Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Bernard J. Graves
  • Patent number: 7138539
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel colorant compounds which contain one or more ethylenically-unsaturated (vinyl), photopolymerizable radicals which may be copolymewrized (or cured) with ethylenically-unsaturated monomers to produce colored compositions such as colored acrylic coatings and polymers, e.g., coatings and polymers produced from acrylate and methacrylate esters, colored polystyrenes, and similar colored polymeric materials derived from other ethylenically-unsaturated monomers. The present invention also pertains to processes for the preparation of certain of the photopolymerizable colorant compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael John Cyr, Max Allen Weaver, Gerry Foust Rhodes, Jason Clay Pearson, Phillip Michael Cook
  • Patent number: 7094919
    Abstract: Methods for preparing substituted aromatic carboxylic acid esters are described. In particular, the invention relates a method for preparing a nitro-substituted aromatic carboxylic acid ester: Additionally the invention relates to a method for preparing a thioether-substituted aromatic carboxylic acid ester: Such aryl esters are useful in the preparation of various agrochemicals and agrochemical intermediates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Neil W. Boaz, M. Todd Coleman, Timothy R. Hightower
  • Patent number: 7067615
    Abstract: A process comprising contacting a liquid polyester stream with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a metal supported on the surface of silicon carbide at a metal dispersion of at least 0.5% or graphite at a metal dispersion of at least 10% to produce a treated liquid polyester stream. The treated stream may be polycondensed in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst to produce a polyester polymer having an It.V. of at least 0.55 dL/g. The liquid polyester stream desirably has a composition comprising: a) terephthalic acid residues, isophthalic acid residues, and/or naphthalenedicarboxylic acid residues and b) an average degree of polymerization of 0.5 to 20 and c) an acid number ranging from 5 to 600.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Zhufang Liu, Jeff Scott Howell, Charles Edwan Sumner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7052540
    Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of carboxylated cellulose esters are disclosed having a low organic solvent content. These dispersions can be prepared using a volatile hydrophilic organic solvent and a coupling organic solvent having a lower volatility, the volatile hydrophilic solvent being substantially stripped off during preparation to obtain a dispersion useful in a variety of coating compositions, providing satisfactory performance in metallic flake control, flow and leveling properties, and defect reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kevin Wayne McCreight, Dean Charles Webster, Lisa Kay Kemp
  • Patent number: 7030181
    Abstract: A film or sheet having a glass transition temperature below about 23° C. and a melting temperature greater than about 120° C. is prepared by first preparing a polyester composition of about 50 to about 95 weight percent of a base copolyester having a melting temperature of less than about 220° C. and exhibiting more than about 1 percent crystallinity after annealing for 2000 minutes at a temperature of which the base copolyester has a maximum crystallization rate; and about 5 to about 50 weight percent of a plasticizer suitable for use with the base copolyester. The polyester composition is formed into a film or sheet. During formation of the film or sheet or afterwards, crystallization is induced to provide a soft and flexible film or sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Eric Jon Moskala, Kevin Douglas Horton, Rodney Layne Piner, John Walker Gilmer
  • Patent number: 7025925
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of shaped articles by extrusion blow molding comprising the steps of (1) extruding a copolyester through a die to form a tube of molten copolyester; (2) positioning a mold having the desired finished shape around the tube of molten copolyester; and (3) introducing a gas into the tube of molten copolyester, causing the extrudate to stretch and expand to fill the mold; wherein the copolyester is a linear, copolyester having an inherent viscosity (IV) of at least about 0.7 dL/g measured at a temperature of 25° C. at 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Sam Richard Turner, Gary Wayne Connell
  • Patent number: 7026470
    Abstract: A method for improving holdout on a coated, cellulosic substrate, such as a man-made fiber board. The process comprises the steps of applying an aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose acetate butyrate size composition to a man-made fiber substrate, forming a sized substrate. The sized substrate is then dried. Next, an aqueous coating composition is applied to form a coated, sized substrate. The coated, sized substrate is then dried. According to the invention, the aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose acetate butyrate size composition used in the process comprises carboxymethyl cellulose acetate butyrate, water, and an organic solvent. The invention also relates to a sized, man-made fiber substrate comprising a man-made fiber substrate and a carboxymethyl cellulose acetate butyrate size. The carboxymethyl cellulose acetate butyrate may be either an internal sizing agent, or an external sizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald Obie
  • Patent number: 7026027
    Abstract: Disclosed are amorphous copolyesters having an inherent viscosity (IV) of at least about 0.5 dL/g measured at a temperature of 25° C. at 0.5 g/dL concentration in a solvent mixture of symmetric tetrachloroethane and phenol having a weight ratio of symmetric tetrachloroethane to phenol of 2:3 comprising (1) a diacid component comprising about 90 to 100 mole percent terephthalic acid residues and 0 to about 10 mole percent isophthalic acid residues; and (2) a diol component comprising about 10 to 70 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues and about 90 to 30 mole percent neopentyl glycol residues; wherein the amorphous copolyesters comprises 100 mole percent diacid component and 100 mole percent diol component. The amorphous copolyesters are useful in the manufacture or fabrication of medical devices which have improved resistance to degradation upon exposure to lipids, as a profile produced by profile extrusion and as an injection molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sam Richard Turner, Jonathan Terrill Milburn, Robert William Seymour, Kab Sik Seo
  • Patent number: 7004998
    Abstract: A gas liquid separator comprises an elbow into which is inserted a fishbone shaped impingement device comprising downward sloping vanes, the vanes preferably attached to a central spine within the elbow. The vanes may have an opening along the length thereof, and a bottom lip to channel accumulated liquid to one or more collection points, preferably the elbow internal wall. The device is robust, of simple construction, and exhibits relatively low pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventor: Paul Keith Scherrer
  • Patent number: 6946532
    Abstract: Catalyst compositions useful for the polymerization of olefins are disclosed. These compositions comprise a Group 8-10 metal complex comprising a bidentate or variable denticity ligand comprising one or two nitrogen donor atom or atoms independently substituted by an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring(s), wherein the ortho positions of said ring(s) are substituted by aryl or heteroaryl groups. Also disclosed are processes for the polymerization of olefins using the catalyst compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Leslie Shane Moody, Peter Borden Mackenzie, Christopher Moore Killian, Gino Georges Lavoie, James Allen Ponasik, Jr., Thomas William Smith, Jason Clay Pearson, Anthony Gerard Martin Barrett
  • Patent number: 6903045
    Abstract: A carbonylation catalyst useful for producing esters and carboxylic acids in a vapor phase carbonylation process, wherein the catalyst includes a solid component having a catalytically effective amount of platinum and tin associated with a solid catalyst support material and a vaporous halide promoter component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Patent number: 6844446
    Abstract: Catalyst compositions useful for the polymerization of olefins are disclosed. These compositions comprise a Group 8-10 metal complex comprising a bidentate or variable denticity ligand comprising one or two nitrogen donor atom or atoms independently substituted by an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring(s), wherein the ortho positions of said ring(s) are substituted by aryl or heteroaryl groups. Also disclosed are processes for the polymerization of olefins using the catalyst compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Leslie Shane Moody, Peter Borden Mackenzie, Christopher Moore Killian, Gino Georges Lavoie, James Allen Ponasik, Jr., Thomas William Smith, Jason Clay Pearson, Anthony Gerard Martin Barrett
  • Patent number: 6831115
    Abstract: Modified polyolefins are produced by reacting a functionalized polyolefin with one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds having a functional group reactive with the functional group on the polyolefin. These modified polyolefins may then polymerize in the presence of a photoinitiator upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation and also have the capability of copolymerizing in the presence of a photoinitiator with other ethylenically unsaturated crosslinking agents upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation. These modified polyolefins may also contain pendant carboxyl groups, which have the propensity to form hydrophilic salts with amines, and therefore may be rendered water-dispersible. The modified polyolefins of the present invention significantly improve the adhesion of paints, inks, and adhesives to various plastic and metal substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kevin Alan Williams, Michael Bellas, Charlie Carroll Freeman, Jr., Lisa Kay Templeton
  • Patent number: 6827807
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a multilayer structure, the film of which has particular utility as a masking film for the substrate layer. The process comprises the cast film process producing a monolayer film from a specified blend of ethylene-alpha-olefin and ethylene-alkyl acrylate interpolymers, or a multilayer film, at least one of the layers formed from the blend of interpolymers, and pressing the cast film process produced monolayer or multilayer film onto a polymeric or glass substrate layer that is maintained at a temperature of about 38 to about 80° C. during the pressing of the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Bradley Scott Westbrook, Guy Glen Luneau
  • Patent number: 6825356
    Abstract: Catalyst compositions useful for the polymerization or oligomerization of olefins are disclosed. Certain of the catalyst compositions comprise N-pyrrolyl substituted nitrogen donors. Also disclosed are processes for the polymerization or oligomerization of olefins using the catalyst compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Leslie Shane Moody, Peter Borden Mackenzie, Christopher Moore Killian, Gino Georges Lavoie, James Allen Ponasik, Jr., Anthony Gerard Martin Barrett, Thomas William Smith, Jason Clay Pearson
  • Patent number: 6825291
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon resin is prepared by (1) thermally polymerizing a mixture consisting essentially of (a) about 5% to 25% by weight styrene or aliphatic or aromatic substituted styrene, and (b) about 95% to 75% by weight based on total monomer content of a cyclic diolefin component comprising at least about 50% by weight dicyclopentadiene. A method of producing an aromatic-modified resin having a Mz of less than 2000 through the addition of about 5% to 25% by weight styrene in combination with about 95% to about 75% DCPD monomer at a rate to consume styrene monomer at a the rate at which it is added. Hydrogenation of this resin produces light colored, thermally stable products that are useful as tackifiers in adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Resins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Klosiewicz, Atanu Biswas
  • Patent number: 6822062
    Abstract: Methods for preparing olefin polymers, and catalysts for preparing olefin polymers are disclosed. The polymers can be prepared by contacting the corresponding monomers with a Group 8-10 transition metal catalyst and a solid support. The polymers are suitable for processing in conventional extrusion processes, and can be formed into high barrier sheets or films, or low molecular weight resins for use in synthetic waxes in wax coatings or as emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Peter Borden Mackenzie, Leslie Shane Moody, Christopher Moore Killian, Gino Georges Lavoie
  • Patent number: 6818293
    Abstract: Disclosed are fibers and films prepared from polyesters of a dicarboxylic acid, preferably terephthalic acid, and a diol selected from 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, or 1,3-propanediol. The fibers and films contain a multifunctional epoxide additive and, optionally, an antioxidant, and show an increased dry heat stability when exposed to elevated temperatures in the presence of air while preserving excellent hydrolytic stability. Also disclosed is a process for stabilizing polyester fibers by melt blending a polyester and epoxide additive and melt spinning. The fibers and films are particularly useful in applications requiring elevated temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gerald Timothy Keep, William Alston Haile, Mark Elliott Tincher
  • Patent number: 6815525
    Abstract: A process for introducing a component into a reaction fluid and/or process fluid comprising the steps of: (a) providing a recirculation loop having an influent and an effluent wherein the influent is in fluid communication with a reaction fluid; (b) recirculating at least a portion of the reaction fluid of step (a) through the recirculation loop wherein the reaction fluid flowing through the recirculation loop is a recirculation fluid; (c) decreasing the pressure of the recirculation fluid of step (b) with at least one pressure decreasing device at at least one point in the recirculation loop; and (d) feeding a component into the recirculation loop adjacent to or at the pressure decreasing device of step (c), to thereby introduce a component into the reaction fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Eastamn Chemical Company
    Inventor: Bruce Roger DeBruin
  • Patent number: H2132
    Abstract: Polyester containers having a reduced coefficient of friction (“COF”) are produced by increasing the surface roughness of the polyester using either thermal crystallization or solvent crystallization. Because the low COF reduces or eliminates friction between polyester containers, the containers do not become entangled and disrupt the manufacturing process. As a result, the containers move easily through typical conveying and filling lines in manufacturing processes that use the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Lavonna Suzanne Buehrig, Louis Thomas Germinario, Eric Jon Moskala, David Paul Fischer, Michael Eugene Donelson, Steven Matthew Scheffer, Darrin James Nicholson, Maurice Harold Hodgson, Fabian Clarke Pike, Jeff Erich Neff