Abstract: A caulk cartridge for use with high organic solvent caulk is disclosed. The cartridge includes a cartridge body formed as an open-ended elongate cylindrical tube having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface, a nozzle affixed to the first end of the cartridge body, and a plunger engaging with the inner surface of the cartridge body and forming a seal at the second end and slidable along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge body from the second end toward the first end. The cartridge body is manufactured from a cellulosic thermoplastic with a high organic solvent barrier.

Abstract: An improved container for use in holding oxygen sensitive contents is provided. The container comprises a body having an open end sealed with a metal closure. The metal closure includes a metal structural layer, a polymeric interior coating layer and an oxygen scavenger layer interposed between the metal structural layer and the polymeric interior coating layer.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for use with a caulking cartridge to produce a homogenously colored caulk is provided. The mixing apparatus comprises a mixing element affixed to a distal end of a rod and comprising a first screw lead and a second screw lead offset from each other by an angle of about 90 degrees. Each screw lead may have a helix angle of between about 3.5 degrees and about 25 degrees and, preferably, about 12.75 degrees.

Abstract: An improved container for use in holding oxygen sensitive contents is provided. The container comprises a body having an open end sealed with a metal closure. The metal closure includes a metal structural layer, a polymeric interior coating layer and an oxygen scavenger layer interposed between the metal structural layer and the polymeric interior coating layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sealing a metal end to an end of a non-metal body of a food container. The method includes placing the metal end onto the end of the non-metal body and inducing electrical currents in the peripheral portion only of the metal end to heat the peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to melt the non-metal end of the body. The inductive heating is then ceased to allow the molten material to re-solidify forming a bond and a seal with the metal end. The apparatus includes an annular copper coil sized and shaped to be positioned around or overlying the peripheral portion of the metal end. Passing radio frequency current through the copper coil induces heating currents in the peripheral portion of the end. Alignment features may be attached to the copper coil to align and center it with the metal end.

Abstract: A metallized laminated structure suitable for making a rigid container having a metallic appearance is provided. The laminated structure includes a metallized film and a thermoplastic sheet. At least a portion of the thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the metallized film through a lamination process. The metallized film includes a metallic layer, a sealable layer, and a polypropylene core between the metallic layer and the sealable layer. The thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene or a thermoplastic olefin. Or the thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene and at least one layer of a thermoplastic olefin.

Abstract: A packaging system or container for packaging one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The container includes a wall that defines an interior for receiving one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The space between the product or products and the wall defines a headspace. The headspace is filled with an inert gas and a scavenger gas. The wall has at least an inner layer and one or more outer layers. At least one of the outer layers includes an oxidation catalyst such that as oxygen diffuses from outside the container to the interior and scavenger gas diffuses from the interior to outside the container, the diffusing scavenger gas and oxygen react together with the oxidation catalyst in one or more of the outer layers substantially consuming the oxygen.

Abstract: A packaging system or container for packaging one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The container includes a wall that defines an interior for receiving one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The space between the product or products and the wall defines a headspace. The headspace is filled with an inert gas and a scavenger gas. The wall has at least an inner layer and one or more outer layers. At least one of the outer layers includes an oxidation catalyst such that as oxygen diffuses from outside the container to the interior and scavenger gas diffuses from the interior to outside the container, the diffusing scavenger gas and oxygen react together with the oxidation catalyst in one or more of the outer layers substantially consuming the oxygen.

Abstract: A packaging system or container for packaging one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The container includes a wall that defines an interior for receiving one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The space between the product or products and the wall defines a headspace. The headspace is filled with an inert gas and a scavenger gas. The wall has at least an inner layer and one or more outer layers. At least one of the outer layers includes an oxidation catalyst such that as oxygen diffuses from outside the container to the interior and scavenger gas diffuses from the interior to outside the container, the diffusing scavenger gas and oxygen react together with the oxidation catalyst in one or more of the outer layers substantially consuming the oxygen.

Abstract: A metallized laminated structure suitable for making a rigid container having a metallic appearance is provided. The laminated structure includes a metallized film and a thermoplastic sheet. At least a portion of the thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the metallized film through a lamination process. The metallized film includes a metallic layer, a sealable layer, and a polypropylene core between the metallic layer and the sealable layer. The thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene or a thermoplastic olefin. Or the thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene and at least one layer of a thermoplastic olefin.

Abstract: A metallized laminated structure suitable for making a rigid container having a metallic appearance is provided. The laminated structure includes a metallized film and a thermoplastic sheet. At least a portion of the thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the metallized film through a lamination process. The metallized film includes a metallic layer, a sealable layer, and a polypropylene core between the metallic layer and the sealable layer. The thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene or a thermoplastic olefin. Or the thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene and at least one layer of a thermoplastic olefin.

Abstract: The melt strength of polypropylene is enhanced by blending a cyclo-olefin copolymer into the polypropylene. The cyclo-olefin copolymer comprises an amorphous random copolymer of ethylene and norbornene, the cyclo-olefin copolymer comprising at least about 60 wt. % of norbornene. As a result of the high norbornene content of the COC, the glass transition temperature of the COC is relatively high. In preferred embodiments, the norbornene content ranges from about 60 wt. % to about 85 wt. %, and the glass transition temperature correspondingly ranges from about 55° C. to about 170° C. The COC thus is glassy at room temperature and remains glassy at temperatures significantly above room temperature. The glass transition temperature of the COC is substantially higher than that of the polypropylene in the composition.

Abstract: A metallized laminated structure suitable for making a rigid container having a metallic appearance is provided. The laminated structure includes a metallized film and a thermoplastic sheet. At least a portion of the thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the metallized film through a lamination process. The metallized film includes a metallic layer, a sealable layer, and a polypropylene core between the metallic layer and the sealable layer. The thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene or a thermoplastic olefin. Or the thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene and at least one layer of a thermoplastic olefin.

Abstract: A method for making a polymeric part having an anti-graffiti property is disclosed. The method includes formulating a first mixture of a polymer and a hydrocarbon mixture, forming a substantially planar sheet of the first mixture, formulating a second mixture of a mineral oil and a wax, coating a surface of a forming mold with the second mixture of a mineral oil and a wax, and thermoforming the substantially planar sheet to form the polymeric part using the forming mold coated with the second mixture of mineral oil and wax.

Abstract: Laminates include a thermoplastic substrate layer, a clear coat layer, and a tie layer. The tie layer most preferably includes an adhesive-enhancing effective amount of a branched or linear styrenic block copolymer which adhesively bonds the substrate and clear coat layers one to another. Advantageously, the tie layer includes a blend of the styrenic block copolymer and a tackifier resin, preferably a terpene resin. The laminate may be employed to manufacture a variety of shaped articles, most preferably automotive trim components.

Abstract: Laminates include a thermoplastic substrate layer, a clear coat layer, and a tie layer. The tie layer most preferably includes an adhesive-enhancing effective amount of a maleic anhydride grafted styrenic block copolymer which adhesively bonds the substrate and clear coat layers one to another. Advantageously, the tie layer includes a blend of the styrenic block copolymer and a diamine, especially 2-methylpentamethylenediamine. The laminate may be employed to manufacture a variety of shaped articles, most preferably automotive trim components.

Abstract: Laminates include a thermoplastic substrate layer, a clear coat layer, and a tie layer between the substrate and clear coat layers. The tie layer most preferably includes a first layer adjacent the thermoplastic substrate layer which is comprised of a polyolefin, and a second layer adjacent to the clear coat layer which is comprised of a polyamide. Most preferably, the substrate layer is TPO and the clear coat layer is PVF. The laminates may be employed to manufacture a variety of shaped articles, most preferably automotive trim components.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards an anti-graffiti composition. More particularly to an anti-graffiti composition composed substantially of a polymer and including mineral oil. The mineral oil is present in an amount sufficient to impart anti-graffiti properties to the composition.

Abstract: Laminates include a thermoplastic substrate layer, a clear coat layer, and a tie layer. The tie layer most preferably includes an adhesive-enhancing effective amount of a thermoplastic reactive terpolymer of ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (E-MA-GMA) which adhesively bonds the substrate and clear coat layers one to another. Most preferably, the tie layer is a blend of E-MA-GMA and a tackifier (e.g., a C6-C8 cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon resin). The laminate may be employed to manufacture a variety of shaped articles, most preferably automotive trim components.

Abstract: Laminates include a thermoplastic substrate layer, a clear coat layer, and a tie layer between the substrate and clear coat layers. The tie layer most preferably includes a first layer adjacent the thermoplastic substrate layer which is comprised of a polyolefin, and a second layer adjacent to the clear coat layer which is comprised of a polyamide. Most preferably, the substrate layer is TPO and the clear coat layer is PVF. The laminates may be employed to manufacture a variety of shaped articles, most preferably automotive trim components.