Patents Represented by Attorney Gerald A. Baracka
  • Patent number: 7871709
    Abstract: Tie-layer adhesive compositions which are blends of modified and unmodified polyolefins and containing a saturated bicyclic modifier compound and multi-layer barrier films having improved clarity produced therewith are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Chun D. Lee, Timothy S. Schloemer
  • Patent number: 7666960
    Abstract: A process for the copolymerization of ethylene and ?-olefins which utilizes a mixed modifier comprised of a conjugated diene and alkoxysilane is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Michael W. Lynch, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 7659346
    Abstract: A process for converting distillation residues obtained from polymerization processes to useful maleated products is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Chun D. Lee, Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7375162
    Abstract: Filled propylene polymer compositions having significantly improved melt strength are provided. The compositions are blends of propylene polymer, mineral filler with an ethylene polymer component consisting of an ethylene plastomer and a silane-containing ethylene polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Strebel, Sameer D. Mehta, Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7348371
    Abstract: Cellulosic-reinforced composites having increased resistance to water absorption are provided. The improved composites are obtained using a mixture of high density polyethylene and silane copolymer with the cellulosic filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Sameer D. Mehta, Manivakkam J. Shankernarayan
  • Patent number: 7238765
    Abstract: High density polyethylene having reduced melt elasticity and a reduced level of highly short-chain branched polymer molecules and wire and cable insulation compositions based thereon having improved strippability and oxidative stability are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Chun D. Lee, Timothy S. Schloemer
  • Patent number: 7238754
    Abstract: A process for improving the melt characteristics of polyethylene resins is provided. The process involves contacting a polyethylene resin powder with a low level of free radical initiator at a temperature below the melting point of the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Andrew J. Scheie, Harilaos Mavridis
  • Patent number: 7232604
    Abstract: Flame retardant crosslinkable polyolefin compositions useful for the production of films, sheets and membranes are provided. The compositions are comprised of ethylene-silane copolymer, plastomer, flame retardant filler and, optionally, silanol condensation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Sebastian Joseph, Cindy L. Flenniken
  • Patent number: 7151145
    Abstract: An improved two-step polymerization process wherein ethylene homopolymer is produced in a first reactor and ethylene copolymer having narrowed short-chain branching distribution is prepared in a second reactor. Narrowed short-chain branching distribution of the copolymer is achieved by including specific silane modifiers in the second reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 7125929
    Abstract: Adhesive compositions useful for adhering barrier resins are provided. The adhesives are a blend of ethylene-a-olefin copolymer base resin having hard and soft phases which form a network structure and a functionally modified ethylene-?-olefin copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Daniel R. Ward
  • Patent number: 7071259
    Abstract: Functionalized propylene polymer compositions useful as coupling/compatibilizing agents are provided. The compositions are a mixture of two different functionalized propylene polymers. Polypropylene composites containing fillers and/or non-compatible resins and formulated using the mixed functionalized coupling/compatibilizing agents are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Maged G. Botros
  • Patent number: 6998443
    Abstract: Moisture curable flame retardant insulation compositions for wire and cable having improved adhesion are provided. The compositions are comprised of an ethylene-silane copolymer, high density polyethylene resin, halogenated flame retardant, silanol condensation catalyst and stabilizer combination consisting of a zinc mercaptobenzimidazole and aromatic secondary amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Lester Y. Lee, Jeffrey S. Borke, Steven W. Horwatt
  • Patent number: 6984677
    Abstract: Crosslinkable, flame retardant insulation compositions having improved resistance to scorch are provided. The compositions are comprised of a base resin, hydrated inorganic filler, coupling agent and stabilizer and formulated with a peroxide/scorch retardant combination, specifically, a combination of ?,??-bis(t-butylperoxy)diisopropyl benzene and 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Lester Y. Lee
  • Patent number: 6936655
    Abstract: Moisture curable flame retardant wire and cable formulations having improved abrasion resistance are provided. The compositions are comprised of a high density silane-containing polyethylene base resin which can be a blend of a bimodal HDPE and ethylene-silane copolymer or silane-grafted bimodal HDPE in combination with a flame retardant and silanol condensation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Borke, Steven W. Horwatt
  • Patent number: 6916046
    Abstract: An expandable shoe for inline skates having front and rear shoe portions with wheel receiving channels and upwardly extending blocking means is provided. A flexible bridge connecting said front and rear shoe portions pulls the shoe portions toward each other when the skate wheels are inserted so that the blocking means engage the front and rear wheels with sufficient force to secure the shoe for walking or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Anthony Riley, Frank A. Leyshon
  • Patent number: 6914097
    Abstract: A process for producing acid functionalized polyolefins by hydrolyzing maleic anhydride grafts using a dispersion technique is provided. Acid functionalized polyolefin powders produced by the process as well as adhesive blends formulated therewith are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals LP
    Inventors: Daniel R. Ward, Douglas C. McFaddin, Bradley P. Etherton
  • Patent number: 6844389
    Abstract: Ethylene polymer composites and concentrates utilized for their preparation are provided. The composites of the invention have increased melt strength compared to the base resin and other improved physical characteristics. The composites contain an organically modified clay and may also contain a compatibilizng agent, depending on the base resin used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Sameer D. Mehta, Harilaos Mavridis, Venki Chandrashekar, Edward S. Vargas
  • Patent number: 6838520
    Abstract: Adhesives useful for adhering fluoropolymers are provided. The adhesives are a blend of linear low density polyethylene, ethylene polymer plastomer, polyolefin elastomer and modified polyolefin having acid or acid derivative functionality. Composite fluoropolymer/adhesive structures are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Bradley P. Etherton
  • Patent number: 6835777
    Abstract: Adhesive compositions which exhibit significantly improved adhesion to metals and polyolefins are provided. The compositions are blends of one or more polyolefin base resins and graft-modified polyolefin to which a low level of adhesion promoter is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, E.P.
    Inventor: Maged G. Botros
  • Patent number: 6812304
    Abstract: A process for preparing premixed supported boraaryl catalysts having improved shelf life is provided. The process comprises supporting an organometallic compound comprising a group 3-10 transition metal or lanthanide metal and at least one boraaryl ligand an inorganic support which has been chemically and thermally dehydroxylated to remove all hydroxyl from the surface of the support; contacting with an organoaluminum compound utilizing an incipient wetness procedure wherein 90 to 150 percent of the catalyst pore volume is filled with a hydrocarbon solution containing the organoaluminum and provide a molar ratio of aluminum to transition/lanthanide metal of 0.5:1 to 50:1; and recovering the premixed catalyst powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Craig C. Meverden, Michael W. Lynch