Milliken + Co

Milliken Research Corporation

Todd D Danielson

Jason Dean Sprinkle

Daniel M Connor

Xiaodong Edward Zhao

Jusong Xia

Eric B Stephens

Mary E Mason

Nathan A Mehl

Frank Mark Pitman

Jimmy D Chavis

Jennifer Rockwood

John W Rekers

David J Moody

Chunping Xie

X Edward Zhao

Lee Richard Rieth

Eugene Kyle Stephenson

Donnie Hyder

Lee R Rieth

Edward X Zhao

Jamie B Myers

Jennifer Morgan

Elizabeth M Irwin

Jennifer S Morgan

A method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition comprises the steps of separately providing a thermoplastic polymer and an additive composition and then mixing the thermoplastic polymer and additive composition. The additive composition comprises a clarifying agent and a coloring agent. Another method for producing a thermoplastic polymer composition comprises the steps of separately providing a thermoplastic polymer, a clarifying agent, and a coloring agent and then mixing the thermoplastic polymer, the clarifying agent, and the coloring agent. The coloring agent is present in the composition in an amount to yield a composition exhibiting CIE L*, a*, and b* values falling within a defined color space. An additive composition contains a clarifying agent and a coloring agent. The coloring agent is present in the composition in such an amount that when the additive composition is added to a thermoplastic polymer composition, the thermoplastic polymer composition exhibits CIE L*, a*, and b* values falling within a defined color space.

Additive compositions and thermoplastic compositions comprising the same

Thermoplastic articles may be manufactured having a high degree of visual appeal to consumers. Clarifying agents may be employed as additives in such thermoplastic articles to produce high clarity articles. A coloring agent may be mixed with clarifying agents to form a first blend, and then such a first blend may be applied in very low loadings to form a clarified polymeric article. It is possible to achieve an observable visual benefit while using very low loadings of coloring agent in a polyolefin, such as polypropylene. Carbon black is a pigment that may provide such observable benefits in polypropylene.

Compositions and methods for making clarified aesthetically enhanced articles

The present invention relates to dibenzylidene sorbitol ('DBS')-based compounds. The compounds of this invention are particularly advantageous in that they are characterized by one or more of improved transparency (reduced haze), reduced yellowing and/or improved organoleptics (taste). According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a disubstituted DBS-based compound having an allyl group or a propyl group substituted on the first carbon of the sorbitol chain. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising such DBS-based compounds and methods for using them.

Dibenzylidene sorbitol (DBS)-based compounds, compositions and methods for using such 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

An improved procedure and apparatus for introducing liquids within a thermoplastic or thermoset production system are provided. Such an inventive apparatus comprises a storage tank for the desired liquid, a device which connects to a flow channel (such as a manifold or pipe) through which the target thermoplastic or thermoset composition is flowing, and a transfer line connecting the storage tank with the connecting device. The connecting device itself easily attaches and detaches to the flow channel through a spring-loaded or sliding-lock mechanism. Such a novel apparatus permits an ease in changeover from one liquid to another without the need for time-consuming cleaning and without complicated shut-off, removal, and replacement steps. Furthermore, such an apparatus allows for quick start-up, a drastic reduction in time required for changeover, and, with the connecting device being attached directly to the flow channel, a reduction in potential clogging through the unwanted misdirection of thermoplastic or thermoset composition into the connecting device and/or transfer line itself. As noted above, the particular procedure for producing such thermoplastic or thermoset compositions through utilization of such an apparatus is encompassed within this invention as well.

Methods of coloring resins with a quick change liquid metering device

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.

Quick change liquid metering device

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.

Method of producing colored polyester thermoplastic materials through specific solid-state procedures

This invention relates to novel ultraviolet absorbing methine-based compounds comprising polyoxyalkylene moieties. Such compounds provide excellent, inexpensive, protection from ultraviolet exposure within various media, including, but not limited to, thermoplastics. The presence of polyoxyalkylene chains on the methine backbone permits such an introduction within thermoplastics while simultaneously providing very low degrees of migration from the target substrate. This invention also concerns methods of making the aforementioned ultraviolet absorbing thermoplastic compositions.

Polymeric methine ultraviolet absorbers

This invention relates to colored polyester thermoplastics comprised of polymeric colorants having poly(oxyalkylene) moieties and/or anionic dye/quatenary ammonium substantially inorganic salt-free colorant complexes mixed with diluents selected from the group consisting essentially of sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters, ethoxylated sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters, mixtures thereof of sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters and ethoxylated sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters, ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers, ethoxylated dodecylphenol ethers, mixtures thereof of said ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers and ethoxylated dodecylphenol ethers, and mixtures of (i) sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters or ethoxylated sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters and (ii) ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers or ethoxylated dodecylphenol ethers. Such diluents facilitate the introduction of the preferred polymeric colorants within feedstock polyester during the extrusion or injection molding process and provide a significant improvement over traditional polyester article colorants. The inventive colored polyester thermoplastic may be molded into any shape or form; however, plastics are commonly utilized as containers for liquids, such as soft drinks. A method of coloring polyester during an extrusion or injection molding procedure utilizing the inventive colorant/diluent formulations are also provided.

Colored polyester thermoplastic materials comprised of

An opacified, semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin composition is provided having a poly(alkyleneoxy) substituted organic chromophore distributed throughout in an amount sufficient to color the resin. The resin composition is particularly useful for molding parts with strict dimensional tolerances as shrinkage of the molded part is minimal.

Growing community of inventors

Moore, SC, United States of America

Todd D Danielson