Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing a polycarbonate including a bisphenol compound and an effective amount of a bishaloformate component present in an amount sufficient to reduce the average unbound bisphenol compound level found in water after immersion in deionized water for two weeks at 40° C. of the composition to less than about 20 ppb. Also provided are methods for increasing the water resistance of a polycarbonate composition. The method involves adding an effective amount of a bishaloformate component to the polycarbonate composition such that the polycarbonate composition has an average unbound bisphenol compound level found in water after immersion in deionized water for two weeks at 40° C. of less than about 20 ppb.

Abstract: A process for making a colored article of manufacture is disclosed. Accordingly an article of manufacture is first prepared of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, glass, ceramic, masonry and polymeric materials. A polymeric coating (superstrate) is then applied to at least a portion of the surface of the article. At least a portion of the superstrate is brought into contact with a material system that contains (i) water, (ii) a carrier, (iii) a dye and (iv) a diol, under conditions calculated to bring about diffusion of said dye into said superstrate.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for treating large articles to impart color or performance enhancing additives to the article in which a treatment system which includes: (i) a coloring solution and/or a solution containing at least one performance enhancing additive, (ii) water, and (iii) a solvent such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and diethylene glycol is applied to the article.

Abstract: A method of tinting a plastic article is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a plastic article comprising a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; (b) contacting at least a portion of the surface of said plastic article with a treatment composition comprising at least one dye and water; (c) maintaining said portion of said plastic article in contact with said treatment composition for a period of time at least sufficient to form a tinted plastic article; (d) removing said tinted plastic article from contact with said treatment composition; and (e) rinsing said tinted plastic article with water to remove excess dye. The method is carried out in the absence of an organic solvent, without the need for fixing or further processing steps.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention at least a portion of the surface of a plastic article (e.g., a molded article of thermoplastic polycarbonate) is contacted with (e.g., immersed in) a treatment composition which includes one or more performance additives. The treatment composition contains: (i) at least one performance additive (e.g., an ultraviolet light absorber); (ii) water; (iii) at least one carrier represented by the following general formula I, wherein R1 is a radical selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl and phenyl, R2 is a radical selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, phenyl and H, n is 2, 3 or 4, and m is 1 to 35; and (iv) a diol selected from at least one of linear or branched C2-C20 aliphatic diols, poly(C2-C4 alkylene glycol), cycloaliphatic diols having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms in the cyclic ring, monocyclic aromatic diols, bisphenols and hydrogenated bisphenols.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for treating large articles to impart color or performance enhancing additives to the article in which a treatment system which includes: (i) a coloring solution and/or a solution containing at least one performance enhancing additive, (ii) water, and (iii) a solvent such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and diethylene glycol is applied to the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering components of a material system containing dye, water, and solvents such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and diethylene glycol is provided. The apparatus comprises in sequence: a first vessel including a cooling device for cooling the material system; a pump; at least one first filter; at least one purifying vessel containing activated carbon; optionally, a second filter; and a second vessel optionally including a probe. Each of the first vessel, purifying vessel, filter housings and baskets, second vessel and interconnecting piping are fabricated of a material which does not absorb dye, such as stainless steel.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention a plastic article (e.g., a molded article of thermoplastic polycarbonate) is immersed at least partially in a dye bath which includes one or more dyes, water, at least one carrier, and at least one diol. The dye bath contains: (i) at least one dye (e.g., a static and/or photochromic dye); (ii) water; (iii) at least one carrier represented by the following general formula I, R—O—(CH2)n—OHI wherein R is a radical selected from linear or branched C1–C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl and phenyl, and n is 2 or 3; and (iv) a diol selected from at least one of linear or branched C2–C20 aliphatic diols, poly(C2–C4 alkylene glycol), cycloaliphatic diols having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms in the cyclic ring, monocyclic aromatic diols, bisphenols and hydrogenated bisphenols. In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier is ethyleneglycol butyl ether, and the diol is diethylene glycol.

Abstract: A composition of matter (e.g., a molded article) is described. More particularly, the composition of matter includes: (a) a resinous component selected from at least one member of the group consisting of (co)polyester, (co)polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyamide, polyurethane, polyalkyl(meth)acrylate and styrene copolymers; (b) at least one water-insoluble dye; (c) a carrier represented by the following formula, R1[—O—(CH2)n]mOR2 wherein R2is butyl, R1 is H, n is 2 or 3, and m is 2–35; (d) an emulsifier that is poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-phenyl-omega-hydroxy, styrenated; and (e) a particulate or plate-like material, such as metal flakes.

Abstract: A process for tinting a molded article is disclosed. The process entails applying by spraying or by flow coating a hot, dye-solution onto at least a portion of the surface of a molded article to obtain a tinted article and washing the tinted article. In addition to the dissolved dye, the dye solution that is substantially free of particulate matter contains an aqueous solution of a carrier and an optional emulsifier. The article is one molded of a thermoplastic molding composition. In an embodiment of the invention, the dye solution is prepared by filtering a hot aqueous solution through a bag filter that contains a dye to obtain a hot, dye-solution. In a further embodiment, activated carbon is used to purify the dye solution to obtain a dye-free aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process of dyeing a molded article is disclosed. The process entails immersing at least a portion of the article in a dyeing bath, retaining the portion in the bath for a period of time sufficient to allow an amount of dye to diffuse into the article, and removing said article from the bath. The molded article comprises a polymeric resin such as (co)polyester, (co)polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyamide, polyurethane, polyalkyl(meth)-acrylate, allyldiglycol carbonate and styrene copolymers. The dyeing bath contains in addition to dye, water, a plasticizing agent and a leveling agent.

Abstract: A composition of matter (e.g., a molded article) is described. More particularly, the composition of matter includes: (a) a resinous component selected from at least one member of the group consisting of (co)polyester, (co)polycarbonates, acrylontrile-butadiene-styrene, polyamide, polyurethane, polyalkyl(meth)acrylate and styrene copolymers; (b) at least one dye; (c) a carrier represented by the following formula, R1[—O—(CH2)n]mOR2 wherein R2 is butyl, R1 is H, n is 2 or 3, and m is 2-35; and (d) optionally emulsifier. Also described is a dye bath that includes: (a) water; (b) at least one dye; (c) a carrier represented by the above formula; and (d) optionally an emulsifier.

Abstract: A process for tinting a molded article is disclosed. The process entails applying by spraying or by flow coating a hot, dye-solution onto at least a portion of the surface of a molded article to obtain a tinted article and washing the tinted article. In addition to the dissolved dye, the dye solution that is substantially free of particulate matter contains an aqueous solution of an organic solvent and a surfactant. The article is one molded of a thermoplastic molding composition. In an embodiment of the invention, the dye solution is prepared by filtering a hot aqueous solution through a bag filter that contains a dye to obtain a hot, dye-solution. In a further embodiment, activated carbon is used to purify the dye solution to obtain a dye-free aqueous solution.

Abstract: A process for tinting of articles molded from a polymeric resin is disclosed. Preferably, the article is molded from polycarbonate and the process entails immersing the molded article in a dye bath that contains water, dye, a carrier and an optional surfactant.

Abstract: A process of dyeing a molded article is disclosed. The process entails immersing at least a portion of the article in a dyeing bath, retaining the portion in the bath for a period of time sufficient to allow an amount of dye to diffuse into the article, and removing said article from the bath. The molded article comprises a polymeric resin such as (co)polyester, (co)polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyamide, polyurethane, polyalkyl(meth)-acrylate, allyldiglycol carbonate and styrene copolymers. The dyeing bath contains in addition to dye, water, a plasticizing agent and a leveling agent.

Abstract: A process for tinting of articles molded from a polymeric resin is disclosed. Preferably, the article is molded from polycarbonate and the process entails immersing the molded article in a dye bath that contains water, dye, a carrier and an optional surfactant. The carrier is a compound conforming to R1[—O—(CH2)n]mOR2  (i) wherein R1 and R2 independently denote H or C1-18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl or phenyl radical which may be substituted in the aromatic ring by alkyl and or halogen, preferably R1=butyl, R2=H, n is 2 or 3 and m is 2 to 35. The method is especially useful in the manufacture of tinted lenses.

Abstract: A process of dyeing a molded article is disclosed. The process entails immersing at least a portion of the article in a dyeing bath, retaining the portion in the bath for a period of time sufficient to allow an amount of dye to diffuse into the article, and removing said article from the bath. The molded article comprises a polymeric resin such as (co)polyester, (co)polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyamide, polyurethane, polyalkyl(meth)acrylate, allyldiglycol carbonate and styrene copolymers. The dyeing bath contains in addition to dye, water, a plasticizing agent and a leveling agent.

Abstract: A process of dyeing a molded article is disclosed. The process entails immersing at least a portion of the article in a dyeing bath, retaining the portion in the bath for a period of time sufficient to allow an amount of dye to diffuse into the article, and removing said article from the bath. The molded article comprises a polymeric resin such as (co)polyester, (co)polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyamide, polyurethane, polyalkyl(meth)-acrylate, allyldiglycol carbonate and styrene copolymers. The dyeing bath contains in addition to dye, water, a plasticizing agent and a leveling agent.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition comprising a transparent resinous component suitable for tinting by dip-dye method is disclosed. The resinous component is selected from the group consisting of (i) a blend of (co)polycarbonate resin and (co) polycaprolacone, and (ii) a copolymer containing carbonate and caprolactone structural units. The composition, characterized in that it is free of photochromic colorants, may be molded by thermoplastic means, and the molded article is then dipped-dyed by immersion in a tinting solution. The tinted articles are suitable for making, among others, optical lenses.

Abstract: A process for tinting of articles molded from a polymeric resin is disclosed. Preferably, the article is molded from polycarbonate and the process entails immersing the molded article in a dye bath that contains water, dye, a carrier and an optional surfactant.