Patents Represented by Attorney Gerald A. Baracka
  • Patent number: 6803421
    Abstract: High melt flow filled propylene polymer compositions suitable for injection molding are provided. The compositions are blends of propylene impact copolymer, high melt index plastomer and mineral filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Equister Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Sebastian Joseph
  • Patent number: 6793866
    Abstract: An improved process for producing bonded activated carbon structures utilizing microwave radiation is provided. The structures are produced by exposing a particulate mixture comprised of activated carbon particles and polyolefin resin binder particles in a microwave transparent mold to increase the temperature of the activated carbon particles 3 to 30° C. above the crystalline melting point of the polyolefin resin binder and thereafter compressing the mixture to increase contact between the particles and lowering the temperature of the particulate mixture below the melting point of the polyolefin while maintaining point bond formation conditions. The bonded structures may be separated from the container and used as such or the bonded structure and container in which it is formed may be retained and used as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: William L. Kelly, Douglas C. McFaddin
  • Patent number: 6790805
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the in-situ preparation of alkylated single-site transition metal catalysts by contacting a precatalyst with an alkylating agent in the presence of one or more olefin monomers in the polymerization system. The precatalyst, which is produced prior to introducing into the polymerization system, is obtained by contacting a transition metal complex and boron-containing ionizing agent, optionally, with a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Shaotian Wang
  • Patent number: 6716928
    Abstract: Improved grafted propylene copolymer compositions and adhesive blends containing same are provided. The grafts are obtained by reacting propylene-ethylene impact copolymers having specified rubber contents and molecular weight distributions with ethylenically unsaturated acids or acid derivatives, such as maleic anhydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Maged G. Botros
  • Patent number: 6673131
    Abstract: Improved fuel additives and distillate fuels containing said additives are described. The additives impart improved low temperature flow and filterability and also impart stability to distillate fuels, particularly hard-to-treat distillate fuels. The additives are a combination of an olefin/vinyl carboxylate polymer and two specific polyimides having different alkyl substituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Maged G. Botros
  • Patent number: 6656995
    Abstract: A process for producing olefin polymer composites having improved melt strength and other improved physical characteristics is provided. The process is a solution process wherein an organically modified clay is intimately incorporated, at low levels and without the use of compatibilizing agents, into an olefin polymer base resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Douglas D. Klendworth, Mark K. Reinking, Sameer D. Mehta
  • Patent number: 6602966
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing ethylene (co)polymer nanocomposites in a high pressure polymerization reactor. The process by which nanocomposites having organically modified clays incorporated and intimately dispersed therein involves polymerizing ethylene and one or more optional comonomers under high pressure polymerization conditions in the presence of an organic peroxide initiator and organically modified clay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Edward S. Vargas, Michael W. Lynch, Michael J. Ruda, Venki Chandrashekar
  • Patent number: 6583209
    Abstract: Propylene polymer composites containing modified clays and compatibilizing agents, more specifically hydrogenated tallow modified montmorillonite and maleic anhydride grafted propylene polymers, are provided. Concentrates or masterbatches used to prepare the composites are also described. The improved composites of the invention exhibit increased melt strength compared to the base resin and to composites similarly formulated using other types of modified clays. Moreover, the improved results are achievable at lower compatibilizer levels and lower ratios of compatibilizer to clay than has heretofore been considered practical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Sameer D. Mehta, Manivakkam J. Shankernarayanan, Harilaos Mavridis
  • Patent number: 6562081
    Abstract: Disperse dyed polyethylene fibers obtained by either melt spinning or flash spinning and materials produced from said fibers are provided. The process utilizes dye blends containing at least three and, more preferably, four or more disperse dyes selected from a primary color group. The individual dyes are utilized at a concentration of at lest 75% but less than 100% of the determined maximum concentration which produces crocking. HDPE and LLDPE materials are effectively dyed using disperse dye blends formulated by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Anil W. Saraf, Michael Bridges, Venki Chandrashekar
  • Patent number: 6469088
    Abstract: Improved stabilizer compositions which impart superior oxidative stability to polyolefins used for wire and cable insulation are provided. The stabilizer compositions are a mixture of a diacyl hydrazine compound and an alkylenebisacylamide compound. The stabilizer combinations are particularly useful for propylene polymer insulation compositions used in filled cable constructions. Polyolefin compositions stabilized with the stabilizer combinations of the invention and jacketed constructions utilizing same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Chun D. Lee
  • Patent number: 6441084
    Abstract: Semi-conductive compositions useful for extrusion coating wire and cable are provided. The semi-conductive extrusion coating compositions of the invention utilize a base resin containing linear low density polyethylene and a combination of a higher structure conductive carbon black and a lower structure conductive carbon black. The linear low density polyethylene may be combined with other polyolefin resins, such as low density polyethylene. The resulting semi-conductive compositions have a useful balance of processability and thermomechanical stability and physical/mechanical properties making make them particularly well-suited for use as conductive layers for power cable constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Chun D. Lee, James J. Pickering
  • Patent number: 6388013
    Abstract: Polyolefin fibers, primarily polypropylene fibers, having improved properties are provided. The ability to produce fibers having an improved balance of properties including increased tenacity, modulus and elongation, is accomplished by incorporating from 1 to 10 weight percent aromatic hydrocarbon resin in the polypropylene fiber-forming composition which can be based on a propylene homopolymer or copolymer or blend of these propylene polymer resins with a non-propylene-containing resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Anil W. Saraf, Michael Bridges
  • Patent number: 6372828
    Abstract: Flame retardant compositions useful as insulation for 150° C.-rated wire and cable applications are provided. The compositions of the invention utilize an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer base resin with a two-component stabilizer package consisting of a zinc salt of a mercaptobenzimidazole and an aromatic secondary amine compound. Also, included to achieve the requisite flame retardance, crosslinkability and physical properties are a brominated flame retardant, antimony trioxide, a hydrated inorganic filler and a chemical crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Lester Y. Lee
  • Patent number: 6326434
    Abstract: Extrusion compositions having improved melt stability and suitable for use in high-speed extrusion coating operations are disclosed. The compositions are a dynamically modified mixture of a first polymeric component which is a reactor-made or physically blended mixture of polypropylene and an ethylene-propylene copolymer, a second polymeric component which is a fractional melt index homopolymer or copolymer of ethylene and an organic peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Chun D. Lee, Ramesh N. Shroff, Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Patent number: 6326422
    Abstract: Compositions useful for coating wire and cable to provide a radiation curable insulation layer are provided. The improved compositions of the invention, when cured, have a balance of properties making them suitable for automotive and appliance wire applications. The compositions are comprised of an ethylene copolymer, a hydrated inorganic filler, an alkoxysilane and a zinc salt of a mercaptobenzimidazole compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Steven W. Horwatt
  • Patent number: 6310150
    Abstract: Supported heterometallocene catalysts wherein the support is a particulate polymeric material are provided. The catalysts have a transition metal complex containing at least one anionic, polymerization stable heteroatomic ligand associated with the transition metal and a boron activator compound deposited on the support. Polymeric supports used for the heterometallocene catalysts of the invention are homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C3-8 &agr;-olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, L.P.
    Inventors: Karen E. Meyer, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 6291386
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the in-situ preparation of alkylated single-site transition metal catalysts by contacting a precatalyst which comprises halogen, alkoxy or amido group, with an alkylating agent in the polymerization system. The precatalyst, which is produced prior to introducing into the polymerization system, is obtained by contacting a transition metal complex and boron-containing ionizing agent, optionally, with a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Shaotian Wang
  • Patent number: 6281155
    Abstract: Supported heterometallocene catalysts wherein the support is a particulate polymeric material are provided. The catalysts have a transition metal complex containing at least one anionic, polymerization stable heteroatomic ligand associated with the transition metal and a boron activator compound deposited on the support. Polymeric supports used for the heterometallocene catalysts of the invention are homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C3-8 &agr;-olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, L.P.
    Inventors: Karen E. Meyer, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 6232255
    Abstract: A catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins which includes a solid catalyst component and a cocatalyst. The solid catalyst component includes the contact product of silica, an alkyl magnesium-containing species, a compound having the structural formula E(YZ)mX4-m, where E is an atom of an element of Group 14 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; Y is an atom of an element of Group 16 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; Z is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or mixtures thereof; X is hydrogen, halogen, hydrocarbyl or mixtures thereof; and m is an integer of 1 to 4 and a tetravalent titanium compound. The cocatalyst includes a mixture of at least two compounds having the structural formula AlRxX13-x, where R is the same or different and is hydrocarbyl; X1 is halogen; and x is an integer of 1 to 3 with the proviso that at least one of the compounds is defined by x being 3 and at least one of the compounds as defined by x being 1 or 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Linda N. Winslow, Garry L. Fields, Kenneth W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6218331
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of preparing a novel supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst useful for the polymerization of &agr;-olefins. More specifically, the supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst of the present invention comprises a particulate functionalized copolymeric support, at least one organometallic compound or complex and at least one transition metal compound. A novel method of preparing the particulate functionalized copolymeric support of the instant invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, L.P.
    Inventors: Anthony-J. DiMaio, Craig C. Meverden, Peter D. Becker