Patents Assigned to Zimmer AG
  • Patent number: 7335410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition suitable for catalysis in a process for the manufacture of polyester containing as Component I a carrier substance on which catalytically effective metal compounds are adsorbed and as Component II a phosphonic acid compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Brigitta Otto, Eckhard Seidel, Thomas Steinbrecher
  • Publication number: 20070161311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a biologically degradable polymer and a material from sea plants and/or shells of sea animals or at least two components selected from the group consisting of saccharides and the derivatives thereof, proteins, amino acids, vitamins and metal ions. The invention additionally relates to a molded article comprising said polymer composition. Said molded article may be used packaging material or fibrous material, in the form of fibrous material as mixing component for the production of yarns, and in the form of fibrous material for the production of nonwoven fabrics or woven fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: ZIMMER AG
    Inventors: Stefan Zikeli, Thomas Endl, Michael Martl
  • Patent number: 7223830
    Abstract: In a process for producing polytrimethylene terephthalate by esterification of terephthalic acid with 1,3-propanediol and polycondensation, the vapors formed are rectified , the liquid phase is recirculated to the process, and the lower-boiling components are condensed. To obtain an almost completely stripped condensate, the condensate is circulated and stripped with air and the exhaust air is subjected to a catalytic oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventor: Randolf Reimann
  • Patent number: 7223471
    Abstract: A composition comprising Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) with a reduced emission of acrolein is obtained by contacting Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) resin with an effective amount of a melt stable, organic stabilizing compound. Such PTT resin has an acrolein formation rate at 280° C. of less than 15 ppm/minute. Preferably the residual acrolein content of the PTT resin is less than 10 ppm. The additive organic stabilizing compounds are free from nitrogen atoms. Preferred additive compounds include polyfunctional alkohols, alcoholates, aromatic carboxylic acid anhydrides, carboxylic acids and salts of carboxylic acids. The additive compounds are added to the polymer in molten state and/or to the resin, which is then processed to fibers, filaments, non-wovens, films and/or mouldings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Seidel, Bernd Gemmel, Karl-Heinz Heldmann
  • Patent number: 7217317
    Abstract: Device and procedure for safely conveying and handling a cellulose solution suitable for manufacturing solvent-spun cellulose molded parts, in particular for manufacturing fibers, films and membranes, in devices for conveying and handling the spinnable cellulose solution, provided with a tempering device, wherein the temperature in the tempering system is reduced once the temperature in the cellulose solution has exceeded at least a first limiting temperature, as a result of which the temperature of the spinning solution drops and the reaction mixture is prevented from passing through. A procedure and device with two switching stages is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Ralf-Uwe Bauer, Enrico Brandt
  • Patent number: 7175792
    Abstract: Process for manufacture of cellulose mouldings, such as fibres, filaments, or films, from TCF-bleached or ECF-bleached cellulose, in which the bleached cellulose is dissolved in an aqueous tertiary aminoxide to form a mouldable cellulose, the cellulose solution deforms, and the moulding comes into being by coagulation of the deformed solution, characterized in that, to reduce the cellulose decomposition in the process, TCF-bleached cellulose is used comprising carboxyl group content in the range from 1 to 35 ?mol/g or an ECF-bleached cellulose with carboxyl group content in the range from 1 to 50 ?mol/g. Cellulose mouldings having a reduced cellulose decomposition may be formed by said process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Ralf-Uwe Bauer, Uwe Kind
  • Patent number: 7152742
    Abstract: Comminuted carpet pieces are fed to a first stirred tank together with an aqueous solution containing separating salt, to form a first suspension, which is fed to a first mechanical separating stage. A first high-solids phase, a second high-solids phase containing polymer fiber material, and a liquid phase are obtained therefrom. The second high-solids phase is mixed with a water-containing separation solution in a stirred tank, to give a second suspension, which is fed to a second mechanical separating stage. A third high-solids phase, a polymer fiber material-rich phase and a liquid phase are withdrawn therefrom. An acid which is stronger than H2CO3 is introduced into the stirred tank together with the water-containing separation solution, and the pH of the liquid in the stirred tank is adjusted to 2–6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Roland Donaj, Wolfgang Dilly-Louis, Rudolf Kämpf, Norman Schnittker, Reinhard Wolf
  • Patent number: 7153927
    Abstract: Process for producing polyesters and copolyesters, wherein a continuous esterification of dicarboxylic esters and diols or a continuous transesterification of dicarboxylic esters with diols is effected in “n” reaction pressure stages connected in series, the pressure in the first reaction pressure stage is higher than that of the remaining reaction pressure stages, and successively decreases from reaction pressure stage to succeeding reaction pressure stage, the combined vapor flows of the individual reaction pressure stages are rectified in a rectifying column, and the diol component obtained at the bottom of the rectifying column is recirculated at least to the first reaction pressure stage, and wherein at least the last reaction pressure stage operates at a vacuum, the pressure in the rectifying column is greater than that of the last reaction pressure stage, and the vapors discharged from the last reaction pressure stage are condensed to the pressure existing in the rectifying column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Fritz Wilhelm, Michael Reisen
  • Publication number: 20060069184
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mixtures comprising at least one polyester precursor and at least one alkali- and/or alkaline-earth metal salt where the mixture contains at least one phosphonic acid ester of the Formula (I) (RO)OC—R?PO(OR)2??(I) where independently R represents a group with 1 to 60 carbon atoms and R? represents a group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the polyester compositions which can be produced from the mixtures and to the resulting polyester films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Applicant: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Brigitta Otto, Karl-Heinz Heldmann, Eckhard Seidel
  • Publication number: 20050269439
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing and winding partially oriented polyester multifilament yarns not less than 85% by weight based on the total weight of the multifilament yarn polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and/or polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTMT) that contain between 0.05% by weight and 2.5% by weight based on the total weight of the multifilament yarn of at least one additive polymer extensibility enhancer, which comprises providing a wound yarn package which is stable in long-term storage and insensitive to elevated temperatures during storage and transportation by heat-treating the wound polyester multifilament yarn package at a temperature in the range from >45° C. to 65° C. The present invention further relates to the polyester multifilament yarns obtainable by the process and to their use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicants: Zimmer AG, Rohm Gmbh @ Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Mirwaldt, Maria Mirwaldtova, Thomas Mirwaldt, Peter Mirwaldt, Eckhard Seidel, Dietmar Wandel
  • Patent number: 6972102
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continually producing an extrusion solution for producing cellulosed shaped bodies, such as fibres and films, according to the lyocell method. According to the inventive method, (a) a cellulose suspension is produced from cellulose and an aqueous phase in a mass ratio ranging from 1:3 to 1:40, whereby shearing is maintained for between 5 to 200 minutes. (b) The cellulose suspension is dewatered to form a material having a cellulose content ranging from 20 to 80 mass % and the aqueous phase produced thereby is at least partially returned to step (a). (c) The humid cellulose material being homogenised is transported through a first shearing zone in the absence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Ralf-Uwe Bauer, Uwe Kind
  • Patent number: 6972101
    Abstract: A method and device for regulating the composition of a solution(s) in the production of cellulosic mouldings. The device comprises multiple measuring devices for the measurement of non-optical properties of the solution. According to invention, by measuring the non-optical properties of the solutions and comparison of the measured value with a preset value, the composition(s) of the solution(s) can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Frank-Gunter Niemz, Wilhem Meyer, Tanja Mainzer-Althof
  • Publication number: 20050143504
    Abstract: A composition comprising Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) with a reduced emission of acrolein is obtained by contacting Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) resin with an effective amount of a melt unstable, organic nitrogen-containing stabilizing compound. Such PTT resin has an acrolein formation rate at 280° C. of less than 15 ppm/minute. Preferably the residual acrolein content of the PTT resin is less than 5 ppm. Preferred additive compounds include amines, amino acids, amidines, urea and other N-compounds. The additive compounds are added to the polymer in molten state and/or to the resin, which is then processed to fibers, filaments, non-wovens, films and/or mouldings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Seidel, Bernd Gemmel, Karl Heldmann
  • Publication number: 20050143556
    Abstract: A composition comprising Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) with a reduced emission of acrolein is obtained by contacting Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) resin with an effective amount of a melt stable, organic stabilizing compound. Such PTT resin has an acrolein formation rate at 280° C. of less than 15 ppm/minute. Preferably the residual acrolein content of the PTT resin is less than 10 ppm. The additive organic stabilizing compounds are free from nitrogen atoms. Preferred additive compounds include polyfunctional alkohols, alcoholates, aromatic carboxylic acid anhydrides, carboxylic acids and salts of carboxylic acids. The additive compounds are added to the polymer in molten state and/or to the resin, which is then processed to fibers, filaments, non-wovens, films and/or mouldings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Applicant: ZIMMER AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Seidel, Bernd Gemmel, Karl-Hinz Heldmann
  • Patent number: 6902690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing cellulosed shaped bodies. (a) Cellulose and an aqueous aminoxide are mixed, whereby a suspension is produced. (b) A cellulose solution is produced from the suspension, whereby water evaporates. (c) A first property and a second property of the produced cellulose solution is measured and the measured value is used for correcting the composition of the solution and (d) the cellulose solution is extruded through a gap of air and into an aqueous regenerating bath where said solution is coagulated to form shaped bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Frank Gunter Niemz, Wilhelm Meyer, Tanja Mainzer Althof
  • Patent number: 6864345
    Abstract: In a process of producing polyethylene terephthalate by esterification of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol and polycondensation, the vapors formed are rectified, the liquid phase is recirculated to the process, and the lower-boiling components are condensed. To obtain an almost completely stripped condensate, condensate is circulated and stripped the same with air, and the exhaust air is subjected to a catalytic oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventor: Randolf Reimann
  • Patent number: 6860283
    Abstract: Method of cleaning valves or lines through which hydrolysable polymers are transported at the operating temperature, in which, after the polymer stream has been shut off and the polymer has been evacuated as far as possible, steam is passed through the valves or lines to be cleaned while the operating temperature is maintained at plus/minus 10° C., with the steam being introduced via hydrolysis valves set in the wall of the valve housing or the lines and discharged via emptying apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Lurgi Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Ferdinand Finkeldei, Walter Schnaus
  • Patent number: 6838543
    Abstract: Polycarbonates are produced by reacting a monomeric carbonate component with at least one diphenol or dialcohol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, wherein the molten component is mixed with the transesterification catalyst by stirring and a transesterification product is produced, which is polycondensated. For polycondensation, the transesterification product is passed through a preliminary reactor, at least one intermediate reactor and one final reactor, the reactors being connected in series and having a substantially horizontal driven shaft with stirrers attached thereto. It is ensured that in the preliminary reactor and in the final reactor a dwell time of the melt of 5 minutes to 2 hours is maintained, that the temperatures in the preliminary reactor are maintained in the range from 220 to 300° C. and in the final reactor in the range from 240 to 350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Kaempf, Fritz Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6814904
    Abstract: Process for producing formed cellulosic articles, particularly fibers and filaments, comprising a) dissolving cellulose in an aqueous solution of a tertiary amine oxide, especially N-methyl-morpholine N-oxide, and b) extruding the cellulose solution through an extrusion die via an air gap into a precipitation bath with precipitation of the formed articles, said cellulose solution and/or said precipitation bath containing a tenside, characterized in that in the step b) the tenside content c of the cellulose solution and/or of the precipitation bath is in the range 100 ppm>c>5 ppm, and the width of the air gap is in the range from 2 to 20 mm. With this process the air gap width can be considerably reduced without deterioration of the properties of the fibers/filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Ralf-Uwe Bauer, Frank-Gunter Niemz
  • Patent number: 6763852
    Abstract: An alternating distributor for high-viscosity liquids consisting of a product line I (2) which discharges in a central distribution chamber (1) having no surfaces and edges running perpendicularly to the flow of the product and for this purpose two product valves (3) in a Y-shaped arrangement each having a product line II (6) and optionally an auxiliary valve, characterized in that the valve blocks (8) of the product valves (3) have a mushroom-shaped displacer headpiece (11, 12) which when the valve is closed is positioned in the distribution chamber (1) and when the valve is open is positioned at the level of product line II (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Lurgi Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Ferdinand Finkeldei, Walter Schnaus