Abstract: A fertilizer system for the long-term fertilization of a crop through use of fertilizer pellets or mats comprised of a fertilizer and thermoplastic polymer blend. The fertilizer system generally includes forming a fertilizer containing polymer comprised of a fertilizer substance and a polymer product. The fertilizer containing polymer is buried within a growing medium and seed is planted over the fertilizer containing polymer. The polymer product within fertilizer containing polymer slowly biodegrades causing the fertilizer substance to slowly release within the growing medium and fertilize the planted seed. The fertilizer containing polymer is formed to continue to biodegrade over a period of several years during which time fertilizer substance will continue to be released. A method of forming the fertilizer containing polymer is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester polymer composition containing graphite in the range of about 3-60 parts per million based on the polyester. The size of the graphite particles is greater than about 0.5 .mu.m. As an upper limit, however, any particle size which is not visible to the naked eye is acceptable. Such polyester polymers having graphite incorporated therein absorb infrared radiation better than polymers containing no graphite and thus in the production of plastic bottles less energy is required to heat the preform so that it can be blow molded into a bottle.

Abstract: A process for making a transparent blow molded product made of a copolyester of PET and PEN that does not thermally deform at temperatures up to 85-87 C., and the product of that process, especially a transparent blow molded bottle. The copolyester is made by transesterifying a 20/80 (w/w) PEN/PET via melt extrusion at a temperature of from about 250 C. to about 290 C. for a time sufficient to produce about 1-20% transesterification of said polymers, forming a copolymer. The copolyester is then injection molded at a temperature of from 290 C. to about 320 C. to form a transparent preform in which the copolymer has a glass transition temperature of about 85 C. or higher and a melting point temperature of at least about 225 C. The copolymer is then thermo-stretch blow molded to form a transparent product.

Abstract: A modified polyethylene terephthalate is provided. Modification is provided by the incorporation of an alkoxylated polyol. The modified PET is melt-strength enhanced and extrusion blow-moldable. The modified PET may contain units derived from 2,6-napthalenedicarboxylic acid, and be useful for making bottles or containers having hot fill applications. Reduced yellowness is advantageously provided.

Abstract: A method for making an adhesive for use in joining soft living tissue including the steps of preparing a hydroxyl-terminated polyester by reacting a biodegradable monomer with a polyhydroxy polymerization initiator in the presence of an amount up to about 2.0 weight percent of a catalyst, and then preparing a diisocyanate-terminated prepolymer adhesive by reacting about 24 to 92 weight percent of the hydroxy-terminated polyester with about 8 to 76 weight percent excess aromatic diisocyante. The polyester and the diisocyanate are preferably dissolved in an organic solvent prior to the mixture thereof in a ratio of solids to solvent of about 60:40. The polyester is a polymer or copolymer of lactide, glycolide or .epsilon.-caprolactone. The initiator is ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, pentaerythritol or 1,1,1-tris (hydroxymethyl) ethane. The catalyst is stannous octoate, a zinc compound, an aliphatic tertiary amine, dibutyltin diacetate or 1,4-diazabicyclo [2,2,2] octane.

Abstract: Polyester polymers and copolyester polymers incorporating flame retardant amounts of cyclotri (or tetra) phosphazenes. These cyclotri (or tetra) phosphazenes can be added at the start of ester interchange, prior to, for example polycondensation and conventional melt spinning, or if desired, after polycondensation but before melt spinning. Specific examples of cyclotriphosphazenes and cyclotetraphosphazenes are hexa(dialkylphosphinylmethyleneoxy)cyclotriphosphazene, octa(dialkylphosphinylmethyleneoxy)cyclotetraphosphazene, tris(alkylphosphinyldimethyleneoxy)cyclotriphosphazene, tetra(alkylphosphinyldimethyleneoxy)cyclotetraphosphazene, hexa(dialkylphosphinylmethylene)cyclotriphosphazene, and octa(dialkylphosphinylmethylene)cyclotetraphosphazene.

Abstract: A novel temperature indicator having a cover layer and including a backing strip with an embossed well stamped therein is provided (in the alternative, the cover layer may be embossed) to form a pocket. The well may contain a matrix carrier which is impregnated with a thermally responsive fusible chemical. The bottom of the well is painted a bright color. If employed, the impregnated matrix is placed over and substantially covers the colored bottom of the well. The top of the well is covered by a transparent film. At a temperature below a predetermined level, the colored bottom of the well is substantially invisible due to the impregnated matrix being opaque, and at temperatures above such predetermined level, the colored bottom of the well is clearly visible due to the transparency of the impregnated matrix upon melting of the chemical. The matrix may be eliminated if the backing strip and/or cover layer is air permeable and if the chemical entirely fills the pocket.

Abstract: A temperature indicator including a backing strip with an embossed well stamped therein is provided. The well contains a matrix carrier which is impregnated with a thermally responsive fusible chemical. The bottom of the well is painted a bright color. The impregnated matrix is placed over and substantially covers the colored bottom of the well. The top of the well is covered by a transparent film. At a temperature below a predetermined level, the colored bottom of the well is substantially invisible due to the impregnated matrix being opaque, and at temperatures above such predetermined level, the colored bottom of the well is clearly visible due to the transparency of the impregnated matrix upon melting of the chemical.

Abstract: A novel depletion indicator (time watch) for removable substances containing acid or basic groups is disclosed, together with a novel method of use therefor. The removable substance of a predetermined concentration comes into contact with a suitable pH color indicator that can change color at a predetermined pH range within a much larger measurable pH range, which color change occurs as the concentration of the removable substance diminishes by passing through a permeable film containing both the removable substance and the pH color indicator.The color change occurs at a predetermined time, e.g., the same time that the active ingredient has diminished to the point it is determined to be inactive.

Abstract: A novel composition is disclosed which is useful as a sterilization indicator that can distinguish clearly between the types of sterilization employed, e.g., that indicates whether sterilization was accomplished by steam or dry heat. The novel composition comprises (1) thiobarbituric acid and (2) at least one suitable reacting moiety being capable of reacting with said acid under temperature and humidity conditions of steam and dry heat sterilization to form a colored product. Suitable reacting moieties disclosed are (a) parabanic acid and (b) dimethyl oxalate and urea.

Abstract: Cationic dyeable copolyester polymer and yarns made therefrom having as an integral part of the polymer chain, sulfonamide groups each containing a dye sensitizing unit, derived from alkaline earth or alkali metal salts of sulfonated sulfonamides such as the sodium salt of N-(.beta.-hydroxyethyl)-N-(3-carbomethoxybenzenesulfonyl) taurine.