Patents Represented by Attorney Michael K. Carrier
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Patent number: 8349931Abstract: Plastisols and organosols are provided that include plasticizers that include mono-, di- and triesters of glycerol. The plasticizers are good solvators for polyvinyl chloride and impart low plastisol and organosol viscosities.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Eastman Specialties Holdings CorporationInventors: William D. Arendt, Makarand Joshi, Jason Butt
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Patent number: 8156862Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces. Also described is a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, which can be safely stacked vertically for transportation and storage purposes.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Charles Duane Mullins, Charles Clifton Sanders, Kenneth Wayne Martin, David Weldon Thompson, Paul Ross Hammes, Kenneth Alan Lewis, Lori Ballard Larkins
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Patent number: 7958696Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of vacuum packaging and vacuum packaging techniques. Embodiments of the present invention include bales and packages comprising a sealed chamber having an internal volume at a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the internal volume of the package comprises a bulk material, a bulk fiber material, fibers or fibrous materials. Also disclosed are methods for packaging, packaging systems and apparatus for packaging.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Michael Ray McLaughlin, Charles Duane Mullins, Charles Clifton Sanders, Hillard Birdell Smithers, III, Gregory Kyle Nelson
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Patent number: 7915374Abstract: Processes for producing polyethylene terephthalate copolyesters are disclosed, that include the steps of: esterifying a mixture of at least terephthalic acid, from 20 mole percent to 45 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and ethylene glycol, optionally in the presence of one or more alkaline earth metals or alkali metals, to form an oligomer; polycondensing the oligomer in the melt phase in the presence of aluminum and one or more alkaline earth metals or alkali metals, to obtain a copolyester having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.5 dL/g; and thereafter adding to the copolyester a phosphorus-containing compound.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Jason Christopher Jenkins, Gary Wayne Connell, Howard Smith Carman, Jr., Douglas Weldon Carico, Jr., Jimmy Ray Trotter, Alan Wayne White, Mary Therese Jernigan, Rodney Scott Armentrout
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Patent number: 7902318Abstract: A melt phase process for making a polyester polymer melt phase product by adding an antimony containing catalyst to the melt phase, polycondensing the melt containing said catalyst in the melt phase until the It.V. of the melt reaches at least 0.75 dL/g. Polyester polymer melt phase pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.75 dL/g are obtained without solid state polymerization. The polyester polymer pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g obtained without increasing the molecular weight of the melt phase product by solid state polymerization are fed to an extruder, melted to produce a molten polyester polymer, and extruded through a die to form shaped articles. The melt phase products and articles made thereby have low b* color and/or high L* brightness, and the reaction time to make the melt phase products is short.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Mary Therese Jernigan, Michael Paul Ekart, Richard Gill Bonner
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Patent number: 7855261Abstract: Disclosed are filter elements constructed of a filter support material coated with an acetoacetate-functional polymeric composition that reacts with and removes aldehydes, especially formaldehyde, present in gases such as air. Also disclosed are methods for the removal of aldehydes utilizing the coated filter support materials.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2006Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Thauming Kuo, Mark Kevin Vineyard, Weimin Chen Liang
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Patent number: 7799891Abstract: Polyesters whose polycondensation is catalyzed by titanium-containing catalysts and which are susceptible to acetaldehyde formation during polycondensation or subsequent molding operations are prepared with low finished acetaldehyde content and reduced acetaldehyde generation by adding an ammonium or amine salt of an oxyphosphorus-acid. Polyesters, especially polyethylene terephthalate, may be produced with high inherent viscosity in reduced processing time, without the necessity of further polymerization in the solid state.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventor: Mary Therese Jernigan
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Patent number: 7786247Abstract: A melt phase process for making a polyester polymer melt phase product by adding an antimony containing catalyst to the melt phase, polycondensing the melt containing said catalyst in the melt phase until the It.V. of the melt reaches at least 0.75 dL/g. Polyester polymer melt phase pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.75 dL/g are obtained without solid state polymerization. The polyester polymer pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g obtained without increasing the molecular weight of the melt phase product by solid state polymerization are fed to an extruder, melted to produce a molten polyester polymer, and extruded through a die to form shaped articles. The melt phase products and articles made thereby have low b* color and/or high L* brightness, and the reaction time to make the melt phase products is short.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Mary Therese Jernigan, Michael Paul Ekart, Richard Gill Bonner
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Patent number: 7776942Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein titanium nitride particles and carbon-coated iron particles to improve the reheat properties of the compositions. The compositions may also exhibit reduced yellowness, and improved resistance to the effects of UV light. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable, or decreased yellowness is desired, or increased resistance to the effects of ultraviolet light is desired, or any combination of the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Zhiyong Xia, Perry Michael Murdaugh, Stephen Weinhold
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Patent number: 7745512Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein carbon-coated iron particles that improve the reheat properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The carbon-coated iron particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Zhiyong Xia, Stephen Weinhold, Alan Wayne White
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Patent number: 7739857Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of vacuum packaging and vacuum packaging techniques. Embodiments of the present invention include bales and packages comprising a sealed chamber having an internal volume at a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the internal volume of the package comprises a bulk material, a bulk fiber material, fibers or fibrous materials. Also disclosed are methods for packaging, packaging systems and apparatus for packaging.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Michael Ray McLaughlin, Charles Duane Mullins, Charles Clifton Sanders, Hillard Birdell Smithers, III, Gregory Kyle Nelson
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Patent number: 7730832Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces. Also described is a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, which can be safely stacked vertically for transportation and storage purposes. The apparatus comprises upper and lower platens having a protruding surface for compressing the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of a compressible material.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Charles Duane Mullins, Charles Clifton Sanders, Kenneth Wayne Martin, David Weldon Thompson, Paul Ross Hammes, Kenneth Alan Lewis, Lori Ballard Larkins
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Patent number: 7662880Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein metallic nickel particles that improve the reheat properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The nickel particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Zhiyong Xia, Donna Rice Quillen
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Patent number: 7655746Abstract: Polyesters whose polycondensation is catalyzed by titanium-containing catalysts and which are susceptible to acetaldehyde formation during polycondensation or subsequent molding operations are prepared with low finished acetaldehyde content and reduced acetaldehyde generation by adding an ammonium or amine salt of an oxyphosphorus-acid. Polyesters, especially polyethylene terephthalate, may be produced with high inherent viscosity in reduced processing time, without the necessity of further polymerization in the solid state.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventor: Mary Therese Jernigan
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Patent number: 7622085Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for use in vertical, gravity flow driven polymerization reactors for combinations of high viscosity, high throughput, and shallow polymer depths. The baffle assembly module of the invention includes a support structure having a plurality of side openings. The side openings allow the escape of vapor liberated from the polymeric melt. The assembly further includes a feed splitter followed by two or more vertically arranged rows of baffle plates with the feed splitter and baffles sequentially positioned in the support structure. The plurality of parallel baffles in a row are angled such that when a polymeric melt contacts a given baffle the polymeric melt moves in a downward direction under the force of gravity. The arrangement of the rows is such that each row (except the lowest row) transfers the polymeric melt to a lower vertically adjacent row until reaching the last row of baffles in the module.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Thomas Lloyd Yount, Paul Keith Scherrer, Larry C Windes
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Patent number: 7579428Abstract: Polyesters prepared using germanium catalyst in the finishing stage at temperatures less than 285° C. exhibit low loss of Ge catalyst and excellent low acetaldehyde generating characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventor: Mary Therese Jernigan
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Patent number: 7541407Abstract: A method for incorporating a UV light absorbing compound into a polyester prepared using direct esterification of reactants selected from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol. The method comprises reacting the reactants in an esterifying reactor under conditions sufficient to form an esterified product including at least one of an ester, an oligomer, or mixture having an ester and a mixture of low molecular weight polyester; polymerizing the esterified product in a polycondensation reactor to form a polyester; and adding the UV absorbing compound to the esterified products when at least 50% of the carboxy groups initially present in the reactants have been esterified to obtain a yield of UV absorbing compound incorporated into the polyester of greater than 25%. Articles utilizing the UV protected polyester prepared by the method of the invention are additionally disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Perry Michael Murdaugh, Sr., Earl Edmondson Howell, Jr., Cory Lee Wells, Max Allen Weaver, Jason Clay Pearson
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Patent number: 7521523Abstract: Oxygen-scavenging polyester compositions are disclosed that comprise one or more polyesters having incorporated therein residues of 3-hexenedioic acid and terephthalic acid. The compositions may further comprise residues of one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid. One or more of the polyesters of the compositions may comprise significant amounts of repeating units of polyethylene terephthalate as homopolymers or copolymers, making them suitable for us in packaging compositions having oxygen-scavenging properties.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Jason Christopher Jenkins, Rebekah Fauver Morrow, Mark Edward Stewart
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Patent number: 7439294Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein metallic titanium particles that improve the reheat properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The titanium particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventor: Zhiyong Xia
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Patent number: 7435393Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for use in vertical, gravity flow driven polymerization reactors for combinations of high viscosity, high throughput, and shallow polymer depths. The baffle assembly module of the invention includes a support structure having a plurality of side openings. The side openings allow the escape of vapor liberated from the polymeric melt. The assembly further includes a feed splitter followed by two or more vertically arranged rows of baffle plates with the feed splitter and baffles sequentially positioned in the support structure. The plurality of parallel baffles in a row are angled such that when a polymeric melt contacts a given baffle the polymeric melt moves in a downward direction under the force of gravity. The arrangement of the rows is such that each row (except the lowest row) transfers the polymeric melt to a lower vertically adjacent row until reaching the last row of baffles in the module.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Thomas Lloyd Yount, Paul Keith Scherrer, Larry Cates Windes