Milliken + Co

Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC

Daniel M Connor

Jason Dean Sprinkle

Eric B Stephens

Todd D Danielson

Jusong Xia

Xiaodong Edward Zhao

Mary E Mason

Donnie Hyder

Darin L Dotson

Nathan A Mehl

David Romme Hansen

Keith Alan Keller

John G Lever

John W Miley

Ruidong Ding

Daike Wang

Sean M Bernhardt

Todd E Danielson

Edward X Zhao

Jason D Sprinkle

A composition comprises a thermoplastic and a nucleating agent. The thermoplastic can be a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers, polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, polybutylene, poly(4 methyl 1 pentene) and mixtures thereof. The nucleating agent can comprise a metal salt of a phenylphosphonic acid. The nucleating agent can comprise primary particles having a mean aspect ratio of about two or more. The composition can also comprise an acid scavenger, such as one or more metal salts of stearic acid. The composition can be used to produce thermoplastic articles using, for example, injection molding and thermoforming techniques.

Nucleating agent and thermoplastic compositions comprising the same

The present invention comprises a molding composition comprising at least about 70% wt. polypropylene or polypropylene random copolymer; up to about 30 wt. % of a block copolymer composition comprising at least one selectively hydrogenated block copolymer which substantially matches the index of refraction of the polypropylene or polypropylene random copolymer, and up to about 0.70% by wt. of a clarifying agent, wherein the weight % of the total blend is 100%. The present invention also may be a molded article produced from the molding composition. A molded article formed from such a composition at a thickness of 0.125 inches will have a haze of less than about 50% and an instrumented impact toughness of at least 100 inch-lbs at &#x2212;20&#xb0; C. to &#x2212;30&#xb0; C.

Hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers blends with polypropylene

Infrared (IR) radiation absorbing compounds of metal or metalloids with ligands are beneficial for many applications. Schiff base biquinone (SBB) ligands surrounding a metal or metalloid center may be used for laser welding applications, as one example, wherein effective infared radiation absorption and heat resistance are required. These compounds may be known as Schiff base biquinone metal complexes (SBBC's). The compositions and methods of this invention provide examples of many different NIR absorbing compounds that exhibit high NIR absorbing strength, good thermal stability, and relatively low visible color. The IR absorbing compounds may employ one or more of the following elements: Si, Zr, Bi, Sb, Ce, Cs, K, Mo.

Radiation absorbing compositions, methods and articles incorporating such compositions

Novel thermoplastic articles that contain novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are extremely low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat any discoloring within clear, colorless applications), are substantially non-migratory from target resins, and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided. In effect, the inventive thermoplastic articles, provide excellent protection for certain vitamins, flavorings, and colorants, for example, from ultraviolet degradation, particularly above the 370 nm wavelength that is typically the high end of protection for clear thermoplastics having low migratory, colorless UV absorbers therein.

Thermoplastic containers exhibiting excellent protection to various ultraviolet susceptible compounds

Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are extremely low in color and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well.

Low-color ultraviolet absorbers for high UV wavelength protection applications

Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are extremely low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat such discoloring), and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well. This invention also concerns the end products, specific broadly defined types of compounds providing such beneficial characteristics, methods of making such low-color compounds, and methods of producing such clear, UV protected end products.

Low-color ultraviolet absorber compounds and compositions thereof

Individual compounds that provide effective toning (or bluing) to combat yellowing within polyester articles (such as bottles, containers, and the like) are provided. Such a novel toner permits effective neutralization of yellowness while also providing highly desirable low haze and increased brightness due to a sharp absorption peak within the needed range of wavelengths (e.g., from about 565 to 590 nm) and a narrow half-height band width. Furthermore, such an individual compound is preferably liquid in nature and may thus be incorporated within an added ultraviolet absorber solution or shelf-stable dispersion to facilitate addition within target polyesters at various stages of production. The particular UV absorbers desired as additives within target polyesters also tend to exhibit certain yellowing effects that require attention as well. The inventive single bluing agent compound thus also accords effective neutralization of such UV absorber yellowing as well. Methods of production and liquid UV absorber/individual bluing agent formulations are also encompassed within this invention.

Single compound toners for use in polyesters

Combinations of at least two individual colorant compounds that provide effective toning (or bluing) to combat yellowing within polyester articles (such as bottles, containers, and the like) are provided. Such a novel toner combination permits effective neutralization of yellowness while also providing highly desirable low haze and increased brightness due to a sharp absorption peak within the needed range of wavelengths (e.g., from about 565 to 590 nm) and a narrow half-height band width. Furthermore, such a combination of compounds is preferably liquid in nature and may thus be incorporated within an added ultraviolet absorber solution or shelf-stable dispersion to facilitate addition within target polyesters at various stages of production. The inventive combination bluing agent accords effective neutralization of UV absorber yellowing as well. Methods of production and liquid UV absorber/individual bluing agent formulations are also encompassed within this invention.

Combinations for use as toners in polyesters

Red colorants comprising a chromophore having at least one poly(oxyalkylene) chain attached to the 1-position, as well as at least one poly(oxyalkylene) chain attached to either the 5-position or the 8-position of an anthraquinone backbone are provided. Such colorants exhibit excellent base stability, effective colorations, excellent low extraction rates, and high lightfastness levels, particularly when incorporated within certain media and/or on the surface of certain substrates, particularly polyesters. The poly(oxyalkylene) chains also increase the solubility in different solvents or resins thereby permitting the introduction of such excellent coloring chromophores within diverse media and/or diverse substrates as well as provides a liquid colorant which facilitates handling. Compositions and articles comprising such colorants are provided as well as methods for producing such inventive colorants are also provided.

Polymeric 1,5- or 1,8-disubstituted anthraquinone-derivative colorants and articles comprising such colorants

Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds that are liquid in nature, are extremely low in color (and thus permit use without the concomitant necessity of adding large amounts of other coloring agents to combat such discoloring), and are highly effective in providing protection in wavelength ranges for which previous attempts at low-color ultraviolet absorbers have failed are provided herein. Such compounds provide such excellent, inexpensive, and beneficial protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, clear thermoplastics. The particular compounds are generally polymeric in nature including various chain lengths of polyoxyalkylenes thereon and are liquid in nature to facilitate handling and introduction within the target media. In addition, such ultraviolet absorbers also exhibit extremely low migratory properties thereby providing long-term protective benefits to the target media as well.

Colorants comprising a chromophore having two methine moieties attached to a benzodifuranone backbone, wherein said moieties optionally have at least one poly(oxyalkylene) chain, preferably at least two such chains attached thereto are provided. Such colorants exhibit excellent thermal stability, effective colorations, excellent low extraction rates, and effective lightfastness levels, particularly when incorporated within certain media and/or on the surface of certain substrates, particularly polyesters. The optional poly(oxyalkylene) chains also increase the solubility in different solvents or resins thereby permitting the introduction of such excellent coloring chromophores within diverse media and/or on diverse substrates as well as provides a liquid colorant which facilitates handling. Compositions and articles comprising such colorants are provided as are methods for producing such inventive colorants.

Polymeric articles comprising novel bismethine benzodifuranone derivative colorants

Bismethine benzodifuranone derivative colorants

Colored polyester plastics produced through the introduction of coloring agents prior to extrusion but after pellet production of the base polymer are provided. As a result, the plastic is melt-extruded and mixed with the coloring agent and subsequently subjected to solid stating wherein the base polymer is accorded an increase in molecular weight and the coloring agent becomes integrated therein. Such a method permits avoidance of introduction of a coloring agent to the polymerization reaction chamber that results in extensive staining (particularly upon a change of desired colors for the next batch of plastic). Such a method also permits avoidance of the introduction of a coloring agent to an injection molding process that results in uneven color dispersion and sub-optimal physical properties within the ultimate article. The inventive procedure produces colored thermoplastics of substantially the same shades and uniformity as with the aforementioned precoloring or masterbatch process.

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Richmond, VA, United States of America

Daniel M Connor