Abstract: The invention provides compositions and molded, extruded or formed phosphorescent plastic articles produced therefrom that contain non-radioactive, non-sulfide phosphorescent phosphor pigments that emit light in the visible spectrum, preferably metal oxide aluminate:europium-activated phosphorescent phosphor pigments, preferably in combination with polymer-soluble daylight fluorescent dyes, in transparent or translucent resins. The plastic articles produced from the compositions of the invention exhibit a remarkably rich, attractive, clear, brilliant fluorescent daylight color and a strong, long-lasting glow-in-the-dark luminescence having a color similar to that of the daylight color.

Abstract: A liquid colorant system for a plastic molding machine includes a plurality of interconnected tube structures, a tank containing the liquid colorant, and a peristaltic pump. The pump drives a flow of the liquid colorant from the tank to a valve through a delivery tube and a peristaltic tube. During ordinary operation, the valve allows the liquid colorant to flow into the molding machine through a feed tube. However, the valve can be shifted to allow air to be purged through a purge tube, bypassing the feed tube and the machine.

Abstract: The invention provides molded, extruded or formed phosphorescent plastic articles having laser marked indicia and methods for preparing the articles. The indicia may be seen as a contrast against a phosphorescent background or, alternatively, the indicia may themselves be phosphorescent. An article of the invention has a composition comprising about 50% to about 99% by weight of a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, about 1% to about 50% by weight of a phosphorescent phosphor pigment and about 0.001% to about 1% by weight of a laser energy absorbing additive. Resin compositions which themselves are laser energy absorbing do not require the additive; however, the addition of small quantities of the laser energy additive enhances the quality and contrast of the laser mark.

Abstract: The invention provides molded, extruded or formed phosphorescent plastic articles having laser marked indicia and methods for preparing the articles. The indicia may be seen as a contrast against a phosphorescent background or, alternatively, the indicia may themselves be phosphorescent. An article of the invention has a composition comprising about 50% to about 99% by weight of a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, about 1% to about 50% by weight of a phosphorescent phosphor pigment and about 0.001% to about 1% by weight of a laser energy absorbing additive. Resin compositions which themselves are laser energy absorbing do not require the additive; however, the addition of small quantities of the laser energy additive enhances the quality and contrast of the laser mark.

Abstract: A water processable photopolymer composition for use in the manufacture of flexographic photopolymer printing plates is disclosed. The composition includes a flexible polymer having an affinity for water combined with a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic ethylenically unsaturated crosslinking agents or a single crosslinking agent containing both groups, a photoinitiator and swell enhancing components.

Abstract: A new and useful a plastic article, particularly plastic siding, with an accent color pattern incorporated therein, a specially formed accent color pellet which is useful in manufacturing such an article, and a process for producing the article using the pellets are provided. The process contemplates extruding a plastic product from a base material formed of powder-sized particles and specially formed accent color pellets. The accent color pellets are alloyed masses of resins and pigment which are larger than the powder particles of the base material, and have a higher vicat softening point temperature than the base material. The alloyed pellets are designed to melt controllably and to mix controllably with the base material.

Abstract: A simple and efficient process and automated system is provided for controlling the mixing of polymeric material and additive materials in an internal mixer to provide quality products and batch to batch product uniformity. Real time mixing temperature profiles of a plurality of good quality batches of the same product are developed. The profiles are then superimposed or averaged to produce a real time temperature curve with maximum and minimum temperature tolerance limits, thus providing a range of batch temperatures that are allowable in real time during the mixing cycle. A process control system is programmed to store the range of allowable temperatures and to signal a mixer control to change at least one of the rotor speed and the ram pressure when the real time batch temperature falls outside the reference temperature range for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A new and useful a plastic article, particularly plastic siding, with an accent color pattern incorporated therein, a specially formed accent color pellet which is useful in manufacturing such an article, and a process for producing the article using the pellets are provided. The process contemplates extruding a plastic product from a base material formed of powder-sized particles and specially formed accent color pellets. The accent color pellets are alloyed masses of resins and pigment which are larger than the powder particles of the base material, and have a higher vicat softening point temperature than the base material. The alloyed pellets are designed to melt controllably and to mix controllably with the base material.

Abstract: A new and useful a plastic article, particularly plastic siding, with an accent color pattern incorporated therein, a specially formed accent color pellet which is useful in manufacturing such an article, and a process for producing the article using the pellets are provided. The process contemplates extruding a plastic product from a base material formed of powder-sized particles and specially formed accent color pellets. The accent color pellets are alloyed masses of resins and pigment which are larger than the powder particles of the base material, and have a higher vicat softening point temperature than the base material. The alloyed pellets are designed to melt controllably and to mix controllably with the base material.

Abstract: A water processable photopolymeric composition for use in the manufacture of flexographic photopolymer printing plates is disclosed. Preferably, the flexomer blend includes a flexomer having an affinity for water combined with a hydrophilic crosslinking agent, a nonhydrophilic crosslinking agent, a swell enhancing filler, a hydrophilic plasticizer, a compatibilizer and a surfactant. The compatibilizer aids the blending of the hydrophilic components with the flexomer blend.

Abstract: A process for manufacture of articles comprised of polyethylene terephthalate wherein the PET is colored with a composition comprised of a wax dispersant, ethylene copolymer, and a colorant. In a preferred embodiment, the wax dispersant is a maleated polyethylene wax. In an alternative embodiment, the wax dispersant is a low molecular weight polyethylene wax and the composition further includes linear low density polyethylene. A preferred ethylene copolymer is ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adding controlled and accurate quantities of differing oils, to a polymer processing mixer without substantially contaminating one oil with another. Oils are contained in a plurality of oil supply tanks wherein each tank is fluidly connected to the mixer by an oil supply conduit. The speed of the oil pumped through the conduit is controlled by a variable speed pump motor drive unit. The quantity of oil passing through the conduit is preferably measured by a mass flowmeter and the measurement transmitted to a controller. A multi-directional valve controls the delivery of each oil into the mixer. The controller controls the delivery of oil into the mixer in response to the transmitted measurement, by varying the speed of the pump and opening and closing the valve.