Abstract: Post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PCR-PET) flake is treated with chelant to reduce discoloration and generation of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) upon melt-processing for use in making thermoplastic articles from the PCR-PET flake.

Abstract: Injector (14) for injecting a liquid formulation into a molten polymer includes outlet (21) at one end and, at its other end, is arranged to be connected to upstream conduit (25) via a coupling housing (26) so that liquid formulation can pass from conduit into the injector, and further includes an elongate conduit (27) in which an elongate pin is slideably arranged being capable of expelling all liquid formulation from conduit. To address the risk the outlet could become blocked in use, whilst avoiding the need to depressurize and/or stop the flow or polymer in extruder (19), the injection apparatus includes a spool (34) which is rotatably mounted within wall (35) of the extruder and is arranged to be rotated about an axis which extends substantially perpendicularly to the elongate extent of the extruder through which a polymer stream (18) flows.

Abstract: A preform for a container comprises a polymer composition which includes tungsten oxide particles, for example WO2.72 or WO2.92.

Abstract: A method of decreasing aldehyde content in polymeric materials, for example in bottles comprising polyethylene terephthalate, uses a compound (A) which comprises first, second and third fragments which comprise a moiety Formula A) (A) and a moiety. (Formula B) NH (B).

Abstract: Additives such as colourants may be incorporated into polymeric materials such as polyesters, such as in polyester fibre production, by use of a liquid formulation comprising colourant and a vehicle. The vehicle may comprise a functionalised pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane or trimellitate. The liquid formulation is suitably contacted with the polymeric material in a melt processing apparatus.

Abstract: Injection apparatus for injecting a liquid formulation into a molten polymer at high pressure includes a reservoir containing liquid formulation at ambient temperature and pressure which is arrange to flood-feed pump body 26 of a first progressing cavity pump (pcp) (4). The first pcp (4) is driven by motor (6) and is arranged to accurately meter the liquid formulation into a second pcp (8) which is downstream of the first pcp and is arranged to increase the pressure of the liquid formulation by 200 bar or more. Downstream of pump (8) is a delivery valve (14) arranged to control passage of liquid formulation, via outlet (17), into pressurised molten polymer stream (75) which is present in an extruder (77).

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for making compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives and polymer compositions that comprise compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives. The invention also relates to compositions produced by these processes, and articles formed from polymer compositions of this invention. The barrier additives provide passive barriers to gas molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide minimizing transit of such molecules through sidewalls of polymer articles containing the barrier additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for making compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives and polymer compositions that comprise compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives. The invention also relates to compositions produced by these processes, and articles formed from polymer compositions of this invention. The barrier additives provide passive barriers to gas molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide minimizing transit of such molecules through sidewalls of polymer articles containing the barrier additives.

Abstract: A liquid formulation for addition to a polymeric material comprises a vehicle, an additive (e.g. a colourant) and carbonyl bis (1-caprolactan)). The liquid formulation may be used to colour melt spun fibre (e.g. PET or polyamide).

Abstract: Use of polyisobutylene in a weight average molecular weight of greater than 1000 daltons can increase processing efficiency when making liquid color concentrates and can improve coloration of polymers used in a variety of final shaped polymer articles.

Abstract: A method of producing a product, for example a stretch blow moulded container having a metallic or pearlescent appearance, comprises selecting a mass, for example a container preform, comprising a thermoplastic polymer which incorporates a carrier polymer and stretching the thermoplastic polymer during production of said product, for example from said mass. Said carrier polymer is suitably polydimethylsiloxane and the mass may be made in a process which comprises contacting a thermoplastic polymer with a liquid formulation comprising carrier polymer and colourant.

Abstract: A method of decreasing aldehyde content in a polymeric material such as polyethylene terephthalate which includes contacting the polymeric material with a compound including first, second and third fragments each having a moiety and a moiety NH.

Abstract: A container (22) includes an oxygen-sensitive beverage, for example a vitamin C-containing beverage. A closure (40) seals the mouth (28) of container (22). The closure includes an oxygen scavenging structure, for example a closure, which comprises a hydrogen generating means and a catalyst for catalysing a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: High pressure injection apparatus 2 for addition of a liquid formulation into a polymer melt stream at position 4 comprises pump assembly 6 upstream of an injector assembly 8. Pump assembly 6 is arranged to increase the pressure of the liquid formulation to a high pressure (e.g. up to 400 bar) and to accurately meter the liquid formulation to the injector assembly 8 which is arranged to inject the liquid formulation into the polymer melt stream. The polymer melt may be spun, for example to produce Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY) or Partial Orientated Yarn (POY). The pump assembly 6 comprises a syringe pump 12 which comprises a tube 14 in which a piston 16 is slideably received and is arranged to urge liquid formulation 18 within the tube to an outlet 20 which is coupled to an inlet of injector assembly 8.

Abstract: A polymeric melt composition includes a polymeric material and a nucleating agent additive composition. The nucleating agent additive composition includes (a) at least one carbonate or bicarbonate, (b) at least one organic acid or its salt, and (c) at least one desiccant. The polymeric material is unfoamed by the additive composition. The additive composition can induce polymer nucleation, such that the rate of production for polymeric articles made by melt forming processes such as injection molding can be improved, even when the carbonate or bicarbonate is present at only very low levels in the polymeric melt composition from which the polymeric articles are shaped.

Abstract: (A) a polymer composition (especially a polyester composition) which includes a compound of tungsten and oxygen (especially tungsten oxide particles) and an additional additive, wherein said additional additive is selected from an acetaldehyde scavenger and a colourant, wherein when said polymer composition includes an acetaldehyde scavenger, said polymer composition includes at least 10 ppm (suitably at least 25 ppm, preferably at least 50 ppm) of said acetaldehyde scavenger and when said polymer composition includes a colourant, said polymer composition includes at least SOpprh (suitably at least 75 ppm, preferably at least 100 ppm) of said colourant, wherein: preferably said article is a preform for a container; or (B) a sheet comprising a polymer composition (especially a polyester, polycarbonate or polyolefin composition) which includes a compound of tungsten and oxygen (especially tungsten oxide particles), wherein said sheet has a width of at least G.3 m.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) includes a platform (14) on which is supported, via spaced apart posts (16), a stationary rigid support disc (17). Between the platform (14) and disc (17), plaque holder (18) is rotatably mounted. The plaque holder is arranged to hold a plaque (19) for assessment. The plaque is made by injection molding from a composition comprising a polymeric material and a specific amount of reheat additive(s) and any other additives(s) to be assessed. The plaque holder is arranged to move the plaque relative to the disc (17). In an input position, the plaque holder (18) is arranged directly underneath opening (20). In a measurement position, which is 90° from the input position, there are provided first and second temperature measuring assemblies (24, 26) arranged to measure the temperature of the top and bottom surfaces of a plaque held in the plaque holder.

Abstract: A method of introducing an additive into a polymeric material comprises using a liquid formulation comprising an additive, for example a colorant, and a vehicle comprising an aliphatic or aromatic tri- or di-carboxylic acid covalently linked by ester bonds to two or more chains. The method involves contacting the liquid formulation with the polymeric material in a melt processing apparatus. The cavity transfer mixer may be used in the process. A fiber is suitably subsequently produced.

Abstract: A liquid formulation for addition to a polymeric material comprises a vehicle, an additive (e.g. a colourant) and carbonyl bis (1-caprolactan)). The liquid formulation may be used to colour melt spun fibre (e.g. PET or polyamide).

Abstract: A polymeric melt composition includes a polymeric material and a nucleating agent additive composition. The nucleating agent additive composition includes (a) at least one carbonate or bicarbonate, (b) at least one organic acid or its salt, and (c) at least one desiccant. The polymeric material is unfoamed by the additive composition. The additive composition can induce polymer nucleation, such that the rate of production for polymeric articles made by melt forming processes such as injection molding can be improved, even when the carbonate or bicarbonate is present at only very low levels in the polymeric melt composition from which the polymeric articles are shaped.