Abstract: Plastic additives which are useful as nucleating agents and which are especially useful for improving the optical properties of polymeric materials are provided. More particularly, this invention relates to certain asymmetric DBS compounds comprising specific pendant groups, such as C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, phenyl, naphthyl, or substituted phenyl, or pendant groups combined to cyclic moities, such as cyclopentyl (and thus to form indan with the benzylidene), cyclohexyl (to form tetralin), and methylenedioxy (as the combination of two available sites on the pertinent ring system). Such compounds may be added to or incorporated within polymer compositions which may then be utilized within, as merely examples, food or cosmetic containers and packaging. These inventive asymmetric benzylidene sorbitol acetals are also useful as gelling agents for water and organic solvents, particularly those used in the preparation of antiperspirant gel sticks.

Abstract: A specific combination of two different polyolefin clarifying and nucleating agents, namely bis(3,4-dimethyldibenzylidene) sorbitol (3,4-DMDBS) and bis(3,4-dichlorodibenzylidene) sorbitol (3,4-DCDBS). Such a combination surprisingly provides improved clarification comparable to polypropylene articles and formulations, better than DCDBS alone and equivalent or better than DMDBS alone. Such a combination of compounds thus permits the utilization of a new additive for the purpose of modifying polyolefin properties, such as polypropylene clarification and nucleation. The inventive combination may be introduced within any polyolefin composition, again preferably polypropylene, which may then be molded into any shape or form. A method of producing a polyolefin plastic utilizing the inventive combination of compounds is also provided.

Abstract: Plastic additives which are useful as nucleating agents and which are especially useful for improving the optical properties of polymeric materials are provided. More particularly, this invention relates to certain symmetric DBS compounds comprising specific pendant groups, such as C3-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, phenyl, and methylenedioxy (as the combination of two available sites on the pertinent ring system), as well as wherein the individual benzylidene ring systems may be indan or tetralin. Because of the required symmetrical configuration, the pendant groups on each ring system of the dibenzylidene sorbitol compound must be located at the same positions. Such compounds may be added to or incorporated within polymer compositions which may then be utilized within, as merely examples, food or cosmetic containers and packaging.

Abstract: A specific combination of two different polyolefin clarifying and nucleating agents, namely 3,4-dimethyldibenzylidene sorbitol and p-methyldibenzylidene sorbitol is provided. Such a combination surprisingly provides improved clarification and crystallization temperatures to polypropylene articles and formulations, better than bis-p-methyldibenzylidene sorbitol alone and equivalent or better than 3,4-dimethyldibenzylidene sorbitol. Such a combination of compounds thus permits the utilization of a new additive for the purpose of modifying polyolefin properties, such as polypropylene clarification and nucleation. The inventive combination may be introduced within any polyolefin composition, again preferably polypropylene, which may then be molded into any shape or form. A method of producing a polyolefin plastic utilizing the inventive combination of compounds is also provided.

Abstract: Plastic additives which are useful as nucleating agents and which are especially useful for improving the optical properties of polymeric materials are provided. More particularly, this invention relates to certain alkyl (or alkoxy) substituted fluorobenzylidene sorbitol acetals and polymer compositions thereof which may be utilized within, as merely examples, food or cosmetic containers and packaging. These inventive fluorinated and alkylated benzylidene sorbitol acetals are also useful as gelling agents for water and organic solvents, particularly those used in the preparation of antiperspirant gel sticks.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid dispersion of at least one dibenzylidene sorbitol acetal derivative. The sorbitol acetal derivative is useful as a clarifying agent for polyolefins and the inventive fluid dispersion permits improvements in the handling and processing of and mixing within the polyolefin composition. The inventive dispersion must be shelf stable, retain its nucleating effects, be compatible with polypropylene (and other polyolefins), and possess both short-term and long-term viscosities which permit acceptable transport through a standard polyolefin-manufacturing peristaltic pump. The preferred inventive dispersion thus comprises 3,4-DMDBS and at least one ethoxylated nonionic surfactant having an HLB of greater than about 8.5. Preferred surfactants include those selected from the group consisting essentially of ethoxylated sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters and ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid dispersion of at least one dibenzylidene sorbitol acetal derivative. The sorbitol acetal derivative is useful as a clarifying agent for polyolefins and the inventive fluid dispersion permits improvements in the handling and processing of and mixing within the polyolefin composition. The inventive dispersion must be shelf stable, retain its nucleating effects, be compatible with polypropylene (and other polyolefins), and possess both short-term and long-term viscosities which permit acceptable transport through a standard polyolefin-manufacturing peristaltic pump. The preferred inventive dispersion thus comprises 3,4-DMDBS and at least one ethoxylated nonionic surfactant having an HLB of greater than about 8.5. Preferred surfactants include those selected from the group consisting essentially of ethoxylated sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters and ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers.

Abstract: A diacetal of a polyhydric alcohol is provided having at least one carbamoyl substituent bonded to an oxy group of the alcohol. The compound is useful as a nucleating agent in polymer resins and as a gelling agent.

Abstract: A dispersion of dibenzylidene sorbitol acetal (DBS) in an organic liquid selected from alkylene glycols and polyalkylene glycols is provided wherein the DBS has a moisture content of greater than 2 wt. %, to inhibit the dispersion from gelling prematurely.

Abstract: A process for thermoforming a polyolefin resin sheet is provided having an aromatic aldehyde-polyhydric alcohol condensation product incorporated in the sheet to limit deformation of the sheet during the heating step.