Abstract: Flexible sheet materials having a foam layer and a film layer of polymer materials, at least one of the layers being formed from a filled polymer resin composition containing filler material comprising 30% to 65% by weight of the composition. The filled resin composition includes an ethylene copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate and may include other polymers such as polyethylene. The film layer provides a vapor barrier function. The layer having the filler provides a sound transmission loss. A preferred embodiment of an underlayment has a filler resin film layer of 6 to 30 mils thickness and a polymer foam layer of 75 mils thickness, the underlayment providing a sound transmission loss of at least about 2.5 dB at 1000 Hz.

Abstract: Flexible sheet materials having a foam layer and a film layer of polymer materials, at least one of the layers being formed from a filled polymer resin composition containing filler material comprising 30% to 65% by weight of the composition. The filled resin composition includes an ethylene copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate and may include other polymers such as polyethylene. The film layer serves a vapor barrier function. The layer having the filler provides a sound transmission loss. A preferred embodiment of an underlayment has a filler resin film layer of 6 to 30 mils thickness and a polymer foam layer of 75 mils thickness, the underlayment providing a sound transmission loss of at least about 2.5 dB at 1000 Hz.

Abstract: A cellular cushioning article comprises first and second multilayer films each having first and second outer layers, each of which contains an olefin-based polymer, and an inner O2-barrier layer. At least one of the O2-barrier layers contains recycled polyester. The first multilayer film is laminated to the second multilayer film so that a plurality of cells are formed between the first multilayer film and the second multilayer film. The cells can be discrete, fluid-filled cells produced by forming one or both of the films. Alternatively, the cushioning article can be an inflatable article in which the films are adhered to one another in a pattern to form a series of inflatable chambers connected by inflatable passageways terminating in a dead-end chamber. Processes for making the articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the melt-processibility of crosslinked plastic or recycling crosslinked plastic and the products formed by these methods. The melt processibility of a crosslinked thermoplastic resin may be enhanced by mixing it with a low viscosity polymeric resin having a specified melt flow index relative to the melt flow index of the crosslinked thermoplastic resin, and exposing the mixture to mechanical shearing energy to produce a processed mixture having enhanced melt flow characteristics. The processed mixture may be subsequently mixed with thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: PET with low gas permeability and good mechanical properties is produced utilizing strain-induced crystallization. This strain-induced crystallization process is utilized to produce PET films and sheets, among other products.

Abstract: Polyester composition with improved impact properties, improved oxygen permeability and improved dimensional shrinkage during heating. Impact modifiers are dissolved into a molten polyester to form a eutectic alloy. On slow cooling, the eutectic alloy of the invention freezes to form a mixture of particles of the impact modifier embedded in a matrix of the polyester. By controlling the solidification of the melt, the size and distribution of the precipitates from the melt can be controlled, which allows control of the mechanical properties. The precipitation can also be controlled either by homogenous nucleation or by heterogeneous nucleation through the addition of a nucleating agent or the introduction of a suitable surface for nucleation. The invention also provides a process of manufacturing the above polyester, an article comprising this polyester and a process for making this article.

Abstract: Polyester composition with improved impact properties, improved oxygen permeability and improved dimensional shrinkage during heating. Impact modifiers are dissolved into a molten polyester to form a eutectic alloy. On slow cooling, the eutectic alloy of the invention freezes to form a mixture of particles of the impact modifier embedded in a matrix of the polyester. By controlling the solidification of the melt, the size and distribution of the precipitates from the melt can be controlled, which allows control of the mechanical properties. The precipitation can also be controlled either by homogenous nucleation or by heterogeneous nucleation through the addition of a nucleating agent or the introduction of a suitable surface for nucleation. The invention also provides a process of manufacturing the above polyester, an article comprising this polyester and a process for making this article.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of manufacturing a shaped polyester article having an oxygen permeability of from about 0.2 to about 4.9 cc-mil/100 in.sup.2 -24 hr-atm at a temperature of 23.degree. C. and at 100% relative humidity inside and 60% relative humidity outside, and an enthalpy of recrystallization of from about 0 to about -2.1 cal/g, as well as a linear dimensional shrinkage between about 0% and 6% when heated from about -60.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. The crystalline polyester articles are useful as containers for microwavable, ovenable and/or frozen foods, and have good gas barrier properties, and post-mold dimensional stability from about -60.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention provides for crystalline polyester articles of manufacture having an oxygen permeability of from about 0.2 to about 4.9 cc-mil/100 in.sup.2 -24 hr-atm at a temperature of 23.degree. C. and at 100% relative humidity inside and 60% relative humidity outside, and an enthalpy of recrystallization of from about 0 to about -2.1 cal/g, as well as a linear dimensional shrinkage between about 0% and 6% when heated from about -60.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. These articles are useful as containers for microwavable, ovenable and/or frozen foods, and have good gas barrier properties, and post-mold dimensional stability from about -60.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyester having an oxygen permeability of from about 0.2 to about 4.9 cc-mil/100 in.sup.2 -24 hr-atm at a temperature of 23.degree. C. and at 00% relative humidity inside and 60% relative humidity outside, and an enthalpy of recrystallization of from about 0 to about -2.1 cal/g, as well as a linear dimensional shrinkage between about 0% and 6% when heated from about -60.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. The invention also provides a process of manufacturing the above polyester, an article comprising this polyester and a process for making this article. The crystalline polyester article is useful as a container for microwavable, ovenable and/or frozen foods, and has good gas barrier properties, and post-mold dimensional stability from about -60.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of two or more polymeric materials combined together forming a composite, layered structure for use in microwave oven cookware or similar types of application.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel filled continuous thermoplastic sheet material highly suitable for use in electrical applications, such as in the production of printed circuit boards. This material comprises an extruded sheet of a thermoplastic polymer, preferably poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), containing from about 5 to 60% by weight of reinforcing filler material such as glass fibers, and having a polymer-rich surface, a gloss value of at least 15, and a maximum roughness of about 150 microinches.