Abstract: A bottle preform and a molded bottle are prepared from a polyester composition comprising from about 0.0010 to about 0.0100 wt % amorphous silica. The bottle has a reduced tendency to stick to other bottles during packing and transportation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid state polymerization apparatus comprising a vertically oriented tube through which particulate resin flows downwardly in a plug flow fashion to the cone-shaped bottom portion of the reactor. The apparatus contains as an improvement a resin distribution means in the top portion thereof to distribute added resin in an orderly fashion to maintain a uniform level of polymer and also a double cone perforated gas distribution means in the bottom thereof to prevent backmixing and assure that a uniform plug flow condition is maintained as the polymer descends down the apparatus to a discharge valve at the bottom thereof.