Abstract: An oxygen-scavenging composition is provided that includes an oxygen-scavenging polymer and a catalyst. The oxygen-scavenging polymer, which in preferred embodiments is suitable for use in packaging articles, is a dendritic polymer having one or more oxygen-scavenging groups.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer advanceable by solid state polymerization is blended with at least one dissimilar thermoplastic polymer, or an organic or inorganic particulate filler. The blend is solid state polymerized to provide a modified polymer alloy or filled polymer blend having at least one physical or chemical property different from that of the blend before solid state polymerization. A substrate is coated with an adherent layer of the modified polymer alloy or filled polymer blend. The modified polymer alloy or filled polymer blend may also be coextruded with a layer of thermoplastic extrusion polymer having a melt viscosity similar to that of the modified polymer alloy or filled polymer blend and applied to a substrate to form an adherent coating.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer advanceable by solid state polymerization is blended with at least one dissimilar thermoplastic polymer, or an organic or inorganic particulate filler. The blend is solid state polymerized to provide a modified polymer alloy or filled polymer blend having at least one physical or chemical property different from that of the blend before solid state polymerization. The modified polymer alloy or filled polymer blend may be coextruded with a layer of thermoplastic extrusion polymer having a melt viscosity similar to that of the modified polymer alloy or filled polymer blend.

Abstract: A polymer and coating composition containing the polymer are provided that are useful in coating applications such as, for example, food or beverage packaging containers. The polymer preferably includes a backbone having one or more polycyclic groups. In one embodiment, the polymer is a polyester and, more preferably, a polyester-urethane polymer. In one embodiment, the one or more polycyclic groups is a tricyclic or higher group.

Abstract: An oxygen-scavenging composition is provided that includes an oxygen-scavenging polymer and a catalyst. The oxygen-scavenging polymer, which in preferred embodiments is suitable for use in packaging articles, includes a base polymer having a backbone, and an unsaturated side chain attached to the backbone. In one embodiment, the unsaturated side chain comprises includes at least one aliphatic carbon-carbon double bond or two or more carbon-carbon double bonds.

Abstract: An oxygen-scavenging composition is provided that includes an oxygen-scavenging polymer and a catalyst. The oxygen-scavenging polymer, which in preferred embodiments is suitable for use in packaging articles, includes a base polymer having a backbone, and an unsaturated side chain attached to the backbone. In one embodiment, the side chain comprises an unsaturated fatty-acid.

Abstract: An oxygen-scavenging component and methods for producing the oxygen-scavenging component are provided. The oxygen-scavenging component, which in preferred embodiments is suitable for use in packaging articles, includes an oxygen-scavenging group preferably having at least one double bond. The oxygen-scavenging component may be combined with a polymer and/or an oxidation catalyst to form an oxygen-scavenging composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides hardenable coating compositions, comprising: a first compound selected from the group consisting of polyacids, polyanhydrides, salts thereof and mixtures thereof, and a second compound having two or more active hydrogen groups. When used as a roll coating composition, the first compound preferably has a low average molecular weight and an acid number greater than about 100. The hardenable coating composition preferably has an extended open time and can be rapidly cured to a substantially tack-free state in less than about one minute at 200° C. Coated articles and methods of coating are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous dispersions that, for example, include the reaction product of an oxirane-functional vinyl addition polymer having an oxirane functionality between 0.5 and 5; an acid-functional polymer having an acid number 30 to 500; and a tertiary amine. Also described are coating compositions containing the dispersion and methods of forming the dispersion.

Abstract: An improved easily openable end for a metal container, and aL method of manufacturing the end are disclosed. The metal container is manufactured from a can body and two can ends, one of which is easily openable. The easily openable can end is manufactured from a metal substrate having a score line on its external surface that permits easy removal of at least a portion of the can end from the can body. The score line of the easily openable can end is coated with a iradiation-curable coating composition that impa˜ts corrosion resistance along the score line of the easily openable can end.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous dispersions that, for example, include the reaction product of an oxirane-functional vinyl addition polymer having an oxirane functionality between 0.5 and 5; an acid-functional polymer having an acid number 30 to 500; and a tertiary amine. Also described are coating compositions containing the dispersion and methods of forming the dispersion.

Abstract: Method of measuring extent of cure of a coating comprising operating a metal-containing substrate coating operation to provide a coated metal-containing substrate; positioning an investigative apparatus near the coated metal-containing substrate; and operating the investigative apparatus to obtain an extent of cure reading, the reading corresponding to an area on the coated metal-containing substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel low molecular weight, high functionality number, polymers. The polymers may be made, for example, by heating (preferably, to a temperature of between about 130° C. and 180° C.) one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of a substantially aprotic solvent system; and maintaining the temperature for a time sufficient to polymerize the monomers to a preferred monomer to polymer conversion percentage of at least about 95 percent by weight. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polymer has a weight average molecular weight between about 900 and 7,000 Dalton and a functionality number of at least 100. The process is also preferably substantially free of chain transfer agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous dispersions that, for example, include the reaction product of an oxirane-functional vinyl addition polymer having an oxirane functionality between 0.5 and 5; an acid-functional polymer having an acid number 30 to 500; and a tertiary amine. Also described are coating compositions containing the dispersion and methods of forming the dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention provides hardenable coating compositions, comprising: a first compound selected from the group consisting of polyacids, polyanhydrides, salts thereof and mixtures thereof, and a second compound having two or more active hydrogen groups. When used as a roll coating composition, the first compound preferably has a low average molecular weight and an acid number greater than about 100. The hardenable coating composition preferably has an extended open time and can be rapidly cured to a substantially tack-free state in less than about one minute at 200° C. Coated articles and methods of coating are also provided.

Abstract: Method of measuring extent of cure of a coating comprising operating a metal-containing substrate coating operation to provide a coated metal-containing substrate; positioning an investigative apparatus near the coated metal-containing substrate; and operating the investigative apparatus to obtain an extent of cure reading, the reading corresponding to an area on the coated metal-containing substrate

Abstract: The present invention provides novel low molecular weight, high functionality number, polymers. The polymers may be made, for example, by heating (preferably, to a temperature of between about 130° C. and 180° C.) one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of a substantially aprotic solvent system; and maintaining the temperature for a time sufficient to polymerize the monomers to a preferred monomer to polymer conversion percentage of at least about 95 percent by weight. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polymer has a weight average molecular weight between about 900 and 7,000 Dalton and a functionality number of at least 100. The process is also preferably substantially free of chain transfer agents.

Abstract: The invention provides aqueous, solvent based, and solvent-free curable coating compositions which include (A) the reaction product of an epoxy resin, acid, and tertiary amine; (B) a reactive diluent, and, optionally, (C) a curing agent. The compositions are useful for forming cured coated substrates, that are especially suitable for food and beverage packaging.

Abstract: The invention provides aqueous, solvent based, and solvent-free curable coating compositions which include (A) the reaction product of epoxy resin, acid, and tertiary amine; (B) reactive diluent, and, optionally, (C) curing agent. The compositions are useful for forming cured coated substrates, that are especially suitable for food and beverage packaging.