Laundry machine door assembly A laundry machine door assembly includes a door

Abstract

A laundry machine door assembly (100) is provided that includes a plastic bowl (102) that is fixedly engaged with an outer door frame (112) by one or more integral engagement features. The laundry machine door assembly (100) does not include an inner door frame ring.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This invention relates to garment handling apparatus. More specifically, this invention relates to a door assembly for such apparatus, such as a door assembly for a front-mounted horizontal axis washing machine.

[0002] Clothing handling appliances, such as front-loading horizontal-axis washing machines, typically have a door for accessing the handling chamber, which is at least partially formed by the drum. Such doors often include cast glass windows to allow observation of the load of clothes while the machine is running. To keep the moving load of clothes away from the door and within the handling chamber, the windows may be cast glass with a raised or “bubble” shape, referred to as a fish tank or washing machine bowl, extending from the inner surface of the door and slightly into the handling chamber when the door is closed.

[0003] Thick cast glass for washing machine drums is typically expensive and heavy to manufacture, and is not a structural component of the door assembly. Glass used for washing machine drums is manufactured to a thickness greater than 5 mm to reduce the likelihood of damage, such as breakage. Even with increased thickness, the glass drum still carries the risk of breakage during transport or use, and related safety concerns. Typically, washing machine door construction uses a sandwich-type drum assembly, where the annular edge of the glass washing machine drum is sandwiched between the outer (or front) door panel or ring and the inner (or rear) door ring. In this sandwich assembly, the drum is not a structural component of the door and requires additional assembly steps to connect it. The rear door ring is screwed onto the front door ring by a series of spaced screws, clamping the drum in place.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a washing machine door assembly that is lightweight and easy to assemble, while still exhibiting the desired characteristics of current washing machine doors. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a washing machine door assembly comprising an outer door frame and a bowl-shaped body, consisting of or primarily consisting of an outer door frame and a bowl-shaped body; the outer door frame includes an opening defined by an annular member having an outer peripheral surface extending into the interior of the washing machine; the bowl-shaped body has an open end and a closed end defining an inner and outer side of the bowl-shaped body, and an annular inner peripheral surface on the inner side of the bowl-shaped body, the annular inner peripheral surface being disposed adjacent to and surrounding the edge of the open end of the bowl-shaped body. The inner peripheral surface of the bowl-shaped body is fixedly engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the annular member of the outer door frame by one or more engagement features configured for fixedly engaging the circumferential surface. Preferably, one or more engagement features are integrally formed with the bowl-shaped body and the door frame. The bowl-shaped body comprises, consists of, or primarily consists of a first plastic composition comprising a copolyester. The outer door frame comprises, consists of, or primarily consists of a second plastic composition, the second plastic composition being the same as or different from the first plastic composition.

[0006] In embodiments, the copolyester comprises a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component, is composed of, or is primarily composed of, a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component, wherein the dicarboxylic acid component comprises at least 70 mol% (mole percent) of terephthalic acid residues, wherein the diol component comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of at least 10 mol% and no more than 80 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and wherein the diol component comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of at least 20 mol% and no more than 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol. In embodiments, the second plastic composition comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) thermoplastic polymer or polypropylene. In one embodiment, the second plastic composition is an ABS thermoplastic polymer.

[0007] In an embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the bowl-shaped body and the outer circumferential surface of the annular member of the outer door frame are securely joined by one or more engagement features known in the art (e.g., screws, nuts, and bolts). Preferred engagement features include at least one pair of meshing engagement members, consist of at least one pair of meshing engagement members, or consist primarily of at least one pair of meshing engagement members, wherein one of the pair of members is integrally formed in the bowl-shaped body, and the other of the pair of members is integrally formed in the annular member. In an embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the bowl-shaped body and the outer circumferential surface of the annular member are detachably and securely joined. In one embodiment, the pair of meshing engagement members are configured to form a torsion-locking connection.

[0008] In one embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the bowl-shaped body and the outer circumferential surface of the annular member of the outer door frame are permanently and fixedly joined by a welded interface. In one embodiment, the welded interface is formed by secondary injection molding.

[0009] In one embodiment, the washing machine door assembly further includes an inner door frame ring. In another embodiment, the washing machine door assembly does not include an inner door frame ring, which is used in prior art washing machine doors to secure the bowl-shaped body to the outer door frame.

[0010] In the embodiment, the weight of the bowl-shaped body is at least 400g and no more than 1500g, or 400g to 800g, and the interior of the bowl-shaped body defines a minimum of 1000cm. 3 And not exceeding 7000cm 3 2000cm 3 Up to 6000cm 3 or 2200cm 3 Up to 3400cm 3 The volume. In embodiments, the copolyester accounts for at least 50% of the total weight of the bowl-shaped body. In embodiments, the bowl-shaped body contains less than 1 wt% (weight percent) of bisphenol A polycarbonate or does not contain bisphenol A polycarbonate.

[0011] In the embodiments, the first plastic composition has one or more of the following properties: a flexural modulus of at least 1000 MPa and not more than 2100 MPa as measured by ASTM D790; a notched cantilever beam impact strength of at least 500 J / m or at least 800 J / m as measured by ASTM D256 at 23°C using a 3.2 mm thick rod; an unbroken unnotched cantilever beam impact strength as measured by ASTM D256 at 23°C using a 3.2 mm thick rod; an elongation at break of at least 100% or at least 200% as measured by ASTM D638 at 23°C; and a glass transition temperature of at least 100°C or at least 105°C as measured by DSC at a scan rate of 20°C / min as measured by ASTM D3418.

[0012] In this embodiment, the bowl-shaped body is transparent and has a transmittance of at least 85% or at least 90% as measured by ASTM D1003, and a haze of less than 3% or less than 1% as measured by ASTM D1003. In this embodiment, the bowl-shaped body has a drop impact resistance of at least 3 feet as measured by ASTM D 2463-95. Attached Figure Description

[0013] This document describes embodiments of the invention with reference to the following accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a 3D view of a traditional glass bowl-shaped door assembly.

[0014] Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1 A rear (inner) perspective view of an assembled traditional door.

[0015] Figure 3 It is based on Figure 1 Rear view (inner side) of a traditional assembled door.

[0016] Figure 4 It is based on Figure 1 A front (outer) perspective view of an assembled traditional door.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of a door assembly with a torsion locking engagement feature.

[0018] Figure 6 It is based on Figure 5 Rear view (inner side) of the assembled door.

[0019] Figure 7 It is based on Figure 5 A rear (inner) perspective view of the assembled door.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional view of a door assembly with welded surface joint features.

[0021] Figure 9 It is based on Figure 8 Rear view (inner side) of the assembled door.

[0022] Figure 10 It is based on Figure 8 A rear (inner) perspective view of the assembled door.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a rear (inner) perspective view of a door assembly having a bowl-shaped portion made of a first polyester material.

[0024] Figure 12 It is based on Figure 11 Rear view (inner side) of the closed end of the bowl-shaped body.

[0025] Figure 13 It is based on Figure 11 Side view of the door component.

[0026] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 An exploded view of section region A.

[0027] Figure 15This is a side view of a door assembly having a bowl-shaped portion made of a first polyester material, which is larger than... Figure 11 The part shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a washing machine door assembly that, compared to conventional washing machine door assemblies, is easier to assemble, lighter in weight, and offers greater design freedom. This washing machine door assembly is suitable for front-loading horizontal-axis washing machines.

[0029] On one hand, the washing machine door assembly includes a washing machine bowl-shaped body made of a first plastic composition. In embodiments, the weight of the bowl-shaped body can be at least 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, or 750 grams and / or no more than 1500, 1400, 1200, 1000, or 800 grams. In embodiments, the weight of the bowl-shaped body can be 300 to 700 grams, or 300 to 600 grams, for example, for compact washing machine models. In embodiments, the weight of the bowl-shaped body can be 600 to 1400 grams, or 700 to 1200 grams, for example, for large washing machine models. In contrast, conventional glass washing machine bowl-shaped bodies typically weigh 1000 to 3000 grams for compact washing machines and 4000 to 6000 grams for large washing machines. To ensure that the bowl-shaped body can be fitted into standard washing machine door assemblies and washing machine processing chamber configurations, in embodiments, the diameter of the bowl-shaped body can be at least 25, 30, 40 or 45 cm and / or no more than 55, 50, 45, 40 or 35 cm (depending on standard washing machine sizes).

[0030] The strength of the bowl-shaped object can be measured in terms of its resistance to drop impact. In one embodiment, the bowl-shaped object may have a drop impact resistance of at least 3, 4, or 5 feet as measured by ASTM D2463-95. The strength enhancement of the bowl-shaped object may be at least partially derived from the material selection and / or its physical design. To further illustrate the physical design of the bowl-shaped object, various features of the bowl-shaped object are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 An example of a conventional glass bowl-shaped washing machine door assembly is shown. For example... Figures 1-4As shown, a conventional sandwich-type washing machine door assembly 20 includes a glass washing machine bowl-shaped body 22, typically made of cast tempered glass, sandwiched between an outer ring door frame 24 with an opening and an inner ring door frame 26. The glass bowl-shaped body has a flange 28 at its open end 30, which is held by the inner circumferential edges of the outer ring 32 and the inner ring 34. The closed end 36 of the glass bowl-shaped body protrudes inward through the inner ring door frame 26 toward the washing machine's processing chamber (not shown). The structural integrity of the door assembly is achieved by securing the inner ring door frame 26 to the outer ring door frame 24 with a series of spaced-apart screws 38. The screws 38 also serve to hold the glass bowl-shaped body 22 in place by clamping the rings onto the flange 28 of the glass bowl-shaped body. Other hardware, such as a latching member 40 and a hinge assembly 42, is secured to the door frame assembly 20.

[0032] In one embodiment, replacing the glass bowl-shaped body with a transparent plastic bowl-shaped body having sufficient physical / performance properties for use in a horizontal-axis washing machine allows for design flexibility and optimization of the washing machine door assembly. In another embodiment, design flexibility or optimization may include achieving fewer parts, lighter weight, faster assembly time, or a combination of these advantages.

[0033] like Figures 5 to 7As shown, an embodiment of a washing machine door assembly 100 is provided, comprising a bowl-shaped body 102 made of a first plastic composition comprising, consisting of, or primarily consisting of copolyester. The bowl-shaped body has an open end 104 and a closed end 106, and has an annular inner circumferential surface 108 disposed inside the bowl-shaped body 102, adjacent to and surrounding the edge of the open end 104. The bowl-shaped body 102 also includes a plurality of integrally joined features, preferably configured as torsion locking grooves 110, which are molded onto (and integrally formed with) the inner circumferential surface 108 of the bowl-shaped body. An outer door frame 112 has an opening with an annular member 113 extending away from the outer door frame 112 and into the processing chamber of the washing machine. The annular member 113 includes an outer peripheral surface 114 having a plurality of integrally engaged feature parts 116, preferably configured as torsion locking posts 116, which are molded onto (and integrally formed with) the outer peripheral surface 114 of the annular member 113 of the outer door frame 112. Torsion locking grooves 110 and torsion locking posts 116 are present in corresponding numbers, and each groove 110 and corresponding post 116 form a pair of interlocking (engaging) parts 118 that, when interlocked, securely engage the inner peripheral surface 108 of the bowl 102 with the outer peripheral surface 114 of the annular member 113 of the outer door frame 112. Other fastening devices, such as screws, bolts, and clips, can be used. The structural integrity of the door assembly 100 is achieved by securing the bowl 102 to the annular member 113 of the outer door frame 112 (as described above), without requiring an inner ring frame or separate fastening parts, such as screws used with typical glass bowl assemblies. Other hardware, such as latch component 120 and hinge assembly 122, is fixed to door frame assembly 100.

[0034] In one embodiment, the twist lock slot and post pair of mating engagement components 118 can detachably and securely engage the plastic bowl-shaped body 102 to the outer door frame 112. In other embodiments, the twist lock slot and post pair of mating engagement components 118 can permanently and securely engage the plastic bowl-shaped body 102 to the outer door frame 112. Although the above embodiments include multiple sets of twist lock slots and post pairs of mating engagement components 118 (i.e., a cylinder on one surface and a corresponding “L”-shaped groove on another surface), other mating pair engagement component designs can also be used, such as a “T”-shaped or “L”-shaped post on one surface and a corresponding mating slot on another surface to accommodate the shape of the post, or a ratchet arrangement of ratchet teeth and pawls (or other resilient members) on the mating surfaces, which locks the bowl-shaped body in place when it is inserted and rotated. In another preferred embodiment, not shown in the figures, the outer surface of the bowl-shaped body engages with the inner surface of the annular member and is attached by welding or by using two or more pairs of interlocking parts.

[0035] like Figures 8 to 10As shown, an embodiment of a washing machine door assembly 200 is provided, the assembly including a plastic bowl-shaped body 202 made of a first plastic composition comprising, consisting of, or primarily consisting of a copolyester, having an open end (shown as opposite) and a closed end 204. The assembly 200 also includes an outer door frame 206 having an opening defined by an annular member having an outer peripheral surface 214 (shown through the plastic bowl-shaped body 202). The bowl-shaped body 202 also includes an annular inner peripheral surface 208 disposed inside the bowl-shaped body 202, adjacent to and surrounding the edge of the open end of the bowl-shaped body 202, shown as being fixedly engaged to the outer peripheral surface 214 of the outer door frame 206. The inner peripheral surface 208 of the bowl-shaped body 202 is fixedly engaged to the outer peripheral surface 214 of the annular member 213 extending from the outer door frame 206. Preferably, the surfaces are welded together, for example by secondary injection molding, in which one component, namely the bowl 202 or the outer door frame 206, is first molded, and then another component is molded against a pre-existing surface. For example, the outer peripheral surface 214 of the annular member 213 is molded against the inner peripheral surface 208 of the (pre-molded) bowl 202, or the inner peripheral surface 208 of the bowl 202 is molded against the outer peripheral surface 214 of the (pre-molded) annular member 213 of the outer door frame 206. As described above, the structural integrity of the door assembly 200 is achieved by securely joining the bowl 202 to the outer door frame 206 (where the integral joining feature is the welded surface), without requiring a separate inner ring frame or separate fastening components, such as screws used with typical glass bowl assemblies. Other hardware, such as the latching member 220 and the hinge assembly 210, is secured to the door frame assembly 200. In embodiments, surface welding permanently and securely joins the surfaces.

[0036] like Figures 11 to 14 As shown, an embodiment of a washing machine door assembly 300 is provided, the assembly including a plastic bowl-shaped body partially made of a first plastic composition comprising, being composed of, or primarily composed of a copolyester, and partially made of a second plastic composition (which integrally covers the outer door frame 302). The first plastic composition forms a closed end portion 304 of the bowl-shaped body, the bowl-shaped body having an open end (shown as the opposite side) and a closed end 306. In this embodiment, the closed end portion 304 of the bowl-shaped body is transparent, and the remaining portion of the bowl-shaped body (formed of the second plastic and integrally formed with the outer door frame 302) is opaque.

[0037] like Figures 12 to 13As shown, the closed end portion 304 of the bowl-shaped body may include a small portion of the surface area or volume of the entire bowl-shaped body. The closed end portion 304 of the bowl-shaped body may first be manufactured by injection molding via a filling gate (e.g., at the edge gate location 308). The outer frame 302 is fixedly joined to the closed end portion 304 of the bowl-shaped body by welding the surfaces together, for example by secondary injection molding, wherein the second injection is of the outer frame 302 including (most or all) the sidewalls of the bowl-shaped body. In embodiments, the closed end portion 304 of the bowl-shaped body comprises 50% or less, or 40% or less, or 30% or less, or 25% or less, or 20% or less, or 15% or less, or 10% or less, or 8% or less, or 6% or less, or 5% or less, or is composed of, or is mainly composed of, the above. In an embodiment, the closed end portion 304 of the bowl-shaped body comprises 1% to 50%, or 1% to 40%, or 1% to 30%, or 1% to 25%, or 1% to 20%, or 1% to 15%, or 1% to 10%, or 1% to 8%, or 1% to 6%, or 1% to 5%, 5% to 50%, or 5% to 40%, or 5% to 30%, or 5% to 25%, or 5% to 20%, or 5% to 15%, or 5% to 10% of the total volume of the bowl-shaped body, or is composed of the above, or is mainly composed of the above.

[0038] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 Detail A is an exploded view of the cross-sectional area. Figure 14 A portion of the outer door frame 302 is shown, which is fixedly joined to the closed end portion 304 of the bowl-shaped body by welding the surfaces together (e.g., by secondary injection molding), wherein the secondary injection is of the outer door frame 302, and includes a gating (or encapsulation) gate location 308. Figure 14 The upper mold portion 310 (not shown in the figure) ensures that there are no visible defects during the molding process of the closed end portion 304 of the bowl-shaped body.

[0039] Figure 15Another embodiment of a washing machine door assembly 400 is shown, comprising a plastic bowl-shaped body partially made of a first plastic composition comprising, composed of, or primarily composed of a copolyester, and partially made of a second plastic composition (which integrally covers the outer door frame 402). The first plastic composition forms a closed end portion 404 of the bowl-shaped body, having an open end (shown facing the outer door frame 402) and a closed end 406. In the illustrated embodiment, the closed end portion 404 of the bowl-shaped body is transparent, and the remaining portion of the bowl-shaped body (formed of the second plastic and integral with the outer door frame 402) is opaque. The closed end portion includes a larger transparent area that allows for additional downward visibility to the washing machine user. In the embodiment, the size and construction of the (transparent) closed end of the washing machine bowl-shaped body can be selected according to desired design and functional aspects. In an embodiment, the closed end portion 404 of the bowl-shaped body comprises 25% to 95%, or 25% to 90%, or 25% to 80%, or 25% to 75%, or 25% to 70%, or 25% to 60%, or 30% to 95%, or 30% to 90%, or 30% to 80%, or 30% to 75%, or 30% to 70%, or 30% to 60%, or 35% to 95%, or 35% to 90%, or 35% to 80%, or 35% to 75%, or 35% to 70%, or 35% to 70%. Up to 60%, or 40% to 95%, or 40% to 90%, or 40% to 80%, or 40% to 75%, or 40% to 70%, or 40% to 60%, or 45% to 95%, or 45% to 90%, or 45% to 80%, or 45% to 75%, or 45% to 70%, or 45% to 60%, or 50% to 95%, or 50% to 90%, or 50% to 80%, or 50% to 75%, or 50% to 70%, or 50% to 60%, or consisting of the above, or consisting mainly of the above.

[0040] As used herein, the term "detachably fixedly engaged" means that two components are held together (or engaged) in a fixed relative position, and that engagement is maintained under the intended conditions of use. However, sufficient force can be applied to detach the two components without damaging them. The term "permanently fixedly engaged" as used herein means that two components are held together (or engaged) in a fixed relative position, and that engagement is maintained under the intended conditions of use, and that the components cannot be detached without damaging at least one component.

[0041] As used herein, the term "integral" or "uniformly" refers to two articles or components formed from a common material. For example, a torsion locking groove component is formed from the common material that forms the remainder of the bowl-shaped body. Similarly, in cases where the integral joining feature is the welded surfaces (of the bowl-shaped body and the outer frame), the surface of the bowl-shaped body at the weld interface is formed from the common material that forms the remainder of the bowl-shaped body, and the surface of the outer frame at the weld interface is formed from the common material that forms the remainder of the outer frame, although (in cases where the bowl-shaped body and the frame are made of different materials) a weld interface may exist, which is a mixture of two different materials in the form of a gradient across the weld cross-section.

[0042] In embodiments where the structural integrity of the door assembly is achieved by (directly) securing the bowl-shaped body to the outer door frame as discussed herein, the door assembly may also include an inner door frame ring, for example, for aesthetic purposes.

[0043] In one embodiment, the outer door frame may be made of a plastic selected from ABS thermoplastic, polyester, polycarbonate, or polypropylene. In another embodiment, the door frame is molded from ABS thermoplastic or polypropylene. In one embodiment, the door frame is molded from ABS thermoplastic.

[0044] In an embodiment, the bowl-shaped body is molded from a polyester composition, wherein the polyester composition comprises, consists of, or is primarily composed of at least one copolyester, the copolyester comprising, consists of, or is primarily composed of the following components: (a) A dicarboxylic acid component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 70 mol% to 100 mol% of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 mol% to 30 mol% of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 20 carbon atoms; and iii) 0 mol% to 10 mol% of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 16 carbon atoms; and (b) A diol component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 10 mol% to 99 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol (TMCD) residues; and ii) 1 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol (CHDM) residues, wherein the total molar percentage of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mol% and the total molar percentage of the diol component is 100 mol%; and The specific logarithmic viscosity of the polyester is 0.1 to 1.2 dL / g, as measured in 60 / 40 (wt / wt) phenol / tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g / 100 ml at 25 °C; and the Tg of the polyester is 100 to 200 °C.

[0045] In the embodiments, the polyester composition comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of at least one copolyester, which comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of the following components: (a) A dicarboxylic acid component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 70 mol% to 100 mol% of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 mol% to 30 mol% of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 20 carbon atoms; and iii) 0 mol% to 10 mol% of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 16 carbon atoms; and (b) A diol component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 15 mol% to 70 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and ii) 30 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol residues, wherein the total molar percentage of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mol% and the total molar percentage of the diol component is 100 mol%; and The polyester has a specific logarithmic viscosity of 0.35 to 1.2 dL / g, as measured in 60 / 40 (wt / wt) phenol / tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g / 100 ml at 25 °C; and the polyester has a Tg of 100 to 160 °C.

[0046] In the embodiments, the polyester composition comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of at least one copolyester, which comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of the following components: (a) A dicarboxylic acid component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 70 mol% to 100 mol% of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 mol% to 30 mol% of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 20 carbon atoms; and iii) 0 mol% to 10 mol% of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 16 carbon atoms; and (b) A diol component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 20 mol% to 40 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and ii) 60 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol residues, wherein the total molar percentage of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mol% and the total molar percentage of the diol component is 100 mol%; and The polyester has a specific logarithmic viscosity of 0.35 to 0.85 dL / g, as measured in 60 / 40 (wt / wt) phenol / tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g / 100 ml at 25 °C; and the polyester has a Tg of 100 to 120 °C.

[0047] In the embodiments, the polyester composition comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of at least one copolyester, which comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of the following components: (a) A dicarboxylic acid component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 70 mol% to 100 mol% of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 mol% to 30 mol% of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 20 carbon atoms; and iii) 0 mol% to 10 mol% of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 16 carbon atoms; and (b) A diol component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 40 mol% to 55 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and ii) 45 mol% to 60 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol residues, wherein the total molar percentage of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mol% and the total molar percentage of the diol component is 100 mol%; and The polyester has a specific logarithmic viscosity of 0.35 to 0.85 dL / g, as measured in 60 / 40 (wt / wt) phenol / tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g / 100 ml at 25 °C; and the polyester has a Tg of 120 to 140 °C.

[0048] In the embodiments, the polyester composition comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of at least one copolyester component, which comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of the following components: (a) A dicarboxylic acid component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 70 mol% to 100 mol% of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 mol% to 30 mol% of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 20 carbon atoms; and iii) 0 mol% to 10 mol% of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 16 carbon atoms; and (b) A diol component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 15 mol% to 70 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and ii) 30 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol residues, wherein the total molar percentage of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mol% and the total molar percentage of the diol component is 100 mol%; and The specific logarithmic viscosity of the polyester is 0.35 to 0.85 dL / g, as measured in 60 / 40 (wt / wt) phenol / tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g / 100 ml at 25 °C; and the Tg of the polyester is 100 to 140 °C.

[0049] In the embodiments, the polyester composition comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of at least one copolyester, which comprises, is composed of, or is primarily composed of the following components: (a) A dicarboxylic acid component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 70 mol% to 100 mol% of terephthalic acid residues; ii) 0 mol% to 30 mol% of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 20 carbon atoms; and iii) 0 mol% to 10 mol% of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having a maximum of 16 carbon atoms; and (b) A diol component, which comprises, is composed of, or is mainly composed of the following components: i) 15 mol% to 90 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and ii) 10 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol residues, wherein the total molar percentage of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mol% and the total molar percentage of the diol component is 100 mol%; and The specific logarithmic viscosity of the polyester is 0.1 to 1.2 dL / g, as measured in 60 / 40 (wt / wt) phenol / tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g / 100 ml at 25 °C; and the Tg of the polyester is 100 to 200 °C.

[0050] In the embodiments, any of the polyesters or polyester compositions described herein may further comprise residues of at least one branching agent. In the embodiments, any of the polyesters or polyester compositions described herein may comprise at least one heat stabilizer or its reaction product.

[0051] In the embodiments, the polyester composition contains at least one polycarbonate. In other embodiments, the polyester composition does not contain polycarbonate.

[0052] In embodiments, the polyester may contain less than 15 mol% of ethylene glycol residues, for example, from 0.01 mol% to less than 15 mol% of ethylene glycol residues. In embodiments, the polyester used in the present invention may contain less than 10 mol%, or less than 5 mol%, or less than 4 mol%, or less than 2 mol%, or less than 1 mol% of ethylene glycol residues, for example, from 0.01 mol% to less than 10 mol%, or from 0.01 mol% to less than 5 mol%, or from 0.01 mol% to less than 4 mol%, or from 0.01 mol% to less than 2 mol%, or from 0.01 mol% to less than 1 mol% of ethylene glycol residues. In one embodiment, the polyester used in the present invention may not contain ethylene glycol residues.

[0053] In embodiments, the diol component of the polyester may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following ranges: 10 mol% to 99 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 10 mol% to 95 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 5 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 10 mol% to 90 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 10 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 10 mol% to 85 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 5 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 15 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to 80 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 20 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to 75 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 25 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to 70 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 30 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to 65 mol% of 2 2,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 35 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to 60 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 40 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to 55 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 45 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to less than 50 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and more than 50 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to 45 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 55 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to 40 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 60 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 10 mol% to 35 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol;10 mol% to less than 35 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and greater than 65 mol% to a maximum of 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 10 mol% to 30 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 70 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 10 mol% to 25 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and greater than 75 mol% to 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol. Methanol; 11 mol% to 25 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 75 mol% to 89 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 12 mol% to 25 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 75 mol% to 88 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; and 13 mol% to 25 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 75 mol% to 87 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; In other embodiments, the diol component of the polyester may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following ranges: 14 mol% to 99 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 14 mol% to 95 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 5 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 14 mol% to 90 mol% of 2,2,4-cyclobutanediol and 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol. 1,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 10 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 14 mol% to 85 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 15 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 14 mol% to 80 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 20 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 14 mol% to 75 mol% 2,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 25 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 14 mol% to 70 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 30 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 14 mol% to 65 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 35 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 14 mol% to 60 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 40 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 14 mol% to 55 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 45 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; and 14 mol% to 50 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 50 mol% to 86 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol.

[0054] In other embodiments, the diol component of the polyester may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following ranges: 15 mol% to 99 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 15 mol% to 95 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 5 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 15 mol% to 90 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 5 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 1,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 10 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 15 mol% to 85 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 15 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 15 mol% to 80 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 20 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 15 mol% to 75 mol% 2,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 25 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 15 mol% to 70 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 30 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 15 mol% to 65 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 35 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 15 mol% to 60 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 40 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 15 mol% to 55 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 45 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; and 15 mol% to 50 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 50 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol.

[0055] In other embodiments, the diol component of the polyester may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following ranges: 15 mol% to less than 50 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and more than 50 mol% to a maximum of 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 15 mol% to 45 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 55 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 15 mol% to 40 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 60 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 15 mol% to 35 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol. 1% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 15 mol% to 30 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 70 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 15 mol% to 25 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 75 mol% to 85 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 15 mol% to 20 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 75 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; and 17 mol% to 23 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 77 mol% to 83 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; In other embodiments, the diol component of the polyester may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following ranges: 20 mol% to 99 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 20 mol% to 95 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 5 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 20 mol% to 90 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 10 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 20 mol% to 85 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol. And 15 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 20 mol% to 80 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 20 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 20 mol% to 75 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 25 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 20 mol% to 70 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 30 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 20 mol% to 65 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 35 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol. 0 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 20 mol% to 60 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 40 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 20 mol% to 55 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 45 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 20 mol% to 50 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 50 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 20 mol% to 45 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 55 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol. - Cyclohexanediethanol; 20 mol% to 40 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 60 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 20 mol% to 35 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 20 mol% to 30 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 70 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; and 20 mol% to 25 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 75 mol% to 80 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; In other embodiments, the diol component of the polyester may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following ranges: 25 mol% to 99 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 25 mol% to 95 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 5 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 25 mol% to 90 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 10 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 25 mol% to 85 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 10 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 2,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 15 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 80 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 20 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 75 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 25 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 70 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 30 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 65 mol% 2,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 35 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 60 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 40 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 55 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 45 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 50 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 50 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 45 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 55 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 40 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 60 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 25 mol% to 35 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; and 25 mol% to 30 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 70 mol% to 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; In other embodiments, the diol component of the polyester may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following ranges: 30 mol% to 99 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 30 mol% to 95 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 5 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 30 mol% to 90 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 10 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 30 mol% to 85 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 10 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol; 1,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 15 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to 80 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 20 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to 75 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 25 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to 70 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 30 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to 65 mol% of... 2,2,4,4-Tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 35 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to 60 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 40 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to 55 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 45 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to less than 50 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and more than 50 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to 45 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 55 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to 40 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 60 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; 30 mol% to 35 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 65 mol% to 70 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediol; In addition to the diols described above, in some embodiments, the polyester may also be made from 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, or mixtures thereof. It is contemplated that compositions made from 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, or mixtures thereof may have at least one Tg range described herein, at least one specific logarithmic viscosity range described herein, and / or at least one diol or diacid range described herein.Additionally or alternatively, polyesters made from 1,3-propanediol or 1,4-butanediol or mixtures thereof may also be prepared from 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol in at least one of the following amounts: 0.1 mol% to 99 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 90 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 80 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 70 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 60 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 50 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 40 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 35 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 30 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 25 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 20 ...0 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 20 mol%; 0.1 0.1 mol% to 15 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 10 mol%; 0.1 mol% to 5 mol%; 1 mol% to 99 mol%; 1 mol% to 90 mol%; 1 mol% to 80 mol%; 1 mol% to 70 mol%; 1 mol% to 60 mol%; 1 mol% to 50 mol%; 1 mol% to 40 mol%; 1 mol% to 35 mol%; 1 mol% to 30 mol%; 1 mol% to 25 mol%; 1 mol% to 20 mol%; 1 mol% to 15 mol%; 1 mol% to 10 mol%; 1 mol% to 5 mol%; 5 mol% to 99 mol% 5 mol% to 90 mol%, 5 mol% to 80 mol%; 5 mol% to 70 mol%; 5 mol% to 60 mol%; 5 mol% to 50 mol%; 5 mol% to 40 mol%; 5 mol% to 35 mol%; 5 mol% to 30 mol%; 5 mol% to 25 mol%; 5 mol% to 20 mol%; and 5 mol% to 15 mol%; 5 mol% to 10 mol%; 10 mol% to 99 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 80 mol%; 10 mol% to 70 mol%; 10 mol% to 60 mol%; 10 ...90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% to 90 mol%; 10 mol% % to 50 mol%; 10 mol% to 40 mol%; 10 mol% to 35 mol%; 10 mol% to 30 mol%; 10 mol% to 25 mol%; 10 mol% to 20 mol%; 10 mol% to 15 mol%; 20 mol% to 99 mol%; 20 mol% to 90 mol%; 20 mol% to 80 mol%; 20 mol% to 70 mol%; 20 mol% to 60 mol%; 20 mol% to 50 mol%; 20 mol% to 40 mol%; 20 mol% to 35 mol%; 20 mol% to 30 mol%; and 20 mol% to 25 mol%.

[0056] In some embodiments, the polyester portion of the polyester composition may contain 25 mol% or less of one or more modified diols, which are not 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol or 1,4-cyclohexanediol; in one embodiment, the polyester used in the present invention may contain less than 15 mol% of one or more modified diols. In another embodiment, the polyester may contain 10 mol% or less of one or more modified diols. In another embodiment, the polyester may contain 5 mol% or less of one or more modified diols. In another embodiment, the polyester may contain 3 mol% or less of one or more modified diols. In another embodiment, the polyester may contain 0 mol% of modified diols. In some embodiments, it may also contain 0.01 mol% or more of one or more modified diols, such as 0.1 mol% or more, 1 mol% or more, 5 mol% or more, or 10 mol% or more. Therefore, if present, the content of one or more modified diols is expected to be within any of these aforementioned endpoint values, including, for example, 0.01 mol% to 15 mol% and 0.1 mol% to 10 mol%.

[0057] In the embodiments, the modified diols that can be used for polyesters are diols other than 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and 1,4-cyclohexanediol, and may contain 2 to 16 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, suitable examples of modified diols include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, p-xylenediol, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the modified diol is ethylene glycol. In another embodiment, the modified diol is 1,3-propanediol and / or 1,4-butanediol. In another embodiment, the modified diol does not include ethylene glycol. In another embodiment, the modified diol does not include 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol. In another embodiment, the modified diol does not include 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol.

[0058] In the embodiments, the polyester and / or polycarbonate (if included) that can be used in the polyester composition may contain one or more residues of a branching monomer (also referred to herein as a branching agent) having three or more carboxyl substituents, hydroxyl substituents, or combinations thereof, based on a total molar percentage of 0 mol% to 10 mol%, for example 0.01 mol% to 5 mol%, 0.01 mol% to 1 mol%, 0.05 mol% to 5 mol%, 0.05 mol% to 1 mol%, or 0.1 mol% to 0.7 mol% of the total molar percentage of the diol or diacid residues. In some embodiments, the branching monomer or agent may be added before and / or during and / or after polyester polymerization.

[0059] In the embodiments, the molar percentage of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol in certain polyesters is greater than 50 mol%, or greater than 55 mol%, or greater than 70 mol%; wherein the total molar percentage of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol is equal to a total of 100 mol%.

[0060] In the embodiments, the molar percentage of the 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol isomer in certain polyesters is 30-70 mol% of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, or 30-70 mol% of trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, or 40-60 mol% of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, or 40-60 mol% of trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, wherein the total molar percentage of cis-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol is equal to a total of 100 mol%.

[0061] In some embodiments, the polyester may be amorphous or semi-crystalline. In one aspect, some polyesters may have a relatively low degree of crystallinity. Therefore, some polyesters may have a substantially amorphous morphology, meaning that the polyester comprises substantially disordered polymer regions.

[0062] In embodiments, the polyester and / or polyester composition may have a characteristic combination of two or more physical properties, such as high impact strength, moderate to high glass transition temperature, chemical resistance, hydrolytic stability, toughness, low ductile-brittle transition temperature, good color and transparency, low density, long semi-crystallization time, and good processability, thereby readily allowing them to be formed into articles. In some embodiments, the polyester may have a characteristic combination of good impact strength, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and density, and / or a combination of good impact strength, heat resistance, and processability, and / or a combination of two or more of the described properties.

[0063] In the embodiments, the polyester can be prepared from dicarboxylic acids and diols, which react in substantially equal proportions and are incorporated into the polyester polymer as their respective residues. Therefore, the polyester can contain substantially equal molar proportions of acid residues (100 mol%) and diol (and / or polyfunctional hydroxyl compound) residues (100 mol%), such that the total molar number of repeating units is equal to 100 mol%. Therefore, the molar percentages provided in this invention can be based on the total molar number of acid residues, the total molar number of diol residues, or the total molar number of repeating units. For example, based on the total acid residues, a polyester containing 30 mol% isophthalic acid means that the polyester contains 30 mol% isophthalic acid residues out of a total of 100 mol% acid residues. Therefore, there are 30 moles of isophthalic acid residues per 100 moles of acid residues. In another example, based on total glycol residues, a polyester containing 30 mol% 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol means that out of a total of 100 mol% glycol residues, the polyester contains 30 mol% 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues. Therefore, there are 30 moles of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues per 100 moles of glycol residues.

[0064] In the embodiments, the Tg of the polyester can be at least one of the following ranges: 100 to 200°C; 100 to 190°C; 100 to 180°C; 100 to 170°C; 100 to 160°C; 100 to 155°C; 100 to 150°C; 100 to 145°C; 100 to 140°C; 100 to 138°C; 100 to 135°C; 100 to 130°C; 100 to 125°C; 100 to 120°C; 100 to 115°C; 100 to 110°C; 105 to 200°C; 105 to 190°C; 105 to 180°C; 105 to 170°C; 105 to 160°C; 105 to 155°C; 105 to 150°C; 105 to 145°C; 105 to 140°C ; 105 to 138℃; 105 to 135℃; 105 to 130℃; 105 to 125℃; 105 to 120℃; 105 to 115℃; 105 to 110℃, greater than 105 to 125℃; greater than 105 to 120℃; greater than 105 to 115℃; greater than 105 to 110℃; 110 to 200℃; 110 to 190℃ ℃; 110 to 180℃; 110 to 170℃; 110 to 160℃; 110 to 155℃; 110 to 150℃; 110 to 145℃; 110 to 140℃; 110 to 138℃; 110 to 135℃; 110 to 130℃; 110 to 125℃; 110 to 120℃; 110 to 115℃; 115 to 20℃ 0℃; 115 to 190℃; 115 to 180℃; 115 to 170℃; 115 to 160℃; 115 to 155℃; 115 to 150℃; 115 to 145℃; 115 to 140℃; 115 to 138℃; 115 to 135℃; 110 to 130℃; 115 to 125℃; 115 to 120℃; 120 to 200℃; 120 to 190℃; 120 to 180℃; 120 to 170℃; 120 to 160℃; 120 to 155℃; 120 to 150℃; 120 to 145℃; 120 to 140℃; 120 to 138℃; 120 to 135℃; 120 to 130℃; 125 to 200℃; 125 to 190℃; 125 125 to 170°C; 125 to 160°C; 125 to 155°C; 125 to 150°C; 125 to 145°C; 125 to 140°C; 125 to 138°C; 125 to 135°C; 127 to 200°C; 127 to 190°C; 127 to 180°C; 127 to 170°C; 127 to 160°C; 1 27 to 150°C; 127 to 145°C; 127 to 140°C; 127 to 138°C; 127 to 135°C; 130 to 200°C; 130 to 190°C; 130 to 180°C; 130 to 170°C; 130 to 160°C; 130 to 155°C; 130 to 150°C; 130 to 145°C; 130 to 140°C;130 to 138℃; 130 to 135℃; 135 to 200℃; 135 to 190℃; 135 to 180℃; 135 to 170℃; 135 to 160℃; 135 to 155℃; 135 to 150℃; 135 to 145℃; 135 to 140℃; 140 to 200℃; 140 to 190℃; 140 to 180℃; 140 to 170℃; 140 to 160℃; 140 to 155℃; 140 to 1 50°C; 140 to 145°C; 148 to 200°C; 148 to 190°C; 148 to 180°C; 148 to 170°C; 148 to 160°C; 148 to 155°C; 148 to 150°C; 150 to 200°C; 150 to 190°C; 150 to 180°C; 150 to 170°C; 150 to 160°C; 155 to 190°C; 155 to 180°C; 155 to 170°C; and 155 to 165°C.

[0065] In some embodiments, the polyester can exhibit at least one of the following specific logarithmic viscosities, such as 60 / 40 at 25°C and a concentration of 0.5 g / 100 ml. (wt / wt) Measured in phenol / tetrachloroethane: 0.10 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.10 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.10 to 1 dL / g; 0.10 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.10 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.10 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.68 dL / g; 0.10 to less than 0. 0.68 dL / g; 0.10 to 0.65 dL / g; 0.20 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.20 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.20 to 1 dL / g; 0.20 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.20 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.20 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.68 dL / g; 0.20 to less than 0.68 dL / g; 0.20 to less than 0.70 ... 0.68 dL / g; 0.20 to 0.65 dL / g; 0.35 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.35 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.35 to 1 dL / g; 0.35 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.35 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.35 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.68 dL / g; 0.35 Less than 0.68 dL / g; 0.35 to 0.65 dL / g; 0.40 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.40 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.40 to 1 dL / g; 0.40 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.40 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.40 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.68 dL / g; 0.40 to less than 0.68 dL / g; 0.40 to 0.65 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 1.2 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 1.1 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 1 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to less than 1 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 0.98 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 0.95 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 0.90 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 0. 85 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 0.80 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 0.75 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to less than 0.75 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 0.72 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to less than 0.70 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to 0.68 dL / g; greater than 0.42 to less than 0.68 dL / g; and greater than 0.42 to 0.65 dL / g.

[0066] In some embodiments, the polyester can exhibit at least one of the following specific logarithmic viscosities, such as 60 / 40 at 25°C and a concentration of 0.5 g / 100 ml. (wt / wt) Measured in phenol / tetrachloroethane: 0.45 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.45 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.45 to 1 dL / g; 0.45 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.45 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.45 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.45 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.45 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.45 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.45 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.45 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.45 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.45 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.45 to 0.68 dL / g; 0.45 to less than 0.68 dL / g; 0.45 to 0 0.65 dL / g; 0.50 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.50 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.50 to 1 dL / g; 0.50 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.50 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.50 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.68 dL / g; 0.50 to less than 0.68 dL / g; 0.50 to 0.65 dL / g; 0.55 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.55 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.55 to 1 dL / g; 0.55 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.55 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.55 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.55 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.55 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.55 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.55 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.55 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.55 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.55 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.55 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.55 to 0.68 dL / g; 0.55 to less than 0.68 dL / g; 0.5 5 to 0.65 dL / g; 0.58 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.58 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.58 to 1 dL / g; 0.58 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.58 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.58 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.68 dL / g; 0.58 to less than 0.68 dL / g; 0.58 to 0.65 dL / g; 0.60 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.60 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.60 to 1 dL / g; 0.60 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.60 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.60 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.68 dL / g; 0.6 0 to less than 0.68 dL / g; 0.60 to 0.65 dL / g; 0.65 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.65 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.65 to 1 dL / g; 0.65 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.65 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.65 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.65 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.65 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.65 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.65 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.65 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.65 to 0.72 dL / g; 0.65 to 0.70 dL / g; 0.65 to less than 0.70 dL / g; 0.6 8 to 1.2 dL / g; 0.68 to 1.1 dL / g; 0.68 to 1 dL / g; 0.68 to less than 1 dL / g; 0.68 to 0.98 dL / g; 0.68 to 0.95 dL / g; 0.68 to 0.90 dL / g; 0.68 to 0.85 dL / g; 0.68 to 0.80 dL / g; 0.68 to 0.75 dL / g; 0.68 to less than 0.75 dL / g; 0.68 to 0.72 dL / g; greater than 0.76 dL / g to 1.2 dL / g; greater than 0.76 dL / g to 1.1 dL / g; greater than 0.76 dL / g to 1 dL / g; greater than 0.76 dL / g. / g to less than 1 dL / g; greater than 0.76 dL / g to 0.98 dL / g; greater than 0.76 dL / g to 0.95 dL / g; greater than 0.76 dL / g to 0.90 dL / g; greater than 0.80 dL / g to 1.2 dL / g; greater than 0.80 dL / g to 1.1 dL / g; greater than 0.80 dL / g to 1 dL / g; greater than 0.80 dL / g to less than 1 dL / g; greater than 0.80 dL / g to 1.2 dL / g; greater than 0.80 dL / g to 0.98 dL / g; greater than 0.80 dL / g to 0.95 dL / g; greater than 0.80 dL / g to 0.90 dL / g.

[0067] In some embodiments, unless otherwise stated, the polyester composition is expected to have at least one specific logarithmic viscosity range and at least one monomer range of the composition described herein. Unless otherwise stated, the polyester composition is also expected to have at least one Tg range and at least one monomer range of the composition described herein. Unless otherwise stated, the polyester composition is also expected to have at least one Tg range, at least one specific logarithmic viscosity range, and at least one monomer range of the composition described herein.

[0068] In the embodiments, the molar ratio of cis / trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol may differ from their respective pure forms or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the molar percentage of cis and / or trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol is greater than 50 mol% cis and less than 50 mol% trans; or greater than 55 mol% cis and less than 45 mol% trans; or 30 mol% to 70 mol% cis and 70 mol% to 30 mol% trans; or 40 mol% to 60 mol% cis and 60 mol% to 40 mol% trans; or 50 mol% to 70 mol% trans and 50 mol% to 30 mol% cis; or 50 mol% to 70 mol% cis and 50 mol% to 30 mol% trans; or 60 mol% to 70 mol% cis and 30 mol% to 40 mol% trans; or greater than 70 mol% cis and less than 30 mol% trans; wherein the sum of the molar percentages of cis and trans-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol is equal to 100 mol. The molar ratio of cis / trans-1,4-cyclohexanediethanol can vary from 50 / 50 to 0 / 100, for example, between 40 / 60 and 20 / 80.

[0069] In some embodiments, terephthalic acid or its esters, such as dimethyl terephthalate, or mixtures of terephthalic acid and its esters, constitute the majority or all of the dicarboxylic acid component for forming the polyester. In some embodiments, terephthalic acid residues may constitute part or all of the dicarboxylic acid component for forming the polyester, at a concentration of at least 70 mol%, for example at least 80 mol%, at least 90 mol%, at least 95 mol%, at least 99 mol%, or 100 mol%. In some embodiments, higher contents of terephthalic acid may be used to prepare polyesters with higher impact strength. In one embodiment, dimethyl terephthalate is part or all of the dicarboxylic acid component for preparing polyesters usable in this invention. For the purposes of this disclosure, references to "terephthalic acid" and "dimethyl terephthalate" are used interchangeably herein. For example, references to polymer residues of terephthalic acid (TPA) also include polymer residues derived from dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). In all embodiments, terephthalic acid and / or dimethyl terephthalate and / or mixtures thereof in the range of 70 to 100 mol%; or 80 to 100 mol%; or 90 to 100 mol%; or 99 to 100 mol%; or 100 mol% may be used.

[0070] In addition to terephthalic acid, in some embodiments, the dicarboxylic acid component of the polyester may contain up to 30 mol%, up to 20 mol%, up to 10 mol%, up to 5 mol%, or up to 1 mol% of one or more modified aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Another embodiment contains 0 mol% of modified aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Therefore, if present, the content of one or more modified aromatic dicarboxylic acids is expected to be within any of these foregoing endpoint values, including, for example, 0.01 mol% to 30 mol%, 0.01 mol% to 20 mol%, 0.01 mol% to 10 mol%, 0.01 mol% to 5 mol%, and 0.01 mol% to 1 mol%. In one embodiment, the modified aromatic dicarboxylic acids that may be used include, but are not limited to, those having up to 20 carbon atoms, and may be linear, para-, or symmetrical. Examples of modified aromatic dicarboxylic acids that may be used include, but are not limited to, isophthalic acid, 4,4'-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-, 1,5-, 2,6-, 2,7-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and trans-4,4'-stilbeneic acid and its esters. In one embodiment, the modified aromatic dicarboxylic acid is isophthalic acid.

[0071] In embodiments, the carboxylic acid component of the polyester may be further modified using up to 10 mol%, for example up to 5 mol% or up to 1 mol%, of one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing 2-16 carbon atoms, such as malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, octanoic acid, azelaic acid, and dodecanoic acid dicarboxylic acid. In some embodiments, it may also contain 0.01 mol% or more of one or more modified aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, for example 0.1 mol% or more, 1 mol% or more, 5 mol% or more, or 10 mol% or more. Another embodiment contains 0 mol% of modified aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. Therefore, if present, the content of one or more modified aliphatic dicarboxylic acids is expected to be within any range of these foregoing endpoint values, including, for example, 0.01 mol% to 10 mol% and 0.1 mol% to 10 mol%. The total molar percentage of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mol%.

[0072] Esters of terephthalic acid and other modified dicarboxylic acids, or their corresponding esters and / or salts, may be used in place of dicarboxylic acids. Suitable examples of dicarboxylic acid esters include, but are not limited to, dimethyl ester, diethyl ester, dipropyl ester, diisopropyl ester, dibutyl ester, and diphenyl ester. In one embodiment, the ester is selected from at least one of the following: methyl ester, ethyl ester, propyl ester, isopropyl ester, and phenyl ester.

[0073] In embodiments of the polyester containing CHDM, 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol can be cis, trans, or a mixture thereof, for example, a cis / trans ratio of 60:40 to 40:60. In one embodiment, the content of trans-1,4-cyclohexanediethanol can be 60 mol% to 80 mol%.

[0074] In the embodiments, the polyester may be linear or branched. In the embodiments, the polycarbonate (if included) may also be linear or branched. In some embodiments, branching monomers or branching agents may be added before and / or during and / or after polycarbonate polymerization.

[0075] Examples of branched monomers include, but are not limited to, polyfunctional acids or alcohols, such as trimellitic acid, trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride, trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythritol, citric acid, tartaric acid, 3-hydroxyglutaric acid, etc. In one embodiment, the branched monomer residues may comprise 0.1 mol% to 0.7 mol% of one or more residues selected from at least one of the following: trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride, glycerol, sorbitol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolethane, and / or pyromellitic acid. Branched monomers may be added to a polyester reaction mixture or blended with a polyester in the form of a concentrate, as described, for example, in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,654,347 and 5,696,176, the disclosures of which regarding branched monomers are incorporated herein by reference.

[0076] The glass transition temperature (Tg) of polyester can be determined using a TA DSC 2920 from Thermal Analyst Instruments at a scan rate of 20 °C / min.

[0077] Some polyesters exhibit a relatively long semi-crystallization time (e.g., greater than 5 minutes) at 170°C, which is advantageous for the production of certain injection-molded, compression-molded, and solution-cast articles. Polyesters can be amorphous or semi-crystalline. In one respect, some polyesters can have a relatively low degree of crystallinity. Therefore, some polyesters can have a substantially amorphous morphology, meaning that polyesters comprise substantially disordered polymer regions.

[0078] In one embodiment, the semi-crystallization time of the "amorphous" polyester may be: greater than 5 minutes at 170°C, or greater than 10 minutes at 170°C, or greater than 50 minutes at 170°C, or greater than 100 minutes at 170°C. In one embodiment of the invention, the semi-crystallization time is greater than 1,000 minutes at 170°C. In another embodiment of the invention, the semi-crystallization time of the polyester used in the invention is greater than 10,000 minutes at 170°C. The semi-crystallization time of the polyester used herein can be determined using methods well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the semi-crystallization time of the polyester (t... 1 / 2 The light transmittance of the sample as a function of time can be determined by measuring the light transmittance of the sample as a function of time via a laser and a photodetector on a temperature-controlled hot stage. This measurement can be performed by exposing the polymer to a T... max The sample is first heated to a certain temperature and then cooled to the desired temperature. The sample can then be maintained at the desired temperature using a hot stage, and transmittance is measured as a function of time. Initially, the sample may be visually transparent with high light transmittance, and becomes opaque as the sample crystallizes. The semi-crystallization time refers to the time when the light transmittance is midway between the initial and final transmittance. T max Defined as the temperature required to melt the crystal domains of the sample (if crystal domains exist). The sample can be heated to T. max This was done to condition the sample before measuring the semi-crystallization time. The absolute T for each component... max The temperatures are different. For example, PCT can be heated to temperatures above 290°C to melt the crystalline domains.

[0079] In embodiments, certain polyesters are visually transparent. The term "visually transparent" is defined herein as the absence of cloudiness, haziness, and / or turbidity upon visual inspection. In one embodiment, when a polyester is blended with a polycarbonate (including bisphenol A polycarbonate), the blend may be visually transparent. In embodiments, the polyester may have one or more of the properties described herein. In embodiments, the polyester may have a yellowness index (ASTM D-1925) of less than 50, for example, less than 20.

[0080] In embodiments, the polyesters and / or polyester compositions of the present invention, with or without a toner, may have color values ​​L*, a*, and b*, which can be determined using a Hunter Lab Ultrascan Spectra Colorimeter manufactured by Hunter Associates Lab Inc., Reston, Virginia. Colorimetric measurements are averages of values ​​measured on polyester granules or sheets or other articles injection-molded or pressed therefrom. They are determined by the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) L*a*b* color system, where L* represents the luminance coordinate, a* represents the red / green coordinate, and b* represents the yellow / blue coordinate. In some embodiments, the b* value of the polyesters used in the present invention may be −10 to less than 10, and the L* value may be 50 to 90. In other embodiments, the b* value of the polyester used in the present invention may be one of the following ranges: −10 to 9; −10 to 8; −10 to 7; −10 to 6; −10 to 5; −10 to 4; −10 to 3; −10 to 2; −5 to 9; −5 to 8; −5 to 7; −5 to 6; −5 to 5; −5 to 4; −5 to 3; −5 to 2; 0 to 9; 0 to 8; 0 to 7; 0 to 6; 0 to 5; 0 to 4; 0 to 3; 0 to 2; 1 to 10; 1 to 9; 1 to 8; 1 to 7; 1 to 6; 1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; and 1 to 2. In other embodiments, the L* value of the polyester used in the present invention may be one of the following ranges: 50 to 60; 50 to 70; 50 to 80; 50 to 90; 60 to 70; 60 to 80; 60 to 90; 70 to 80; 79 to 90.

[0081] The polyester portion of the polyester composition can be prepared by processes known in the literature, such as processes via homogeneous solutions, transesterification processes in melts, and processes via two-phase interfaces. Suitable methods include those disclosed in U.S. Publication 2006 / 0287484, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0082] In embodiments, polyesters can be prepared by a method comprising reacting one or more dicarboxylic acids (or derivatives thereof) with one or more diols under conditions providing polyester, the method including but not limited to the step of reacting one or more dicarboxylic acids (or derivatives thereof) with one or more diols at a temperature of 100°C to 315°C and a pressure of 0.1 to 760 mmHg for a time sufficient to form polyester. For methods of producing polyesters, see U.S. Patent No. 3,772,405, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0083] In the embodiments, the polyester composition may be a polymer blend comprising, consisting of, or consisting primarily of: (a) 5 wt% to 95 wt% of at least one polyester described herein; and (b) 5 wt% to 95 wt% of at least one polymer component. Suitable examples of polymeric components include, but are not limited to: nylon, polyesters other than those described herein, polyamides—such as DuPont's ZYTEL®; polystyrene, polystyrene copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic copolymers, polyetherimides—such as ULTEM® (polyetherimide from General Electric); polyphenylene oxides, such as poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene ether), or polyphenylene oxide / polystyrene blends—such as NORYL1000® (a blend of poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene ether) and polystyrene resin from General Electric); polyphenylene sulfide; polyphenylene sulfide / sulfone; poly(ester-carbonate); polycarbonate—such as LEXAN® (polycarbonate from General Electric); polysulfone; polysulfone ether; and polyetherketones of aromatic dihydroxy compounds; or any other mixtures of the foregoing polymers. Blends can be prepared using conventional processing techniques known in the art, such as melt blending or solution blending. In one embodiment, polycarbonate is not present in the polyester composition. If polycarbonate is used in a blend of polyester compositions that can be used in the present invention, the blend can be visually transparent. However, polyester compositions that can be used in the present invention are also contemplated to exclude polycarbonate as well as to include polycarbonate.

[0084] In addition, the polyester composition and polymer blend composition may also contain 0.01% to 25% (by weight) of common additives, such as colorants, dyes, release agents, flame retardants, plasticizers, nucleating agents, stabilizers (including but not limited to UV stabilizers, heat stabilizers and / or their reaction products), fillers, and impact modifiers. For example, UV additives can be incorporated into the article by adding them to the bulk or in a hard coating. Examples of typical commercially available impact modifiers known in the art and used in this invention include, but are not limited to: ethylene / propylene terpolymers; functionalized polyolefins, such as polyolefins containing methyl acrylate and / or glycidyl methacrylate; styrene-based block copolymer impact modifiers; and various acrylic core / shell impact modifiers. The residues of these additives are also contemplated as part of the polyester composition. In embodiments, the surface of the cup-shaped body, such as the surface of a polyester material, may include one or more coatings or treatments to improve scratch resistance. In an embodiment, scratch resistance can be improved by a hard coating on a polyester surface where improved scratch resistance is desired, the hard coating being selected from acrylic, silicone, silicone, siloxane, epoxy resin or blend (e.g., siloxane-modified PMMA); and / or by bulk additives, such as silica fillers, amorphous silica with silane coupling, crystalline silica with silane coupling, fluorinated additives, lubricants or combinations thereof.

[0085] In embodiments, the polyester may contain at least one chain extender. Suitable chain extenders include, but are not limited to, polyfunctional (including but not limited to difunctional) isocyanates, polyfunctional epoxides, including, for example, epoxy-oxidized phenolic resins and phenoxy resins. In some embodiments, the chain extender may be added at the end of the polymerization process or after the polymerization process. If added after the polymerization process, the chain extender may be incorporated by mixing or addition during a conversion process, such as injection molding or extrusion. The amount of chain extender used may vary depending on the specific monomer composition used and the desired physical properties, but is typically from 0.1 wt% to 10 wt% (e.g., 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%) of the total polyester mass.

[0086] Heat stabilizers are compounds that stabilize polyesters during the manufacturing and / or post-polymerization process, including but not limited to phosphorus compounds, such as phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, phosphonic acid, hypophosphonic acid, phosphonous acid, and their various esters and salts. Esters can be alkyl, branched alkyl, substituted alkyl, difunctional alkyl, alkyl ether, aryl, and substituted aryl. In one embodiment, the number of ester groups present in a particular phosphorus compound can vary from zero to an acceptable maximum value, depending on the number of hydroxyl groups present on the heat stabilizer used. The term "heat stabilizer" is intended to include its reaction products. The term "reaction product," used in conjunction with the heat stabilizers of this invention, refers to any product of a polycondensation or esterification reaction between the heat stabilizer and any monomer used to prepare the polyester, as well as the product of a polycondensation or esterification reaction between a catalyst and any other type of additive. In the embodiments, these may be present in the polyester composition.

[0087] In the embodiments, reinforcing materials may be used in the polyester composition. Reinforcing materials may include, but are not limited to, carbon filaments, silicates, mica, clay, talc, titanium dioxide, wollastonite, glass sheets, glass beads and fibers, polymer fibers, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the reinforcing material is glass, such as fibrous glass filaments, mixtures of glass and talc, glass and mica, and glass and polymer fibers.

[0088] In this embodiment, the wall thickness of the plastic bowl-shaped body is in the range of 2 to 10 mm, or 2 to 8 mm, or 2 to 6 mm, or 2 to 5 mm, or 2 to 4 mm. In this embodiment, the open end of the plastic bowl-shaped body is substantially circular, and its outer diameter is in the range of 25 to 55 cm, or 30 to 50 cm, or 30 to 45 cm, or 30 to 40 cm, or 35 to 55 cm, or 35 to 50 cm, or 35 to 45 cm, or 40 to 55 cm, or 40 to 50 cm. In this embodiment, the diameter can be selected to match the size of standard washing machines used in industry. In this embodiment, the plastic bowl-shaped body defines the interior of the bowl-shaped body (measured from the open end to the closed end), and the volume of the interior is approximately 1000 to 7000 cm³. 3 or 1500 to 6500cm 3 or 2000 to 6000cm 3 or 2500 to 5800cm 3 or 2800 to 6000cm 3 or 2800 to 5800cm 3 or 3000 to 6000cm 3 or 3000 to 5800cm 3 or 3500 to 6000cm 3 or 3500 to 5800cm 3 or 4000 to 6000cm 3or 4000 to 5800cm 3 or 4400 to 6000cm 3 or 4400 to 5800cm 3 or 4400 to 5700cm 3 In an embodiment, the annular outer peripheral surface of the bowl-shaped body has the following lengths (measured perpendicularly from the edge of the open end of the bowl-shaped body on the outside): approximately 1 to 5 cm, or 1 to 4 cm, or 1 to 3 cm, or 2 to 5 cm, or 2 to 4 cm, or 2 to 3 cm, or 2.5 to 5 cm, or 2.5 to 4 cm, or 2.5 to 3.5 cm, or 3 to 5 cm, or 3 to 4 cm, or 3.5 to 5 cm, or 3.5 to 4.5 cm, or 4 to 5 cm.

[0089] Certain aspects of the bowl-shaped design described above enable the bowl to be produced from a substantially BPA-free material while still maintaining the required strength. Therefore, in one embodiment, the bowl of the present invention can be made from a material other than BPA-based polycarbonate. As used herein, the term "substantially BPA-free" means articles or materials containing less than 1 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.05 wt%, or 0.01 wt% of BPA-based polycarbonate.

[0090] In one embodiment, the bowl-shaped body may be formed at least partially from a substantially BPA-free synthetic polymer material. The synthetic polymer material may comprise at least 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, or 100% of the total weight of the bowl-shaped body. In one embodiment, the bowl-shaped body may be formed by molding the synthetic polymer material into the desired configuration discussed in detail above. In embodiments, the molding method may be selected from injection molding, multiple (e.g., two-stage) injection molding, thermoforming (e.g., vacuum forming), rotational molding, injection blow molding, or stretch blow molding. In embodiments, the bowl-shaped body may be formed from two or more different materials, for example, by two-stage injection molding using polyester and ABS plastic as described herein.

[0091] The synthetic polymer material used to manufacture the bowl-shaped body (or at least a portion thereof) may have a flexural modulus of at least 100,000, 150,000, 200,000, or 215,000 psi, and / or not exceeding 350,000, 300,000, 250,000, or 230,000 psi, as measured by ASTM D790. The synthetic polymer material may have a flexural yield strength of at least 5,000, 7,000, or 8,500 psi, and / or not exceeding 12,000, 10,000, or 9,500 psi, as measured by ASTM D790. The synthetic polymer material may have a tensile yield strength of at least 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 6,500, or 7,250 psi, and / or not exceeding 10,000, 9,000, 8,000, or 7,000 psi, as measured by ASTM D638. The synthetic polymer material may have an impact strength of at least 8, 12, 14, or 15 ft-lb / in, as measured by ASTM D256. The synthetic polymer material may have a glass transition temperature of at least 90°C, 100°C, or 110°C, and / or not exceeding 140°C, 130°C, or 120°C, as measured by ASTM D3418. The synthetic polymer material may have a melt viscosity of at least 1,000, 2,000, or 3,000 poise, and / or not exceeding 20,000, 15,000, 12,000, 10,000, 8,000, or 6,000 poise, as measured in radians per second on a rotating melt rheometer at 290°C. The synthetic polymer material may have a specific logarithmic viscosity of at least 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.65, or 0.7, and / or not greater than 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, or 0.75, as measured at 25°C in 60 / 40 (wt / wt) phenol / tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g / 100 mL. The synthetic polymer material may have a transmittance of at least 75%, 85%, or 88% as measured by ASTM D1003. Synthetic polymer materials can have a haze of less than 5%, 3%, or 1.5% as measured by ASTM D1003.

[0092] In this embodiment, the bowl-shaped body and / or door assembly (containing or incorporating the bowl-shaped body) will pass a 6.8J impact test according to UL2157 and UL2158.

[0093] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the synthetic polymer material may be a polyester or a copolyester. In one embodiment, the synthetic polymer material may include diol units derived from 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and / or 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol. In a more specific example, the synthetic polymer material may be a polyester having a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component, wherein the dicarboxylic acid component comprises at least 70 mol%, 80 mol%, 90 mol%, 95 mol%, or 100 mol% of terephthalic acid residues, and the diol component comprises at least 10 mol%, 15 mol%, 20 mol%, 25 mol%, and / or no more than 80 mol%, 60 mol%, 40 mol%, 35 mol%, or 30 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and at least 20 mol%, 40 mol%, 60 mol%, 65 mol%, or 70 mol%, and / or no more than 90 mol%, 85 mol%, 80 mol%, or 75 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol.

[0094] In the embodiments, the synthetic polymer material may comprise a copolyester selected from one or more grades of the following: TRITAN™ copolyester TX1000, TX1001, TX1500, TX1501, TX2000, or TX2001, which is available from Eastman Chemical Company of Kingsport, TN.

[0095] The inventors hereby declare that their intention is to rely on the principle of equivalence to determine and assess the reasonable and fair scope of the invention, as it relates to any means that are not substantially different from but fall outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A washing machine door assembly, comprising: An outer door frame, the outer door frame including an annular member having an outer peripheral surface defining an opening; A bowl-shaped body having an open end and a closed end defining the inner and outer sides of the bowl-shaped body, and an inner peripheral surface on the inner side of the bowl-shaped body, the inner peripheral surface being disposed adjacent to and surrounding the edge of the open end of the bowl-shaped body; The inner circumferential surface of the bowl-shaped body is detachably and fixedly engaged with the outer circumferential surface of the annular member by one or more engagement features, the engagement features including at least one pair of meshing engagement members, wherein the meshing engagement members include a torsion locking groove and a torsion locking post; The bowl-shaped body comprises a first plastic composition, the first plastic composition comprising a copolyester; and The outer door frame comprises a second plastic composition that is the same as or different from the first plastic composition.

2. The component of claim 1, wherein the first plastic composition comprises a copolyester comprising a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component, wherein the dicarboxylic acid component comprises at least 70 mol% of terephthalic acid residues, wherein the diol component comprises at least 10 mol% and no more than 80 mol% of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and wherein the diol component comprises at least 20 mol% and no more than 90 mol% of 1,4-cyclohexanediethanol residues.

3. The component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second plastic composition comprises an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) thermoplastic polymer or polypropylene.

4. The component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the pair of meshing members is integrally formed in the bowl-shaped body, and the other member of the pair of meshing members is integrally formed in the outer door frame.

5. The component of claim 4, wherein the pair of meshing members are configured to form a torsion-locking connection.

6. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the washing machine door assembly does not include an inner door frame ring.

7. The component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bowl-shaped body is transparent, and the notched cantilever beam impact strength of the bowl-shaped body is at least 800 J / m as measured by ASTM D256 at 23°C using a 3.2 mm thick rod, and the glass transition temperature of the bowl-shaped body is at least 105°C as measured by DSC at a scan rate of 20°C / min as measured by ASTM D3418.

8. The component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight of the bowl-shaped body is at least 400g and not more than 1200g, and wherein the interior of the bowl-shaped body is defined as at least 2500cm². 3 And not exceeding 6000cm 3 The volume.

9. The component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, According to ASTM D 2463-95, the bowl-shaped object has a drop impact resistance of at least 3 feet.

10. The component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the copolyester accounts for at least 50% of the total weight of the bowl-shaped body.

11. The component of claim 1 or 2, wherein the bowl-shaped body comprises less than 1 wt% bisphenol A polycarbonate.

12. The component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The flexural modulus of the first plastic composition, as measured by ASTM D790, is at least 100,000 psi and not more than 300,000 psi.

13. The component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The bowl-shaped body has a transmittance of at least 85% as measured by ASTM D1003, and the bowl-shaped body has a haze of less than 3% as measured by ASTM D1003.

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