Patents Examined by Caìxìa Lu
  • Patent number: 8563671
    Abstract: Method employing a supported metallocene catalyst composition in the production of an isotactic ethylene propylene co-polymer. The composition comprises a metallocene component supported on a particulate silica support having average particle size of 10-40 microns, a pore volume of 1.3-1.6 ml/g, a surface area of 200-400 m2/g. An alkylalumoxane cocatalyst component is incorporated on the support. The isospecific metallocene is characterized by the formula: B(CpRaRb)(FlR?2)MQn??(1) or by the formula: B?(Cp?R?aR?b)(Fl?)M?Q?n???(2) In the formulas Cp and Cp? are substituted cyclopentadienyl groups, Fl and Fl? are fluorenyl groups, and B and B? are structural bridges. R? are substituents at the 2 and 7 positions, Ra and R?a are substituents distal to the bridge, and Rb and R?b are proximal to the bridge. M and M? are transition metals, Q? is a halogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group; and n? is an integer of from 0-4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William Gauthier, David Rauscher, Jun Tian, Nathan Williams
  • Patent number: 8563647
    Abstract: The present invention describes polymer comprising one or more C3 to C40 olefins and having a Mw of 100,000 or less and a Dot T-Peel of 1 Newton or more. The polymer may have a branching index (g?) of 0.95 or less measured at the Mz of the polymer, and a heat of fusion of 1 to 70 J/g. Also described are polymers of homopolypropylene or a copolymer of propylene and up to 5 mole % ethylene having: an isotactic run length of 1 to 30 as determined by Carbon 13 NMR and a percent of r dyad of greater than 20%, preferably from 20 to 70% as determined by Carbon 13 NMR. Also described are methods of making these and other polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Peijun Jiang, Armenag Hagop Dekmezian, Jo Ann Marie Canich, Charles Lewis Sims, Ramin Abhari, Cesar Alberto Garcia-Franco, David Raymond Johnsrud
  • Patent number: 8557924
    Abstract: The present invention deals with polymer compositions suitable for making pipes. The compositions comprise a multimodal copolymer of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms wherein the multimodal ethylene copolymer has a density of from 924 to 935 kg/m3, a melt index MFR5 of from 0.5 to 6.0 g/10 min, a melt index MFR2 of from 0.1 to 2.0 g/10 min and a shear thinning index SHI2.7/210 of from 2 to 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Borealis AG
    Inventors: Mats Bäckman, Carl-Gustaf Ek, Anneli Pakkanen, Magnus Palmlöf
  • Patent number: 8557935
    Abstract: Bimetallic catalysts, methods of producing bimetallic catalysts comprising a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a metallocene, and methods of olefin polymerization using such catalysts are provided. The method of producing the bimetallic catalyst may include combining (a) a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising a Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide, optionally including a magnesium compound, with (b) a modifier compound (“modifier”), wherein the modifier compound is a Group 13 alkyl compound, to form a modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst is preferably non-activated, that is, it is unreactive towards olefin polymerization alone. The molar ratio of the Group 13 metal (of the modifier) to the Group 4, 5 or 6 metal halide and/or oxide may be less than 10:1. The bimetallic catalysts are useful in producing bimodal polymers, particularly bimodal polyethylene, having a Polydispersity (Mw/Mn) of from 12 to 50, which may be used in pipes and films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sun-Chueh Kao, Michael D. Awe
  • Patent number: 8546595
    Abstract: Halogen substituted metallocene compounds are described and comprise one or more monocyclic or polycyclic ligands that are pi-bonded to the metal atom and include at least one halogen substituent directly bonded to an sp2 carbon atom at a bondable ring position of the ligand, wherein the or at least one ligand has one or more ring heteroatoms in its cyclic structure. When combined with a suitable activator, these compounds show activity in the polymerization of olefins, such as ethylene and propylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Z. Voskoboynikov, Alexey N. Ryabov, Mikhail V. Nikulin, Alexander V. Lygin, Dmitry V. Uborsky, Catalina L. Coker, Jo Ann M. Canich
  • Patent number: 8546289
    Abstract: A solid catalyst component for olefin polymerization in which the molar ratio of residual alkoxy groups to supported titanium is 0.60 or less is obtained by reacting the following compound (a1) with the following compound (b1) at a hydroxyl group/magnesium molar ratio of 1.0 or more, reacting the reaction mixture with the following compound (c1) at a halogen/magnesium molar ratio of 0.20 or more, reacting the resultant reaction mixture with the following compounds (d1) and (e) at a temperature of 120° C. or higher but 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shojiro Tanase, Takanori Sadashima
  • Patent number: 8530580
    Abstract: The present invention deals with polymer compositions suitable for making pipes. The compositions comprise a multimodal copolymer of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms wherein the multimodal ethylene copolymer has a density of from 924 to 960 kg/m3, a melt index MFR5 of from 0.5 to 6.0 g/10 min, a melt index MFR2 of from 0.1 to 2.0 g/10 min and a shear thinning index SHI2.7/210 of from 2 to 50. The compositions further have a level of volatile compounds of at most 100 ppm by weight and/or a homogeneity rating of at most 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Borealis AG
    Inventors: Mats Bäckman, Carl-Gustaf Ek, Anneli Pakkanen, Magnus Palmlöf
  • Patent number: 8524844
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide is used to control the ratio of polymer components in a polyethylene composition made using a combination catalyst comprising a chromium catalyst, a single site catalyst and one or more activators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nova Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Yves Lacombe, Victoria Ker, Peter Phung Minh Hoang, Patrick Evans
  • Patent number: 8524627
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an activating support for metallocene complexes in the polymerization of olefins comprising the steps of: I) providing a support consisting in particles formed from at least one porous mineral oxide; II) optionally fixing the rate of silanols on the surface of the support; III) functionalizing the support with a solution containing a metallic salt; IV) heating the functionalized support of step c) under an inert gas or hydrogen; V) oxidizing the support of step IV by treatment under N2O and then under oxygen; VI) retrieving an active support having a controlled number of OH groups. That activating support is used to activate a metallocene catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Gaëlle Pannier, Christophe Boisson, Roger Spitz
  • Patent number: 8524626
    Abstract: The present invention provides polymerization catalyst compositions employing novel dinuclear metallocene compounds. Methods for making these new dinuclear metallocene compounds and for using such compounds in catalyst compositions for the polymerization and copolymerization of olefins are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Rex E. Murray, Kumudini C. Jayaratne, Qing Yang, Joel L. Martin
  • Patent number: 8513368
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide copolymers which have a double bond in a side chain and are substantially free of unsaturated bonds in the main chain, copolymers which have a cyclic structure and are substantially free of unsaturated bonds in the main chain, and processes for economically synthesizing these copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Michiue, Sei-ichi Ishii, Makoto Mitani, Takeshi Karino
  • Patent number: 8507627
    Abstract: This invention relates to an aromatic vinyl compound-conjugated diene compound copolymer capable of giving excellent wear resistance and resistance to wet skid to a tire, and more particularly to an aromatic vinyl compound-conjugated diene compound copolymer obtained by an addition polymerization of an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene compound in the presence of a polymerization catalyst composition comprising at least one specified metallocene complex selected from the group consisting of a metallocene complex represented by the following general formula (I): (wherein M is a lanthanoid element, scandium or yttrium, and CpR is independently a non-substituted or substituted indenyl, and Ra to Rf are independently an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1-3 or a hydrogen atom, and L is a neutral Lewis base, and w is an integer of 0-3) and so on, wherein a content of cis-1,4 bond in a conjugated diene compound portion is not less than 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Riken
    Inventors: Ryuji Nakagawa, Junko Matsushita, Yoichi Ozawa, Shojiro Kaita, Olivier Tardif
  • Patent number: 8507103
    Abstract: This invention relates to blown films produced from copolymer made by a process for polymerizing olefins in which the amount of trimethylaluminum in a methylalumoxane solution is adjusted to be from 1 to 25 mol %, prior to use as an activator, where the mol % trimethylaluminum is determined by 1H NMR of the solution prior to combination with any support. This invention also relates to a process for polymerizing olefins in which the amount of an unknown species present in a methylalumoxane solution is adjusted to be from 0.10 to 0.65 integration units prior to use as an activator, where the amount of the unknown species is determined by the 1H NMR spectra of the solution performed prior to combination with any support. Preferably, the methylalumoxane solution is present in a catalyst system also comprising a metallocene transition metal compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Donna J. Crowther, David M. Fiscus
  • Patent number: 8507706
    Abstract: Certain metallocene compounds are provided that, when used as a component in a supported polymerization catalyst under industrially relevant polymerization conditions, afford high molar mass homo polymers or copolymers like polypropylene or propylene/ethylene copolymers without the need for any ?-branched substituent in either of the two available 2-positions of the indenyl ligands. The substituent in the 2-position of one indenyl ligand can be any radical comprising hydrogen, methyl, or any other C2-C40 hydrocarbon which is not branched in the ?-position, and the substituent in the 2-position of the other indenyl ligand can be any C4-C40 hydrocarbon radical with the proviso that this hydrocarbon radical is branched in the ?-position. This metallocene topology affords high melting point, very high molar mass homo polypropylene and very high molar mass propylene-based copolymers. The activity/productivity levels of catalysts including the metallocenes of the present invention are exceptionally high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Lummus Novolen Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Anita Dimeska, Ralph-Dieter Maier, Nicola Stephanie Paczkowski, Matthew Grant Thorn, Andreas Winter, Joerg Schulte, Thorsten Sell
  • Patent number: 8501654
    Abstract: The present invention provides dual catalyst systems containing a metallocene catalyst and a hydrogen scavenging catalyst, and polymerization processes employing these dual catalyst systems. Due to a reduction in hydrogen levels in the polymerization processes, olefin polymers produced from these polymerization processes may have a higher molecular weight, a lower melt index, and higher levels of unsaturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron Philips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Rex E. Murray, William B. Beaulieu, Qing Yang, Errun Ding, Gary L. Glass, Alan L. Solenberger, Steven J. Secora
  • Patent number: 8497329
    Abstract: The invention generally provides for methods for controlling polymer properties. In particular, invention provides for methods for controlling the comonomer composition distribution of polyolefins such as ethylene alpha-olefin copolymers by altering at least one or more of the following parameters: the molar ratio of hydrogen to ethylene, the molar ratio of comonomer to ethylene, the partial pressure of ethylene, and the reactor temperature without substantially changing the density and/or the melt index of the copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, James M. Farley, John F. Szul, Mark P. Ossowski
  • Patent number: 8496882
    Abstract: Catalyst feed systems and processes utilizing such systems are described herein. Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a process for improving the flowability of catalyst in a catalyst feed system, including providing a catalyst feed vessel with at least one heat exchange system for maintaining the catalyst system temperature below a critical flow temperature. Also disclosed is a catalyst feed system for the polymerization of olefins including a catalyst feed vessel; and a heat exchange system for maintaining a temperature of a catalyst within the catalyst feed vessel. Additionally disclosed is a process for polymerization of olefins including maintaining a supported catalyst in a catalyst feed vessel below a critical flow temperature of the catalyst; feeding the catalyst to a polymerization reactor; and contacting the catalyst with an olefin to form a polyolefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William A. Matthews, Michael I. Hurdle, Gerardo Corona, Dung P. Le, Semra Gercek, George W. Schwarz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8492573
    Abstract: Borohydride metallocene complex of lanthanide, preparation process, catalytic system incorporating borohydride metallocene complex, process for copolymerization of olefins employing catalytic system. The complex corresponds to one or other of formulae A and B: where, in A, two ligands Cp1, Cp2, each composed of a cyclopentadienyl group, are connected to the lanthanide Ln, such as Nd, and where, in B, a ligand molecule, composed of two cyclopentadienyl groups Cp1, Cp2 connected to one another via a bridge P of formula MR1R2, M is an element from group IVa, and R1 and R2, which are identical or different, represent an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, is connected to the lanthanide Ln, L is alkali metal, N is molecule of a complexing solvent, x is integral or non-integral number?0, p is integer?than 1 and y is integer?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Total Petrochemicals France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Ecole Superieure de Chimie-Physique-Electronique
    Inventors: Julien Thuilliez, Christophe Boisson, Roger Spitz
  • Patent number: 8476370
    Abstract: The present invention deals with polymer compositions suitable for making pipes. The compositions comprise a multimodal copolymer of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms wherein the multimodal ethylene copolymer has a density of from 937 to 950 kg/m3, a melt index MFR5 of from 0.3 to 3.0 g/10 min, a melt index MFR2 of from 0.1 to 2.0 g/10 min and a shear thinning index SHI2.7/210 of from 2 to 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Borealis AG
    Inventors: Mats Backman, Carl-Gustaf Ek, Anneli Pakkanen, Magnus Palmlof, Tarja-Tuulikki Turpeinen, John Severn
  • Patent number: 8471050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to non-symmetrical organometallic transition metal compounds of the compound of the formula (I) where R8 and R9 are identical or different and each an substituted or unsubstituted organic radical having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, catalyst systems comprising at least one of the organometallic transition metal compounds of the present invention and a process for preparing polyolefins by polymerization or copolymerization of at least one olefin in the presence of one of the catalyst systems of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Fabiana Fantinel, Ilya Nifant'ev, Shahram Mihan