Polymer compositions, articles made from such compositons, and methods for molding such compositions

{
  "publication_number": "US9376558B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Polymer compositions, articles made from such compositons, and methods for molding such compositions",
  "abstract": "A polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer, a polymer additive selected from the group consisting of nucleating agents, clarifying agents, and combinations thereof, and a fluoropolymer. A molded article comprises at least one wall defining a cavity, the wall having an opening therein permitting access to the cavity. The wall comprises a polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a polymer additive selected from the group consisting of nucleating agents, clarifying agents, and combinations thereof, and a fluoropolymer. A method for molding a polymer composition is also provided.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A polymer composition comprising: (a) a thermoplastic polymer; (b) a polymer additive selected from the group consisting of nucleating agents, clarifying agents, and combinations thereof; and (c) a fluoropolymer, the fluoropolymer having a Melt Flow Index of about 4 to about 30 g/10 minutes as measured in accordance with ASTM D1238-04c at 265° C. using a 5 kg weight, wherein the polymer additive and the fluoropolymer are present in the polymer composition in a ratio of polymer additive to fluoropolymer of 8:1 to about 100:1 based on the total weight of the polymer additive and the fluoropolymer present in the polymer composition.",
    "2. The polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polyolefin.",
    "3. The polymer composition of claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers, and combinations thereof.",
    "4. The polymer composition of claim 3, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polypropylene random copolymer.",
    "5. The polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer additive is a clarifying agent comprising an acetal compound conforming to the structure of Formula (I) below: wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, hydroxyalkyl groups, alkoxy groups, and alkyl halide groups; wherein R 2, R 3, R 4, R 5, R 6, R 7, R 8, R 9, R 10, and R 11 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, and halogens; and wherein R 12 is a hydroxyalkyl group selected from the group consisting of - CH 2 OH and - CHOHCH 2 OH.",
    "6. The polymer composition of claim 5, wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and alkenyl groups; R 2, R 3, R 5, R 6, R 7, R 8, R 10, and R 11 are each hydrogen; R 12 is - CHOHCH 2 OH; and R 4 and R 9 are selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and alkoxy groups.",
    "7. The polymer composition of claim 6, wherein R 1, R 4 and R 9 are n-propyl groups.",
    "8. The polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the fluoropolymer is a polymer made from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinylidene fluoride, hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether), and combinations thereof.",
    "9. The polymer composition of claim 8, wherein the fluoropolymer is a polymer selected from the group consisting of (i) copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, 1-hydropentafluoropropylene, and 2-hydropentafluoropropylene; (ii) terpolymers of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene, and a comonomer selected from the group consisting hexafluoropropylene, 1-hydropentafluoropropylene, and 2-hydropentafluoropropylene; (iii) copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and propylene; (iv) copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, propylene, and vinylidene fluoride; and (v) combinations of two or more of (i)-(iv).",
    "10. The polymer composition of claim 9, wherein the fluoropolymer is a terpolymer of vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene, and hexafluoropropylene.",
    "11. The polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the fluoropolymer is present in the polymer composition in an amount of about 200 ppm or less, based on the total weight of the polymer composition.",
    "12. The polymer composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer composition is substantially free of interfacial agents."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates to polymer compositions, articles made from such polymer compositions, and methods for molding such polymer compositions.\n\nAs noted above, the present invention is generally directed to polymer compositions, articles (e.g., molded articles) made from such polymer compositions, and methods for molding such polymer compositions. When used in forming molded articles, such as an extrusion blow molded article, the polymer composition of the invention, which includes a synergistic blend of a polymer additive and a fluoropolymer, is believed to be particularly well-suited for the production of molded articles exhibiting desirable optical properties (e.g., haze and gloss). In particular, molded articles produced using the polymer composition of the invention are believed to exhibit a desirable combination of low haze and high gloss as compared to articles made using other polymer compositions. In view of these optical properties, the polymer composition of the invention and molded articles formed therefrom are believed to be particularly desirable for use in packaging and food containers.\n\nWhile not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the nucleating or clarifying agent acts to provide the bulk or interior portions of the polymer with desirable optical properties (e.g., low haze), while the fluoropolymer works in concert with the nucleating or clarifying agent to provide a molded article having desirable surface properties, such as high gloss.",
  "cpc": [
    "B29B 11/10",
    "B29B 11/14",
    "B29C 2949/0715",
    "B29C 49/0005",
    "B29C 49/04",
    "B29C 49/071",
    "B29C 49/70",
    "B29K 2023/12",
    "B29L 2031/7158",
    "C08J 2323/14",
    "C08J 2427/20",
    "C08J 5/00",
    "C08K 5/0083",
    "C08L 2203/10",
    "C08L 2205/06",
    "C08L 2207/04",
    "C08L 23/10",
    "C08L 23/14",
    "C08L 2310/00",
    "C08L 2666/04",
    "C08L 27/12"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B29C 49/04",
    "C08K 5/1575",
    "C08L 27/12",
    "C08L 27/16",
    "C08L 27/18",
    "C08L 27/20",
    "C08L 23/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Milliken and Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "John D. Price",
    "Nathan A. Mehl"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2010-05-26",
  "publication_date": "2016-06-28",
  "grant_date": "2016-06-28",
  "priority_date": "2009-05-29",
  "application_number": "US-78759810-A",
  "family_id": "42743998",
  "cited_by_count": 7,
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}