A thermoplastic composition includes a poly(carbonate-arylate ester); and an organophosphorus compound in an amount effective to provide 0.1 to 1.0 wt % phosphorus based on the total weight of the composition, wherein an article molded from the composition has a smoke density after four minutes (Ds-4) of less than or equal to 300 determined according to ISO 5659-2 on a 3 mm thick plaque and a maximum average rate of heat release emission (MAHRE) of less than or equal to 90 kW/m.sup.2 determined according to ISO 5660-1 on a 3 mm thick plaque.

A pearlescent container comprising about 86% to about 99.99% of a thermoplastic material having a Total Luminous Transmittance value of at least about 80%, about 0.01% to about 5% of a siloxane fluid having a viscosity of no greater than about 1,000,000 cst, wherein said thermoplastic material and said siloxane fluid are immiscible, forms a lamellar structure, and have a Refractive Index difference of at least about 0.1.

Aliphatic-aromatic copolyester comprising the repeating units, which comprise a dicarboxylic component and a dihydroxylic component:
[O(R.sub.11)OC(O)(R.sub.13)C(O)]
[O(R.sub.12)OC(O)(R.sub.14)C(O)].
The dihydroxylic component comprises units O(R.sub.11)O and O(R.sub.12)O from diols, wherein R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 individually are selected from C.sub.2-C.sub.14 alkylene, C.sub.5-C.sub.10 cycloalkylene, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 oxyalkylene, heterocycles and mixtures thereof. The dicarboxylic component comprises units C(O)(R.sub.13)C(O) from aliphatic diacids and units C(O)(R.sub.14)C(O) from aromatic diacids, wherein R.sub.13 is C.sub.0-C.sub.20 alkylene and mixtures thereof. The aromatic diacids comprise at least one heterocyclic aromatic diacid of renewable origin, and preferably furandicarboxylic acid. The molar percentage of the aromatic diacids is >90% and <100% of the dicarboxylic component. The aliphatic-aromatic copolyester has appreciable workability, toughness and high values for ultimate tensile strength and elastic modulus. It can be mixed with other polymers.

Provided is a modified ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein the copolymer is represented by a following formula (I), contents (mol %) of a, b, and c based on the total monomer units satisfy following formulae (1) through (3), and a degree of saponification (DS) defined by a following formula (4) is not less than 90 mol %, ##STR00001##
18a55(1)
0.01c20(2)
[100(a+c)]0.9b[100(a+c)](3)
DS=[(Total Number of Moles of Hydrogen Atoms in X, Y, and Z)/(Total Number of Moles of X, Y, and Z)]100(4).

The present invention provides compositions useful for biomolecule storage comprising a water soluble inorganic compound, a stabilizer, or a combination thereof. The present invention also provides methods of using the compositions of the invention to store biomolecules in the dry state and in solution, as well as sample carriers and kits comprising compositions of the invention.

The present description includes containers having an improved puncture design that can be punctured without substantial deformation of the container. Such containers are particularly suitable for use in preparing beverages using automatic machines, particularly those used for preparation of single serve beverages. Also provided are thermoplastic materials having improved punctureability for use in containers, containers for preparation of a beverage, and methods for preparing a beverage using such containers.

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.

A plastic container is provided that includes a lower supporting base portion; a sidewall portion extending upwardly from the base portion; a neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall portion; and a closure. The neck portion includes a support flange having an upper and lower surface, threads, a tamper-evident formation, and a dispensing opening at the top of the neck portion. In an embodiment, the weight of the neck portion is 3.0 grams or less; and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange, including the threads and the tamper-evident formation, is 0.580 inches or less. A preform and method for making a container are also disclosed.

The present invention concerns a plastic composition which is biodegradable, and which does not discharge contaminants during incineration or leave plastic fragments after decomposition. According to the invention the composition comprises: (i) 30-50% by weight of a polyester which is biodegradable and/or decayable; (ii) 20-40% by weight of starch from vegetable oil origin from corn, potatoes, and/or sunflower; (iii) 20-40% by weight of a filler composition comprising dolomite and/or calcium carbonate, wherein the filler composition particles have a polished surface; and (iv) 1-5% by weight of a binding agent comprising a resin ester of vegetable origin; wherein said polyester and said starch together form a bioplastic base composition and together comprise 55-79% by weight of the total weight of said plastic composition. The present invention further concerns a method for preparing said plastic composition; a plastic film prepared of said plastic composition; and a waste bag prepared of said plastic film.

The present invention provides compositions useful for biomolecule storage comprising a water soluble inorganic compound, a stabilizer, or a combination thereof. The present invention also provides methods of using the compositions of the invention to store biomolecules in the dry state and in solution, as well as sample carriers and kits comprising compositions of the invention.