Abstract: The coated multilayer structure comprising a polymeric base layer, an inorganic oxide gas barrier layer on a surface of the polymeric base layer, and a top coat on the inorganic oxide gas barrier layer, the top coat comprising a soluble compound capable of reducing the permeability of the multilayer structure to gas or vapor. A method for enhancing the gas or vapor barrier properties of a multilayer polymeric/inorganic oxide structure is also disclosed. According to one embodiment, SiOx coated polyethylene terephthalate containers are coated with a gas or vapor barrier enhancing top coat.

Abstract: The coated multilayer structure comprising a polymeric base layer, a zero valent material barrier layer, and a top coat on the zero valent material barrier layer, the top coat comprising a soluble compound capable of reducing the permeability of the multilayer structure to gas or vapor. The zero valent material barrier layer can also enhance barrier to UV light. A method for enhancing the gas or vapor barrier properties or the UV light barrier properties of a multilayer polymeric/inorganic structure is also disclosed. According to one embodiment, Si coated polyethylene terephthalate containers are coated with a gas or vapor barrier enhancing top coat. A method for recycling containers coated with a zero valent material barrier layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for decreasing aldehyde content in polyolefin materials comprising combining with the polyolefin material an organic additive compound which reacts with aldehydes to form water and a resulting organic compound. The organic additive compound comprises at least two hydrogen-substituted heteroatoms bonded to carbons of the organic additive compound such that the organic additive compound is reactive with aldehydes present in the polyolefin to form water and the resulting organic compound, which comprises an unbridged five- or six-member ring including the at least two heteroatoms. The resulting organic compound advantageously neither imparts an off-taste to food and beverage products in contact with the polyolefin nor discolors the polyolefin. Preferred polyolefins include polypropylene and polyethylene.

Abstract: A coated plastic container provides for low permeability to gases and vapors. A method and system for coating plastic containers includes applying a thin inorganic oxide layer to the external surface of the containers with plasma-assisted vacuum vapor deposition. For example, the coating can include silica which is bonded to the external surface of the container. This coating is flexible and can be applied regardless of the container's internal pressure or lack thereof. The coating firmly adheres to the container and possess an enhanced gas barrier effect after pressurization even when the coating is scratched, fractured, flexed and/or stretched. Moreover, this gas barrier enhancement will be substantially unaffected by filling of the container. A method of recycling coated plastic containers and a method and system for packaging a beverage using the coated containers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for reducing acetaldehyde concentration in beverages contained in polyester-based packaging, wherein oxygen permeation into the container is reduced or eliminated. The polyester contains an oxidation catalyst active for the oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid. A composition comprising a polyester and said oxidation catalyst. A polyester-based container comprising said oxidation catalyst, and a bottled beverage having a polyester-based container comprising an oxidation catalyst active for the oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid.

Abstract: A method, composition and system for coating an external surface of containers and in particular, plastic containers, provides for low permeability to gases and vapors. The coating applied to the external surface of the containers is very thin and is comprised of one or several inorganic substances or layers of substances. For example, the coating can include silica which is bonded to the external surface of the container. This coating will be flexible and can be applied regardless of the container's internal pressure or lack thereof. The coating will firmly adhere to the container and possess an enhanced gas barrier effect after pressurization even when the coating is scratched, fractured, flexed and/or stretched. Moreover, this gas barrier enhancement will be substantially unaffected by filling of the container.

Abstract: A method, composition and system for coating an external surface of containers and in particular, plastic containers, provides for low permeability to gases and vapors. The coating applied to the external surface of the containers is very thin and is comprised of one or several inorganic substances or layers of substances. For example, the coating can include silica which is bonded to the external surface of the container. This coating will be flexible and can be applied regardless of the container's internal pressure or lack thereof. The coating will firmly adhere to the container and possess an enhanced gas barrier effect after pressurization even when the coating is scratched, fractured, flexed and/or stretched. Moreover, this gas barrier enhancement will be substantially unaffected by filling of the container.

Abstract: Methods are provided for decreasing aldehyde content in polyolefin materials comprising combining with the polyolefin material an organic additive compound which reacts with aldehydes to form water and a resulting organic compound. The organic additive compound comprises at least two hydrogen-substituted heteroatoms bonded to carbons of the organic additive compound such that the organic additive compound is reactive with aldehydes present in the polyolefin to form water and the resulting organic compound, which comprises an unbridged five- or six-member ring including the at least two heteroatoms. The resulting organic compound advantageously neither imparts an off-taste to food and beverage products in contact with the polyolefin nor discolors the polyolefin. Preferred polyolefins include polypropylene and polyethylene.

Abstract: A computer assisted method and system for accurately predicting CO2 shelf-life of polyester containers for carbonated beverages utilizes computer models, which take in to account all relevant physical and chemical parameters. The computer models permit a container designer to readily and accurately predict CO2 shelf-life.

Abstract: A packaged potable liquid, such as bottled water, wherein the liquid has little or no plastic off-taste. The packaged liquid includes a closure wherein the closure shell or the liner within the closure comprises a plastic matrix and an organic slip agent dispersed in the plastic matrix, the slip agent being substantially fully ethylenically saturated and the closure or the liner being substantially free of an ethylenically unsaturated compound. The packaged liquid also includes a container which is desirably substantially free of an ethylenically unsaturated compound.

Abstract: A process for reducing acetaldehyde concentration in beverages contained in polyester-based packaging, wherein oxygen permeation into the container is reduced or eliminated. The polyester contains an oxidation catalyst active for the oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid. A composition comprising a polyester and said oxidation catalyst. A polyester-based container comprising said oxidation catalyst, and a bottled beverage having a polyester-based container comprising an oxidation catalyst active for the oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetic acid.

Abstract: A method for increasing the crystallization rate of a crystallization polyester comprises incorporating into the polyester an effective amount of a hyperfunctional nucleation agent. The hyperfunctional nucleating agent comprises a plurality of functional groups and form stable nuclei around which the polyester crystallizes. The hyperfunctional nucleating agent facilitates faster crystallization and formation of many small crystallites. Methods of making articles such as containers with polyesters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coated plastic container provides for low permeability to gases and vapors. A method and system for coating plastic containers includes applying a thin inorganic oxide layer to the external surface of the containers with plasma-assisted vacuum vapor deposition. For example, the coating can include silica which is bonded to the external surface of the container. This coating is flexible and be can be applied regardless of the container's internal pressure or lack thereof. The coating firmly adheres to the container and possess an enhanced gas barrier effect after pressurization even when the coating is scratched, fractured, flexed and/or stretched. Moreover, this gas barrier enhancement will be substantially unaffected by filling of the container. A method of recycling coated plastic containers and a method and system for packaging a beverage using the coated containers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for decreasing acetaldehyde content of melt processed polyester comprising combining with melted polyester an organic additive compound which scavenges acetaldehyde from the polyester without imparting discoloration to the polyester. The organic additive compound comprises at least two hydrogen substituted heteroatoms bonded to carbons of the organic additive compound such that the organic additive compound is reactive with acetaldehyde in the polyester to form water and a resulting organic compound comprising an unbridged five or six member ring including the at least two heteroatoms. The reduced acetaldehyde content polyester is particularly useful for making containers such as for packaging beverages.

Abstract: A method, composition and system for coating an external surface of containers and in particular, plastic containers, provides for low permeability to gases and vapors. The coating applied to the external surface of the containers is very thin and is comprised of one or several inorganic substances or layers of substances. For example, the coating can include silica which is bonded to the external surface of the container. This coating will be flexible and can be applied regardless of the container's internal pressure or lack thereof. The coating will firmly adhere to the container and possess an enhanced gas barrier effect after pressurization even when the coating is scratched, fractured, flexed and/or stretched. Moreover, this gas barrier enhancement will be substantially unaffected by filling of the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing contaminants, which comprises removing contaminants from a contaminant-containing polyester material at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C. in the presence of an equilibrium amount of a polyester reversible side-product.

Abstract: A method and composition for enhancing retention of carbon dioxide in carbonated bottled beverages indicates the addition of a carbonic acid ester such as propylene carbonate, 1,3-butylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, neopentylene carbonate and propylene carbonate or mixtures thereof. The carbonic acid ester in the aqueous medium of the beverage undergoes slow hydrolysis thereby releasing CO.sub.2 to maintain the CO.sub.2 level in the container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparation of an aromatic thiol corresponding to the structureA-(SH)nwhereinA is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic radical and n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 comprising contacting at a temperature of at least 80.degree. C. an aromatic halide corresponding to the structureA-XmwhereinA is the same as above, X is bromine oriodine and n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6with thiourea in the presence of nickel metal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising(A) from 99.9 to 60 weight percent, based on the weight of the composition, of a copoly(arylene sulfide) and(B) from 0.1 to 40 weight percent, based on the weight of the composition, of an ethylene-propylene rubber.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polyester having an inherent viscosity of at least 0.5 comprising(A) preparing an admixture of a molten polyester having an inherent viscosity of less than 0.5, a titanium alkoxide and a 13X zeolite, and(B) subjecting the admixture to a time and temperature sufficient to increase the inherent viscosity of the polyester to at least 0.5.