Patents by Inventor Gary R. Wilkes
Gary R. Wilkes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10059037Abstract: A multi-layer sheet for forming an expanded foam container, the multi-layer sheet including a first layer of an expanded foam material including a first polyolefin-based material including at least one polypropylene-based polymer and a second layer of an unexpected material including a second polyolefin-based material including at least one polypropylene-based polymer that is co-extruded, extrusion coated, or laminated on a first side of the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Dart Container CorporationInventors: Chengtao Li, Gary R. Wilkes, Wayne J. Myer, Peter Matysiak
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Publication number: 20160082692Abstract: A multi-layer sheet for forming an expanded foam container, the multi-layer sheet comprising a first layer of an expanded foam material comprising a first polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer and a second layer of an unexpanded material comprising a second polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer that is co-extruded, extrusion coated, or laminated on a first side of the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: CHENGTAO LI, GARY R. WILKES, WAYNE J. MYER, TIM E. ACKLEY, CARL E. STEVENS, WILLIAM I. WOLFE, MICHAEL HARVEY, MARK S. DECKER, RYAN P. GINGRAS, KEVIN R. SMITH, PETER MATYSIAK, TOBIN L. EMRICK, STEVE K. MAKELA, RICK L. MEIRNDORF, ERIK J. DURFEE, JAMES W. HUERTA, ALEX C. FENKER
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Publication number: 20160082693Abstract: A multi-layer sheet for forming an expanded foam container, the multi-layer sheet comprising a first layer of an expanded foam material comprising a first polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer and a second layer of an unexpanded material comprising a second polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer that is co-extruded, extrusion coated, or laminated on a first side of the first layer, wherein an exterior surface of the second layer has a low gloss level.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: CHENGTAO LI, GARY R. WILKES, WAYNE J. MYER, TIM E. ACKLEY, CARL E. STEVENS, WILLIAM I. WOLFE, MICHAEL HARVEY, MARK S. DECKER, RYAN P. GINGRAS, KEVIN R. SMITH, PETER MATYSIAK, TOBIN L. EMRICK, STEVE K. MAKELA, RICK L. MEIRNDORF, ERIK J. DURFEE, JAMES W. HUERTA, ALEX C. FENKER
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Publication number: 20160082621Abstract: A process for forming a multi-layer sheet for forming an expanded foam container, the process comprising: extruding a first layer comprising a first polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer and at least one blowing agent; providing a second layer comprising a second polyolefin-based material comprising at least one polypropylene-based polymer onto a first side of the first layer; and expanding the first layer to form the multi-layer sheet comprising an expanded first layer and an unexpanded second layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: CHENGTAO LI, GARY R. WILKES, WAYNE J. MYER, TIM E. ACKLEY, CARL E. STEVENS, WILLIAM I. WOLFE, MICHAEL HARVEY, MARK S. DECKER, RYAN P. GINGRAS, KEVIN R. SMITH, PETER MATYSIAK, TOBIN L. EMRICK, STEVE K. MAKELA, RICK L. MEIRNDORF, ERIK J. DURFEE, JAMES W. HUERTA, ALEX C. FENKER
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Patent number: 6946495Abstract: A polymeric composition to be used in producing foam in which the polymeric composition comprises conventional linear polypropylene, high melt strength polypropylene and a rheology modifier resin. The conventional linear polypropylene is in an amount of from about 1 to 25 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The high melt strength polypropylene is in the amount of from about 51 to 85 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The rheology modifier resin is in the amount of from 5 to about 30 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The conventional linear polypropylene may be offgrade virgin polypropylene or recycled polypropylene from post-industrial or post-consumer sources. The rheology modifier resin is a member of the group of styrene-olefin copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Inventors: James L. Zwynenburg, Gary R. Wilkes
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Patent number: 6225363Abstract: A polymeric composition to be used in producing foam in which the polymeric composition comprises high density polyethylene, alkenyl aromatic polymer and a resiliency modifier resin. The high density polyethylene is in an amount of from about 5 to 45 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The high density polyethylene has a z-average molecular weight, Mz, greater than about 1,000,000. The alkenyl aromatic polymer is in the amount of from about 3 to about 45 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The resiliency modifier resin is in the amount of from 10 to about 85 weight percent of the polymeric composition.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2000Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Pactiv CorporationInventors: Gary R. Wilkes, Ronnie D. Kisner, Jeffrey J. Stimler
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Patent number: 6114025Abstract: A polymeric composition to be used in producing foam. The polymeric composition comprises a linear low density polyethylene and a resiliency modifier resin. The linear low density polyethylene is in the amount of from about 1 to about 90 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The linear low density polyethylene has a z-average molecular weight, M.sub.z, greater than about 700,000. The resiliency modifier resin is in the amount of from 10 to about 99 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The resiliency modifier resin can be made of a low density polyethylene. Reclaimed material may comprise a portion of the linear low density polyethylene.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Tenneco Protective Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. DeVaudreuil, Jennifer M. Crowell, Anthony R. Smith, Gary R. Wilkes
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Patent number: 6069183Abstract: A polymeric composition for producing foam in which the polymeric composition comprises high density polyethylene, alkenyl aromatic polymer and, optionally, a resiliency modifier resin. The high density polyethylene is in an amount of from about 45 to about 90 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The high density polyethylene has a z-average molecular weight, M.sub.z, greater than about 1,000,000. The alkenyl aromatic polymer is in the amount of from about 3 to about 45 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The resiliency modifier resin is in the amount of from 0 to about 40 weight percent of the polymeric composition. The foam is produced in the absence of a significant amount of a stability control agent.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1998Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Wilkes, Ronnie D. Kisner, Jeffrey J. Stimler
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Patent number: 5993706Abstract: A method of making a polyolefinic foam composition comprising the steps of:(a) feeding a polyolefinic polymer into an extruder;(b) adding a nucleating agent to the resin feed;(c) optionally adding a permeation modifier to the resin feed;(d) plasticating the mixture in an extruder to form a polymeric melt;(e) incorporating a blowing agent of carbon dioxide and optionally one or more members selected from the group consisting of inorganic blowing agents, organic blowing agents, and combinations thereof;(f) incorporating at least one compatibilizing agent into said foamable composition wherein said compatibilizing agent is an oxygenated hydrocarbon that decreases the minimum pressure required to prevent prefoaming while retarding the collapse of foam due to excessive blowing agent migration;(g) uniformly mixing and cooling the foamable composition to a temperature effective for the expansion of the polyolefinic foam; and(h) extruding or ejecting the foamable composition through a die to form a polyolefinic foam.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Tenneco Protective Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Wilkes, Kim A. Bly, Harris A. Dunbar, Eugene R. Uhl, James L. Zwynenburg
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Patent number: 5905098Abstract: Members either of the polyglycol family of substances, more generally, or of the polyglycol ether subset of polyether compounds, more particularly, both for their gas absorption properties and for their plasticizing effect in a polyethylenic extrudate, are combined with physical atmospheric blowing agents, such as, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, water, and blends thereof, to produce uncrosslinked polyethylenic foams having densities as low as 10 kg/m.sup.3.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1998Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Tenneco Protective Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Wilkes, Harris A. Dunbar, Kim A. Bly, Eugene R. Uhl
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Patent number: 5849226Abstract: Members either of the polyglycol family of substances, more generally, or of the polyglycol ether subset of polyether compounds, more particularly, both for their gas absorption properties and for their plasticizing effect in a polyethylenic extrudate, are combined with physical atmospheric blowing agents, such as, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, water, and blends thereof, to produce uncrosslinked polyethylenic foams having densities as low as 10 kg/m.sup.3.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1997Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Tenneco Protective Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Wilkes, Harris A. Dunbar, Kim A. Bly, Eugene R. Uhl
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Patent number: 5817705Abstract: A propylene homopolymer or copolymer, or a blend thereof, possessing both sufficient strain hardening, viscoelastic behavior, and melt ductility is heated, melted, and mixed in an extruder with an organic or inorganic physical blowing agent, or a mixture of organic and inorganic physical blowing agents, and with optional compatibilizing agents, nucleating agents, stabilizers and miscellaneous additives. This mixture is pressurized and, subsequently, is cooled to an appropriate temperature at an elevated pressure, and is extruded through a die at rates in excess of 1000 kg/hr to produce an expanded and dimensionally-stable, predominately closed cell propylene polymer foam with a density of between 10 kg/m.sup.3 and 150 kg/m.sup.3, and with a thickness in excess of 1.3 cm. The resultant foamed structure is characterized by a Foamability Index of greater than 1.9 and an Ebullition Time of less than 2.0.times.10.sup.-4 seconds.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Tenneco Protective Packaging Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Wilkes, Jeffrey J. Stimler, Kim A. Bly, Harris A. Dunbar, Eugene R. Uhl
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Patent number: 5698144Abstract: Members either of the polyglycol family of substances, more generally, or of the polyglycol ether subset of polyether compounds, more particularly, both for their gas absorption properties and for their plasticizing effect in a polyethylenic extrudate, are combined with physical atmospheric blowing agents, such as, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, water, and blends thereof, to produce uncrosslinked polyethylenic foams having densities as low as 10 kg/m.sup.3.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1996Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Tenneco Protective Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Wilkes, Harris A. Dunbar, Kim A. Bly, Eugene R. Uhl