Patent ID: 6592913
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: B29K,C08G

Abstract:
A gum base comprising a crosslinked branched polyester gel prepared from the process comprising:a) providing a first pre-gel composition having carboxyl end groups, wherein the first pre-gel composition is prepared by reacting: (1) at least one polyol having three or more hydroxyl groups or esters thereof; (2) at least one aliphatic or aromatic polyfunctional acid or ester thereof, or a mixture thereof; and (3) optionally, at least one long chain aliphatic carboxylic acid or ester thereof, or aromatic monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof, or mixture thereof, wherein components (1), (2), and, optionally, (3) are reacted to substantial completion in a first reactor, thereby providing a first pre-gel composition;b) providing a second pre-gel composition having hydroxyl end groups, wherein the second pre-gel composition is prepared by reacting: (1) at least one polyol having three or more hydroxyl groups or esters thereof; (2) at least one aliphatic or aromatic polyfunctional acid or ester thereof, or a mixture thereof; and (3) optionally, at least one long chain aliphatic carboxylic acid or ester thereof, or aromatic monocarboxylic acid or ester thereof, or mixture thereof, wherein components (1), (2), and, optionally, (3) are reacted to substantial completion in a second reactor, thereby providing a second pre-gel composition;c) removing either or both of the first and second pre-gel compositions from their respective reactors; d) combining the first and second pre-gel compositions to form a mixture; and e) processing the mixture in an extruder, a continuous processor, or a container thereby providing a crosslinked branched polyester gel.