Article comprising light absorbent composition to mask visual haze and related method

Abstract

A transparent article includes a continuous polyester matrix having at least one incompatible filler dispersed therein. The incompatible filler provides domains in the polyester matrix, each domain having a particular dimension, thus providing a range of dimensions for the domains in the article. To create haze, the dimensions are within the range of from about 380 nm to about 720 nm. Once the range of dimensions is determined, a light absorbent composition can be found which absorbs light at a range of wavelengths that at least substantially covers the range of dimensions of the domains. In doing so, it has been found that the haze of the article can be substantially masked. Method for producing the article and for masking the haze are also provided.

1 . A colored article having visual haze in the absence of one or more light absorbing compositions; wherein the colored article is an oriented container having an axial plane of a single continuous portion of the colored article comprising a polyethylene terephthalate or copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate matrix; a plurality of domains each having a major axis in the axial plane of the single continuous portion of the colored article wherein said domains are dispersed in the polyethylene terephthalate or copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate matrix and encompass at least one incompatible filler; and an effective amount of one or more light absorbing compositions; with said domains having a range of dimensions corresponding to the major axes of the domains in the axial plane of the colored article, wherein said dimensions corresponding to the major axes of at least some of said domains in the axial plane of the colored article are within a range of from about 400 nm to about 700 nm; and wherein the colored article is of a single-layer construction; and said effective amount of at least one or more light absorbing compositions absorbs light in a region of the visible spectrum at wavelengths that at least substantially correlates to the dimensions corresponding to the major axis of said domains in the range of 400 to 700 nm thereby beginning to reduce the visual haze that is present in the absence of the effective amount of at least one or more light absorbing compositions at said single continuous portion when the colored article is viewed in a line of sight perpendicular to said single continuous portion of the colored article. 
     
     
         2 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein said colored article is a plastic bottle and wherein the single continuous portion of the colored article is a sidewall of the bottle. 
     
     
         3 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein said incompatible filler is a polyamide. 
     
     
         4 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein said incompatible filler is poly(m-xylylene adipamide). 
     
     
         5 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein said incompatible filler is a gas barrier strengthening filler. 
     
     
         6 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises from about 0.5 to about 50 percent by weight incompatible filler. 
     
     
         7 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein said article comprises from about 0.5 to about 50 percent by weight poly(m-xylylene adipamide). 
     
     
         8 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein said light absorbent composition comprises a colorant. 
     
     
         9 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein said incompatible filler comprises nylon 6. 
     
     
         10 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the light absorbing compositions comprises a red colorant. 
     
     
         11 . The colored article of  claim 10 , wherein the single continuous portion of the colored article is a sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         12 . The colored article of  claim 10 , wherein said container is a plastic bottle and wherein the single continuous portion of the colored article is a sidewall of the bottle. 
     
     
         13 . The colored article of  claim 10 , wherein said incompatible filler is a polyamide. 
     
     
         14 . The colored article of  claim 10 , wherein said incompatible filler is poly(m-xylylene adipamide). 
     
     
         15 . The colored article of  claim 10 , wherein said incompatible filler is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers other than polyesters and clays. 
     
     
         16 . The colored article of  claim 10 , wherein said incompatible filler is a gas barrier strengthening filler. 
     
     
         17 . The colored article of  claim 10 , wherein said container comprises from about 0.5 to about 50 percent by weight incompatible filler. 
     
     
         18 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the light absorbing compositions is a yellow colorant. 
     
     
         19 . The colored article of  claim 18 , wherein the single continuous portion of the colored article is a sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         20 . The colored article of  claim 18 , wherein said container is a plastic bottle and wherein the single continuous portion of the colored article is a sidewall of the bottle. 
     
     
         21 . The colored article of  claim 18 , wherein said incompatible filler is a polyamide. 
     
     
         22 . The colored article of  claim 18 , wherein said incompatible filler is poly(m-xylylene adipamide). 
     
     
         23 . The colored article of  claim 18 , wherein said incompatible filler is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers other than polyesters and clays. 
     
     
         24 . The colored article of  claim 18 , wherein said incompatible filler is a gas barrier strengthening filler. 
     
     
         25 . The colored article of  claim 18 , wherein said container comprises from about 0.5 to about 50 percent by weight incompatible filler. 
     
     
         26 . The colored article of  claim 1 , wherein the colored article further comprises a red colorant, a yellow colorant, and a blue colorant. 
     
     
         27 . The colored article of  claim 26 , wherein the single continuous portion of the colored article is a sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         28 . The colored article of  claim 26 , wherein said container is a plastic bottle and wherein the single continuous portion of the colored article is a sidewall of the bottle. 
     
     
         29 . The colored article of  claim 26 , wherein said incompatible filler is a polyamide. 
     
     
         30 . The colored article of  claim 26 , wherein said incompatible filler is poly(m-xylylene adipamide). 
     
     
         31 . The colored article of  claim 26 , wherein said incompatible filler is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers other than polyesters and clays. 
     
     
         32 . The colored article of  claim 26 , wherein said incompatible filler is a gas barrier. 
     
     
         33 . The colored article of  claim 26 , wherein said container comprises from about 0.5 to about 50 percent by weight incompatible filler.