The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 03, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 07, 1995
Michael P Ekart, Kingsport, TN (US);
Thomas M Pell, Jr, Kingsport, TN (US);
Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN (US);
Abstract
A new process is described for recycling polyesters. In accordance with the described process, postconsumer or scrap polyester is reacted with glycol to produce a monomer or low molecular weight oligomer by depolymerization of the polyester. The monomer or oligomer, as the case may be, is then purified using one or more of a number of steps including filtration, crystallization, and optionally adsorbent treatment or evaporation. The monomer or oligomer thus produced is particularly suitable as a raw material for acid or ester based polyester production of packaging grade polyester material. Because the process includes purification steps, specifications for the previously used polyester material need not be strict.