Eastman Chemical Company

Ryan Thomas Neill

Michael Eugene Donelson

Bryan Steven Bishop

James Collins Maine

Robert Erik Young

Wesley Raymond Hale

John Walker Gilmer

Douglas Stephen McWilliams

David Gayle Salyer

Gary Wayne Hartley

Jill Ellen Cline

Theodore Robert Trautman

James Hubert David

Patsy Jeanine Barton

Douglas Stephens Mcwilliams

A process for in-line laminating a heavy-gauge transparent polymer sheet with a pre-pre-formed polymer film to produce a laminated polymer sheet. The pre-formed polymer film can impart one or more aesthetic or functional elements to the heavy-gauge polymer sheet. The resulting laminate can have equivalent, or enhanced, properties as compared to conventionally-prepared laminates and can be formed into a variety of articles with multiple end uses.

In-line lamination of heavy-gauge polymer sheet with a pre-formed polymer film

In one aspect the present invention relates to a method of making an encapsulated electrically energized device, the method comprising: providing a first layer and a second layer each independently comprising a copolyester, a polycarbonate, a polyacrylate, polycarbonate/polyester miscible blends, or mixtures thereof, providing the electrically energized between the first and second layer, thermocompressively fusing the first layer and the second layer to encapsulate the electrically energized device by applying pressure at a temperature, sufficient to form the article, to a perimeter of the surface of the first and second layers, wherein the perimeter does not overlap the electrically energized device, wherein the temperature at the interface of the first and second layers is equal to or greater than Tg of the first layer and the second layer, and wherein the polyester layers have a flow during encapsulation less than the flow that induces fractures in the electrically energized device.

Encapsulation of electrically energized articles

Disclosed are ternary polyester blends that contain at least one polyester comprising terephthalic or isophthalic acid, ethylene glycol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, and at least one polyester comprising terephthalic or isophthalic acid, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues. The ternary polyester blends have improved clarity, toughness, and fabrication characteristics and are useful for the preparation of flat or shaped articles. Of special interest are ternary blends where one of the three components compatibilizes the blend of two otherwise immiscible polyesters.

Ternary blends of terephthalate or isophthalate polyesters containing EG, CHDM and TMCD

Thermoplastic articles made from polyesters modified by neopentyl glycol laminate more quickly than cyclohexanedimethanol-modified versions yet retain the properties that make modified polyesters the material of choice in this market&#x2014;water-like color and clarity, high impact strength, low lamination temperature and low flammability. For situations where a faster cycle time is not needed, articles laminated with neopentyl glycol-modified polyesters can alternatively be manufactured at lower temperatures.

Lamination process optimization utilizing neopentyl glycol-modified polyesters

Polyester blends containing recycled, post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate are described. The blends have the advantage of being miscible (visually clear) and remaining clear after post-extrusion heat histories.

Miscible polyester blends utilizing recycled polyesters

Disclosed are laminated articles comprising a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer having an inclusion embedded between the layers, wherein at least one layer comprises a branching agent to improve dimensional stability during the lamination process. Disclosed are laminated articles comprising a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer having an inclusion embedded between the layers, wherein at least one layer comprises a copolyester comprising a branching agent to improve dimensional stability during the lamination process. Also disclosed are methods of laminating a first layer and a second layer with an inclusion between the layers to form a laminated article with an embedded inclusion, wherein at least one layer comprises a copolyester comprising a branching agent.

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Kingsport, TN, United States of America

Ryan Thomas Neill