Abstract: A polymer composition comprising two or more polymers may be used in preforms and containers for hot-fill beverages to increase recycled content, shelf-life of the contents, and stiffness of the container. One polymer may be polyethylene terephthalate and the second polymer may be either polyethylene furanoate or polyethylene naphthalate. The polymers may be blended to form a cube blend. A reheat agent may be used in the polymer composition. Methods of making the preform and the bottle are also disclosed. The polymer compositions may be made of increased recycled content without sacrificing transparency of the material and may be used to make clear preforms and bottles.

Abstract: An adsorber material element is used relieve a vacuum that results from cooling of heated contents in a sealed container. An interior volume of that container may be filled or partially filled with a heated material. After the at least partially filled container is sealed, one or more gases may be released from an adsorber material and into the interior volume of the sealed container. As the contents of the container cool, the release of gas(es) from the adsorber material relieves vacuum that would otherwise develop.

Abstract: Polyester compositions described herein have properties which are particularly suitable for extrusion blow molding (EBM). These properties relate primarily to the rate of crystallization and melt strength or melt viscosity. Articles prepared from the polyester compositions exhibit good clarity, aesthetics, and other physical properties. The polyester compositions also exhibit broad molecular weight distribution (MWD), resulting in improved processability and melt strength. The crystallization rate allows for good drying characteristics while also enabling the use of regrind. In addition, the compositions exhibit improved recyclability, such as in existing PET recycling streams. In one aspect, articles are prepared in an extrusion blow molding method by combining a dry first polyester copolymer component, a dry second polyester component, and a chain extender to form a feed material suitable for extrusion blow molding.

Abstract: An adsorber material element is used relieve a vacuum that results from cooling of heated contents in a sealed container. An interior volume of that container may be filled or partially filled with a heated material. After the at least partially filled container is sealed, one or more gases may be released from an adsorber material and into the interior volume of the sealed container. As the contents of the container cool, the release of gas(es) from the adsorber material relieves vacuum that would otherwise develop.

Abstract: An extrusion blowmolding apparatus has an extrusion die having an upstream portion for receiving the thermoplastic polyester material and a downstream portion having a die head through which molten thermoplastic polyester material is flowed to form a parison suitable for extrusion blowmolding. The extrusion die has extending therethrough a generally cylindrical barrel and an extrusion screw disposed within the barrel having spiral flights along its length. In some aspects, the flight depths are lengthened so to provide a good melt at a suitable throughput. By also selecting an appropriate extrusion temperature profile, it is possible to eliminate or minimize unmelts, which can contribute to processing difficulties as well as defects in the resulting article. In other aspects, a closed-loop drying system is provided for achieving very low moisture levels in the polyester material to improve processing.

Abstract: Polyester compositions described herein have properties which are particularly suitable for extrusion blow molding (EBM). These properties relate primarily to the rate of crystallization and melt strength or melt viscosity. Articles prepared from the polyester compositions exhibit good clarity, aesthetics, and other physical properties. The polyester compositions also exhibit broad molecular weight distribution (MWD), resulting in improved processability and melt strength. The crystallization rate allows for good drying characteristics while also enabling the use of regrind. In addition, the compositions exhibit improved recyclability, such as in existing PET recycling streams. In one aspect, articles are prepared in an extrusion blow molding method by combining a dry first polyester copolymer component, a dry second polyester component, and a chain extender to form a feed material suitable for extrusion blow molding.

Abstract: An extrusion blowmolding apparatus has an extrusion die having an upstream portion for receiving the thermoplastic polyester material and a downstream portion having a die head through which molten thermoplastic polyester material is flowed to form a parison suitable for extrusion blowmolding. The extrusion die has extending therethrough a generally cylindrical barrel and an extrusion screw disposed within the barrel having spiral flights along its length. In some aspects, the flight depths are lengthened so to provide a good melt at a suitable throughput. By also selecting an appropriate extrusion temperature profile, it is possible to eliminate or minimize unmelts, which can contribute to processing difficulties as well as defects in the resulting article. In other aspects, a closed-loop drying system is provided for achieving very low moisture levels in the polyester material to improve processing.

Abstract: A polymer blend has a base and blend components. The base and blend components could be a branched slow crystallizing PET and a faster crystallizing PET, respectively. The ratio of base and blend components result in a block copolymer, the melt processing time and branching or chain extender levels can be can be tailored to impart the polymer blend with sufficient melt strength and crystallization rates, such that it is slow enough during the blow molding process to produce a clear article and yet fast enough during the subsequent PET recycling process making it suitable for extrusion processes as well as for recycling. The combination of materials can be used to form monolayer or multilayer articles.

Abstract: Polyester compositions described herein have properties which are particularly suitable for extrusion blow molding (EBM). These properties relate primarily to the rate of crystallization and melt strength or melt viscosity. Articles prepared from the polyester compositions exhibit good clarity, aesthetics, and other physical properties. The polyester compositions also exhibit broad molecular weight distribution (MWD), resulting in improved processability and melt strength. The crystallization rate allows for good drying characteristics while also enabling the use of regrind. In addition, the compositions exhibit improved recyclability, such as in existing PET recycling streams. In one aspect, articles are prepared in an extrusion blow molding method by combining a dry first polyester copolymer component, a dry second polyester component, and a chain extender to form a feed material suitable for extrusion blow molding.

Abstract: A polymer blend has a base and blend components. The base and blend components could be a branched slow crystallizing PET and a faster crystallizing PET, respectively. The ratio of base and blend components result in a block copolymer, the melt processing time and branching or chain extender levels can be can be tailored to impart the polymer blend with sufficient melt strength and crystallization rates, such that it is slow enough during the blow molding process to produce a clear article and yet fast enough during the subsequent PET recycling process making it suitable for extrusion processes as well as for recycling. The combination of materials can be used to form monolayer or multilayer articles.

Abstract: Plastic multi-piece containers for storing beverages and other foodstuff are disclosed. In addition, methods, devices and systems for making some or all components of such containers are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cup portion is manufactured using vacuum and/or pressure thermoforming methods. However, a cup portion of the container can be manufactured by any other suitable process, including, but not limited to, other forms of thermoforming, extrusion, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding and/or combinations thereof. The formed product can include one or more coupling structures for attachment of a closure member. A closure member can engage and/or couple to the cup portion to provide a water-tight and/or air-tight two-piece or multi-piece container. In some embodiments, a removable sealing member can be provided between the cup portion and a closure member.