Patents Represented by Attorney Mark D. Kuller
  • Patent number: 7196125
    Abstract: Dyed poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fibers having a lightfastness of 4 or higher after approximately 480 kJ incident UV radiation, and processes for preparing the fibers, are provided. The fibers are useful in automotive applications and other uses wherein UV absorption is likely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jing Chung Chang, Donald P. Nolan
  • Patent number: 7179769
    Abstract: A lube oil composition is disclosed which comprises poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) glycol and at least one lube oil additive. The base stock can be optionally mixed with other base stocks. Preferably, the composition is used as hydraulic fluid, brake fluid, heat transfer fluid, compressor lubricant, textile and calender lubricant, metalworking fluid, refrigeration lubricant, two-cycle engine lubricant or crankcase lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Hari Babu Sunkara
  • Patent number: 7161045
    Abstract: A process of manufacture of polytrimethylene ether glycol comprising: (a) polycondensing reactant comprising diol selected from the group consisting of 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol dimer and 1,3-propanediol trimer or mixtures thereof in the presence of acid polycondensation catalyst to form polytrimethylene ether glycol; (b) adding water to the polytrimethylene ether glycol and hydrolyzing the acid esters formed during the polycondensation to form a hydrolyzed mixture containing the polytrimethylene ether glycol and the hydrolyzed acid esters; (c) adding organic solvent that is miscible with water to the hydrolyzed mixture to form an aqueous-organic mixture comprising (i) organic phase containing polytrimethylene ether glycol and residual acid polycondensation catalyst from the polycondensing and (ii) water phase; (d) separating the water phase and the organic phase; (e) adding base to the separated organic phase to neutralize the residual acid polycondensation catalyst by forming salts of the residual ac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Hari Babu Sunkara, Howard C. Ng, Wei Zheng
  • Patent number: 7157607
    Abstract: A process of manufacture of polytrimethylene ether glycol comprising: (a) polycondensing reactant comprising diol selected from the group consisting of 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol dimer and 1,3-propanediol trimer or mixtures thereof in the presence of acid polycondensation catalyst to form polytrimethylene ether glycol; (b) adding water to the polytrimethylene ether glycol to form an aqueous mixture; (c) heating the aqueous mixture to hydrolyze acid esters formed during the acid catalyzed polycondensation; (d) adding to the hydrolyzed aqueous mixture organic solvent that is miscible with polytrimethylene ether glycol to form (i) organic phase containing the polytrimethylene ether glycol and residual acid polycondensation catalyst from the polycondensing and (ii) aqueous phase; (e) separating the aqueous phase and the organic phase; (f) adding base to the separated organic phase to neutralize the residual acid polycondensation catalyst by forming salts of the residual acid polycondensation catalyst; (g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Hari Babu Sunkara, Howard C. Ng, Wei Zheng
  • Patent number: 7147815
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a side-by-side or eccentric sheath-core bicomponent fiber wherein each component comprises a different poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jing C. Chang, Ray W. Miller
  • Patent number: 7132484
    Abstract: A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Carl J. Giardino, David B. Griffith, Chungfah Howard Ho, James M. Howell, Michelle Hoyt Watkins
  • Patent number: 7094466
    Abstract: Disclosed are side-by-side or eccentric sheath-core bicomponent fibers comprising a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) component and a poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) component and preparation and use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Jing C. Chang
  • Patent number: 7074969
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing polytrimethylene ether glycol by acid catalyzed polycondensation, neutralization and contact with filter aid. The process avoids hydrolysis and yet provides product substantially free of catalyst derived end groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Hari Babu Sunkara, Paraskevi Parmpi
  • Patent number: 7074968
    Abstract: The invention is a continuous process for the preparation of polytrimethylene ether glycol from 1,3-propanediol reactant. In addition, the invention is directed to a continuous multi-stage process comprising reacting at least one reactant in a liquid phase in an up-flow column reactor, and forming a gas or vapor phase by-product wherein the gas or vapor phase by-product is continuously removed at the top and at least one intermediate stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Hari Babu Sunkara, Ernest Keith Andrew Marchildon, Howard Chung-Ho Ng, Leo E. Manzer
  • Patent number: 7049390
    Abstract: A melt polymerization process for the preparation of poly(1,3-propylene-co-isosorbide) terephthalate (3GIT), new 3GITs and products made from the 3GITs. The process comprises (a) providing a mixture comprising terephthalic acid or its alkyl ester, 1,3-propanediol and isosorbide in a molar ratio of diols to terephthalic acid or its alkyl ester of from about 1.1:1 to about 1.6:1 and a molar ratio of 1,3-propanediol to isosorbide of from about 2:1 to about 10:1; (b) reacting the mixture in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of about 180 to about 245° C., with concurrent removal of a distillate comprising at least 80% of the water or alkanol volatile reaction product, wherein the distillate contains less than about 5 weight % 1,3-propanediol and less than 1 weight % isosorbide; and (c) continuing the reaction in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst at a pressure of about 0.25 to about 2 mm Hg and about 245 to about 260° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: E. I.du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Adelman, Robin N. Greene, Donald E. Putzig
  • Patent number: 7038092
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process comprising contacting chemical 1,3-propanediol with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Preferably, the chemical 1,3-propanediol, before the contacting has an initial color and, after the contacting, has a color that is lower than the initial color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Hari Babu Sunkara, Mayis Seapan, George F. Diffendall, Tyler T. Ames
  • Patent number: 7033530
    Abstract: A side-by-side or eccentric sheath-core bicomponent fiber wherein each component comprises a different poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition and wherein at least one of the compositions comprises styrene polymer dispersed throughout the poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and preparation and use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jing C. Chang, Joseph V. Kurian, Ray W. Miller
  • Patent number: 7005093
    Abstract: A spinning process for poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and an analytical method wherein the process provides an aging resistant poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn and the analytical method provides predictability to the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Zhuomin Ding, Joe Forrest London, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6979492
    Abstract: A poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) amide comprises a soft segment from poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) glycol and a polyamide hard segment, preferably joined by ester linkages. The poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) ester amides in accordance with the invention are particularly useful as shaped articles. The shaped articles are, preferably, prepared from fibers, fabrics or films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Hari Babu Sunkara
  • Patent number: 6967057
    Abstract: A process for preparing poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fibers including (a) providing a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition comprising about 0.05 to about 10 weight % ionomer and (b) spinning the polymer composition to form fibers. In addition, a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fiber including poly(trimethylene terephthalate) with about 0.1 to about 10 weight % ionomer dispersed throughout the poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and use thereof in yarns, fabrics, and carpets, as well as the yarns, fibers and fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jing C. Chang, Joseph V. Kurian, Sam Louis Samuels
  • Patent number: 6946539
    Abstract: Polyurethane or polyurethane-urea is comprised of poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) glycol as a soft segment. The polyurethane or polyurethane-urea preferably comprises about 10 to about 90% soft segment and is prepared from: (a) poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) glycol (b) diisocyanate; and (c) diol or diamine chain extender. The composition is particularly useful for making shaped articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Hari Babu Sunkara
  • Patent number: 6923925
    Abstract: A process for preparing poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarns and monofilaments. One process for preparing poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarns includes (a) providing a polymer blend including poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) and about 0.1 to about 10 weight % styrene polymer, by weight of the polymer in the polymer blend, (b) spinning the polymer blend to form poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multiconstituent filaments containing dispersed styrene polymer, and (c) processing the multiconstituent filaments into poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarn including poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multiconstituent filaments containing styrene polymer dispersed throughout the filaments. Another process includes spinning at a speed of at least 3,000 m/m and processing a blend including poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) to form partially oriented poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jing C. Chang, Joseph V. Kurian, Shekhar Subramoney
  • Patent number: 6921803
    Abstract: A process for preparing poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fibers comprising (a) providing a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition comprising about 0.05 to about 5 mole % tetramethylene terephthalate repeat units and (b) spinning the polymer composition to form fibers. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fiber comprising poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition comprising about 0.05 to about 5 mole % tetramethylene terephthalate repeat units, as well as yarns, fabrics (e.g., woven, knitted, and nonwoven fabrics) and carpets. A poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition comprising about 0.05 to about 5 mole % tetramethylene terephthalate repeat units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jing C. Chang, Joseph V. Kurian
  • Patent number: 6905765
    Abstract: A polyether ester comprises poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) ester soft segment and alkylene ester hard segment. Preferably, the polyether ester is a thermoplastic elastomer in which the hard segment comprises C2 to C12 alkylene ester. The composition is prepared by providing and reacting: (a) poly(trimethylene-ethylene ether) glycol (b) at least one polyester. Fiber made from this composition is particularly useful in making films, membranes and fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Hari Babu Sunkara
  • Patent number: 6872352
    Abstract: The invention relates to webs or batts including polytrimethylene terephthalate crimped staple fibers and fiberfill products comprising such webs and batts, as well as the processes of making the staple fibers, webs, batts and fiberfill products. According to the preferred process of making a web or batt, polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, containing polytrimethylene terephthalate is melt spun at a temperature of 245-285° C. into filaments. The filaments are quenched, drawn and mechanically crimped to a crimp level of 8-30 crimps per inch (3-12 crimps/cm). The crimped filaments are relaxed at a temperature of 50-130° C. and then cut into staple fibers having a length of about 0.2-6 inches (about 0.5-about 15 cm). A web is formed by garnetting or carding the staple fibers and is optionally cross-lapped to form a batt. A fiberfill product is prepared with the web or batt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ismael A. Hernandez, Geoffrey David Hietpas, James M. Howell