Abstract: A polymer additive for improving the reheat characteristics of a polymer or polymeric composition comprises an inorganic material which is such that a 2.5 mm thick polyethylene terephthalate plaque incorporating the inorganic material has, when tested, an absorption ratio of less than 0.9, wherein the absorption ratio is either the ratio of A1/A2 or the ratio A1/A3, wherein: A1 is the maximum absorption between 400 nm and 550 nm; A2 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1100 nm; A3 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1600 nm. Preferred inorganic materials are titanium nitride, indium tin oxide and lanthanum hexaboride.

Abstract: A method to render stone, ceramic, or cementitious structures water repellent is disclosed. The method includes the step of contacting the stone, ceramic, or cementitious structures with an alkylphosphonic acid. The alkylphosphonic acid can be dispersed in an aqueous medium and can be at least partially neutralized with ammonia, an amine, or a basic alkali salt.

Abstract: A polymer additive for improving the reheat characteristics of a polymer or polymeric composition comprises an inorganic material which is such that a 2.5 mm thick polyethylene terephthalate plaque incorporating the inorganic material has, when tested, an absorption ratio of less than 0.9, wherein the absorption ratio is either the ratio of A1/A2 or the ratio A1/A3, wherein: A1 is the maximum absorption between 400 nm and 550 nm; A2 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1100 nm; A3 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1600 nm. Preferred inorganic materials are titanium nitride, indium tin oxide and lanthanum hexaboride.

Abstract: A closure 40 for a container body includes a liner 46 which incorporates a hydrogen generating device comprising a hydride which generates hydrogen on contact with moisture. The liner may be an interference fit within the body 42. The liner 46 and other liners described may include control means for controlling passage of moisture to the hydrogen generating means and/or sealing means for sealing the closure to a container. In use, with the closure secured to a container, water vapour passes into liner 46 and contacts the hydride which generates hydrogen. A reaction between hydrogen and oxygen which has passed into the container takes place, catalysed by a catalyst, and water is produced. Thus, oxygen is scavenged.

Abstract: A closure (40) includes a body (42) with a screw threaded portion (44) for engaging the closure with a container, for example a bottle. Inwards of portion (44) is a liner (46) comprising a hydrogen generating device, wherein the liner includes one layer (48) which incorporates a hydride dispersed in a polymeric matrix and, on opposite sides of layer (48) are arranged PET layers (50, 52). Layer (50) is arranged to act as a control layer to control the rate of passage of water vapour from the beverage in the container to the hydride containing layer (48) and thereby control generation of hydrogen by the hydrogen generating device. In use, water vapour passes through layer (50) and contacts the hydride associated with layer (48) which results in production of molecular hydrogen which combines with oxygen which may have entered a container with which the closure (40) is associated.

Abstract: A closure (40) for a container incorporates calcium hydride and a matrix material as a hydrogen-generating composition. In use, hydrogen is generated which reacts with oxygen permeating a container associated with the closure and a catalyst associated with the container catalyses reaction of the hydrogen and oxygen to produce water, thereby scavenging the oxygen. The composition of calcium hydride and matrix is also claimed.

Abstract: A method to render stone, ceramic, or cementitious structures water repellent is disclosed. The method includes the step of contacting the stone, ceramic, or cementitious structures with an alkylphosphonic acid. The alkylphosphonic acid can be dispersed in an aqueous medium and can be at least partially neutralized with ammonia, an amine, or a basic alkali salt.

Abstract: A polymer additive for improving the reheat characteristics of a polymer or polymeric composition comprises an inorganic material which is such that a 2.5 mm thick polyethylene terephthalate plaque incorporating the inorganic material has, when tested, an absorption ratio of less than 0.9, wherein the absorption ratio is either the ratio of A1/A2 or the ratio A1/A3, wherein: A1 is the maximum absorption between 400 nm and 550 nm; A2 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1100 nm; A3 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1600 nm. Preferred inorganic materials are titanium nitride, indium tin oxide and lanthanum hexaboride.

Abstract: A polymer additive for improving the reheat characteristics of a polymer or polymeric composition comprises an inorganic material which is such that a 2.5 mm thick polyethylene terephthalate plaque incorporating the inorganic material has, when tested, an absorption ratio of less than 0.9, wherein the absorption ratio is either the ratio of A1/A2 or the ratio A1/A3, wherein: A1 is the maximum absorption between 400 nm and 550 nm; A2 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1100 nm; A3 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1600 nm. Preferred inorganic materials are titanium nitride, indium tin oxide and lanthanum hexaboride.

Abstract: Polymer compositions, for example of polyethyleneterephthalate bottles or preforms, include a reheat additive which has reducing transmission/increasing absorbance across the IR region as the wavelength increases. The reheat additive may be a titanium nitride, made by a plasma vapour deposition technique. Advantageously, the material may be used at a lower level than hitherto known materials or may be used at the same levels as hitherto but provide a greater reheat effect. Example 3a shown in the figure illustrates the absorbance of a preferred material.

Abstract: A container (22) includes a shell (24) made from a polymer, for example PET, and incorporating a catalyst, for example a palladium catalyst. A closure (40) incorporates a plug which includes a source of hydrogen, for example a hydride. In use, with container (22) including a beverage and closure (40) in position, the headspace in the container will be saturated with water vapor. This vapor contacts the hydride associated with plug (42) and as a result the hydride produces molecular hydrogen which migrates into the polymer matrix of shell (24) and combines with oxygen which may have entered the container through its permeable walls. A reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen takes place, catalysed by the catalyst, and water is produced. Thus, oxygen which may ingress the container is scavenged and the contents of the container are protected from oxidation.

Abstract: Methods to minimize aldehyde content of a polymer are provided. An effective amount of an additive that contains a P-H functionality is incorporated into the polymer in the presence of an acidic of basic catalyst compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Filters for removing particulate and gaseous organic and inorganic materials from a fluid stream are disclosed. The filter may contain a polymer matrix and optional sequestering agents. Methods of making the filters are also disclosed. Methods of using the filters to remove one or more materials from a fluid stream, such as an air stream, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer additive for improving the reheat characteristics of a polymer or polymeric composition comprises an inorganic material which is such that a 2.5 mm thick polyethylene terephthalate plaque incorporating the inorganic material has, when tested, an absorption ratio of less than 0.9, wherein the absorption ratio is either the ratio of A1/A2 or the ratio A1/A3, wherein: A1 is the maximum absorption between 400 nm and 550 nm; A2 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1100 nm; A3 is the maximum absorption between 700 to 1600 nm. Preferred inorganic materials are titanium nitride, indium tin oxide and lanthanum hexaboride.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymer and an exfoliated metal phosphonate are provided. Processes for making such polymer compositions and articles formed from such polymer compositions are also provided. Compositions according to the invention are useful in polymer applications in which barrier properties are of concern, such as in plastic food and beverage containers.

Abstract: Methods to decrease aldehyde content of a polymer are provided. An effective amount of an additive that contains a P—H functionality is incorporated into the polymer in the presence of an acidic of basic catalyst compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Methods to decrease aldehyde content of a polymer are provided. An effective amount of an additive that contains a P—H functionality is incorporated into the polymer in the presence of an acidic of basic catalyst compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Methods to decrease aldehyde content of a polymer are provided. An effective amount of an additive that contains a P-H functionality is incorporated into the polymer in the presence of an acidic of basic catalyst compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A polyester composition with reduced acetaldehyde concentration comprising polyester, at least one hydrogenation catalyst, and at least one source of reactive hydrogen. A method for making the polyester composition is also disclosed along with polyester articles made with the polyester composition. Suitable articles include containers such as bottles. A packaged beverage comprising a container made with the polyester composition is disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymer and an exfoliated metal phosphonate are provided. Processes for making such polymer compositions and articles formed from such polymer compositions are also provided. Compositions according to the invention are useful in polymer applications in which barrier properties are of concern, such as in plastic food and beverage containers.