Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Bernard J. Graves
  • Continuous process for tertiary butyl esters
    Patent number: 6657075
    Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for the production of tertiary butyl esters by the reaction of a ketene and tertiary butyl alcohol containing a finite concentration of water. The process may be carried out in an absorber reactor with continuous recovery and purification of products by distillation. This process provides high-purity tertiary butyl acetate without the production of unwanted by-products found in many strong acid catalyzed processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kevin Alan Williams, Steven Leroy Cook, Phillip Wayne Turner
  • Method for carbonylation of lower alkyl alcohols using tungsten promoted group VIII catalyst
    Patent number: 6646154
    Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compounds, and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase carbonylation conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of a Group VIII metal selected from platinum or palladium, and tungsten which are associated with a solid catalyst support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Process for the preparation of enantiomerically-enriched cyclopropylalanine derivates
    Patent number: 6635784
    Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the preparation of enantiomerically-enriched cyclopropylalanine derivatives by the hydrogenation of certain enamides in the presence of a catalyst comprising a transition metal and a substantially enantiomerically-pure bis-phosphine catalyst and certain novel enamide ester compounds which are intermediates in the processes. The processes include novel 2-step and 3-step processes for the preparation of enantiomerically-enriched cyclopropylalanine derivatives. The two-step process comprises the steps of reacting cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde with a substituted phosphorylglycine to afford an enamide ester which then is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst comprising a transition metal and a substantially enantiomerically-pure bis-phosphine catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Sheryl Davis Debenham, Neil Warren Boaz
  • Anthraquinone colorants containing copolymerizable vinyl groups
    Patent number: 6630521
    Abstract: Disclosed are thermally-stable, red, anthraquinone colorants which contain one or more ethylenically-unsaturated, photopolymerizable radicals and which may be copolymerized with ethylenically-unsaturated monomers to produce colored compositions such as colored acrylic polymers, colored polystyrenes, and similar colored polymeric materials derived from other ethylenically-unsaturated monomers. The compounds possess good stability to ultraviolet light, good solubility in vinyl monomers, good color strength and thermal stability. Also disclosed are acrylic polymeric materials, i.e., polymers derived from acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid esters and/or other copolymerizable vinyl compounds, having copolymerized therein one or more of the colorant compounds of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael John Cyr, Max Allen Weaver, Gerry Foust Rhodes, Jason Clay Pearson, Jean Carroll Fleischer
  • Method for preparing an acid salt of p-phenylenediamine-type photographic color developers
    Patent number: 6623914
    Abstract: A process for purifying p-phenylenediamine color developers in their free-base form. The process includes subjecting a solution containing p-phenylenediamine-type free base color developer to short path distillation which includes at least one of falling film evaporator, thin film evaporator, wiped film evaporator, or short-path evaporator. Another aspect is a method for preparing an acid salt from a p-phenylenediamine free base color developer. The method includes the steps of: a) dissolving a purified p-phenylenediamine free base derived from the short path distillation process in an organic solvent; b) contacting the dissolved free base distillate with an appropriate mineral acid; and c) crystallizing the color developer in the acid salt form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Lucian Boldea, Phillip Montgomery Hudnall
  • Mixed olefin polymerization catalysts, processes employing such catalysts, and polymers obtained therefrom
    Patent number: 6620896
    Abstract: Mixed olefin polymerization catalysts, methods for preparing olefin polymers using the catalysts, and polymers obtained therefrom are disclosed. The mixed catalyst system comprises the combination of (a) a Group 8-10 transition metal complex of a bidentate or tridentate ligand comprising at least one nitrogen donor selected from Set 1, (b) either a Group 8-10 transition metal complex of a bidentate or tridentate ligand comprising at least one nitrogen donor selected from Set 1 or a bidentate ligand comprising a nitrogen-nitrogen donor selected from Set 2, or a Group 4 transition metal complex of a multidnentate ligand comprising at least 1 cyclopentadienyl or indenyl ring selected from Set 3 or a titanium or chromium Ziegler-Natta catalyst selected from Set 4, and optionally (c) a compound Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Christopher Moore Killian, Peter Borden Mackenzie, Gino Georges Lavoie, James Allen Ponasik, Jr., Leslie Shane Moody
  • Colorants containing copolymerizable vinyl groups and sulfonamide linkages
    Patent number: 6620858
    Abstract: Disclosed are thermally-stable, colored, photopolymerizable compounds containing a vinyl group which are capable of being copolymerized with reactive vinyl monomers to produce colored compositions such as polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polystyrene, etc. The compounds exhibit good thermal stability, fastness (stability) to UV-light, good solubility in the reactive monomers and good color strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael John Cyr, Max Allen Weaver, Gerry Foust Rhodes, Jason Clay Pearson, Phillip Michael Cook, Jos Simon De Wit, Larry Keith Johnson
  • Phosphinometallocenylamides as novel ligands for asymmetric catalysis
    Patent number: 6620954
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel phosphinometallocenylamides that are useful as ligands for asymmetric catalysis. The novel ligands, which are readily modifiable, contain both a phosphine and an amide functionality linked by a metallocene backbone. In addition, the novel compounds are phosphine-amides derived from a phosphine-amine, rather than a phosphine-carboxylic acid. Further, described herein are both processes to make the novel ligands as well as processes that employ such ligands in a catalytically active composition comprising one or more phosphinometallocenylamide compounds in complex association with one or more Group VIb or Group VIII metals to provide chiral products. Further, we describe exemplary catalyst complexes incorporating the novel ligands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventor: Neil Warren Boaz
  • Method for carbonylation of lower aliphatic alcohols using tin promoted iridium catalyst
    Patent number: 6617471
    Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compounds, and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of iridium and tin associated with a solid carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Method for carbonylation of lower aliphatic alcohols using tin promoted platinum catalyst
    Patent number: 6613938
    Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compositions and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of platinum and tin associated with a solid carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Zoeller, Andy Hugh Singleton, Gerald Charles Tustin, Donald Lee Carver
  • Continuous process for producing L-ascorbic acid
    Patent number: 6610863
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and an apparatus for the manufacture of an L-ascorbic acid product in high yield by direct conversion of an aqueous solution containing 2-keto-L-gulonic acid by contact with an acid catalyst or under thermal self-catalyzed conditions at a conversion level that maximizes the formation of L-ascorbic acid and minimizes decomposition of the L-ascorbic acid thus formed. The separation process for L-ascorbic acid and KLG is operated in such a way that an efficient separation process allows the majority of the KLG to be recycled for further conversion. The product stream from the separation process is then subjected to a recovery step to obtain crystalline L-ascorbic acid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Bhaskar Krishna Arumugam, Nick Allen Collins, Transito Lynne Macias, Steven Thomas Perri, Jeffrey Earl Grant Powell, Chester Wayne Sink, Michael Roy Cushman
  • Platelet particle polymer composite with oxygen scavenging organic cations
    Patent number: 6610772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to oxygen scavenging compositions comprising a) platelet particles having attached thereto at least one oxygen scavenging organic cation and b) at least one oxidation catalyst. The oxygen scavenging compositions of the present invention maybe readily incorporated into a variety of matrix polymers to create polymer composites, which display improved passive barrier and oxygen scavenging capabilities. Articles formed from these composites are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Horst Clauberg, Michael John Cyr, Robert Boyd Barbee, Tony Wayne Helton
  • Cyclodextrin sulfonates, guest inclusion complexes methods of making the same and related materials
    Patent number: 6610671
    Abstract: This invention relates to new cyclodextrin derivatives, processes for producing these cyclodextrin derivatives, and inclusion complexes comprised of the new cyclodextrin derivatives and guest molecules, as well as methods of making such materials and related materials and methods of using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Buchanan, Steven N. Falling, Juanelle L. Lambert, Shannon E. Large, Jozsef Szejtli, Lajos Szente, Laszlo Jicsinszky
  • Process for preparing ethylene interpolymers and ethylene interpolymers
    Patent number: 6608157
    Abstract: There is described a novel process for preparing interpolymers comprising ethylene, at least one monomer unit selected from heteroatom substituted olefin monomer units derived from a compound of the formula XV wherein E and G represent the same or different heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, which are bound to a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or are joined by a linking group; and n is 0 or an integer from 1-20; or 2,3-dihydrofuran, and optionally carbon monoxide, and interpolymers prepared thereby, including novel interpolymers having melting peak temperatures (Tm) equal to or greater than 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jose Pedro Martinez, Jeffrey James Vanderbilt
  • Process for preparing interpolymers of ethylene and 2,3-dihydrofuran, or a heteroatom substituted olefin monomer and ethylene interpolymers
    Patent number: 6608156
    Abstract: There is described a novel process for preparing interpolymers comprising ethylene, at least one monomer unit selected from heteroatom substituted olefin monomer units derived from a compound of the formula XV wherein E and G represent the same or different heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, which are bound to a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or are joined by a linking group; and n is 0 or an integer from 1-20; or 2,3-dihydrofuran, and optionally carbon monoxide, and interpolymers prepared thereby, including novel interpolymers having melting peak temperatures (Tm) equal to or greater than 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jose Pedro Martinez, Jeffrey James Vanderbilt
  • Metal halide solid acids and supported metal halides as catalysts for the preparation of hydrocarbon resins
    Patent number: 6608155
    Abstract: Supported metal halides and metal halide solid acids are used as catalysts for the polymerization of a feed stream containing at least one of pure monomer, C5 monomers, and C9 monomers to produce hydrocarbon resins. Freely-associated water may be removed from the solid acid catalyst prior to use. Resins with softening points (Ring and Ball) in the range of about 5° C. to 170° C. can be prepared. These catalysts offer advantages over the traditional Friedel-Crafts polymerization catalysts since the acid sites are an integral part of the solid. The solid acid catalysts are relatively nonhazardous, reusable catalysts which eliminate or at least reduce contamination of the resulting resin products with acid residues or by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Resins, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura M. Babcock, Dennis G. Morrell
  • Process for the polymerization of olefins; novel polyethylenes, and films and articles produced therefrom
    Patent number: 6608152
    Abstract: A novel process for the polymerization of olefins is provided. The process involves contacting at least one olefin with a Ziegler-Natta type catalyst in the presence of a specified compound that results in the production of polymeric products having a narrower molecular weight distribution. Also provide is a process for narrowing the molecular weight distribution of a polyolefin comprising contacting an olefin, a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a compound specified herein. Further provided are novel polyethylenes, and films and articles produced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Randal Ray Ford, Richard Kingsley Stuart, Jr.
  • Olefin polymerization processes using supported catalysts
    Patent number: 6605677
    Abstract: Improved Group 8-10 transition metal based supported catalyst processes for the polymerization of olefins are described. Some of the improvements pertain to protocols for catalyst preparation and activation which improve the catalyst productivity in the presence of hydrogen as a molecular weight control agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gino Georges Lavoie, Peter Borden Mackenzie, Christopher Moore Killian, Thomas William Smith
  • Low color, aromatic modified C5 hydrocarbon resins
    Patent number: 6605680
    Abstract: Low color, aromatic modified C5 hydrocarbon resins are disclosed. The resins are predominantly an aromatic modified piperylene resin. The resins are useful as tackifiers in hot melt adhesives and hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Resins, Inc.
    Inventors: Chretien P. L. C. Donker, Ester E. C.G. Gielens, Gerard A. Verrijzer
  • Method for reducing plate-out in a stretch blow molded container
    Patent number: H2088
    Abstract: A method for reducing or eliminating plate-out during the process used to produce stretch blow molded containers from polyester preforms by crystallizing the low molecular weight polyester molecules in or on the preform exterior surface before stretch blow molding the preform into a container. The molecules are crystallized using a crystallization process selected from (1) treating the outer surface of the preform with a solvent that is capable of crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester or (2) heating the outer surface of the preform to a temperature and for a time suitable for crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester. Plate-out is reduced because the crystallized molecules do not migrate out of the preform and form plate-out deposits on the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Lavonna Suzanne Buehrig, Louis Thomas Germinario, Terrill M. McGee, Gary Wayne Minnick, Eric Jon Moskala, Michael Eugene Donelson