Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of making a stretch-blow-molded opaque polyester container which method comprises: forming a polyester resin either by the ester interchange and polycondensation process, or by the direct esterification and polycondensation process; mixing 0.1 to 5 wt.-% opacifying material to said polyester resin; forming a preform of said container; and stretch-blow-molding said preform into said polyester container wherein the container has a gas permeation rate less than the container made without said opacifying material and wherein said container has less than 15% transmission of visible light (500 nm) through a wall of 0.4 millimeter thickness.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for crystallizing and solid state polymerizing polymers, in the form of amorphous pellets by coating the pellets with a coating of 50 to 250 ppm of an anti-sticking agent to the amorphous pellets. The invention also relates to such a coated pellet. The coated pellet is then heated such that its surface is at least partially crystallized or essentially crystallized. Next it is solid state polymerize to a high molecular weight. The capacity of the crystallization and solid state polymerization process can be increased by using higher temperatures when the anti-sticking agent is present as compared to a normal process using the same polymer. The preferred anti-sticking agents are chosen to give high clarity to articles made from the high molecular weight pellet. The preferred anti-sticking agent is fumed silica, but other organic and inorganic coatings may be used.
Abstract:
The present invention describes both a stretch-blow-molded opaque polyester container and a method of making it. The container, typically a beverage bottle has less than 15% transmission of visible light (500 nm) through a 0.4 millimeter wall thickness. It contains from about 0.1 to about 5wt. % of said opacifying material. The opacifying material may be any material compatible with polyester resin. The method of making the container includes introducing the opacifying material during polymerization, or prepared as a master batch for mixing with the polymer. Selection of certain opacifying materials can also result in favorable reheat properties, gas permeation-barrier improvements, and when the resin contains both opacifying material and oxygen scavenger there can be a synergistic effect with respect to CO2 permeation.