Patent ID: 8088885
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: B29B,B29C,B29K,C08G,F26B

Abstract:
1. A method for increasing the intrinsic viscosity of a polyester material by solid phase polycondensation, comprising: introducing a polyester material into a reaction container and permitting it to reside in the reaction container at a predetermined thermal treatment temperature, which is at least as high as a reaction temperature of the polyester material, from which an increase in the intrinsic viscosity is measurable, and for a predetermined residence time until the polyester material exhibits a desired intrinsic viscosity; delivering the polyester material from the reaction container into a single cooling container so as to selectively cool the polyester material to either a first cooling temperature that is lower than the reaction temperature if the polyester material is delivered directly from the cooling container to a polyester material processing machine or a second cooling temperature that is lower than the first cooling temperature if the polyester material is diverted to an intermediate storage container instead of being delivered directly to the polyester material processing machine; during a first period of operation, delivering the polyester material directly from the single cooling container to a polyester material processing machine, the polyester material being cooled within the single cooling container to the first cooling temperature prior to being delivered to the polyester material processing machine; and during a second period of operation, diverting the polyester material to an intermediate storage container, the polyester material being cooled in the single cooling container to the second cooling temperature prior to being diverted to the intermediate storage container.