Patents by Inventor Ann M. Panek

Ann M. Panek has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Impact modified polyolefin compositions
    Patent number: 7053154
    Abstract: The present invention provides polyolefin compositions that exhibit both stiffness and toughness. Polyolefin compositions according to the invention include a polyolefin homopolymer resin such as polypropylene and an impact modifying fluid that includes a nonionic surfactant and optionally a diluent such as mineral oil. The nonionic surfactant can be an ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid ester such as ethoxylated sorbitan trioleate. Unfilled impact modified polypropylene homopolymer formed in accordance with the invention preferably exhibits a Gardner impact strength of at least 100 in-lbs, a flexural modulus of at least 40 kpsi and a tensile modulus of at least 60 kpsi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Ann M. Panek, Anna C. Andrews, Haleh Ayrom-Keuchel, Paul J. DeFranco, Robert J. Opalko
  • Impact modified thermoplastic olefin compositions
    Patent number: 7041742
    Abstract: The present invention provides impact modified thermoplastic olefin (“TPO”) compositions that exhibit both stiffness and toughness. TPO compositions according to the invention include a polyolefin homopolymer resin such as polypropylene, from about 17% by weight to about 30% by weight of a rubbery copolymer comprising at least one alpha olefin, and from about 1.0% to about 8.0% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, which acts as an impact modifying fluid. The preferred nonionic surfactant for use in the invention is an ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid ester such as ethoxylated sorbitan trioleate (“ESTO”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Ann M. Panek, Anna C. Andrews, Haleh Ayrom-Keuchel, Paul J. DeFranco, Robert J. Opalko
  • Impact modified thermoplastic olefin compositions
    Publication number: 20040116560
    Abstract: The present invention provides impact modified thermoplastic olefin (“TPO”) compositions that exhibit both stiffness and toughness. TPO compositions according to the invention include a polyolefin homopolymer resin such as polypropylene, from about 17% by weight to about 30% by weight of a rubbery copolymer comprising at least one alpha olefin, and from about 1.0% to about 8.0% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, which acts as an impact modifying fluid. The preferred nonionic surfactant for use in the invention is an ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid ester such as ethoxylated sorbitan trioleate (“ESTO”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Ann M. Panek, Anna C. Andrews, Haleh Ayrom-Keuchel, Paul J. DeFranco, Robert J. Opalko
  • Impact modified polyolefin compositions
    Publication number: 20040110881
    Abstract: The present invention provides polyolefin compositions that exhibit both stiffness and toughness. Polyolefin compositions according to the invention include a polyolefin homopolymer resin such as polypropylene and an impact modifying fluid that includes a nonionic surfactant and optionally a diluent such as mineral oil. The nonionic surfactant can be an ethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid ester such as ethoxylated sorbitan trioleate. Unfilled impact modified polypropylene homopolymer formed in accordance with the invention preferably exhibits a Gardner impact strength of at least 100 in-lbs, a flexural modulus of at least 40 kpsi and a tensile modulus of at least 60 kpsi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Ann M. Panek, Anna C. Andrews, Haleh Ayrom-Keuchel, Paul J. DeFranco, Robert J. Opalko