Patents Examined by Samuel Acquah
  • Patent number: 6008291
    Abstract: Viscosity-stabilized aqueous polyester dispersions comprising an acid-functional polyester resin a, neutralizing agent b for the polyester resin a, the amount of neutralizing agent being sufficient to convert from 10 to 200% of the amount of substance of acid groups in the polyester resin a into salt groups by means of the amount of neutralizing agents added, the neutralizing agents being selected from ammonia and organic amines and also alkali metal hydroxides and alkaline earth metal hydroxides; if desired, an organic auxiliary solvent, silica in an amount such that the mass of SiO.sub.2 is from 0.1 to 50% of the mass of the polyester resin, and water. The dispersions are useful in coating compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Vianova Resins AG
    Inventors: Manfred Weinberger, Johann Billiani
  • Patent number: 6001910
    Abstract: A remoistenable hot melt adhesive composition comprising (i) 25 to 80% by weight of a sulfonated polyester;(ii) 3 to 40% by weight of an anionic or cationic plasticizer;(iii) 0 to 40% by weight of a polar tackifier;(iv) 0 to 3% by weight of an antioxidant; and(v) 10 to 35% by weight of a polar wax; and(vi) optionally 0 to 30% nonionic plasticizer, wherein the total of (i)-(vi) to equal 100% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Mitchell J. Blumenthal, Charles W. Paul, Matthew L. Sharak
  • Patent number: 5998005
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet made of a polyester resin composition, which composition shows no adhesion to calender rolls and can be made into a sheet by calendering. Specifically, the present invention provides a sheet made of a polyester resin composition, wherein the polyester resin composition comprises100 parts by weight of a copolyester resin obtained by replacing, in production of polyethylene terephthalate resin, 10 to 40 mole % of the ethylene glycol component with cyclohexanedimethanol, and0.1 to 2 parts by weight of a fatty acid ester lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company Limited
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kanno
  • Patent number: 5998552
    Abstract: A composition comprising a polylactide polymer with improved extensional viscosity and methods of making the same are disclosed. The polylactide polymer composition is prepared by providing in the composition polylactide polymer molecules which have been modified, relative to linear non-substituted polylactide, to provide increased molecular interaction among polylactide backbone chains in the composition. The preferred polylactide polymer composition has a number average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 (preferably at least 50,000) and a polydispersity of at least about 2.5. In addition, the polylactide polymer composition should have a neck-in ratio of less than about 0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick Richard Gruber, Jeffrey John Kolstad, David Roy Witzke, Mark Henry Hartmann, Andrea Lee Brosch
  • Patent number: 5998568
    Abstract: A method for making a polyester resin comprises reacting a first polyfunctional alcohol or polyfunctional thiol and a carbonate in the presence of a catalyst to form an alkoxylated intermediate. The catalyst comprises: (1) a metal, a salt of a metal, or mixtures thereof and (2) a quaternary ammonium salt, a tertiary amine, an imidazole, or mixtures thereof. The alkoxylated intermediate is then reacted with a polyfunctional organic acid or anhydride thereof to form the polyester resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Reichhold, Inc.
    Inventors: Hildeberto Nava, Karin F. Nelson-Baron
  • Patent number: 5996212
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a multilayer structure, in which method gold is deposited on a basic layer (3, 11) for forming a gold layer (7, 13), whereafter aluminium oxide is deposited on the gold layer for forming an aluminium oxide layer (9, 15). Silicon oxide is deposited on the aluminium oxide layer by means of PE-CVD for forming a silicon oxide layer (11, 13), and the aluminium oxide layer constitutes an adhesive layer between the gold layer and the silicon oxide layer. Together with the aluminium oxide layer, the silicon oxide layer constitutes an insulating and/or protective cladding layer for the gold layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Peter S. A. Knapen
  • Patent number: 5994481
    Abstract: In a polymerization apparatus in which the power of a motor is transmitted to a stirrer via oil-lubricated transmission box and speed reduction gear, the temperature of the lubricating oil in the transmission box and speed reduction gear is maintained constant by means of a heat exchanger, the torque between the motor and the transmission box or the speed reduction gear is measured with a torque meter, the viscosity of a reaction mixture is calculated from the measured torque and the number of rotation of the stirrer, and the stirrer is kept revolving until the calculated viscosity of the reaction mixture reaches a prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Ogura, Fumiyuki Suzuki, Yoshifumi Waki
  • Patent number: 5994033
    Abstract: A screen printing stencil made from a composition comprising polyhydroxy compounds having a plurality of 1,2- or 1,3-diol groups along a polymer backbone, the diol groups grafted thereto a compound of formula (I) (where A is an arylene or an alkylene group; X is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a carbon-carbon bond, or a group of formula (a), (b) or (c); R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.1 is a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl group; m is an integer of from 1 to 8; n is an integer of from 1 to 3; and p is 1 or 2); or an acetal of the polyhydroxy, compound with ethylene glycol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sericol Limited
    Inventors: Robert S. Davidson, Stuart J. Palmer, Julie E. Pratt, Stephen P. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5994455
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyoxymethylene copolymers, wherein 1,3,5-trioxane is polymerized with generally known comonomers in the presence of a strong protonic acid initiator and in the presence of a formaldehyde dialkyl acetal, and wherein the initiator is dissolved in the formaldehyde dialkyl acetal before admixing to the trioxane and the comonomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Ticonna GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Friedrich Muck, Horst Roschert, Robert M. Gronner, Satyajit Verma, Michael G. Yearwood
  • Patent number: 5990248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate film comprising a resin composed mainly of polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate and having an intrinsic viscosity .eta. in the range of from 0.31 to 0.6, said film having stretch ratios of 1 to 3 times and 1 to 3 times or 3 to 6 times and 1 to 1.8 times respectively in substantially mutually perpendicular directions and a thickness in the range of from 5 to 150 .mu.m;a polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate resin comprising a blend composed mainly of two components of: a polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate resin having an intrinsic viscosity in the range of from 0.3 to 0.5 dl/g and prepared by an esterification reaction of a dicarboxylic acid having a 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid content of not less than 90% by mole with a glycol having an ethylene glycol content of not less than 90% by mole, or a transesterification and a polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate resin having an intrinsic viscosity in the range of from 0.5 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignees: NKK Corporation, DAI Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Mori, Katsuhiko Sasada, Kayo Hasegawa, Yasuhiro Harada, Chikao Kumaki, Masahisa Yamaguchi, Yasuki Suzuura, Rikiya Yamashita, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Isao Inoue
  • Patent number: 5989663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a copolyester, having (a) a repeat unit of a dicarboxylic acid component, having from 80 to 100 mole % terephthalic acid or the corresponding ester thereof, and from 0 to 20 mole % of a modifying aromatic dicarboxylic acid having less than or equal to 20 carbon atoms or the corresponding ester thereof, wherein the total mole % of dicarboxylic acid component is equal to 100 mole %; and (b) a repeat unit of a glycol component, having from 5 to 85 mole % 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, ethylene glycol of from 15 to 95 mole %, and at least 1 mole % of a modifying glycol having from 3 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the total mole % of glycol component is equal to 100 mole %. The invention also relates to a method of making the copolyester described above. The invention also relates to articles made from the copolyesters described above. The invention further relates to a method of determining the melt strength and sag of a polyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: John C. Morris, James R. Bradley, Kab Sik Seo
  • Patent number: 5990266
    Abstract: Degradable polyesters useful in packaging, packing, agricultural, biomedical, and other applications are made by reacting amine-protected glutamic acid with diols or epoxy compounds. The polyesters include a thermoplastic main chain aliphatic polyester, a thermoset heterochain polyester and a thermoset heterochain aromatic polyester. Each of these polyesters can be hydrolyzed into monomers using a biological catalyst such as the enzyme lipase. The thermoplastic main chain aliphatic polyester and the thermoset heterochain polyester can be degraded to respiratory gases and biomass with a mixed culture of Rhizopus, chinesis, Rhizopus delemar, Penecillium pinophilum, Aspergillus niger and Pseudomonas aeruginosa microorganisms. This mixed culture of microorganisms can also be used to degrade other polyesters containing hydrolyzable backbone polyesters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Raef M. Tadros, Delmar C. Timm
  • Patent number: 5989627
    Abstract: The specification describes processes for synthesizing vinyl ether functionalized oligomers or polymers, and methods for coating optical fibers with formulations containing these oligomers or polymers. Optical fibers coated with these formulations can be highly transparent to radiation used to write optical gratings in the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Landis Blyler, Jr., Mark Anthony Paczkowski, Debra Ann Simoff, Ulrike Varlemann, Nanze Patrick Wang
  • Patent number: 5989665
    Abstract: The invention relates to a copolyester having an inherent viscosity ranging from about 0.4 to about 1.4 and a cold crystallization temperature ranging from about 120 to about 160.degree. C. Such copolyesters comprise the reaction product of a glycol component comprising from about 85 to about 100 mole % of 1,3-propanediol, a dibasic acid component comprising from about 85 to about 100 mole % of a dibasic acid selected from terephthalic acid, napthalenedicarboxylic acid, anhydrides, acid chlorides, and lower alkyl esters thereof, and mixtures thereof, and from about 5 to about 15 mole % of a comonomer. The presence of the comonomer lowers the crystallization temperature of the copolyesters according to the invention such that amorphous preforms can be easily molded from the copolyesters. Such amorphous preforms are readily stretch blow molded into bottles or other container shapes or may be injection molded into various shapes or objects or extruded into film or sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gary W. Connell, Bobby J. Sublett
  • Patent number: 5989758
    Abstract: There are provided liquid crystalline polyesters comprising 4'-hydroxy-4-stilbenecarboxylic acid type units, dicarboxylic acid units acting as a mesogen such as 4,4'-stilbenecarboxylic acid and catechol units as essential ingredients, and a liquid crystalline polyester composition comprising said polyesters and optically active liquid crystalline polyesters consisting essentially of 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid type units and aliphatic diol units having asymmetric carbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shinichi Komatsu, Suzushi Nishimura, Akira Takagi, Shinichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5985117
    Abstract: Ion-selective membranes are disclosed which are suitable for use in ion-selective sensors. The membranes include a mercuracarborand ionophore. Exemplary ion-selective membranes include Mercuracarborand-3 as the ionophore which is incorporated within a polymer matrix. The ion-selective membranes may be used in a wide variety of ion sensors including ion-selective membrane electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Leonidas G. Bachas, M. Frederick Hawthorne, Ibrahim H. A. Badr
  • Patent number: 5986046
    Abstract: An oxidant solution for synthesizing a heat-resistant electroconductive polymer, composed of a solution of a non-protonic organic solvent and an oxidant of the organic compound iron salt expressed by the following formula:Fe.sup.3+O [(X)L--(M)m--(Y.sup.-)n]pH.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Nishiyama, Takashi Fukaumi, Atushi Kobayashi, Masashi Ohi, Yoshihiko Saiki, Kazuaki Fukushima, Tomitaro Hara, Shinji Takeoka, Kimihisa Yamamoto, Eishun Tuchida
  • Patent number: 5985387
    Abstract: In a thermo-shrinkable polyester film, the thermal shrinkage ratio in a main shrinking direction is about 20% or more after being treated in water of about 70.degree. C. for about seconds, about 35 to about 55% after treated in water of about 75.degree. C. for about 5 seconds, and about 50 to about 60% after being treated in water of about 80.degree. C. for about 5 seconds. After the film is shrunk by about 5% by treatment in water of about 75.degree. C. for about 10 seconds, the probability of the elongation at rupture of the film in the direction perpendicular to the main shrinking direction being about 20% or less, is about 10% or less. The ratio of .tau..sub.1 /.tau..sub.2 is about 0.05 to about 0.45, where .tau..sub.2 is the stress of shrinkage in a main shrinking direction of the film at about 90.degree. C., and .tau..sub.1 is the stress of shrinkage in a direction perpendicular to the main shrinking direction of the film at about 90.degree. C. The sealing strength of the film is about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kuniharu Mori, Mitsuo Inoue, Shinichiro Okumura, Tsutomu Oko, Norimi Tabota, Masatoshi Hashimoto, Hideki Ito, Seizo Takabayashi, Tsutomu Isaka
  • Patent number: 5985444
    Abstract: An ultraviolet light absorbing material that resists blooming and migration is made up of a fluoropolymer and an amide functional ultraviolet light absorbing compound, wherein the polymer and the amide functional ultraviolet light absorbing compound are hydrogen bonded to one another. Polymeric films that contain a polymeric matrix and the ultraviolet light absorbing material are useful as the top layer in multilayer constructions such as retroreflective sheetings and conformable marking sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David B. Olson, David M. Burns, Bruce B. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5986040
    Abstract: A moldable linear polyester resin consisting essentially of a polyester having the formula: ##STR1## where R is an alkyl from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and n is greater than about 70, said polyester resin being derived from the transesterification reaction of a starting DMCD and a starting CHDM wherein the trans-cis ratio of repeating units derived from DMCD is preferably greater than about 8 to 1, and the trans-cis ratio of repeating units derived from DMCD is preferable greater than about 1 to 1, said polyester resin having crystalline properties with a preferable viscosity greater than 4500 poise and a melting temperature greater than 216 degrees Centigrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bimal R. Patel, Gary F. Smith, Timothy E. Banach