition may be prepared by quickly dumping the phosphorus compound into the cobalt compound such as cobalt acetate, and the resulting composition is added to the reactor vessel before the polycondensation reaction. On the other hand, the additive composition may be prepared by slowly dumping the phosphorus compound into the cobalt compound over a period of at least 5 minutes. Such preblending substantially eliminates any yellow or blue color, or haze in the product article.

Abstract: An apparatus for spinning bicomponent sheath/core filaments such that the filaments are uniformly quenched. The apparatus includes a distributor plate, and spinneret and a shim position between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The spinneret includes a plurality of holes positioned so that the density of holes is the lowest near the center of the spinneret and increases as radially proceed outward. More specifically, the holes are substantially configured in the shape of a parallelogram in which the sides of the parallelogram are all of equal length. Additionally, the shape of the parallelogram is more flat the further the parallelogram pattern is located from the center of the spinneret. In this manner of positioning the holes, filaments therefrom do not significantly impede quench air from uniformly reaching filaments in the outer rows.

Abstract: An apparatus to increase the orifice density in a spinneret by using an elongate boss having a plurality of orifices. The apparatus is for spinning bicomponent sheath/core filaments. The apparatus includes a distributor plate, and spinneret and a shim position between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The spinneret includes a plurality of elongate bosses spaced apart by channels. Each boss having a plurality of orifices of which the distance between the orifices are restricted only by manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: An apparatus for spinning hollow bicomponent filaments. The apparatus includes a distributor, a spinneret having holes and a shim having openings fixed between the distributor plate and the spinneret. The distributor supplies a first polymer having an MV to a first part of the spinneret holes and a second polymer having a lower MV to a recessed section of the spinneret. The shim openings are positioned above the spinneret holes and extend away from the first part of the holes to allow the second polymer to flow from the recessed section, through the shim openings, to a second part of the spinneret holes. The two polymers travel along the opposed first and second parts of the holes until exiting the spinneret through respective asymmetric C-shaped apertures. The apertures are sized so that hydraulic split does not occur between the polymers and consequently potential filament kneeing is obviated. Upon exiting the apertures, the polymers self-join to form hollow filaments and are quenched.

Abstract: The present invention improves the effectiveness of the oxygen scavenging composition and maintains an excellent balance in the color properties of the polymer. The present invention relates to an improved oxygen scavenging PET based copolymer comprising from about 10 to about 120 ppm cobalt based on the PET polymer, and from about 15 to about 150 ppm zinc based on the PET polymer. The present invention also comprises a process for preparing a PET based oxygen scavenging copolymer, comprising the steps of: a) polymerizing a PET based polymer; b) adding Zn, Co, and an oxygen scavenging compound during said polymerizing step; c) copolymerizing said oxygen scavenging compound with said PET based polymer to form a copolymer; and d) extruding said copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester polymer composition containing inorganic black particles in the range of about 5 to about 150 parts per million based on the polymer. The size of the inorganic black particles is greater than about 0.5 microns. Such polyester polymers having inorganic black particles incorporated therein absorb infrared radiation better than polymers containing no inorganic black particles and thus in the production of plastic bottles less energy is required to blow-mold the bottles.

Abstract: A process for bonding filament with aqueous based polyethylene terephthalate or polyurethane bonding agents via a foam delivery system is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing a filament; (b) providing a foam prepared by foaming a solution comprising an agent selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate or polyurethane bonding agents; (c) applying a foam to said filament; and (d) drying and curing said filament.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring and optionally controlling the absolute inventory of a dynamic fluid in a vessel having at least one agitator with a rotatable shaft extending in an essentially horizontal direction, wherein there is a resultant force acting on the agitator in an essentially vertical direction in relation to the shaft and a relationship exists between the absolute inventory and the force acting on the agitator in the essentially vertical direction. The method comprises determining a correlation between the vessel absolute inventory and resultant force, measuring the resultant force, and thereby determining a relative absolute inventory within the vessel. The determined absolute inventory value may then be used as a control variable for use in controlling the absolute inventory within the vessel.

Abstract: Low shrinkage, short-cut polyethylene terephthalate fiber exhibiting dispersibility suitable for incorporation into wet laid non-woven products is produced through the use of steam-annealing. The preferred fibers exhibit a hot air shrinkage value of less than about 10 percent, have a length of less than 3 inches, and a dispersion index of less than 5.

Abstract: The invention describes a low tension relax process and corresponding apparatus, wherein a tension gate is incorporated into a relax zone in a yarn production process. The tension gate can be anything that produces a drag on the yarn threadline such as an air drag device, a liquid drag device, or a solid surface contact drag device, or a combination of these. A tension gate is a device which when used in a relax zone has an outlet yarn tension greater than the inlet yarn tension thus creating a tension differential. The tension gate provides a tension differential of at least 5 mg per denier. A relax zone is typical found in a spin-drawing process, a draw-twisting process, a draw-winding process, or a draw-bulking process. The invention describes a yarn making process with a tension gate in the relax zone wherein the tension gate creates a tension differential on said yarn of at least 5 milligrams per denier.

Abstract: A substituted diaryl compound or a mixture of substituted diaryl compounds, such as dimethylbiaryl compounds are isomerized by treatment with a strong acid or mixtures of strong acids in the absence of any additional catalyst. The strong acid or mixture of acids has a Hammett acidity of less than about −12.6. The isomerization reaction conditions such as reaction temperature, amount of acid, and amount of solvent can be adjusted to selectively produce desired isomers in high yields. One or more desired isomers may be produced in high yields by isomerization of substituted diaryl compounds and selectively removing one or more desired isomers from the resulting equilibrium mixture of isomers. The isomer mixture may be re-isomerized subsequent to selective removal of the desired isomer to produce additional amounts of desired isomer.

Abstract: A caddy having a plurality of shirred food casing sticks arranged in a unique configuration therein that aids in achieving optimal utilization of available space for a plurality of caddies nested within a carton. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a caddy for packaging and transporting fifty sticks arranged in a semi-rectangular stick configuration having eight (8) generally adjacent and densely packed rows and a stacking of 6-7-6-7-6-7-6-5. The caddy mechanically interlocks with a second caddy via a series of recessed notches and protruding members. The snugness of the fit between the caddy and the second caddy is improved therefore enhancing stability and decreasing the amount of wasted space between adjacent caddies that are nested together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising: a copolyester of polyethylene terephthalate and a dicarboxylic acid or its ester equivalent, and not more than 100 microequivalents per gram of said copolyester of an anhydride selected from the class consisting of succinic, glutaric, benzoic, maleic and phthalic anhydride, said composition having a CEG content greater than about 25 microequivalents per gram and an IV greater than about 0.65.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyester resins containing a silica selected from the group consisting of fumed silica, colloidal silica and silica beads, which resin has utility on the production of containers, particularly beverage containers, having reduced stickiness relative to containers made from the same resin but without the silica.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching and scrubbing a hot gas using a liquid in a single packed column while controlling mist formation. Hot gas is introduced at the bottom of the column and drawn upward countercurrent to the scrubbing liquid. The column has three stages, each packed and fed liquid from above. The first stage is a quench region wherein the gas flow rate, liquid flow rate and liquid temperature are controlled such that the quench rate does not exceed 5.4° C./ft2 of packing to prevent formation of an aerosol mist. The second and third stages for scrubbing employ packed regions separately supplied with increasingly cooler and purer liquid.