Patents by Inventor Rainer Kolb

Rainer Kolb 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).

  • Publication number: 20110184134
    Abstract: Provided are amorphous ethylene propylene copolymer, compositions thereof, and methods for making same, whereby the copolymer can include of from about 40 wt. % to about 60 wt. % ethylene derived units; and of from about 60 wt. % to about 40 wt. % propylene derived units. The copolymer can be characterized by having no discernable melting point as measured by DSC, an MFRR (MI (2.16 kg; 230° C.)/MI 21.6 kg; 230° C.) of about 38 or more, a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of from about 1.5 to about 2.5, and a shear viscosity ?* at 0.01 rad/sec measured at 70° C. that satisfies the relation |?*|(70° C.; 0.01 rad/sec)>1.2*106*|MFR|?0.77, wherein MFR is the melt flow rate and ?* is the complex viscosity at 0.01 rad/sec measured at 70° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Jo Ann Marie Canich, Liehpao Oscar Farng, Sudhin Datta
  • Publication number: 20110183878
    Abstract: Provided is an ethylene copolymer having 40 wt. % to 70 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and at least 30 wt. % of units derived from at least one ?-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and has the following properties: (a) a weight-average molecular weight (Mw), as measured by GPC, in the range of about 50,000 to about 200,000 g/mol; (b) a melting point (Tm) in ° C., as measured by DSC, that satisfies the relation: Tm>3.4×E?180 where E is the weight % of units derived from ethylene in the copolymer; (c) a ratio of Mw/Mn of about 1.8 to about 2.5; (d) a content of Group 4 metals of no more than 5 ppm; and (e) a ratio of wt ppm Group 4 metals/wt ppm Group 5 metals of at least 3. Also provided are methods for making an ethylene copolymer and compositions comprising an ethylene copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Donna J. Crowther, Peijun Jiang
  • Publication number: 20110183879
    Abstract: Provided are ethylene propylene copolymers compositions thereof and methods for making the same. The composition may include an ethylene copolymer, comprising 40 wt % to 70 wt % of units derived from ethylene, and at least 30 wt % of units derived from at least one ?-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The composition can have a melting point (Tm) in ° C., as measured by DSC, that satisfies the relation: Tm>3.4×E?180, where E is the weight % of units derived from ethylene in the copolymer. The composition can also have a Mw/Mn ratio of about 1.5 to about 3.5. The composition can further have a content of Group 4 metals derived from a catalyst of 25 ppm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Liehpao Oscar Farng, Sudhin Datta, Donna J. Crowther, Peijun Jiang
  • Publication number: 20110098422
    Abstract: Polyethylene compositions having improved properties are provided. In one aspect, a polyethylene composition having a long chain branching index (g?avg) of 0.5 to 0.9; a Melt Flow Rate (MFR) of greater than (49.011×MI(?0.4304)), where MI is Melt Index; and a weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of less than or equal to 4.6 is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dongming Li, Mark G Goode, Rainer Kolb, Chi-I Kuo, Tae Hoon Kwalk, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110086990
    Abstract: A process for the production of an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer is disclosed. The process includes polymerizing ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin by contacting the ethylene and the at least one alpha-olefin with a metallocene catalyst in at least one gas phase reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7 to 70 bar and a reactor temperature of from 20° C. to 150° C. to form an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer. The resulting ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer may have a density of 0.927 g/cc or greater and environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) of 500 hr or more when measured according to ASTM 1693/B in 10% Igepal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Blair Alfred GRAHAM, Mark P. OSSOWSKI, James M. FARLEY, Rainer KOLB
  • Publication number: 20110059277
    Abstract: Coated articles and methods for making the same. The coated article includes a plastic substrate with a coating layer at least partially disposed about the substrate. The coating layer can include at least one propylene copolymer comprising 60 wt % to 98 wt % propylene derived units and 2 wt % to 40 wt % one or more other alpha olefins. The propylene copolymer preferably has a triad tacticity of 90% or more, a heat of fusion of less than 80 J/g, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) as measured by GPC of from 70,000 to 250,000, and a MWD of 2.0 to 2.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, William A. Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20110040041
    Abstract: A process for the production of an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer is disclosed, the process including polymerizing ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin by contacting the ethylene and the at least one alpha-olefin with a metallocene catalyst in at least one gas phase reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7 to 70 bar and a reactor temperature of from 20° C. to 150° C. to form an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer. The resulting ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer may have a density D of 0.927 g/cc or less, a melt index (I2) of from 0.1 to 100 dg/min, a MWD of from 1.5 to 5.0. The resulting ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer may also have a peak melting temperature Tmax second melt satisfying the following relation: Tmax second melt>D*398?245.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Agapios K. Agapiou, James M. Farley, Eric J. Markel, Bruce J. Savatsky, Christopher R. Davey, Richard B. Pannell
  • Publication number: 20110024951
    Abstract: Coated composite materials and methods for their manufacture are described. In particular, embodiments of the present invention include a substrate material coated on at least a portion with a polymer blend comprising from about 50 to about 95 wt % of a propylene-based copolymer comprising propylene and from about 3 to about 40 wt % ethylene-derived units and from about 5 to about 50 wt % of a hydrocarbon resin. The propylene-based copolymer has a melting temperature less than about 110° C., a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g, and a triad tacticity greater than 75%. The coating compositions are suitable for hot fill applications, soft to the touch and have a low coefficient of friction, low haze, and are able to retain textural design features. Methods for forming such coated composite materials are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Rainer Kolb
  • Patent number: 7875690
    Abstract: A process for the production of an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer is disclosed. The process includes polymerizing ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin by contacting the ethylene and the at least one alpha-olefin with a metallocene catalyst in at least one gas phase reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7 to 70 bar and a reactor temperature of from 20° C. to 150° C. to form an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer. The resulting ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer may have a density of 0.927 g/cc or greater and environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) of 500 hr or more when measured according to ASTM 1693/B in 10% Igepal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Blair Alfred Graham, Mark P. Ossowski, James M. Farley, Rainer Kolb
  • Publication number: 20100316820
    Abstract: Coated composite materials and methods for their manufacture are described. In particular, embodiments of the present invention include a substrate material coated on at least a portion with a polymer blend comprising from about 50 to about 95 wt % of a propylene-based copolymer comprising propylene and from about 3 to about 40 wt % ethylene-derived units and from about 5 to about 50 wt % of a hydrocarbon resin. The propylene-based copolymer has a melting temperature less than about 110° C., a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g, and a triad tacticity greater than 75%. The coating compositions are soft to the touch and have a low coefficient of friction, low haze, and are able to retain textural design features. Methods for forming such coated composite materials are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Rainer Kolb
  • Publication number: 20100273692
    Abstract: Provided are ethylene-based copolymers, methods of preparing the same, lubricating oil compositions including the same, methods for preparing such lubricating oil compositions, and end uses for such ethylene-based copolymers and lubricating oil compositions. The ethylene-based copolymers may include less than about 80 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and one or more alpha-olefin comonomers having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The ethylene-based copolymers have a melting peak (Tm), as measured by DSC, of 80° C. or less, and a polydispersity index of about 2.8 or less. In some embodiments, the ethylene-based copolymers have an intramolecular composition distribution of about 50 wt. % or less and/or an intermolecular composition distribution of about 50 wt. % or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Sudhin Datta, Liehpao Oscar Farng, Vera Minak-Bernero, Eric B. Sirota, Thomas Tungshi Sun, Mun Fu Tse
  • Publication number: 20100273693
    Abstract: Disclosed are rheology modifiers comprising compositionally disperse polymeric compositions and/or crystallinity disperse polymeric compositions that may be useful in modifying the rheological properties of lubrication fluids, and methods for making such compositions. The compositionally disperse polymeric composition are formed from at least two discrete compositions of ethylene copolymers. The crystallinity disperse polymeric composition are formed from ethylene copolymers having at least two discrete values of residual crystallinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Sudhin Datta, Jo Ann Marie Canich, Liehpao Oscar Farng, Rainer Kolb, Vera Minak-Bernero, Eric B. Sirota, Thomas Tungshi Sun, Mun Fu Tse, Manika Varma-Nair
  • Publication number: 20100273936
    Abstract: Extruded, copolymer pellet compositions and methods for making the same. A copolymer pellet composition can have an ethylene content of about 40 wt % to about 50 wt % and a propylene content of about 50 wt % to about 60 wt %, based on total weight of the copolymer, wherein the copolymer has a MFR (230° C./2.16 kg) of from about 3.0 g/10 min and about 25 g/10 min; a MWD (Mw/Mn) of about 2.3 or less; and no measurable melting peak, as measured by DSC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Cheng-Ming Yeh, Rainer Kolb
  • Publication number: 20100261861
    Abstract: Polymerization catalyst systems including three or more catalyst compounds are provided. Methods for olefin polymerization including the aforementioned catalyst systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Dongming Li, Francis C. Rix, Cesar A. Garcia-Franco
  • Publication number: 20100234547
    Abstract: Olefin polymerization catalyst systems including a high molecular weight catalyst compound and a low molecular weight catalyst compound, and methods of making same are provided. High molecular weight catalysts include metallocene catalysts and low molecular weight catalysts include non-metallocene compounds including biphenyl phenol compounds. Generally catalyst systems may include less than about 5.0 mol % of the high molecular weight catalyst compound relative to said low molecular weight catalyst. Methods for olefin polymerization including the aforementioned catalyst systems, and polyolefins and products made therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Dongming Li, Cesar A. Garcia-Franco
  • Publication number: 20100199080
    Abstract: A method and system for diagnosing and programming industrial vehicles, especially lift trucks, is provided. The method and system utilizes a computer that is connected to an area network having at least one server, e.g. the internet. The computer is also connected through an electronic interface to a lift truck's data bus. In a first step a browser application is loaded and runs in a browser program on the computer. Thereafter, program modules and/or data are downloaded from the network server by the browser application depending on the desired vehicle diagnosis to be performed, the desired customization to be programmed, and the type and model of lift truck to be interfaced to. Downloaded program modules may comprise data that can be displayed by the browser program and applications that can be run in the browser program. The vehicle diagnosis and/or customization of control processes are performed via the data bus for the lift truck by the downloaded program module or modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Rainer Kolb
  • Publication number: 20100144989
    Abstract: The invention generally provides for methods for controlling polymer properties. In particular, invention provides for methods for controlling the comonomer composition distribution of polyolefins such as ethylene alpha-olefin copolymers by altering at least one or more of the following parameters: the molar ratio of hydrogen to ethylene, the molar ratio of comonomer to ethylene, the partial pressure of ethylene, and the reactor temperature without substantially changing the density and/or the melt index of the copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, James M. Farley, John F. Szul, Mark P. Ossowski
  • Patent number: 7674371
    Abstract: In waste water installations, the amount of falling rainwater which increases as a result of heavy precipitations is diverted into lakes and waterways in order to relieve the sewage treatment plant. In order to remove the impurities carried along with the rainwater, the water is purified using a purification device. A retaining element is disposed behind the purification device in the direction of flow. This element is at least partially detachable connected to a base surface and can be used to release the through-flow in the region of the base surface of the purification device in an intermittent manner. The retaining element is pivotable around an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Frank Rainer Kolb
  • Publication number: 20100029871
    Abstract: Provided are catalyst systems, processes for polymerizing one or more olefins, polymers resulting therefrom, and articles prepared from such polymers. The processes comprise contacting under polymerization conditions one or more olefin monomers, preferably propylene, with a catalyst system comprising a transition metal compound and an activator of the formula (1) or (2) as described herein. The polymer compositions described herein exhibit advantageously narrow composition distributions and high melting points in comparison to conventional polymers having the same comonomer content. The polymers described herein exhibit improved properties, e.g., pellet stability, impact properties, heat seal properties, and structural integrity in film and fabricated parts applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Donna J. Crowther, Peijun Jiang, Rainer Kolb
  • Publication number: 20090306323
    Abstract: A film of an ethylene polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Francis C. Rix, R. Eric Pequeno