Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 22, 2008
Date of Patent:
January 1, 2013
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Marcus David Shelby, Michael Eugene Donelson, Bradley Howard Dayvolt, Alan Kent Wilson, Bryan Kirkman
Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulose esters having low hydroxyl content for use in optical applications, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) films. Films made with low hydroxyl levels and a given ratio of non-acetyl ester to hydroxyl level have been found to have low intrinsic birefringence. Therefore, these films can be cast, molded, or otherwise oriented without an appreciable birefringence or optical distortion (i.e. retardation). Such features make these films useful in polarizer, protective, and compensator films as well as molded optical parts, such as lenses. Furthermore, it has also been found that resins of the present invention can also be made to have “+C plate” behavior either by melt or solvent based processing, a characteristic which is not typical of cellulose esters. Such +C behavior allows films to be produced having unique compensatory behavior. Other embodiments of the invention relate to methods melt casting films while minimizing birefringence formation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 22, 2008
Date of Patent:
December 11, 2012
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Marcus David Shelby, Michael Eugene Donelson, Bradley Howard Dayvolt, Alan Kent Wilson, Bryan Kirkman
Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3 -cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one of alkyl phosphate esters, aryl phosphate esters, mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 27, 2006
Date of Patent:
June 5, 2012
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Ted Calvin Germroth, Gary Wayne Connell, Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
Abstract: Described are restaurant smallware, comprising polyester based composition, comprising dicarboxylic acid component as terephthalic acid residues and optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues and glycol component, comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and cyclohexanedimethanol residues. The polyester composition has the inherent viscosity from 0.55 to 0.0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C., glass transition temperature Tg of 110° C. to 160° C., notched Izod impact strength of at least 7.5 ft-lb/inch at 23° C. according to ASTM D256 with a 10-mil notch in a ?-inch thick bar, melt viscosity is less than 10,000 poise as measured at 1 radian/second on a rotary melt rheometer at 290° C. and does not contain polycarbonate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 7, 2010
Date of Patent:
March 13, 2012
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, Emmett Dudley Crawford, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: Described are film or sheet, comprising polyester based composition, comprising dicarboxylic acid component as terephthalic acid residues and optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues and glycol component, comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and cyclohexanedimethanol residues. The polyester composition has the inherent viscosity from 0.55 to 0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C., glass transition temperature Tg of 110° C. to 160° C., notched Izod impact strength of at least 7.5 ft-lb/inch at 23° C. according to ASTM D256 with a 10-mil notch in a ?-inch thick bar, melt viscosity is less than 10,000 poise as measured at 1 radian/second on a rotary melt rheometer at 290° C. and does not contain polycarbonate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 10, 2010
Date of Patent:
February 21, 2012
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: Described are polyester compositions comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid residues in the amount from 80 to 100 mole %, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3- cyclobutanediol in the preferable amount from 30 to 40 mole % and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol in the preferable amount from 60 to 70 mole % , wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mote %; and the inherent viscosity of polyester is from 0.55 to 0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachtoroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C., polyester has a Tg from 110 to 160° C. and polyester composition comprises no polycarbonate. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
February 21, 2012
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: Described are articles, comprising polyester based composition, comprising dicarboxylic acid component as terephthalic acid residues and optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues and glycol component, comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and cyclohexanedimethanol residues. The polyester composition has the inherent viscosity from 0.60 to 0.75 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C., glass transition temperature Tg of 100° C. to 130° C., notched Izod impact strength of at least 7.5 ft-lb/inch at 23° C. according to ASTM D256 with a 10-mil notch in a ?-inch thick bar, melt viscosity is less than 10,000 poise as measured at 1 radian/second on a rotary melt rheometer at 290° C. and does not contain polycarbonate. Composition can be manufactured into articles as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 2010
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2012
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephen McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: Described are film(s) and/or sheet(s) made using polyester compositions comprising polyesters comprising (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues, and up to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; and (b) a glycol component comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 22, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyesters containing (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having from 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues and up to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; and (b) a glycol component having from 11 to 25 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and 75 to 89 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 22, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing. In one embodiment, the process comprises (a) forming polyester polymer particles from a polyester polymer melt; (b) quenching at least a portion of the particles, (c) drying at least a portion of the particles, (d) crystallizing at least a portion of the particles, (e) annealing at least a portion of the particles. At all points during and between steps (b) through (e), the average bulk temperature of the particles is maintained above 165° C.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 21, 2010
Date of Patent:
October 18, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, Jr., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders
Abstract: A process for preparing modified polymer by withdrawing a slip stream of polymer melt from the discharge line of a continuous polymerization reactor, admixing in a highly modified polymeric additive into the polymer melt within the slip stream, then introducing the modifier containing slip stream late in the manufacturing process prior to the slip stream withdrawal point. The improved processes of the invention have particular utility for large-scale, continuous reactor where transitions and short production runs are economically prohibitive thereby limiting the product breath. The process is particularly suited for producing a family of copolyesters using a continuous melt phase production process.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 21, 2010
Date of Patent:
June 14, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Kenrick Lyle Venett, Bruce Roger DeBruin
Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic article having one or more decorative materials embedded therein which is obtained by applying heat and pressure to one or more laminates wherein at least one of said laminates comprises, in order, (1) an upper sheet material; (2) one or more decorative materials; and (3) a lower sheet material; wherein the upper and lower sheet materials are formed from a polyester/aromatic polycarbonate blend wherein the thermoplastic article comprises at least one polyester composition comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 16, 2010
Date of Patent:
March 15, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic article having one or more decorative materials embedded therein which is obtained by applying heat and pressure to one or more laminates wherein at least one of said laminates comprises, in order, (1) an upper sheet material; (2) one or more decorative materials; and (3) a lower sheet material; wherein the upper and lower sheet materials are formed from a polyester/aromatic polycarbonate blend wherein the thermoplastic article comprises at least one polyester composition comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3,-cyclobutanediol.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 16, 2010
Date of Patent:
March 15, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: Described are graphic art films comprising a polyester compositions comprising at least one polyester, comprising dicarboxylic acid component comprising 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues and a glycol component comprising: 20 to 30 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues and 70 to 80 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %, and polyester has following properties: the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.60 to 0.75 dL/g; Tg of from 100 to 130° C.; notched Izod impact strength of at least 7.5 ft-b/inch at 23° C. according to ASTM D256; the melt viscosity of the polyester is less than 10,000 poise as measured at 1 radian/second on a rotary melt rheometer at 290° C.; and the polyester composition contains no polycarbonate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
March 8, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: Described are glass laminates comprising polyester compositions comprising polyesters which comprise (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having terephthalic acid residues; optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues or ester residues thereof; 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
February 22, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell
Abstract: Described are baby bottle(s) comprising polyesters comprising (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having terephthalic acid or an ester thereof; optionally, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or esters thereof; 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol; and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2006
Date of Patent:
February 22, 2011
Assignee:
Eastman Chemical Company
Inventors:
Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Michael James Keegan