# US 8,771,583 B2 · Polyester composition and method for preparing articles by extrusion blow molding > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,583 B2 - Document ID: US8771583B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/849,147 - Filed: 2013-03-22 - Published: 2013-08-22 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-18 - Assignees: PepsiCo, Inc. - Applicants: PepsiCo, Inc. - Inventors: Clarence Sequeira - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771583B2 ## CPC - B29B 9/06: in the form of filamentary material, e.g. combined with extrusion - C08L 67/03: the dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds having the carboxyl- and the hydroxy groups directly linked to aromatic rings - B29B 9/12: characterised by structure or composition - B29B 17/0042: {for shaping parts, e.g. multilayered parts with at least one layer containing regenerated plastic} - B29C 48/10: flexible, e.g. blown foils - B29C 48/287: {Raw material pre-treatment while feeding (B29C48/78 takes precedence)} - B29C 49/04102: {extruding the material continuously} - B29D 22/003: {Containers for packaging, storing or transporting, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, barrels, tanks} - B65D 1/00: Rigid or semi-rigid containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material or by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material (with curved or partially-curved cross-section made by winding or bending paper B65D3/00; with polygonal cross-section formed by folding B65D5/00; specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions B65D17/00; rigid pallets with side walls B65D19/02) - C08L 67/02: Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds (C08L67/06 takes precedence) - B29C 48/022: {characterised by the choice of material} - B29C 48/285: Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder - B29K 2067/00: Use of polyesters {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material - B29K 2105/0032: {Pigments, colouring agents or opacifiyng agents} - B29K 2105/0038: {Plasticisers} - B29K 2105/005: {Heat sensitisers or absorbers} - B29K 2105/162: {Nanoparticles} - B29K 2105/26: Scrap {or recycled material} - C08K 5/053: Polyhydroxylic alcohols - C08K 5/092: Polycarboxylic acids - C08L 2203/10: used for bottles - C08L 2205/02: containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group - Y02W 30/62: Plastics recycling; Rubber recycling - Y10T 428/1397: Single layer [continuous layer] - B29B: PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Polyester compositions described herein have properties which are particularly suitable for extrusion blow molding (EBM). These properties relate primarily to the rate of crystallization and melt strength or melt viscosity. Articles prepared from the polyester compositions exhibit good clarity, aesthetics, and other physical properties. The polyester compositions also exhibit broad molecular weight distribution (MWD), resulting in improved processability and melt strength. The crystallization rate allows for good drying characteristics while also enabling the use of regrind. In addition, the compositions exhibit improved recyclability, such as in existing PET recycling streams. In one aspect, articles are prepared in an extrusion blow molding method by combining a dry first polyester copolymer component, a dry second polyester component, and a chain extender to form a feed material suitable for extrusion blow molding. In another aspect, a single component co-polyester and a chain extender are combined to form a feed material. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process of extrusion blow molding an article comprising: combining (i) a single component melt processed or solid-stated co-polyester and (ii) a chain extender to form a feed material suitable for extrusion blow molding, wherein the co-polyester consists of polyethylene terephthalate containing about 5 to about 30 mol % isophthalic acid; and feeding the feed material to an extrusion blow molding machine to form an extruded article, wherein the article is recyclable in PET recycling streams. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 further comprising combining regrind material with the feed material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The process of claim 2 wherein the regrind material is combined in an amount up to about 90 wt % based on the total weight of the feed material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The process of claim 2 wherein the regrind material is combined in an amount up to about 50 wt % based on the total weight of the feed material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The process of claim 2 wherein the regrind material comprises excess material recovered from the process of extrusion blow molding the article. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the chain extender is selected from the group consisting of trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride, trimellitic acid, haloformyl derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 further comprising adding a branching agent to the feed material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The process of claim 7 wherein the branching agent is selected from the group consisting of pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the feed material suitable for extrusion blow molding has a peak crystallization time of less than 60 minutes and at least 8% crystallinity. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the feed material suitable for extrusion blow molding has a moisture content of less than about 100 ppm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein the co-polyester and chain extender are combined in a twin-screw extruder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The process of claim 11 wherein the extruder has two co-rotating screws and three sets of kneading blocks. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12 wherein the extruder has an L/D ratio of at least 20:1.