Intravenous components comprising polyester compositions formed from 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol

#The present invention generally relates to intravenous components comprising a polyester compositions made from terephthalic acid, or an ester thereof, or mixtures thereof, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, having a certain combination of two or more of high impact strengths, high glass transition temperature (Tg), toughness, certain inherent viscosities, low ductile-to-brittle transition temperatures, good color and clarity, low densities, chemical resistance, hydrolytic stability, and long crystallization half-times, which allow them to be easily formed into articles. For example, the intravenous components of the present invention can have a combination of two or more of the following properties: toughness, clarity, chemical resistance, Tg, and hydrolytic stability.

#Intravenous components can be produced with a variety of plastic materials by a variety of processes (injection molding, extrusion, etc.). Polycarbonates are widely used in a variety of molding and extrusion applications.

#Poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene) terephthalate (PCT), a polyester based solely on terephthalic acid or an ester thereof and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, is known in the art and is commercially available. This polyester crystallizes rapidly upon cooling from the melt, making it very difficult to form amorphous articles by methods known in the art such as extrusion, injection molding, and the like. In order to slow down the crystallization rate of PCT, copolyesters can be prepared containing additional dicarboxylic acids or glycols such as isophthalic acid or ethylene glycol. These ethylene glycol- or isophthalic acid-modified PCTs are also known in the art and are commercially available.

#FIG. 1 is a graph showing the effect of comonomer on the fastest crystallization half-times of modified PCT copolyesters.

#FIG. 2 is a graph showing the effect of comonomer on the brittle-to-ductile transition temperature (Tbd) in a notched Izod impact strength test (ASTM D256, ⅛-in thick, 10-mil notch).

#FIG. 3 is a graph showing the effect of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol composition on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the copolyester.

#The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the invention and the working examples.

#In accordance with the purpose(s) of this invention, certain embodiments of the invention are described in the Summary of the Invention and are further described herein below. Also, other embodiments of the invention are described herein.

#It is believed that the polyester(s) and/or polyester composition(s) which are included in the intravenous component(s) of the invention described herein can have a unique combination of two or more physical properties such as high impact strengths, moderate to high glass transition temperatures, chemical resistance, hydrolytic stability, toughness, low ductile-to-brittle transition temperatures, good color and clarity, low densities, long crystallization half-times, and good processability thereby easily permitting them to be formed into articles. In some of the embodiments of the invention, the polyesters have a unique combination of the properties of good impact strength, heat resistance, chemical resistance, density and/or the combination of the properties of good impact strength, heat resistance, and processability and/or the combination of two or more of the described properties, that have never before been believed to be present in intravenous component(s) comprising the polyester compositions which comprise the polyester(s) as disclosed herein.