Packaging nitrile containing resins

Claim 2

In the process for preparing shaped packaging materials for foods, beverages and related substances from nitrile polymers containing from 55 to 85% by weight, based on the total polymer weight, of a nitrile monomer unit selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile and mixtures of acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile wherein the methacrylonitrile is present in amounts of up to 16% by weight based on the total polymer weight, which process involves at least one forming operation comprising heating the polymer in an essentially solvent free condition to a molten state and shaping the polymer into a packaging material, the improvement which comprises having a formaldehyde compound in intimate contact with the nitrile polymer before or during at least one of the forming operations wherein the polymer is heated to a molten state, said formaldehyde compound being employed in an amount sufficient to provide a shaped packaging material having an extractable HCN content below 50 parts per billion.

Claim 3

IN THE PROCESS FOR PREPARING SHAPED PACKAGING MATERIALS FOR FOODS, BEVERAGES AND RELATED SUBSTANCES FROM NITRILE POLYMERS CONTAINING FROM 55 TO 85% BY WEIGHT, BASED ON THE TOTAL POLYMER WEIGHT, OF A NITRILE MONOMER UNIT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ACRYLONITRILE AND MIXTURES OF ACRYLONITRILE AND METHACRYLONITRILE WHEREIN THE METHACRYLONITRILE IS PRESENT IN AMOUNTS OF UP TO 16% BY WEIGHT BASED ON THE TOTAL POLYMER WEIGHT, WHICH PROCESS INVOLVES AT LEAST ONE FORMING OPERATION COMPRISING HEATING THE POLYMER IN AN ESSENTIALLY SOLVENT FREE CONDITION TO A MOLTEN STATE AND SHAPING THE POLYMER INTO A PACKAGING MATERIAL, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES HAVING A FORMALHYDE COMPOUND IN INTIMATE CONTACT WITH THE NITRILE POLYMER BEFORE OR DURING AT LEAST ONE OF THE FORMING OPERATIONS WHEREIN THE POLYMER IS HEATED TO A MOLTEN STATE, SAID FORMALDEHYDE COMPOUND BEING EMPLOYED IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE A SHAPED PACKAGING MATERIAL HAVING AN EXTRACTABLE HCN CONTENT BELOW 50 PARTS PER BILLION.

Claim 4

IN THE PROCESS FOR PREPARING SHAPED PACKAGING MATERIALS FOR FOODS, BEVERAGES AND RELATED SUBSTANCES FROM NITRILE POLYMERS CONTAINING FROM 55 TO 85% BY WEIGHT, BASED ON THE TOTAL POLYMER WEIGHT, OF A NITRILE MONOMER UNIT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ACRYLONITRILE AND MIXTURES OF ACRYLONITRILE AND METHACRYLONITRILE WHEREIN THE METHACRYLONITRILE IS PRESENT IN AMOUNTS OF UP TO 16% BY WEIGHT BASED ON THE TOTAL POLYMER WEIGHT, WHICH PROCESS INVOLVES AT LEAST ONE FORMING OPERATION COMPRISING HEATING THE POLYMER IN AN ESSENTIALLY SOLVENT FREE CONDITION TO A MOLTEN STATE AND SHAPING THE POLYMER INTO A PACKAGING MATERIAL, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES HAVING A FORMALHYDE COMPOUND IN INTIMATE CONTACT WITH THE NITRILE POLYMER BEFORE OR DURING AT LEAST ONE OF THE FORMING OPERATIONS WHEREIN THE POLYMER IS HEATED TO A MOLTEN STATE, SAID FORMALDEHYDE COMPOUND BEING EMPLOYED IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE A SHAPED PACKAGING MATERIAL HAVING AN EXTRACTABLE HCN CONTENT BELOW 50 PARTS PER BILLION.

Claim 5

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the nitrile monomer is acrylonitrile.

Claim 6

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the formaldehyde compound is formaldehyde.

Claim 7

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the formaldehyde compound is a homopolymer of formaldehyde.

Claim 8

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the formaldehyde compound is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal formaldehyde bisulfites, alkali metal formaldehyde sulfoxylates and dimethylol urea.

Claim 9

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the formaldehyde compound is a condensate of para-toluene sulfonamide and formaldehyde.

Claim 10

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the formaldehyde compound is an additive formaldehyde and at least one other compound.

Claim 11

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the nitrile polymer and formaldehyde compound are dry blended together before being heated to the molten state and formed into a packaging material.

Claim 12

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the forming operation is a blow molding operation.

Claim 13

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the forming operation is an injection molding operation.

Claim 14

The improved process of claim 1 wherein the amount of available formaldehyde in the formaldehyde compound is in the range of from 0.005 to 2% based on the weight of the nitrile polymer.

Claim 15

In the process for preparing molded containers for packaging foods, beverages and related substances from a polymer of acrylonitrile and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, alpha methyl styrene, methacrylonitrile, lower alpha olefins containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, alkyl esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid wherein the alkyl grouP contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, vinyl acetate and alkyl vinyl ethers wherein the alkyl group contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof; wherein the polymer contains from 60 to 83% by weight of acrylonitrile and from 0 to 16% by weight of methacrylonitrile, based on the total polymer weight, and having an extractable HCN content in excess of 20 PPB, which process involves at least one forming operation comprising heating the polymer in an essentially solvent free condition to a molten state and shaping the polymer into a molded container, the improvement which comprises having a formaldehyde compound in intimate contact with the acrylonitrile polymer before or during at least one of the forming operations wherein the polymer is heated to a molten state, said formaldehyde compound being employed in an amount sufficient to reduce the extractable HCN content of the resulting molded containers below 20 PPB.

Claim 16

In the process for preparing molded containers for packaging foods, beverages and related substances from a polymer of acrylonitrile and at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, alpha methyl styrene, methacrylonitrile, lower alpha olefins containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, alkyl esters of acrylic and methacrylic acid wherein the alkyl grouP contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, vinyl acetate and alkyl vinyl ethers wherein the alkyl group contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof; wherein the polymer contains from 60 to 83% by weight of acrylonitrile and from 0 to 16% by weight of methacrylonitrile, based on the total polymer weight, and having an extractable HCN content in excess of 20 PPB, which process involves at least one forming operation comprising heating the polymer in an essentially solvent free condition to a molten state and shaping the polymer into a molded container, the improvement which comprises having a formaldehyde compound in intimate contact with the acrylonitrile polymer before or during at least one of the forming operations wherein the polymer is heated to a molten state, said formaldehyde compound being employed in an amount sufficient to reduce the extractable HCN content of the resulting molded containers below 20 PPB.

Claim 17

The improved process of claim 12 wherein the acrylonitrile polymer contains a styrene comonomer.

Claim 18

The improved process of claim 12 wherein the acrylonitrile polymer contains an acrylate comonomer.

Claim 19

The improved process of claim 12 wherein the forming operation is an extrusion operation.

Claim 20

The improved process of claim 12 wherein the forming operation is a blow molding operation.

Claim 21

The improved process of claim 12 wherein the forming operation is an injection molding operation.

Claim 22

The improved process of claim 12 wherein the formaldehyde compound is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, homopolymers of formaldehyde, alkali metal formaldehyde bisulfites, alkali metal formaldehyde sulfoxylates, hexamethylenetetramine, dimethylol urea, condensates of para-toluene sulfonamide and formaldehyde and addition products of formaldehyde and another compound.

Claim 23

The improved process of claim 12 wherein the formaldehyde compound contains from 0.005 to 2% by weight of available formaldehyde.

Claim 24

The improved process of claim 12 wherein the acrylonitrile polymer and the formaldehyde compound are dry blended.

Claim 25

The improved process of claim 12 wherein the acrylonitrile polymer is steeped in a solution of the formaldehyde compound.

Claim 26

In the process for preparing molded containers for foods, beverages and related substances from acrylonitrile/styrene copolymers containing from 60 to 83% by weight of acrylonitrile, based on the total polymer weight, and having an extractable HCN content in excess of 20 PPB, which process involves a forming operation comprising heating the polymer in an essentially solvent free condition to a molten state and shaping the polymer into molded containers, the improvement which comprises having a formaldehyde compound, which contains from 0.005 to 2% by weight of available formaldehyde, based on the weight of the polymer, in intimate contact with the acrylonitrile polymer before or during the forming operation wherein the polymer is heated to a molten state, wherein the formaldehyde compound is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, homopolymers of formaldehyde, alkali metal formaldehyde bisulfites, alkali metal formaldehyde sulfoxylates, hexamethylenetetramine, condensates of para-toluene sulfonamide and formaldehyde and addition products of formaldehyde and another compound, whereby the extractable HCN content of the resulting molded containers is reduced below 20 PPB.

Claim 27

In the process for preparing molded containers for foods, beverages and related substances from acrylonitrile/styrene copolymers containing from 60 to 83% by weight of acrylonitrile, based on the total polymer weight, and having an extractable HCN content in excess of 20 PPB, which process involves a forming operation comprising heating the polymer in an essentially solvent free condition to a molten state and shaping the polymer into molded containers, the improvement which comprises having a formaldehyde compound, which contains from 0.005 to 2% by weight of available formaldehyde, based on the weight of the polymer, in intimate contact with the acrylonitrile polymer before or during the forming operation wherein the polymer is heated to a molten state, wherein the formaldehyde compound is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, homopolymers of formaldehyde, alkali metal formaldehyde bisulfites, alkali metal formaldehyde sulfoxylates, hexamethylenetetramine, condensates of para-toluene sulfonamide and formaldehyde and addition products of formaldehyde and another compound, whereby the extractable HCN content of the resulting molded containers is reduced below 20 PPB.

Claim 28

Packaging materials prepared by the process of claim 1.

Claim 29

Packaging materials prepared by the process of claim 12.

Claim 30

Packaging materials prepared by the process of claim 22.

Claim 31

Packaging materials in the form of a bottle prepared by the process of claim 1.

Claim 32

Food, beverages and other related substances packaged in the packaging materials of claim 23.

Claim 33

Food, beverages and other related substances packaged in the packaging materials of claim 24.

Claim 34

Food, beverages and other related substances packaged in the packaging materials of claim 25.

Claim 35

In the process for preparing bottles and jars, for packaging food, beverages and related substances, from polymers of acrylonitrile and styrene containing from 60 to 83% by weight of acrylonitrile, based on the total polymer weight, and having an extractable HCN content in excess of 50 PPB, which process involves a forming operation comprising heating the polymer in an essentially solvent free condition to a molten state and shaping the polymer into bottles or jars, the improvement which comprises having a formaldehyde compound in intimate contact with the acrylonitrile polymer before or during the forming operation wherein the polymer is heated to a molten state, wherein the formaldehyde compound is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, homopolymers of formaldehyde, condensates of para-toluene sulfonamide and formaldehyde and addition products of formaldehyde and another compound, said formaldehyde compound being employed in an amount sufficient to reduce the extractable HCN content of the resulting bottles and jars is below 50 PPB.

Claim 36

In the process for preparing bottles and jars, for packaging food, beverages and related substances, from polymers of acrylonitrile and styrene containing from 60 to 83% by weight of acrylonitrile, based on the total polymer weight, and having an extractable HCN content in excess of 50 PPB, which process involves a forming operation comprising heating the polymer in an essentially solvent free condition to a molten state and shaping the polymer into bottles or jars, the improvement which comprises having a formaldehyde compound in intimate contact with the acrylonitrile polymer before or during the forming operation wherein the polymer is heated to a molten state, wherein the formaldehyde compound is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, homopolymers of formaldehyde, condensates of para-toluene sulfonamide and formaldehyde and addition products of formaldehyde and another compound, said formaldehyde compound being employed in an amount sufficient to reduce the extractable HCN content of the resulting bottles and jars is below 50 PPB.

Claim 37

The improved process of claim 30 wherein the copolymer further contains a rubber component.

Claim 38

In the process for preparing bottles and jars, for packaging food, beverages and related substances, from polymers of acrylonitrile and styrene containing from 60 to 83% by weight of acrylonitrile, based on the total polymer weight, and having an extractable HCN content in excess of 20 PPB, which process involves a forming operation comprising heating the polymer in an essentially solvent free condition to a molten state and shaping the polymer into bottles or jars, the improvement which comprises intimately dry blending the acrylonitrile polymer and a formaldehyde compound selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, homopolymers of formaldehyde, condensates of para-toluene sulfonamide and formaldehyde and addition products of formaldehyde and another compound before heating the polymer to a molten state and shaping it into bottles or jars, said formaldehyde compound being employed in an amount sufficient to reduce the extractable HCN content of the resulting bottles and jars below 20 PPB.

Claim 39

In the process for preparing bottles and jars, for packaging food, beverages and related substances, from polymers of acrylonitrile and styrene containing from 60 to 83% by weight of acrylonitrile, based on the total polymer weight, and having an extractable HCN content in excess of 20 PPB, which process involves a forming operation comprising heating the polymer in an essentially solvent free condition to a molten state and shaping the polymer into bottles or jars, the improvement which comprises intimately dry blending the acrylonitrile polymer and a formaldehyde compound selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, homopolymers of formaldehyde, condensates of para-toluene sulfonamide and formaldehyde and addition products of formaldehyde and another compound before heating the polymer to a molten state and shaping it into bottles or jars, said formaldehyde compound being employed in an amount sufficient to reduce the extractable HCN content of the resulting bottles and jars below 20 PPB.