Nova Chemicals (international) S.a.

Nova Chemicals Inc.

Jason Michael Rycroft

Gilbert Alexander Arnould

Matthew Zaki Botros

Mark Rejman

William McGrory

Gilbert Arnould

A polymer suitable for use in a thin film hinge (living hinge) comprising from about 0.1 to about 5 weight % of a Ccomonomer and the balance ethylene, said composition having a density as determined according to ASTM D 792 from about 0.945 to about 0.965 g/cm; a melt index as determined according to ASTM D1238 (2.16 kg/190&#xb0; C.) from about 10 to about 20 g/10 min; a weight average molecular weight (Mw) from about 45,000 to about 55,000 g/mol; a polydispersity from about 2.5 to about 3.1 and when molded into a strip having a length of about 13 cm and gross thickness from about 50 to about 70 mil (about 1 to about 2 mm) and completely bent over end to end four times to create a thinned region or crease having a thickness from about 15 to about 30 mil (about 0.3 to about 0.7 mm) tested by bending and releasing the deformed thinned region of the strip through a radius of curvature from about 180 to about 190&#xb0; about a rounded plate goes through not less than 500 cycles without breaking.

Hinge polymer

Polyethylene living hinges used in 'snap top' lids for condiments and the like may be electron bean irradiated to partially crosslink the polyethylene to produce a hinge having an improvement in the number of opening and closing cycles until failure of not less than 30%. The irradiated lids may be used in place of polypropylene lids for condiment containers.

Radiation crosslinked polyethylene hinge

Growing community of inventors

Strathmore, Canada

Jason Michael Rycroft