Patents Examined by Edward J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6054544
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a non-pourable homogeneous ultra-low molecular weight ethylene polymer composition and a process for the preparation thereof. Such polymer compositions have longer lamella and a greater degree of crystalline organization than corresponding higher molecular weight materials at an equivalent density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Malcolm F. Finlayson, Craig C. Garrison, Ralph E. Guerra, Martin J. Guest, Brian W. S. Kolthammer, Deepak R. Parikh, Steven M. Ueligger
  • Patent number: 6015867
    Abstract: A 3-alkoxypropionic ester derivative, an olefin polymerization solid catalyst component using the same, an olefin polymerization catalyst using the same, and a process for the preparation of a polyolefin using the same. The 3-alkoxypropionic ester derivative is represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 represents a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; R.sup.3 represents a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and R.sup.4 represents a branched hydrocarbon group having 3 or more carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Masaki Fushimi, Shintaro Inazawa
  • Patent number: 6004897
    Abstract: The olefin polymerization catalyst of the invention is formed from a Group IVB transition metal compound represented by the following formula (I) and an organoaluminum oxy-compound or a compound which reacts with the transition metal compound to form an ion pair. In the olefin polymerization process of the invention using this catalyst or a catalyst formed from a Group IVB transition metal compound represented by the following formula (II) and an organoaluminum oxy-compound or a compound which reacts with the transition metal compound to form an ion pair, an olefin (co)polymer having a high molecular weight can be obtained with high polymerization activities, and besides an olefin copolymer having a high comonomer content can be obtained even if a comonomer is used in a small amount. ##STR1## wherein, M is a transition metal of Group IVB, at least one of R.sup.1 is an aryl group and the remainder is hydrogen or the like, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, an alkyl group or the like, R.sup.3 and R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi Imuta, Masayasu Yoshida, Yasushi Tohi
  • Patent number: 5973083
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high density ethylene polymer comprising a homopolymer of ethylene, or a copolymer of ethylene with at least one comonomer selected from an .alpha.-olefin, a cyclic olefin, and linear, branched and cyclic dienes, and having the following properties: (a) a density d (g/cm.sup.3) of from 0.951 to 0.980; (b) an M.sub.I (g/10 minutes) of more than 3 and not more than 100 (M.sub.I is the melt flow rate as measured at 190.degree. C. under a load of 2.16 kg); (c) the polymer satisfying: log a.sub.kI .gtoreq.-0.844 log M.sub.I +1.462 [M.sub.I is as defined above, and a.sub.kI is the Izod impact strength (kgf.multidot.cm/cm.sup.2)]; (d) the polymer satisfying: log M.sub.IR .gtoreq.-0.094 log M.sub.I +1.520 [M.sub.I is as defined above, and M.sub.IR is the H.sub.MI /M.sub.I ratio in which H.sub.MI (g/10 minutes) is the melt flow rate as measured at 190.degree. C. under a load of 21.6 kg and M.sub.I is as defined above]; and wherein (e) the d (g/cm.sup.3) and the M.sub.I (g/10 minutes) satisfy: d.gtoreq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Matsushita, Fumihiko Yamaguchi, Tsutomu Idehara
  • Patent number: 5973088
    Abstract: Non-transition metal containing Ziegler-Natta like catalysts are prepared and used for polymerization reactions. The catalysts are cationic aluminum amidinate compounds. The compounds successfully catalyze polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons such as alpha olefins and avoid the expense of transition metals and, as well, the environmental objections to the use of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Richard F. Jordan, Martyn P. Coles
  • Patent number: 5962719
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a polyolefin wax If a catalyst consisting of an aluminoxane and a metal-locene of the formula I ##STR1## in particular R.sup.5 R.sup.6 C (Ind).sub.2 or R.sup.5 R.sup.6 C (Ind).sub.2 Zr(CH.sub.3).sub.2, is employed for the polymerization of olefins of the formulaR.sup.9 CH.dbd.CHR.sup.10(R.sup.9, R.sup.10 =H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.28 alkyl), the isotacticity of the polymer wax and hence the hardness and melting point can be varied simply by changing the polymerization temperature, without the molecular weight of the polymer being noticeably changed at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Targor GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Winter, Jurgen Rohrmann, Volker Dolle, Martin Antberg, Walter Spaleck
  • Patent number: 5939348
    Abstract: An ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymerization catalyst is prepared by impregnating a porous support, such as silica, with a contact mixture of an organomagnesium compound such as dialkyl magnesium and a silane compound which is free of hydroxyl groups, such as tetraethyl orthosilicate. A transition metal component such as titanium tetrachloride is then incorporated into the support in a specific ratio to the magnesium and silane components. Activation of this catalyst precursor with a trialkylaluminum compound results in a catalyst system which is effective for the production of ethylene copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert I. Mink, Thomas E. Nowlin
  • Patent number: 5936050
    Abstract: Siloxy-aluminoxane compositions which are the reaction products of hydrocarbylsiloxanes and aluminoxanes and which have improved solubility and stability even at up to 60 weight percent when compared to the original aluminoxane. The compositions in combination with metallocenes of transition lanthanide and actinide metals form catalysts which can be used in the polymerization of olefins such as ethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventor: Samuel A. Sangokoya
  • Patent number: 5932670
    Abstract: Novel catalyst systems which comprise 2-pyridine carboxaldimine nickel dihalide complexes can be used with an organoaluminum cocatalyst in slurry oligomerization or polymerization processes to oligomerize or polymerize mono-1-olefins and, optionally a higher alpha-olefin comonomer, to produce low molecular weight polymers or synthetic oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Alexander Koppl, Helmut G. Alt
  • Patent number: 5925448
    Abstract: A film comprising a blend of (i) a linear low density polyethylene and (ii) an in situ blend of copolymers of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having 3 to 8 carbon atoms wherein (a) the weight ratio of component (i) to component (ii) is in the range of about 0.01:1 to about 6:1; (b) the blend has been extruded, under extrusion conditions, at a die rate in the range of about 6 to about 20 pounds per hour per inch of die circumference and at a die gap in the range of about 0.020 to about 0.075 inch; and (c) the film exhibits essentially no melt fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Francis H. Moy, William James Michie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5919983
    Abstract: A catalyst activator, comprising a cation which is a Bronsted acid capable of donating a proton, and an inert, compatible, noncoordinating, anion, characterized by a solubility constant at 25.degree. C. in hexane, cyclohexane or methylcyclohexane of at least 5 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Rosen, Daniel D. VanderLende
  • Patent number: 5917100
    Abstract: A catalyst formed by the reaction of a magnesium alkoxide dispersion having a particle size of from 100 to 3000 nm with a compound of a metal selected from the group comprising titanium, zirconium, vanadium and chromium and then with a chlorine-containing organoaluminum compound possesses a very good hydrogen responsiveness and a high activity even in the presence of molecular-weight regulators such as hydrogen. The catalyst is therefore outstandingly suitable for the production of low molecular-weight polyolefins. The catalyst makes possible the production of waxes having a reduced residual ash content. The large particle diameter and the low fines content of the polymer powder produced by suspension polymerization with this catalyst enables easy removal of the suspension medium and drying. The catalyst is furthermore advantageously used in solution polymerization and, because of the large particle diameter, in gas phase polymerization for producing low molecular-weight poly-1-olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Clariant GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Bohm, Hans-Friedrich Herrmann, Joachim Berthold, Gerd Hohner, Rainer Lecht, Hans Joachim Vetter
  • Patent number: 5916990
    Abstract: There are provided a propylene-based polymer characterized in that (1) the xylene-extraction insoluble portion (XI) is 99.0 wt % or greater, (2) the isotactic pentad ratio (IP) is 98.0% or greater as measured by .sup.13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, (3) the isotactic average chain length (N) is 500 or greater, and (4) the total amount of each of the fractions obtained by column separation of the xylene insolubles whose average chain length (N.sub.f) is 800 or greater accounts for 10 wt % or more of the entirety, and a method for its production, as well as a propylene-based polymer composition prepared by combining with this propylene-based polymer at least a nucleating agent in the range of 0.05-15 wt %. In addition, there are provided a polymerization catalyst component allowing the production of such a propylene-based polymer, and a method for its production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Yanagihara, Kazuyuki Watanabe, Satoshi Iwamoto, Hirotoshi Takahashi, Kazuharu Itoh
  • Patent number: 5910539
    Abstract: The polyolefin composition of the present invention comprises 45 to 90 parts by weight of a propylene polymer (A) of 0.5 to 10 dl/g in ?.eta.! and at least 100.degree. C. in Tm comprising 100 to 80 mol % of propylene units, 0 to 10 mol % of ethylene units and 0 to 15 mol % of units derived from an .alpha.-olefin having 4 to 12 carbon atoms; 5 to 40 parts by weight of an ethylene/.alpha.-olefin copolymer (B) of 0.5 to 10 dl/g in ?.eta.! comprising 70 to 95 mol % of ethylene units and 5 to 30 mol % of units derived from an .alpha.-olefin having 4 to 12 carbon atoms; and 2 to 25 parts by weight of a propylene/.alpha.-olefin/ethylene terpolymer (C) of 0.5 to 10 dl/g in ?.eta.! comprising 40 to 77 mol % of propylene units, 20 to 40 mol % of units derived from an .alpha.-olefin having 4 to 12 carbon atoms and 2 to 20 mol % of ethylene units, provided that the total of components (A), (B) and (C) is 100 parts by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Shin-ya Matsunaga, Hiroshi Wakumoto
  • Patent number: 5902867
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymer from ethylene, an .alpha.-olefine and optionally a diene, according to which these monomers are polymerized under the influence of a metallocene catalyst, the polymerization taking place in the presence of a catalyst comprising a specific 2-indenyl metallocene, resulting in a bimodal, elastomeric polymer with a molecular weight distribution of more than 3.5, under such reaction conditions that the amount of water in the polymerization medium is smaller than 0.5 ppm.The invention also relates to polymers with a specific branching index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: DSM NV
    Inventors: Bernardus J. Muskens, Jacob Renkema
  • Patent number: 5902866
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst having the general formula ##STR1## where L is a ligand having the formula ##STR2## L' is L, Cp, Cp*, indenyle fluorenyl, NR.sub.2, OR, or halogen, L can be bridged to L; X is halogen, NR.sub.2, OR, or alkyl from C.sub.1 to C.sub.12, M is zirconium or hafnium, R is alkyl from C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 or aryl from C.sub.6 to C.sub.12, R.sub.1 is R, alkaryl from C.sub.6 to C.sub.12, aralkyl from C.sub.6 to C.sub.12, hydrogen, or Si(R).sub.3, R.sub.2 is R.sub.1, halogen, COR, COOR, SOR, or SOOR, R.sub.3 is R.sub.2, OR, N(R).sub.2, SR, or a fused ring system, Cp is cyclopentadienyl, Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, n is 0 to 3, and L.sub.B is an optional Lewis base. Also disclosed is a method of making a poly-.alpha.-olefin comprising polymerizing an .alpha.-olefin monomer using a catalyst such as that described above where M can be titanium, zirconium, or hafnium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, L.P.
    Inventors: Sandor Nagy, Ramesh Krishnamurti, Bradley P. Etherton
  • Patent number: 5895803
    Abstract: Statistical propylene copolymer containing 0.2-0.9% by weight monomeric units derived from ethylene; 13-21% by weight monomeric units derived from .alpha.-olefin having 4-10 carbon atoms, and 78.1-86.8% by weight monomeric units derived from propylene. The copolymer has a melting point of 115-125.degree. C.; a proportion of polymer soluble in boiling heptane greater than or equal to 95% by weight, and a proportion of polymer soluble in cold xylene (25.degree. C.) greater than 40% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Solvay Polyolefins Europe-Belgium
    Inventors: Veerle Deblauwe, Antonio Belforte, Mathieu Wilkin
  • Patent number: 5886140
    Abstract: A process has been developed to substantially reduce the residual monomer resulting at the end of the emulsion polymerization reaction. The process consists in submitting the latex to a redox process after the polymerization reaction. The recommended environment consists of vinyl monomers and/or conjugated dienes homo or copolymer that has a residual monomer content not in excess of 100,000 ppm at the end of the reaction. After the chemical depletion, residual monomer contents of 50 to 1000 ppm are achieved in a process that lasts from 0.5 to 5 hours at most.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Centro De Investigacion Y Desarollo Technologico S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Margarito Albarran Olivares, Francisco J. Alvaro Archundia, Francisco Lopez Serrano Ramos
  • Patent number: 5877265
    Abstract: A solid titanium catalyst component comprising (a) magnesium, (b) titanium, (c) a halogen, (d) a polyether, (e) a hydrocarbon and (f) an electron donor other than the polyether (d) as essential components is provided. Also a process for preparing a solid titanium catalyst component for olefin polymerization, comprising the steps of contacting a halogenated magnesium compound with a compound selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, an ether and an ester in a hydrocarbon solvent to obtain a magnesium compound solution, contacting the magnesium compound solution with a polyether and contacting the resultant solution with a liquid titanium compound is provided. Further, a catalyst for olefin polymerization comprising the above-mentioned solid titanium catalyst component, an organoaluminum compound catalyst component and an electron donor, and a process for polymerizing an olefin using the catalyst for olefin polymerization are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsui Cheimcals, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Toida, Tetsunori Shinozaki, Mamoru Kioka
  • Patent number: RE36103
    Abstract: A syndiotactic polyolefin is obtained in a high yield by polymerization or copolymerization of an olefin of the formula R.sup.a --CH.dbd.CH--R.sup.b in the presence of a catalyst consisting of a metallocene of the formula I ##STR1## and an aluminoxane. This polyolefin has a very high syndiotactic index. At a low polymerization temperature, a polyolefin having a low average molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution is obtained, and at a high polymerization temperature a polymer having a high average molecular weight and a wide molecular weight distribution is obtained.Shaped articles produced from the polymers are distinguished by a high transparency, flexibility, tear strength and excellent surface gloss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Targor GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Winter, Jurgen Rohrmann, Martin Antberg, Volker Dolle, Walter Spaleck