Patents Represented by Attorney Rick F. James
  • Patent number: 6723431
    Abstract: Multilayer metallized polyolefin film structures having improved barrier properties and reduced water vapor transmission and oxygen transmission properties are provided. The film structures include a polyolefin substrate having a first and second side, a metal layer adjacent to the first side of the substrate and substantially coextensive therewith and a coating layer adjacent to the metal layer and substantially coextensive therewith. The coating layer includes a coating selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol and acrylic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: William Mallory, Robert Migliorini, Larry Parr
  • Patent number: 6709718
    Abstract: A method is provided for surface treating a porous sheet material. The surface treatment involves contacting at least one porous surface of the film with plasma at atmospheric pressure and a plasma generating electrode frequency of greater than 1 MHz. This method provides treatment which penetrates into the pores of the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6706377
    Abstract: A sealable film comprising a core layer comprising an olefin polymer wherein the core layer comprises the interior of the film; a separable layer exterior to the core layer, wherein the separable layer comprises a material or blend selected from the group consisting of impact copolymers; thermoplastic polyolefins; blends of impact copolymers and LLDPE's; blends of two or more incompatible polymers; and mixtures thereof; an optic improving layer exterior to the core layer and the separable layer, wherein the optic improving layer comprises a polymer having at least one of modulus, hardness, and/or beam strength being higher than the material of the separable layer; and a sealing layer exterior to the core layer, the separable layer, and the optic improving layer, wherein the sealing layer comprises a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Peet
  • Patent number: 6706371
    Abstract: An edge trim is coextruded on a polyolefin film layer. The edge trim protects the film from damage during a stretching operation, wherein clamps, clips or hooks of a tenter frame are attached to the edge regions of the film and the film is stretched in the transverse direction (TD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Pang-Chia Lu
  • Patent number: 6706342
    Abstract: A polymeric label comprising a core layer comprising at least about 50% by weight of a linear ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer and at least about 5% by weight of a propylene copolymer; and a first skin layer comprising a propylene copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dan-Cheng Kong, Terry Otto Jensen
  • Patent number: 6703141
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a matte surface film comprising: (a) a base layer comprising a polyolefin; and (b) a matte surface layer comprising a blend of a non-hydrocarbon polymer with at least one incompatible polyolefin, wherein said non-hydrocarbon polymer includes monomeric units with polar functional groups. The film may be used for packaging and label applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Pang-Chia Lu, Lyle J. Harley, Francis D. Tran
  • Patent number: 6703134
    Abstract: A multilayer film has a core layer, such as a biaxially oriented polypropylene layer, and an adhesion promoting layer formed from a graft copolymer of syndiotactic polypropylene and a monomer, such as maleic anhydride, which has hydrophilic functionality. The adhesion promoting layer may be metallized to provide a barrier to oxygen and water vapor. The adhesion promoting layer may also render the surface of the film more receptive to printing inks, laminating adhesives, primeness overcoats and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Larry A. Parr, Robert G. Peet
  • Patent number: 6689857
    Abstract: A high density polyethylene (HDPE) film is provided having high-biaxial orieniation. The film includes HDPE having a density of at least about 0.940, and a melt index of from about 0.5 to about 10. The film is stretched in the machine (longitudinal) direction to a degree of from about 5:1 to about 8:1, preferably from about 6:1 to about 7:1. The film is also stretched in the transverse (lateral) direction to a degree of from about 6:1 to about 15:1, preferably from about 9:1 to about 13:1. Preferably, the film has an orientation imbalance, with a higher degree of transverse orientation than machine orientation. Skin layers such as heat seal layers can be provided. Preferably, the film contains one or more layers of a casting promoter material employed to promote casting of a high gauge HDPE sheet subsequently high biaxially oriented to provide the film. The film can also be cavitated, or otherwise modified (e.g., corona-treated, coated, metallized, etc.) to provide films suitable for special applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Larter, Robert V. Poirier
  • Patent number: 6682822
    Abstract: A multilayer polymeric film comprises: (a) a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and optionally an antistatic agent, the core layer having a first side and a second side; (b) a functional layer which is printable or sealable or treatable for printing or sealing on the first side of the core layer; and (c) an additional layer on the second side of the core layer comprising a polypropylene homopolymer, a solid antiblock, and silicone oil. The film has a stable coefficient of friction and release character in spite of mishandling during treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Exxon Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: George F. Cretekos, Robert A. Migliorini
  • Patent number: 6649279
    Abstract: A metallized multilayer film structure includes a core layer of a film-forming polyolefin having a first side and a second side. A metal receiving skin layer may be disposed on the first side of the core layer. A metal layer may be deposited on the surface of the metal receiving skin layer opposite the core layer. A topcoat layer may be disposed on the surface of the metal layer opposite the metal receiving skin layer. A polymer skin layer may be disposed on the second side of the core layer. The film structure may optionally include one or more tie layers. The film structure may also optionally include a primer layer interposed between the topcoat layer and the metal layer. The present metallized multilayer film structure may be suitable for use as a monoweb to package product as opposed to being used in a lamination. The film structure exhibits superior scratch resistance and resistance to other types of damage. The film structure may be directly surface printed and then used to directly package product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Migliorini, Larry A. Parr, William M. Mallory, Wayne Robert Osgood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6641914
    Abstract: A multi-layered thermoplastic label comprising: a core layer comprising high density polyethylene (HDPE) wherein said core layer has a first side and a second side; a first skin layer comprising a thermoplastic material wherein said skin layer has a first side and a second side and the second side of the first skin layer is adjacent to the first side of the core layer; wherein said thermoplastic label is oriented in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Pang-Chia Lu
  • Patent number: 6632383
    Abstract: A method for producing an improved coextruded polymeric film is disclosed. First, a base layer containing a polymeric matrix and at least one additional layer on at least one side of the base layer are coextruded. If the coextruded polymeric film is to be opaque, the base layer also contains at least one cavitating agent. Next, the coextruded multi-layer film is cooled. Finally, the coextruded multi-layer film is oriented in at least the machine direction (MD). At least the base layer of the coextruded polymeric film contains a fluoropolymer. The inclusion of the fluoropolymer in at least the base layer of the coextruded polymeric film provides a more even distribution of polymer flow through a die, which in turns leads to improved film gauge uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Peet
  • Patent number: 6623866
    Abstract: Multilayer films are contemplated. Specifically, films containing 3, 4, 5, 6 or more layers. Anti-block will be included in a tie layer, contiguous to a skin layer and a core layer. The film may contain one or two skin layers. If there are two tie layers, the anti-block may be found in one or both. Metallized films made from the multilayer films are also contemplated. Use of the multilayer films in packaging, imaging, or labeling, is further contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Migliorini, Salvatore J. Pellingra, Karen A. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 6612356
    Abstract: A back-up pad is provided over an anvil surface of a back-up plate, and between the anvil surface and a sealing surface of a sealing die, in an apparatus for forming seals between layers of film material. The back-up pad has a slip layer on one side thereof and a firm polymeric support layer on an opposite side thereof, the slip layer opposing the sealing face of the die so that the layers of film material pass between the sealing die and the back-up pad during seal formation. The polymeric support layer may have a Shore-A hardness of at least 10 at 20° C. and a dynamic loss tangent of less than 0.1 from 20° C. to 80° C. An example of a support layer is a polycarbonate pad, and an example of slip layer is a glass cloth coated with Teflon™. The back-up pad is particularly useful for forming lap seals in relatively thick film materials, such as laminated films having multi-layered films laminated together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dan-Cheng Kong, Richard A. Rehkugler, Donald F. Sexton
  • Patent number: 6602609
    Abstract: A multilayer polymeric film comprises: (a) a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer; and (b) at least one skin layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a non-migratory polydimethylsiloxane block copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Dan-Cheng Kong
  • Patent number: 6599622
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film having a substantially continuous, adherent coating on at least one surface, wherein the coating includes a polymeric binder and nano-scale particles. When the coating is formed on the surface of the film, the nano-scale particles form a barrier that substantially reduces the diffusion of moisture and oxygen. In preferred embodiments, the coating includes a polymeric binder and silicate particles formed on a base substrate layer that includes a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers, and terpolymers of propylene, ethylene, butylene, and blends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Shaw-Chang Chu, Jay Kin Keung, Tien-Keui Su
  • Patent number: 6596385
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an oriented multi-layer polymer film with a core including a thermoplastic polypropylene matrix material. The core is substantially free of cavitations, voids, and fillers. Oriented multi-layer polymer films of the present invention include at least one opaque thermoplastic polymer layer on at least one side of the core which contains an opacifying pigment and at least one thermoplastic polymer skin layer on an outer most side of one of the opaque layer or the core. The film can be economically made, is from about 0.450 mil. to about 2 mils. thick and allows improved processing characteristics such as heat sealing, machinability, while also providing high whiteness, strength and stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Karen B. Perez
  • Patent number: 6596379
    Abstract: A cationically stabilized emulsion polymer is disclosed which comprises a combination of at least one polymerizable monomer which is uncharged or positively charged in an aqueous solution having a pH between 1 and 8, polymerized in the presence of at least one water-soluble polymer having a number-average molecular weight greater than 5000 which comprises a moiety selected from the group consisting of primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium salts. Coating compositions containing the cationically stabilized emulsion polymer and plastic films thus coated are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis E. McGee
  • Patent number: 6576329
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film comprising a core layer comprising a polyolefin wherein the core layer comprises the interior of the film; and a first skin layer comprising a silicone grafted polymer, wherein the first skin layer is exterior to the core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Dan-Cheng Kong
  • Patent number: 6572960
    Abstract: An opaque, oriented polymeric film structure comprising: a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polymeric matrix material wherein the core layer has a first side and a second side, the core layer having a plurality of voids, substantially all or all of the voids being free from a void-initiating particle and at least some of the voids being interconnected with an adjacent void in the polymeric matrix material, the number of voids not containing a void-initiating particle being sufficient to impart a significant degree of opacity to the film structure, wherein the core layer comprises the interior of the film structure; and a first skin layer comprising a thermoplastic polymeric material and an effective amount of a high-melting incompatible additive to suppress cavitation in said first skin layer, wherein the first skin layer is exterior to the first side of the core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Moris Amon