Patents Examined by Jennine Brown
  • Patent number: 6989344
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of aluminum alkyl activators and co-catalysts to improve the performance of chromium-based catalysts. The aluminum alkyls allow for the variable control of polymer molecular weight, control of side branching while possessing desirable productivities, and may be applied to the catalyst directly or separately to the reactor. Adding the alkyl aluminum compound directly to the reactor (in-situ) eliminates induction times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Cann, Minghui Zhang, Jose Fernando Cevallos-Candau, John Moorhouse, Mark Gregory Goode, Daniel Paul Zilker, Jr., Maria Apecetche
  • Patent number: 6984602
    Abstract: Polydentate substituted pyrrole based chelants, metal complexes containing the same, olefin polymerization catalyst compositions, and polymerization processes using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jessica Cook, Inna Shulman, John Joseph Bielak
  • Patent number: 6982236
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method to prepare a supported catalyst system comprising preparing a combination comprising 1) a first supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound, and 2) a second supported catalyst system comprising a support, an activator and a metal catalyst compound and thereafter spray-drying the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy T. Wenzel, David James Schreck
  • Patent number: 6979663
    Abstract: The present development relates to a process for enrobing active catalytic materials with a protective coating to form pastilles, and to an apparatus for making the pastilles. The process comprises mixing an active catalyst powder with a hydrocarbon material in a low-shear jacketed blender at a temperature slightly above the congealing point of the hydrocarbon, and then making pastilles from the catalyst/hydrocarbon mixture while cooling the mixture to temperature below the congealing point of the hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Süd-Chemie Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Wolfe, Paul D. Schneider, Robert O'Brien, X. D. Hu, Jeff Braden, Patrick McLaughlin, Joe Stack
  • Patent number: 6977235
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, catalyst systems for polymerizing olefins include a catalyst comprising chromium and a cocatalyst comprising a substituted or unsubstituted non-transition metal cyclopentadienyl compound (Cp). The catalyst also comprises an inorganic oxide support. In an embodiment, methods of preparing a catalyst comprise contacting a support with chromium and with a non-transition metal Cp compound. In one embodiment, the support may be contacted with a solution comprising the non-transition metal Cp compound prior to entry into a reaction zone. In another embodiment, the activated catalyst and non-transition metal Cp compound may be added separately to the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP
    Inventors: Max P. McDaniel, Elizabeth A. Benham, Steven J. Secora, Michael D. Jensen, Kathy S. Collins
  • Patent number: 6962891
    Abstract: Disclosed are dirhodium catalyst compositions. One such dirhodium catalyst composition includes a dirhodium catalyst and a solid support. The dirhodium catalyst includes a Rh—Rh moiety and four bridging ligand moieties. The dirhodium catalyst and the solid support are bound together, but they are not covalently bound together via one or more of the bridging ligand moieties. Another such dirhodium catalyst composition includes a dirhodium tetracarboxylate catalyst and a solid support, and the dirhodium tetracarboxylate catalyst and the solid support are bound together. Yet another such dirhodium catalyst composition includes a dirhodium catalyst and a solid support, where the dirhodium catalyst includes a Rh—Rh moiety and where the dirhodium catalyst and the solid support are bound together via at least one of the rhodiums' axial positions. The compositions can be used in a number of reactions, including insertion reactions (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: Huw M. L. Davies, Tadamichi Nagashima
  • Patent number: 6962889
    Abstract: Disclosed are catalyst systems and methods of making the catalyst systems/supports for the polymerization of an olefin containing a solid titanium catalyst component having a substantially spherical shape and containing a titanium compound and a support made from a magnesium compound and an alkyl silicate. The catalyst system may further contain an organoaluminum compound and an organosilicon compound. Also disclosed are methods of making an impact copolymer involving polymerizing an olefin to provide a polyolefin matrix and polymerizing a polyolefin rubber using a solid titanium catalyst component containing a titanium compound and a support made from a magnesium compound and an alkyl silicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Zhidong Zhu, Main Chang
  • Patent number: 6956003
    Abstract: A catalyst system for (co)-polymerizing ethylene or ethylene with ?-olefin is disclosed. The catalyst system utilizes a catalyst component that contains the product of a reaction of an early transition metal complex such as a titanium alkoxide with a cyclic diene-containing compound such as indene. The catalyst system also utilizes a solid magnesium halide support and an alkylaluminum co-catalyst. The catalyst system of present invention produces polyethylene with a narrow molecular weight distribution and a narrow compositional distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.
    Inventors: Gapgoung Kong, Honglan Lu
  • Patent number: 6953764
    Abstract: Group 4 metal complexes useful as addition polymerization catalysts of the formula: wherein G1 is a group containing from 1 to 40 atoms not counting hydrogen; T is a divalent bridging group of from 10 to 30 atoms not counting hydrogen, selected from mono- or di-aryl-substituted methylene or silylene groups or mono- or di-heteroaryl-substituted methylene or silylene groups, wherein at least one such aryl- or heteroaryl-substituent is substituted in one or both ortho-positions with a secondary or tertiary alkyl-group, a secondary or tertiary heteroalkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or a heterocycloalkyl group, G2 is a C6-20 heteroaryl group containing Lewis base functionality, M is the Group 4 metal, X?? is an anionic, neutral or dianionic ligand group, x?? is a number from 0 to 5, and bonds, optional bonds and electron donative interactions are represented by lines, dotted lines and arrows respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Frazier, Harold Boone, Paul C. Vosejpka, James C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6942776
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for establishing closed dielectrophoretic potential cages and precise displacement thereof comprising a first array of selectively addressable electrodes, lying on a substantially planar substrate and facing toward a second array comprising one electrode. The arrays define the upper and lower bounds of a micro-chamber where particles are placed in liquid suspension. By applying in-phase and counter-phase periodic signals to electrodes, one or more independent potential cages are established which cause particles to be attracted to or repelled from cages according to signal frequency and the dielectric characteristics of the particles and suspending medium. By properly applying voltage signal patterns into arrays, cages may trap one or more particles, thus permitting them to levitate steadily and/or move. In the preferred embodiment, where one array is integrated on a semiconductor substrate, displacement of particles can be monitored by embedded sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Silicon Biosystems S.R.L.
    Inventor: Gianni Medoro
  • Patent number: 6936564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supported platinum group metal catalyst obtainable by controlled electroless deposition of at least one platinum group metal from a deposition solution which comprises i) at least one homogeneously dissolved platinum group metal compound, ii) a reducing agent and iii) at least one control agent selected from isopolyacids and heteropolyacids of niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium or their salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Butz, Henrik Junicke
  • Patent number: 6930070
    Abstract: An aluminum activator and catalyst system for olefin polymerization is provided. In one aspect, the catalyst system comprises a polymerization catalyst and an activator comprising two or more heterocyclic nitrogen-containing ligands coordinated to a Group 13 atom. Preferably, the activator is a reaction product of one or more Group 13 atom-containing compounds and one or more heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew W. Holtcamp, David A. Cano
  • Patent number: 6930069
    Abstract: Olefin polymers with a broad molecular weight distribution can be obtained while maintaining the high stereoregularity of the polymers by polymerizing olefins using a catalyst comprising (A) a solid catalyst component prepared by contacting (a) a dialkoxymagnesium, (b) a tetravalent titanium halide compound, and (c) an electron donor compound one another, (B) an organoaluminum compound of the formula R1pAlQ3-p, and (C) an aminosilane compound of the formula R2R3Si(OR4)2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Toho Catalyst Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Tashino, Maki Sato
  • Patent number: 6921733
    Abstract: The invention provides a homogenous catalyst for the production of methanol from purified synthesis gas at low temperature and low pressure which includes a transition metal capable of forming transition metal complexes with coordinating ligands and an alkoxide, the catalyst dissolved in a methanol solvent system, provided the transition metal complex is not transition metal carbonyl. The coordinating ligands can be selected from the group consisting of N-donor ligands, P-donor ligands, O-donor ligands, C-donor ligands, halogens and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Devinder Mahajan
  • Patent number: 6916760
    Abstract: A spray drying process for preparing a solid catalyst and composition for use therein comprising a catalyst compound, an activator for the catalyst compound, and at least one compound selected from among siloxanes, polyalkylene glycols, C1-4 alkyl or phenyl ether or diether derivatives of polyalkylene glycols, and crown ethers, and optionally a filler or support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jessica A. Cook
  • Patent number: 6914029
    Abstract: An active and selective hydrocarbon partial oxidation catalyst comprises an activated partially-reduced polyoxometallate, preferably niobium polyoxomolybdate, that is prepared from a suitable polyoxoanion, which has been exchanged with a suitable cation and activated by heating to an activation effective temperature in the presence of a suitable reducing agent such as pyridinium. C3 and C4 hydrocarbons may be partially oxidized selectively to acrylic acid and maleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mark E. Davis, Christopher J. Dillon, Joseph H. Holles, Jay A. Labinger, Axel Brait
  • Patent number: 6914027
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst composition and a method for making the catalyst composition of a polymerization catalyst and a static charge modifier. The invention is also directed to the use of the catalyst composition in the polymerization of olefin(s). In particular, the polymerization catalyst system is supported on a carrier. More particularly, the polymerization catalyst comprises a bulky ligand metallocene-type catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brant Patrick, Michael Elroy Muhle, Matt Kuchta
  • Patent number: 6911411
    Abstract: A method of preparing catalyst agglomerates for electrochemical devices is provided. The method comprises dispersing particles of a catalyst in a non-aqueous solvent to form a dispersion of the catalyst, adding an ion conducting polymer in a dilute solution to the dispersion of the catalyst under agitation to form catalyst agglomerates, and stirring the dispersion of the catalyst and the catalyst agglomerates to control the growth of the agglomerates. A directly applicable catalyst composition is also provided. The catalyst composition comprises the catalyst agglomerates prepared according to the present invention, a solvent to plasticize surfaces of the catalyst agglomerates and the membrane, and a non-aqueous carrier solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Polyfuel, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Cox, Suk-Yal Cha, Gouyan Hou, Ngan Tran, Anh Duong
  • Patent number: 6911410
    Abstract: A catalyst composition for use in dimerizing, co-dimerizing or oligomerizing olefins results from dissolving a nickel compound, optionally mixed or complexed with a ligand, in a medium resulting from mixing: at least one quaternary ammonium halide and/or at least one quaternary phosphonium halide; at least one aluminum halide; and at least one aluminoxane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Institut Francais Du Petrole
    Inventors: Vincent Lecocq, Hélène Olivier-Bourbigou
  • Patent number: 6908875
    Abstract: An organometallic composition, suitable for use in curing polyisocyanate compositions, includes a complex of at least one metal selected from iron, cobalt and aluminum and at least one ?-dicarbonyl compound wherein when the metal is iron (II) or cobalt (II) the molar ratio of ?-dicarbonyl compound to metal is in the range from 2.1:1 to 10:1, and when the metal is aluminum (III), iron (III) or cobalt (III) the molar ratio of ?-dicarbonyl compound to metal is in the range from 3.1:1 to 10:1. A polyisocyanate composition containing the organometallic composition and a process for binding lignocellulosic material is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Acma Limited
    Inventors: Christopher J Skinner, Martin G Partridge