Colored polyester thermoplastic materials comprised of poly(oxyalkylenated) compounds as colorants and specific surfactants as diluents

摘要

This invention relates to colored polyester thermoplastics comprised of polymeric colorants having poly(oxyalkylene) moieties and/or anionic dye/quatenary ammonium substantially inorganic salt-free colorant complexes mixed with diluents selected from the group consisting essentially of sorbitan (C8-C22) monoesters, ethoxylated sorbitan (C8-C22) monoesters, mixtures thereof of sorbitan (C8-C22) monoesters and ethoxylated sorbitan (C8-C22) monoesters, ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers, ethoxylated dodecylphenol ethers, mixtures thereof of said ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers and ethoxylated dodecylphenol ethers, and mixtures of (i) sorbitan (C8-C22) monoesters or ethoxylated sorbitan (C8-C22) monoesters and (ii) ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers or ethoxylated dodecylphenol ethers. Such diluents facilitate the introduction of the preferred polymeric colorants within feedstock polyester during the extrusion or injection molding process and provide a significant improvement over traditional polyester article colorants. The inventive colored polyester thermoplastic may be molded into any shape or form; however, plastics are commonly utilized as containers for liquids, such as soft drinks. A method of coloring polyester during an extrusion or injection molding procedure utilizing the inventive colorant/diluent formulations are also provided.