WO2019084337A1

WO2019084337A1 - Polymer articles having a roughened surface

Info

Publication number: WO2019084337A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/057608
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary Vernon
Original assignee: Polyone Corporation
Priority date: 2017-10-26
Filing date: 2018-10-25
Publication date: 2019-05-02

Abstract

A polymer article is formed with a frosted or roughened surface by the addition of hollow glass microspheres in a sufficient amount and a sufficient average size to cause partial protrusion from the surfaces of the polymer article. Optionally, any of polymethylpentene, non-metallic, non-pearlescent colorant, and other functional additives can also be used. The colorant can be one or more pigments, one or more dyes, or combinations thereof. Using smooth wall molds and smooth wall extrusion dies, one can make the surface altered polymer article because of the presence of the hollow glass microspheres. A stretch blow molded plastic article, such as a bottle, using the hollow glass microspheres in polyester can generate frosted or roughened surfaces and using the polymethylpentene in the polyester can simulate the appearance of a metallic surface or a pearlescent luster even though non-metallic and non-pearlescent colorants are used.

Description

POLYMER ARTICLES HAVING A ROUGHENED SURFACE CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent

Application Serial Number 62/577,599 bearing Attorney Docket Number 12017024 and filed on October 26, 2017, which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to the use of glass particles to provide a randomly uneven surface on a polymer article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Plastic has taken the place of other materials in a variety of industries. In the packaging industry, plastic has replaced glass to minimize breakage, reduce weight, and reduce energy consumed in manufacturing and transport. In other industries, plastic has replaced metal to minimize corrosion, reduce weight, and provide color-in-bulk products.

[0004] Attracting consumers to purchase individually-sized or family- sized containers includes branding and trade dress. Among the elements of valuable trade dress is the color of the container. Moreover, such color may need to co-exist with translucency, transparency, or other special effects for the bottle, such as frost, metallic or pearlescent appearance.

[0005] Modern consumer products demand eye-catching attention.

Producers of consumer products compete for available shelf space in retail businesses. The outer appearance of a product, including its shape, color, texture, and labeling is the first impression for a consumer. Producers undertake considerable efforts to display a desired appearance to attract the consumer to the product. Such outer appearance, over time and with exclusivity, achieves a form of intellectual property for the producer, called trade dress, which offers a visual differentiation for commodity products and another differentiation for unique products.

[0006] Thermoplastic resins are used for the production of consumer products. Ranging from the clear, plastic, large soft drink bottles to the miniature colored cosmetic vials, polyethylene terephthalate (PET and one type of the class of polymers called polyesters) as a resin has been frequently used because of its low cost and ability to be compounded with colorants. Most importantly, polyesters such as PET can be formed into products by

conventional blow-molding techniques. Molded products made by the blow- molding techniques take the shape and outer texture according to the mold used.

[0007] Other thermoplastic resins include polyolefins (such as polyethylenes of various densities) and substituted polyolefins, such as ethylene vinyl alcohols.

[0008] Films have previously included polyolefins in transparent polyesters to impart translucency or opacity, including such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,295 (Newton et al.). But Newton et al. did not address use of polyesters and polyolefins in colored polymeric films.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 9,017,781 (O'Brien et al.) discloses a Matting and/or Frosting Additive for Polymers or Polymer Blends where the additive of hollow glass microspheres, which additive is in the form of a masterbatch which uses a carrier of an inert liquid or a waxy material, which carriers O'Brien et al. regard as essential "in combination with a gentle mixing process in order not to crush the [hollow glass microspheres] and thus provide the full effect of matting and/or frosting."

[00010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,694 (Phillips) discloses the use of hollow glass microspheres among many other types of particulates in a dry blend concentrate in which the carrier agent is finely ground polymer or wax. Starting with transparent or nearly transparent polymer, the goal is to provide a translucent polymer article having a frosted glass appearance. The frosted glass effect may be a visual effect only, such as that obtained when a composition described by Phillips is extruded, formed, or produced in a mold having a smooth surface, to produce a smooth-surfaced translucent product.

Alternatively, the effect may be both visual and tactile, such as that obtained by molding the composition described by Phillips in a mold having a textured surface to impart a matte finish to the translucent product.

[00011] Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 7,972,678 (Martelli) which used a frost colorant and an etched mold to provide both visual and tactile sensations on a molded thermoplastic product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00012] Functional additives can be supplied in the form of concentrates, formulated to deliver the specific functionality to thermoplastic polymer articles. These concentrates (also called "masterbatches"), upon melt blending into the thermoplastic polymer, allow the plastic article to be imparted with that specific functionality. Non-limiting examples of functional additives include thermally conductive additives, static dissipative additives, high specific gravity additives, self-lubricating additives, foaming or blowing additives, etc.

[00013] All of these functional additives can be mixed with the polymer alone, in combinations of functional additives, or in combinations with colorants to deliver a customized final plastic article after final shaping at temperatures above the melting point of the polymer.

[00014] The concentrates are made by mixing the functional additive(s), the optional colorant(s), and a melted concentrate carrier for dispersion and then extrusion through a die to make a pelletized, non-dusting form tailored to a specific polymer. A typical dilution or "letdown" ratio for a functional additive concentrate ranges from about 100:1 to about 10:1 and preferably about 100:1 (1%) to about 25:1 (4%), according to the intensity needed for the additive's desired effect. Typical applications for functionally added plastic articles include packaging, personal care, toys, sporting goods, and transportation. [00015] Commercially available, functional additive concentrates used to generate particular functional effects in the performance of a polymer article are OnCap™ additive masterbatches from PolyOne Corporation of Avon Lake, Ohio. If colorant is to be included, then the concentrates are sold by PolyOne under the Smartbatch™ brand. PolyOne also sells a product line of OnColor™ colorant concentrates if the colorant is to be mixed into the polymer separately from the OnCap™ functional additive concentrates.

[00016] One aspect of the invention is a functional additive concentrate, comprising (a) hollow glass microspheres and (b) a polymer carrier in which the hollow glass microspheres are melt-mixed and dispersed, wherein the microspheres are of a sufficient size and a sufficient amount to impart a randomly uneven surface on a polymer article made from the concentrate and a polymer compatible with the polymer carrier.

[00017] Features will become apparent from a description of the embodiments of the invention

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hollow Glass Microspheres

[00018] Hollow glass microspheres such as those identified in U.S. Pat. No. 9,017,781 have been found to be useful to provide a lower gloss or matted surface, also known as a frosted surface. But it has been found that, unlike the warnings identified in U.S. Pat. No. 9,017,781 to use a liquid or waxy carrier, the hollow glass microspheres can be carried in a polyester or polyolefin carrier to provide better compatibility of the masterbatch with the polymer into which the masterbatch is mixed or "let down", usually at a pre-determincd ratio in order to provide the acceptable amount of the functional additive well dispersed into the entirely formulated polymer compound.

[00019] Any commercially sold hollow glass microsphere is a candidate for use in this invention. Hollow glass microspheres can be used to reduce specific gravity of the final polymer article by displacing the polymer with air within the microspheres. In this usage, the microspheres are particles which survive the melt mixing to provide protruded, uneven surfaces arising from the particles being at the surface of the polymer article in its final shape.

[00020] Presently preferred hollow glass microspheres are 3M™ iM30K Hi-Strength Glass Bubbles from 3M Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. These microspheres are reported by 3M to be opaque, white-colored, fine particle size, high-strength microspheres. This product is reported to be typically used to reduce VOC levels; increase filler loadings; reduce sag; improve hardness; and add burnish, scrub and abrasion resistance to a variety of coating formulations. These microspheres of hollow spheres having thin walls are made of soda-lime- borosilicate glass. The average diameter is 18 micrometers, though there is a particle size distribution reported to be 10th Percentile = 9 micrometers; 25th Percentile = 12 micrometers; 50th Percentile = 16 micrometers; 75th Percentile = 21 micrometers; 90th Percentile = 28 micrometers; and 95th Percentile = 33 micrometers. The reported true density is identified to be 0.60 g/cm³ while the isostatic crush strength is identified to be 28,000 psi (193 mPa).

[00021] To minimize breakage, 3M instructs to reduce exposure to high shear processes such as a high speed Cowles mixing blade, and point contact shear such as use of gear pumps and 3-roll mills. The hollow glass

microspheres become a dispersed phase in a continuous phase of polymer.

[00022] The particle size of the hollow glass microspheres has a direct effect on the extent of surface variation in a polymer article which has been finally shaped. Therefore, the average particle size can range from about 10 to about 30 micrometers, and preferably from about 15 to about 25 micrometers.

[00023] The amount of hollow glass microspheres also has a direct effect on the extent of surface variation in a polymer article which has been finally shaped. Therefore, in the final polymer article, the amount of hollow glass microspheres can range from about 0.1 to about 1 weight percent of the final polymer article and preferably from about 0.25 to about 0.4 weight percent of the final polymer article. [00024] In the circumstance of a polymer concentrate being used, with a concentrate mixing or "let down" being between about 1 and 4%, this means the amount of hollow glass microspheres can range from about 10 to about 25 weight percent of the concentrate with the carrier and optional other additives weighing the remainder.

[00025] Concentrate Carrier

[00026] The polyester and polyolefin polymers identified above are candidates for use of the hollow glass microspheres. Without undue experimentation and with knowledge of this invention, a person having ordinary skill in the art can choose polymeric carriers for introduction of functional additives into polymers in a manner that the carrier is compatible chemically with the polymer. For example, a polyamide carrier might be used if the functional additive were to be mixed at a pre-determined ratio into a polyamide polymer to make a functionalized polyamide article.

[00027] Any polyester is a candidate for use in the present invention. The formation of a polyester from a monool or a polyol and an acid or its ester encompasses many different suitable types of polyesters for use in this invention. The monomelic units can be formed reactions of either aliphatic moieties, aromatic moieties, or both. Desirably, the polyester is transparent or semi-transparent in order to accentuate the effect of the stress forming event.

[00028] Non-limiting examples of polyesters include terephthalates, terephthalate glycols, lactides, (hydroxy)alkanoates, copolyesters of terephthalic acid residues, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-l,3-cyclobutanediol, and 1,4- cyclohexanedimethanol, etc., or combinations thereof.

[00029] Additionally, one can use homopolyesters or copolyesters, such as homopolymers and copolymers of terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid. The linear polyesters may be produced by condensing one or more dicarboxylic acids or a lower alkyl diester thereof, e.g., dimethylterephthalate, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, 2,5-, 2,6-, or 2,7-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, sebacic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, bibenzoic acid and hexahydroterephthalic acid, or bis-p-carboxyphenoxyethane, with one or more glycols, e.g., ethylene glycol, pentyl glycol, and 1 ,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

[00030] Of these various polyester candidates, because of commercial availability, the terephthalates, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), the lactides, such as polylactic acid (PLA), and the hydroxyalkanoates, such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) or

polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHB V), are desirable for use. PET is currently preferred because of its ubiquity and cost, although PLA and PHBV are emerging as bio-derived thermoplastic polyesters which can supplant PET in whole or in part in certain markets.

[00031] Optional Colorant

[00032] A colorant can be a pigment, a dye, a combination of pigments, a combination of dyes, a combination of pigments and dye, a combination of pigment and dyes, or a combination of pigments and dyes. The choice of colorants depends on the ultimate color desired by the designer for the plastic article.

[00033] The science of color is well known to those skilled in the art. Without undue experimentation, one can use color matching techniques to identify a particular location in spherical color space. For example, one skilled in the art can use the teachings of PCT Patent Publication WO/2004/095319 to digitally map color space using specific polymer carriers and colorants as raw material ingredients. Alternatively, one can make small samples called plaques for visual review.

[00034] Colorants are commercially available from a number of sources well known to those skilled in the art. Commercially available pigments are well known to those skilled in the art and include organic and inorganic colorant chemistries. Commercially available dyes are well known to those skilled in the art and include all organic chemistries. Commercial sources for pigments and dyes include multinational companies such as BASF, Bayer, Color-Chem International, Sun Chemical, Zhuhai Skyhigh Chemicals, and others identified at Internet Web Sites such as colorpro.com/inrb/vendors/colorant.html.

[00035] Table 1 lists 8 commercially available pigment colorants in a variety of primary and secondary colors, 5 chromatics, 2 blacks, and 1 white.

* As publicized by the commercial producer or as tested by the applicant, or both.

[00036] Table 2 shows 14 commercially available dyes.

[00037] Colorants optionally used for this invention can include colorants intended for transparent or translucent plastic polyester articles and colorants intended for opaque plastic articles.

[00038] Achievement of a color match of a plaque with a desired color from the creativity of a designer or a pre-arranged color standard such as Pantone^® color standards from an inventory of commercially available colorants is relatively straightforward for a skilled color matcher, even if a few iterations are required to satisfy the customer. [00039] Optional Simulated Metallic or Pearlescent Additive

[00040] The final polymer article can benefit from the optional use of a polymer, polymethylpentene (PMP) as an additive to simulate the appearance of metallic or pearlescent special effect colorants.

[00041] U.S. Pat. No. 8,575,296 (Vernon et al.), incorporated by reference herein, discloses a polyester article made to appear lustrously metallic or pearlescent by the addition of polymethylpentene and non-metallic, non- pearlescent colorant; and optionally other functional additives. The colorant can be one or more pigments, one or more dyes, or combination thereof. A stretch blow molded plastic article, such as a bottle, using the polymethylpentene in the polyester can simulate the appearance of a metallic surface or a pearlescent luster even though non-metallic and non-pearlescent colorants are used.

[00042] The amount of polymethylpentene in the plastic article, as a function of plastic article wall thickness can range from about 0.1 to about 2 weight percent of the plastic article for a plastic article having a wall thickness ranging from about 0.1 to about 2.5 mm in thickness. Preferably, the amount of polymethylpentene ranges from about 0.2 to about 1.5 weight percent of the plastic article for a plastic article having a wall thickness ranging from about 0.1 to about 2.5 mm in thickness.

[00043] The plastic article can expand from the parison or pre-form in a longitudinal expansion ratio of from about 1 : 1 to about 200: 1. Using visible light goniospectrophotometry on the plastic article, there was found an increase in differential brightness (AL*) and an increase in differential chromaticity (AC).

[00044] The polymethylpentene and the at least one colorant and enter the polyester in the form of a concentrate, wherein the concentrate consists essentially of the polymethylpentene as a carrier and the at least one non- metallic, non-pearlescent colorant mixed into the carrier, and wherein the colorant has a concentration of about 0.01 to about 75 weight percent of the concentrate. [00045] Functional Additives v. Thickness Ratios

[00046] When making a concentrate, the concentration of the functional additive or the colorant into a carrier is significant because of the relative cost of the functional additive or colorant ingredient(s) and the need for that color to consistently and precisely mix and disperse into the carrier and then to consistently and precisely dilute into the plastic resin and other compound ingredients during "letdown" of the concentrate in mixing equipment prior to formation of the final polymer article, such as pre-form embryonic polyester bottles or other articles. Letdown ratios depend on the concentration of the functional additive in the concentrate and whether the final molded product is intended to be opaque, translucent, or transparent.

[00047] The amount of hollow glass microspheres in the final molded product, as a function of plastic article (e.g., polyester part) wall thickness can range from about 0.1 to about 1 weight percent, and preferably from about 0.25 to about 0.4 weight percent for plastic article having a wall thickness ranging from about 0.1 to about 2.5 mm in thickness.

[00048] Stated another way, the ratio of weight percentage of hollow glass microsphere to plastic article wall thickness in mm can range from about 0.04%:1 mm to about 10%: 1 mm and preferably from about 0.1%:1 mm to about 4%:1 mm and even more preferably from about 1%:1 mm to about 2%: 1 mm.

[00049] The mixing equipment used to make the concentrate can be any suitable equipment already used in the art of mixing highly concentrated solids. For example, such equipment includes high speed Henschel mixers, ribbon blenders, shakers, and the like.

[00050] Mixing equipment can operate at mixing speeds ranging from about 10 rpm to about 10,000 rpm, and preferably from about 500 to about 8000 rpm. Mixing equipment can operate at temperatures ranging from about 25°C to about 100°C, and preferably from about 40°C to about 80°C. [00051] As mentioned above, concentrates being made using hollow glass microspheres need to minimize high shear conditions, as explained by the maker of the hollow glass microspheres.

[00052] Optional Other Functional Additives

[00053] Additives to improve processing or performance of the concentrate of the present invention or the polymer compound, or both, can be added according to preferences of those skilled in the art. For example, functional additives for polyester bottles can include anti-oxidants, anti-stats, acetaldehyde scavengers, oxygen scavengers, blowing agents, biocides, exfoliated nanoclays, thickeners, and the like, and combinations thereof.

Generally, minor amounts of such additives provide improvement of performance to the hollow glass microsphere concentrate during processing with the other ingredients in the polyester resin or in performance of the polyester molded article after manufacturing. One skilled in the art without undue experimentation can determine the appropriate concentration.

[00054] Frequently, the preparation of a colored plastic article does not involve merely color but also special effect features, such as Granite,

Translucent, Fluorescents, Mdescents, Marbles, Metallics, Pearls, etc. PolyOne Corporation sells these special effect features as OnColor™ FX™ colorants.

[00055] Plastic articles exposed to natural sunlight are exposed to ultraviolet rays that can harm the color of the article. Therefore, for certain applications, it is customary but not required to include ultraviolet light stabilizers in the concentrate. This optional additive being included in the concentrate adds value to that concentrate as a masterbatch in polymer compounding because the ultraviolet stabilizer also helps protect the polymer resin from adverse effects arising from exposure to the ultraviolet rays. Being included in a masterbatch as an additive makes the introduction of the stabilizer easier, due to better dispersion.

[00056] Table 3 shows the acceptable, desirable and preferred weight percents of ingredients for concentrates of the present invention.

USEFULNESS OF THE INVENTION

[00057] Concentrates of the present invention can be letdown into thermoplastics and other ingredients useful for making molded or extruded articles. It is significant that one need not build and use a special mold with roughened surfaces or an extrusion die with uneven surfaces, in order to achieve the surface effect of the invention.

[00058] As stated previously, the polymer desirably can be any polyester, but especially PET.

[00059] The invention has particular applicability to plastic articles which are personal care or hygiene product containers, such as shampoo bottles, lotion containers, etc. The method of making such plastic articles is via stretch blow molding.

[00060] Stretch blow molding is a subset of conventional blow molding, often used in making containers. The final shape is achieved via one stage or two stages.

[00061] In a one stage blow molding, a "parison" is formed having some final dimensions (the "finish" such as the screw cap portion of the ultimate container) and nearly immediately then subjected to blow molding with a deliberate stretch of the non-final dimensions expanded to their intended shape. Depending on the design, the stretching occurs both in the axial direction of the parison and in the hoop or radial direction also. [00062] In a two stage blow molding, a "pre- form" is formed via conventional injection molding and having some final dimensions (the "finish" such as the screw cap portion of the ultimate container) and the remainder having shrunken dimensions for convenience of transport and storage until final stress formation.

[00063] In the second stage, the pre-form is heated to an appropriate softening temperature and gas is used to deliberately stretch to its final intended shape. Depending on the design, the stretching occurs both in the axial direction of the preform and in the hoop or radial direction also.

[00064] The amount of deliberate stretching force applied, measured by the reduction in thickness in the preform to the final part can be described as the stretch ratio: wall thickness of preform divided by wall thickness of part.

[00065] The compound of a concentrate of the invention and a polymer such as polyester and especially PET can be molded into a final container while undergoing expansion at stretch ratios ranging from about 1.5:1 to about 200:1, and preferably from about 3:1 to about 50:1.

[00066] Also, the length of the pre-form usually expands during blow molding to a final part length about 1:1 to about 200:1. For the examples, which follow, that longitudinal or axial expansion ratio is about 2: 1.

[00067] Heated air is usually used in the stretch blow molding process, although other gases can be used.

[00068] It is known that polyester can be strengthened by stretch blow molding because the resulting strain is hardened into the plastic article after cooling. This strengthening in a container can assist in the storage of fluids having a high vapor pressure, such as carbonated soft drinks and the like.

[00069] The plastic article becomes translucent or even opaque.

[00070] The presence of the sufficient size and sufficient amount of hollow glass microspheres alters the surface of the polymer article. The randomly uneven surface is caused by the partial protrusion of the hollow glass microspheres at the surface of the polymer article. [00071] The effect is a simulation of acid etching of a glass container, such as a liquor bottle. Whether known as a low gloss surface or a matt surface or a frosted surface or a roughened surface or an acid-etched surface or a grainy surface, any of these terms can be used to qualify the physical alteration of the polymeric surface because of the presence of the hollow glass microspheres according to the present invention. And the special effect surface is achieved using smooth wall molds and extrusion dies.

[00072] With this knowledge, a person having ordinary skill in the art, without undue experimentation, can engineer a variety of plastic article shapes using stretch blow molding manufacturing or other formation technique in order to produce beautiful surface altered appearances on polymer articles.

[00073] The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The claims follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A functional additive concentrate, comprising:

(a) hollow glass microspheres and

(b) a polymer carrier in which the hollow glass microspheres are melt- mixed and dispersed, wherein the microspheres are of a sufficient size and a sufficient amount to impart a randomly uneven surface on a polymer article made from the concentrate and a polymer compatible with the polymer carrier.

2. The concentrate of Claim 1 , wherein the amount of hollow glass microspheres ranges from about 10 to about 25 weight percent of the concentrate.

3. The concentrate of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the average particle size ranges from about 10 to about 30 micrometers.

4. The concentrate of any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the hollow glass microspheres are made of soda-lime-borosilicate glass.

5. The concentrate of any one of Claims 1-4, wherein the hollow glass microspheres have a true density of 0.60 g/cm³ and a isostatic crush strength of 193 mPa.

6. The concentrate of any one of Claims 1-5, wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyolefins, and combinations thereof.

7. The concentrate of any one of Claims 1-6, wherein the concentrate further comprises any one or more of colorants, simulated metallic or pearlescent additives, ultraviolet stabilizers, anti-oxidants, anti-stats, acetaldehyde scavengers, oxygen scavengers, blowing agents, biocides, exfoliated nanoclays, thickeners, or combinations thereof.

8. The concentrate of any one of Claims 1-7, wherein the concentrate is let down into a polymer and extruded with a smooth die or molded with smooth walls to form a polymer article having a roughened or frosted altered surface.

9. A plastic article, comprising:

(a) a matrix of polyester; and

(b) the functional additive concentrate of any one of Claims 1-7.

10. The plastic article of Claim 9, further comprising

(c) polymethylpentene dispersed throughout the matrix; and

(d) at least one non-metallic, non-pearlescent colorant dispersed throughout the matrix, wherein surfaces of the article have a brightness and chromaticity which simulates the appearance of metallic pigment or pearlescent pigment throughout the matrix because the brightness and chromaticity values change as the angle of the surface of the article changes relative to a constant light source.

11. The article of Claim 10,

wherein the article has a wall thickness;

wherein polymethylpentene is 4-methylpentene-l based polyolefin having a formula I:

in which n is high enough for the polymer to have a weight average molecular weight higher than the weight average molecular weight of an oligomer; and wherein the amount of polymethylpentene in the plastic article, as a function of plastic article wall thickness can range from about 0.1 to about 2 weight percent of the plastic article for a plastic article having a wall thickness ranging from about 0.1 to about 2.5 mm in thickness.

12. The plastic article of Claim 11, wherein the amount of

polymethylpentene ranges from about 0.2 to about 1.5 weight percent of the plastic article for a plastic article having a wall thickness ranging from about 0.1 to about 2.5 mm in thickness.

13. The plastic article of any of Claims 9-12, wherein the plastic article is a stretch blow molded plastic article formed from a parison or preform and undergoing expansion at a stretch ratio of ranging from about 1.5:1 to about 200:1.

14. The plastic article of Claim 13, wherein the stretch ratio ranges from about 3:1 to about 50:1.

15. The plastic article of Claim 14, wherein the plastic article expands from the parison or preform in a longitudinal expansion ratio of from about 1 : 1 to about 200:1.

16. The plastic article of any of Claims 9-15, wherein the at least one colorant can be a pigment, a dye, a combination of pigments, a combination of dyes, a combination of pigments and dye, a combination of pigment and dyes, or a combination of pigments and dyes.

17. The plastic article of any one of Claims 9-16, wherein the polyester comprises a terephthalate, terephthalate glycol, lactide, and

(hydroxy)alkanoate, and copolyester of terephthalic acid residues, 2,2,4,4- tetramethyl-l,3-cyclobutanediol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, or combinations thereof.

18. The plastic article of any one of Claims 9-17, wherein the article further comprises an anti-oxidant, an anti-stat, an acetaldehyde scavenger, an oxygen scavenger, a blowing agent, a biocide, an exfoliated nanoclay, a thickener, a special effect feature, or combinations thereof.

19. The plastic article of Claim 10, wherein, under visible light goniospectrophotometry of the plastic article, an increase in differential brightness (AL*) and an increase in differential chromaticity (AC) result.