Stretched Product Patents (Class 526/348.1)
  • Publication number: 20040034179
    Abstract: Catalyst compositions and methods, useful in polymerization processes, utilizing at least two metal compounds are disclosed. At least one of the metal compounds is a Group 15 containing metal compound and the other metal compound is preferably a bulky ligand metallocene-type catalyst. The invention also discloses a new polyolefin, generally polyethylene, particularly a multimodal polymer and more specifically, a bimodal polymer, and its use in various end-use applications such as film, molding and pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Donald R. Loveday, David H. McConville, John F. Szul, Kersten Anne Erickson, Simon Mawson, Tae Hoon Kwack, Frederick J. Karol, David James Schreck
  • Publication number: 20040030066
    Abstract: Catalyst compositions and methods, useful in polymerization processes, utilizing at least two metal compounds are disclosed. At least one of the metal compounds is a Group 15 containing metal compound and the other metal compound is preferably a bulky ligand metallocene-type catalyst. The invention also discloses a new polyolefin, generally polyethylene, particularly a multimodal polymer and more specifically, a bimodal polymer, and its use in various end-use applications such as film, molding and pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Donald R. Loveday, David H. McConville, John F. Szul, Kersten Anne Erickson, Simon Mawson, Tae Hoon Kwack, Frederick J. Karol, David James Schreck
  • Publication number: 20040030081
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a light diffusing resin film that is formed by curing a light-curable liquid resin composition whose indispensable components are a photo-polymerizable monomer (A), an organic compound (B) that is incompatible with the photo-polymerizable monomer (A), a cosolvent (C) that is compatible commonly with the photo-polymerizable monomer (A) and the organic compound (B) that is incompatible with the photo-polymerizable monomer (A), and a photo-polymerization initiator (D), a light diffusing film having the resin film on a film surface, an edge light type backlight unit in which the light diffusing film is used, and a liquid crystal display device provided with the edge light type backlight unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Hegi, Masashi Doi, Kyoji Kitamura, Shinya Okada
  • Publication number: 20040014914
    Abstract: Novel supported, titanized chromium catalysts can be used for the homopolymerization of ethylene and the copolymerization of ethylene with &agr;-olefins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Schneider, Rainer Karer, Dieter Lilge, Volker Rauschenberger, Philipp Rosendorfer, Joachim Wulff-Doring, Gunther Schweier, Martin Lux, Peter Bauer
  • Publication number: 20030236364
    Abstract: Provided is a process for polymerizing olefins in the presence of a metallocene catalyst compound having at least one fluoride or fluorine containing leaving group. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a process and catalyst composition having improved reactor performance, reducing or eliminating the need for anti-fouling additives to the catalyst composition and/or the reactor. In one embodiment, the invention is a process of polymerizing olefins comprising contacting ethylene and at least one comonomer with a supported catalyst system comprising a metallocene catalyst compound, the metallocene catalyst compound comprising at least one fluoride ion or fluorine containing leaving group; and wherein the supported catalyst system comprises an inorganic oxide support having an average particle size of from 35 &mgr;m or less and a pore volume of from 1 to 2 cm3/g. The polymer product resulting therefrom is, in one embodiment, a copolymer having a density in the range of from 0.910 g/cm3 to 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Laughlin G. McCullough, Agapios K. Agapiou
  • Publication number: 20030236378
    Abstract: A process for producing from propylene, ethylene and/or C4-C18-alk-1-enes a fiber grade propylene polymer in which not less than 90 mol % of the units derived from monomers are derived from propylene and which has a polydispersity index PDI of not more than 2.2, where PDI is MW/MN, where MW is the weight average molar mass and MN is the number average molar mass and both are determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) at 145° C. in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, by polymerizing the monomers by means of a metallocene catalyst system, comprises subsequently degrading said propylene polymer peroxidically or thermally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Diana Ozdemir, Michael Schuster, Franz Langhauser, J?uuml;rgen Schwind, J?uuml;rgen Suhm, David Fischer
  • Patent number: 6667003
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of synthetic fibers from a melt mixture of fiber forming matrix polymers, wherein at least one second amorphous additive polymer, which is immiscible with the fiber forming matrix polymer, is added to the fiber forming matrix polymers in a quantity of 0.05-5 wt % (with reference to the total weight of fiber forming matrix polymer and the additive copolymer). The additive polymer is obtained by multiple initiation. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to the synthetic fibers produced by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Zimmer A.G.
    Inventors: Helmut Schwind, Werner Ude, Wolfgang Janas, Alexander Klein, Bernd Kretschmann
  • Publication number: 20030229186
    Abstract: The invention provides for polymerization catalyst compositions, and for methods for introducing the catalyst compositions into a polymerization reactor. More particularly, the method combines a catalyst component containing slurry and a catalyst component containing solution to form the completed catalyst composition for introduction into the polymerization reactor. The invention is also directed to methods of preparing the catalyst component slurry, the catalyst component solution and the catalyst compositions, to methods of controlling the properties of polymer products utilizing the catalyst compositions, and to polymers produced therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Simon Mawson, Sun-Chueh Kao, Tae Hoon Kwalk, Timothy Roger Lynn, David H. McConville, Matthew Gary McKee, John Francis Szul, Kersten Anne Terry, Timothy T. Wenzel, Mark Gregory Goode, John Henry Oskam, Robert J. Jorgensen, Robert Harold Vogel
  • Patent number: 6657033
    Abstract: The present invention relates to thermal bondable fibers comprising a random polymer of propylene with one or more olefins comonomers different from ethylene, to the process for preparing said fibers, and to the thermally bonded articles obtained from said fibers. Fibers of certain thermoplastic materials are used widely in the manufacturing of thermally bonded products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Basell Poliolefine Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Franco Sartori, Giancarlo Braca
  • Patent number: 6649725
    Abstract: Disclosed are a binary random copolymer of propylene and ethylene, and a film to be formed by sheeting the copolymer. The film has good heat-sealability, high stiffness, good anti-blocking and slipping properties, and high transparency. As having excellent heat-sealability at low-temperature, the copolymer and its film are favorably used as sealant layers of laminate films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Seta, Satoshi Nakatsuka, Michihiro Sawada, Ryoichi Tsunori, Tokutaro Kimura, Yutaka Minami
  • Publication number: 20030212219
    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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Randal Ray Ford, Richard Kingsley Stuart
  • Patent number: 6642339
    Abstract: Copolymers of ethylene and alpha olefins having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms and which have (a) a density in the range 0.900 to 0.940 (b) an apparent Mw/Mn of 2-3.4 (c) I21/I2 from 16 to 21.5 (d) activation energy of flow from 28 to 45 kJ/mol (e) a ratio Ea(HMW)/Ea(LMW)>1.1, and (f) a ratio g′(HMW/g′(LMW) from 0.85 to 0.95. The copolymers are particularly useful in film applications showing an excellent balance of processing, optical and mechanical properties. The novel polymers may suitably be prepared in the gas phase in the presence of metallocene complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Choon Kooi Chai, Christopher James Frye
  • Publication number: 20030199657
    Abstract: Films, containers made of high density polyethylene, and articles made therefrom exhibit, for a given density, improved resistance to water vapor transmission. The high density polyethylenes are produced in a metallocene-catalyzed production process. Alternatively, for equivalent water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) an article formed in accordance with the invention will exhibit improved physical properties, such as dart drop impact, more balanced tear properties and improved machine direction (MD) tear properties. Additionally, these high density polyethylenes show a low level of extractables and an excellent organoleptic profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Donna Sue Davis
  • Patent number: 6635779
    Abstract: A class of metallocene compounds is disclosed having general formula (I) wherein Y is a moiety of formula (II) wherein A, B, and D, same or different from each other, are selected from an element of the groups 14 to 16 of the Periodic Table of the Elements (new IUPAC version), with the exclusion of nitrogen and oxygen; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are hydrogen or hydrocarbon groups, Z is selected from a moiety of formula (II) as described above and from a moiety of formula (III) wherein R6, R7, R8 and R9, are hydrogen or hydrocarbon groups; L is a divalent bridging group; M is an atom of a transition metal selected from those belonging to group 3, 4, 5, 6 or to the lanthanide or actinide groups in the Periodic Table of the Elements (new IUPAC version), X, same or different, is hydrogen, a halogen, a R10, OR10, OSO2CF3, OCOR10, SR10, NR102 or PR102 group, wherein the substituents R10 are hydrogen or alkyl groups; p is an integer of from 1 to 3, being equal to the oxidation state of the metal M minus 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Basell Technology Company bv
    Inventors: John A. Ewen, Michael J. Elder, Robert L. Jones
  • Patent number: 6635701
    Abstract: The draw ratio and/or rate of stretch of HDPE in film orientation can be increased, or the breakage frequency at a given draw ratio and draw rate decreased by the addition of an orientation improving amount of a normally solid fatty carboxylic acid having a melting point lower than the orientation temperature of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals L.P.
    Inventors: Richard F. Tate, James V. Krohn
  • Publication number: 20030195320
    Abstract: Elastic ethylene polymers are disclosed which have, processability similar to highly branched low density polyethylene (LDPE), but the strength and toughness of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The polymers have processing indices (PI's) less than or equal to 70 percent of those of a comparative linear ethylene polymer and a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a traditional linear ethylene polymer at about the same I2 and Mw/Mn. The novel polymers can also have from about 0.01 to about 3 long chain branches/1000 total carbons and have higher low/zero shear viscosity and lower high shear viscosity than comparative liner ethylene polymers. T novel polymers can also be characterized as having a melt flow ratio, I10/I2,≧5.63, a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation: Mw/Mn≦(I10/I2)−4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Shih-Yaw Lai, John R. Wilson, George W. Knight, James C. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20030194575
    Abstract: Films with excellent machine direction (MD) tear properties comprise at least one layer made from a polymer comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Li-Min Tau, Pak-Wing S. Chum, Seema Karande, Clive Bosnyak
  • Publication number: 20030195312
    Abstract: Preparation methods and stabilization processes for low k polymers that consist of sp2C—X and HC-sp3C&agr;—X bonds. A preparation method is achieved by controlling the substrate temperature and feed rate of the polymer precursors. One stabilization process includes a post annealing of as-deposited polymer films under the presence of hydrogen under high temperatures. The reductive annealing of these films is conducted at temperatures from −20° C. to −50° C. to +20° C. to +50° C. of their Reversible Crystal Transformation (“CRT”) temperatures, then quenching the resulting films to −20° C. to −50° C. below their “CRT” temperatures. The reductive annealing is conducted before the as-deposited film was removed from a deposition system and still under the vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: DIELECTRIC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Chung J. Lee, Atul Kumar
  • Patent number: 6632910
    Abstract: The present invention provides a covering material having a layer formed of a resin of which glass transition point is in the range of 10° C. to 50° C., said covering material having excellent shape keeping ability and shape recovering ability after deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Takagi, Hiroaki Takahata, Nobuo Oi
  • Patent number: 6632911
    Abstract: An ethylene/&agr;-olefin copolymer having a density of 0.900 to 0.965 g/cm3; having an MI of 0.01 to 100 g/10 minutes; in a chromatogram with the use of Rayleigh ratio obtained by extrapolating GPC-MALLS data at a scattering angle of 0°, showing an average {overscore (Mc)} obtained by measuring five times of 0.5% or more and a standard deviation <&sgr;> from the average of 35% or less, wherein Mc stands for the chromatographic area ratio of the components having molecular weight of 1,000,000 or more calculated on the basis of the above measurement; and having a W30 (weight fraction of the portion eluted below 30° C.) in CFC measurement of 1 (% by weight) or less; and a film thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Japan Polychem Corporation
    Inventors: Kuninori Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Ishihama, Etsushi Akashige, Fumiyo Ikehata, Hisao Uchida, Mikio Kawase
  • Publication number: 20030187174
    Abstract: A process for the production of partially oriented polypropylene fibers from syndiotactic polypropylene. Syndiotactic polypropylene is heated to a molten state and extruded to form a fiber preform. The fiber preform is spun at a forward spinning speed within the range of about 700-3500 meters per minute to produce a partially oriented fiber. The partially oriented fiber is wound without further substantial orientation of the fiber at a draw ratio of less than 1.5. By operating at a forward spinning speed of about 700 meters per minute or more, the partially oriented fiber has a greater tenacity than would be observed for a fiber formed from a corresponding spun isotactic polypropylene. The fiber preform is spun at a forward spinning speed of at least 100 meters per minute to provide a tenacity on the order of about 2 grams per denier or more. The fiber preform may be spun at a forward spinning speed of at least 1500 meters per minute to provide a tenacity of about 3 grams per denier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Mohan Gownder, Jay Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030176611
    Abstract: Fibers comprising a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene and at least one of ethylene and one or more unsaturated comonomers exhibit desirable properties. The homopolymers are characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. The copolymers are characterized as (A) comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene, and (B) having at least one of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, S1x, greater than about −1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: James C. Stevens, Daniel D. Vanderlende, Andy C. Chang
  • Publication number: 20030144448
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stretched film excellent in low-temperature heat sealability after corona treatment as well as that before corona treatment and/or in heat shrinkability, the stretched film being comprised of a layer comprising a copolymer of propylene with &agr;-olefin and/or ethylene such that in measurement of a DSC curve the amount of the heat absorbed in the temperature range of from T−10 (° C.) to T+10 (° C.) accounts for from 15 to 36% of the amount of the heat absorbed in the temperature range of from 53 to 170° C., wherein T denotes a temperature (° C.) at which a maximum endothermic peak appears in the DSC curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Takeshi Ebara, Kazuki Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 6593442
    Abstract: A semicrystalline propylene polymer composition with good suitability for producing biaxially oriented films and prepared by polymerizing propylene, ethylene and/or C4-C18-1-alkenes, where at least 50 mol % of the monomer units present arise from the polymerization of propylene. Also described is the use of the semicrystalline propylene polymer composition for producing films, fibers or moldings, the films, fibers and moldings made from these compositions, biaxially stretched films made from the semicrystalline propylene polymer compositions, and also a method for characterizing the semicrystalline propylene polymer compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Basell Polypropylen GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bidell, Roland Hingmann, Franz Langhauser, Dieter Lilge, Volker Rauschenberger, Günther Schweier, Florian Stricker, Jürgen Suhm
  • Publication number: 20030124356
    Abstract: New precursors and processes are disclosed for making fluorinated, low dielectric constant &egr; thin films that have higher dimensional stability and are more rigid than fluorinated poly (para-xylylenes). The fluorinated, low dielectric constant thin films can be prepared from reactions of an ethylenic-containing precursor with benzocyclobutane-, biphenyl- and/or dieneone-containing precursors. The fluorinated, low dielectric constant thin films are useful for fabrications of future <0.13 &mgr;m integrated circuits (ICs). Using fluorinated, low-dielectric constant thin films prepared according to this invention, the integrity of the dielectric, copper (Cu) and barrier metals, such as Ta, can be kept intact; therefore improving the reliability of the IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: DIELECTRIC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Chung J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20030120001
    Abstract: A process for producing a poly-olefin is disclosed, which comprises contacting at least one 1-olefin under polymerisation conditions with a polymerisation catalyst or catalyst system comprising (1) a compound having the Formula (I) wherein M is Fe[I], Fe[III], Co[I], Co [II], Co[III], Mn[I], Mn[II], Mn[III], Mn[IV], Ru[II], Ru[III], Ru[IV], V[II], V[III], V[IV], or V[V], Ti[II], Ti[III] or Ti[IV]; X represents an atom or group covalently or ionically bonded to the transition metal M; T is the oxidation state of the transition metal M and b is the valency of the atom or group X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl or substituted heterohydrocarbyl; and when any two or more of R1-R7 are hydrocarbyl, substited hydrocarbyl, hete
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Leigh T Canham, Michael Charles L Ward
  • Publication number: 20030120014
    Abstract: Provided are a propylenic random copolymer of propylene and ethylene satisfying the following (1) to (5), a composition comprising the copolymer, a film and a stretched film of the copolymer or its composition, and a laminate film and a stretched laminate film comprising at least one layer of the copolymer or its composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Seta, Satoshi Nakatsuka, Michihiro Sawada, Ryoichi Tsunori
  • Publication number: 20030120008
    Abstract: A fluorine-containing copolymer of the following formula. A film-forming composition containing the copolymer. An anti-reflection film having a low-refractive-index layer containing the copolymer. An anti-reflection film having the above anti-reflection film on a transparent support. An image display device having the anti-reflection film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Obayashi, Hirohisa Hokazono, Takafumi Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 6583254
    Abstract: A propylene-based polymer having a melt flow rate of 0.1 to 20 g/10 min. and a melting point Tm (° C.) measured by using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) of 147 to 159° C., in which the half width HW (° C.) of the melting peak measured by using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and the melting point Tm (° C.) satisfy the relation: HW≦(188−Tm)/5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuji Tsuji, Kenichiro Yada, Syunji Yunoki
  • Patent number: 6579962
    Abstract: A process for the production of biaxially-oriented polypropylene film involving the provision of a polypropylene polymer produced by the polymerization of propylene in the presence of a metallocene catalyst characterized by a bridged racemic bis(indenyl) ligand substituted at the proximal position. The polypropylene contains 0.5 to 2% 2,1 insertions and has an isotacticity of at least 96% meso pentads and at least 99% meso diads. The film is formed by stressing the polymer produced from a slot die in the machine direction at a stretch ratio of about 5 or 6 and in the transverse direction at a stretch ratio of about 8 or 9 to produce a biaxially-oriented film having a non-uniform melt temperature of a peak value of less than 160° C. The polypropylene polymer has meltflow index of less than 5 grams per 10 minutes and has an average molecular weight within the range of 100,000-400,000 grams per mole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wheat, Aiko Hanyu
  • Patent number: 6576306
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to crystalline propylene polymers, to methods for their production and to methods for their use in film applications. Specifically, this invention relates to crystalline propylene polymers comprising both propylene homopolymer and propylene copolymer. The compositions are prepared using metallocene catalyst systems comprising at least two metallocenes in a polymerization process that involves the sequential or parallel polymerization of propylene homopolymer and copolymer using propylene with a small amount of comonomer, preferably ethylene. The polymerization is catalyzed by a dual metallocene catalyst system. The resulting polymers have a broad, bimodal molecular weight distribution. The resulting polymers are excellent for use in the production of biaxially oriented films or non-oriented films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Aspy K. Mehta, Michael C. Chen, James J. McAlpin, Anthony N. Speca, Kelly Tormaschy, Chon Y. Lin
  • Patent number: 6562922
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to vicinal hydroxyl-functionalized hydrocarbon polymers having a mole ratio of methylene to hydroxyl group of greater than 1 and to films, coatings and articles useful in packaging applications containing said polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc
    Inventors: Donald Albert Bansleben, Eric Francis Connor, Robert Howard Grubbs, William Peyton Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030088038
    Abstract: The present invention provides polymerization catalyst compounds, catalyst systems including these catalyst compounds, and to their use in the polymerization of ethylene and at least one comonomer. In particular, the invention provides a catalyst system comprising a poor comonomer incorporating catalyst compound and a good comonomer incorporating catalyst compound. Preferably, the low comonomer incorporating catalyst compound is a metallocene containing at least one substituted or unsubstituted fused ring cyclopentadienyl based ligand which is substantially directed to the front of the molecule, contains a long bridging group, or which contains a methyl substitution pattern which correlates to poor comonomer incorporation. The invention also provides methods of selecting the poor comonomer incorporating metallocene to pair with the good comonomer incorporating metallocene to produce polymers that are easy to process into a variety of articles, especially polyethylene based film, having enhanced properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: George Alan Vaughan, John F. Szul, Matthew Gary McKee, James McLeod Farley, Ching-Tai Lue, Sun-Chueh Kao
  • Patent number: 6558760
    Abstract: The sealability of a thermoplastic, mono- or multi-layer film having an irradiated sealing layer comprising a polyethylene and/or an ethylene-x-olefin copolymer with a density ≧0.915 g/cm3 is improved by corona treating said sealing layer. The integrity of the obtained sealed container is maintained under pasteurizing or cook-in conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Paleari, Romano Spigaroli
  • Publication number: 20030078357
    Abstract: Elastic ethylene polymers are disclosed which have processability similar to highly branched low density polyethylene (LDPE), but the strength and toughness of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The polymers have processing indices (PI's) less than or equal to 70 percent of those of a comparative linear ethylene polymer and a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a traditional linear ethylene polymer at about the same I2 and Mw/Mn. The novel polymers can also have from about 0.01 to about 3 long chain branches/1000 total carbons and have higher low/zero shear viscosity and lower high shear viscosity than comparative linear ethylene polymers. The novel polymers can also be characterized as having a melt flow ratio, I10/I2,≧5.63, a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation: Mw/Mn≦(I10/I2)−4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Shih-Yaw Lai, John R. Wilson, George W. Knight, James C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6552150
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a polyethylene composition particularly suitable for film blowing. The invention also concerns a process for the production thereof. The composition comprises a low molecular weight portion having a density of more than 960 kg/m3 and a high molecular weight portion. The polyethylene composition has a density of about 925-940 kg/m3 and a melt flow rate in the range of MFR21, from 5 to 40 g/10 min. A polyethylene film blown from the polyethylene composition exhibits a tensile strength at yield in transverse direction at least 15 MPa, a 1% secant modulus in machine direction at least 300 MPa and in transverse direction at least 400 MPa, and a dart drop of at least 5 g/&mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Borealis Technology Oy
    Inventors: Auli Nummila-Pakarinen, Ole Jan Myhre, Bjarne Jansen
  • Patent number: 6548628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to single- or multilayer films and one or more layers comprising at least one polyolefin molding composition containing at least one polyolefin derived from at least one olefin having at least 2 carbon atoms, of the formula Ra—CH═CH—Rb, in which Ra and Rb are identical or different and are a hydrogen atom or a straight-chain or branched C1-C15-alkyl radical, or Ra and Rb, together with the atoms connecting them, form a ring or ring system, and the polyolefin has been prepared by means of metallocene catalysts. The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of films and layers in which a polyolefin molding composition having a particle size of from 20 &mgr;m to 5000 &mgr;m is used or prepared. The shaped polyolefin molding composition is melt-mixed with at least one additive and shaped. The melt-mixed and shaped material is melted at a temperature of from 150° C. to 300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Winter, Ernst Hofmann, Gerhard Wieners, Bernd Bachmann
  • Patent number: 6541123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyolefin stretch packaging film, comprising at least one layer containing a component (A), and which has a storage modulus (E′) of from 5.0×108 dyn/cm2 to 5.0×109 dyn/cm2 and a loss tangent (tan&dgr;) of from 0.2 to 0.8, as measured by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement at a frequency of 10 Hz and at a temperature of 20° C., wherein said component (A) is a soft polypropylene resin which satisfies the following conditions (1) to (3), which has a sum of mesopentad percentage and racemopentad percentage (mmmm+rrrr) of from 30 to 70% as obtained from 13C-NMR spectrum, in which crystalline block and non-crystalline block portions co-exist in the molecular chain and of which the stereoregularity is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kouichirou Taniguchi, Hideki Sasaki, Takuya Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6534604
    Abstract: Catalyst compositions and methods, useful in polymerization processes, utilizing at least two metal compounds are disclosed. At least one of the metal compounds is a Group 15 containing metal compound and the other metal compound is preferably a bulky ligand metallocene-type catalyst. The invention also discloses a new polyolefin, generally polyethylene, particularly a multimodal polymer and more specifically, a bimodal polymer, and its use in various end-use applications such as film, molding and pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Loveday, David H. McConville, John F. Szul, Kersten Anne Erickson, Simon Mawson, Tae Hoon Kwack, Frederick J. Karol, David James Schreck
  • Patent number: 6534612
    Abstract: Elastic ethylene polymers are disclosed which have processability similar to highly branched low density polyethylene (LDPE), but the strength and toughness of linear low density polyethylene (LDPE). The polymers have processing indices (PI's) less than or equal to 70 percent of those of a comparative linear ethylene polymer and a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a traditional linear ethylene polymer at about the same I2and Mw/Mn. The novel polymers can also have from about 0.01 to about 3 long chain branches/1000 total carbons and have higher low/zero shear viscosity and lower high shear viscosity than comparative linear ethylene polymers. The novel polymers can also be characterized as having a melt flow ratio, I10/I2, ≧5.63, a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation: Mw/Mn≦(I10/I2)−4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Shih-Yaw Lai, John R. Wilson, George W. Knight, James C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6531214
    Abstract: A blend comprising polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that a film made from the blend is substantially vinyl-like and non-elastomeric. Some of the films are also conformable, drapable or affinely deformable by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brandt K. Carter, Buren R. Ree, Osei A. Owusu, Mark E. Napierala
  • Patent number: 6531212
    Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a plurality of retroreflective elements and a film comprising a blend of polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that the film is substantially vinyl-like. The articles can be used, for example, in reflective footwear, apparel, safety wear, sweatbands, piping and adornments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Osei A. Owusu, Brandt K. Carter
  • Patent number: 6531565
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing polyethylene resin of broad molecular weight distribution, when formed into a film, high barrier to moisture (low MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate) for the film). The resin is formed by polymerizing ethylene, preferably in a gas phase process or in a slurry process, using a post-titanated catalyst, that is, a catalyst wherein after initial formation of a catalyst comprising Cr—Ti-inorganic refractory support, further titanium is added to the catalyst in a post-titanation step, preferably to increase the titanium content of the catalyst to a final level preferably between 7 and 9.5 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Gene E. Kellum, Kevin J. Taylor, Charles D. Mills, James A. Solis
  • Patent number: 6528597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the polymerization of monomers utilizing a bulky ligand hafnium transition metal metallocene-type catalyst compound, to the catalyst compound itself and to the catalyst compound in combination with an activator. The invention is also directed to an ethylene copolymer composition produced by using the bulky ligand hafnium metallocene-type catalysts of the invention, in particular a single reactor polymerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Loveday, Moses Olukayode Jejelowo, Sun-Chueh Kao
  • Publication number: 20030036617
    Abstract: Poly (para-xylylene) (“PPX”) polymer films are processed under particular conditions in order to maintain their stability for use in integrated circuits. This is primarily achieved by controlling the substrate temperature, feed rate of the polymer precursors, and the environmental conditions. The resulting films are stable at high temperatures and compatible with other film layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Chung J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20030032750
    Abstract: A laminate film comprising a polyolefin polymer layer having a surface treated by a flame or corona discharge treatment method and biaxially oriented at about 5.5-10.0 stretch ratio in the machine direction and about 7.0-12.0 stretch ratio in the transverse direction which imparts superior machine direction tensile properties such as Young's modulus of about 350,000 to about 400,000 psi or greater, elongation of 120% or less, and tensile strength of about 27,000 to about 30,000 psi or greater; and a metal layer having an optical density of at least about 1.8 deposited on said treated surface of said polyolefin-based resin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
    Inventors: Keunsuk P. Chang, Michael Narkevicius, Hiroyuki Kato, Christopher D. Armstrong, Mario A. Scarati, Enrico Ballico, Angelo del Lupo
  • Publication number: 20030030174
    Abstract: High density polyethylene (HDPE) comprising narrow rheological breadth and narrow molecular weight distribution, and methods for producing such HDPE polymer are disclosed. HDPE blown resins and films produced from the HDPE of the invention, and methods of producing such resins and films are also disclosed. The novel HDPE-derived resins of the invention possess exceptional clarity and gloss in comparison to conventional HDPE-derived resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Steven D. Gray, David W. Knoeppel, Tim J. Coffy, Mike Goins, Michael McLeod, Greg DeKunder
  • Patent number: 6515093
    Abstract: A novel propylene copolymer is disclosed. Also disclosed is a novel composition comprising about 85 to about 99 weight percent of a polymeric ethylenic containing component having a density no greater than 0.94 g/cc, and about 1 to about 15 weight percent of a novel propylene copolymer comprising from about 60 to about 80 weight percent propylene, based on the copolymer, and from about 20 to about 40 weight percent olefin comonomer units, the propylene copolymer having a viscosity of about 1 to about 2,000 mPa·s at 190° C. and a needle penetration of greater than about 150 to about 300 dmm. Also disclosed are films produced from the composition, both blown and cast, and both monolayer and multilayer. Also disclosed are processes for stretch wrapping and forming blown film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventor: Marc Stacey Somers
  • Patent number: 6514583
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable film containing a homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer has a high impact strength and a high free shrink. The film can be a monolayer film or multilayer film, with the homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer present alone or in a blend, and in one or more film layers. The film is especially suited for use in heat-shrinkable bags, which can be used for the packaging of various products, especially meat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly R. Ahlgren, Robert Babrowicz, Solomon Bekele, Blaine C. Childress, Marvin R. Havens, Vincent W. Herran, Ronald D. Moffitt, Gautam P. Shah, George D. Wofford
  • Publication number: 20030022998
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a film having at least one layer comprising an interpolymer of ethylene and at least on comonomer selected from the group consisting of C3-C20 &agr;-olefins, dienes, and cycloalkenes, wherein the interpolymer is characterized as having a high degree of processability, good optical performance, and good mechanical properties. The subject invention further provides film fabrication processes and polymer compositions which are useful in preparing the subject films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Seema V. Karande, Lonnie G. Hazlitt, Pradeep Jain, Kaelyn Koch, Shih-Yaw Lai, Li-Min Tau