Patents by Inventor Edward N. Knickerbocker

Edward N. Knickerbocker 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).

  • Patent number: 9873958
    Abstract: Fibers made a polyethylene composition, and method of making the same. The polyethylene composition comprises less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene and less than 20 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers; wherein said polyethylene composition has a density in the range of 0.930 to 0.960 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.5, a melt index (I2) in the range of 1 to 300 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, a shear viscosity in the range of 20 to 250 Pascal-s at 3000 s?1 shear rate measured at 190° C., vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.1 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of said composition; and wherein the fiber is a monocomponent meltspun fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Randy E. Pepper, Mridula Babli Kapur, Gert J. Claasen, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Nathan J. Wiker, William J. Michie, Jr., Mark B. Davis
  • Publication number: 20170159211
    Abstract: Fibers made a polyethylene composition, and method of making the same. The polyethylene composition comprises less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene and less than 20 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers; wherein said polyethylene composition has a density in the range of 0.930 to 0.960 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.5, a melt index (I2) in the range of 1 to 300 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, a shear viscosity in the range of 20 to 250 Pascal-s at 3000 s?1 shear rate measured at 190° C., vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.1 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of said composition; and wherein the fiber is a monocomponent meltspun fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Randy E. Pepper, Mridula Babli Kapur, Gert J. Claasen, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Nathan J. Wiker, William J. Michie, JR., Mark B. Davis
  • Patent number: 9663642
    Abstract: The instant invention discloses fibers. The fibers according to the instant invention comprise a polyethylene composition comprising: (a) less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene; and (b) less than 20 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers; wherein the polyethylene composition has a density in the range of 0.920 to 0.970 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.5, a melt index (I2) in the range of 0.2 to 1000 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.1 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Randy E. Pepper, Mridula Kapur, Gert J. Claasen, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Nathan J. Wiker, William J. Michie, Jr., Mark B. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140187114
    Abstract: The present invention is an extensible nonwoven comprising a polyolefin elastomer fiber wherein the surface of the fiber further comprises an inorganic filler or PDMS or combinations thereof, wherein the inorganic filler, if present, has D-90 particle size of 5 microns or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: Dow Brasil S.A., Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Hong Peng, Emil Hersche, Jozef J. Van Dun, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Andy C. Chang, Angels Domenech, Aleksandar Stoiljkovic, Gert J. Claasen
  • Publication number: 20110092937
    Abstract: The instant invention is a polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, fibers made therefrom, and method of making the same. The polyethylene composition according to instant invention comprises: (a) less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene; and (b) less than 20 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers. The polyethylene composition according to instant invention has a density in the range of 0.920 to 0.970 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.5, a melt index (I2) in the range of 0.2 to 1000 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.1 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Randy E. Pepper, Mridula Kapur, Gert J. Claasen, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Nathan J. Wiker, William J. Michie, JR., Mark B. Davis
  • Patent number: 7736737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to soft touch fibers and nonwoven fabrics made from such fibers. The fibers comprise an incompatible polymer system which leads to the soft touch quality. The fibers comprise a mixture of at least two thermoplastic polymers each having different viscosities and wherein the mixture has an interfacial tension from about 0.5 to about 20 mN/m, and wherein the mixture comprises a portion of the fiber surface. The fibers may include from 40-98 percent of a polyolefin continuous phase and from 2 to 60 weight percent of an amorphous thermoplast dispersed phase, such as polystyrene or polyamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jozef J. I. Van Dun, Daniel R. Bosak, John E. Flood, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Thomas Allgeuer, Karin Katzer, Miguel A. Prieto Goubert
  • Publication number: 20080199673
    Abstract: The present invention relates to propylene-based nonwoven layers made by the meltblown process, and laminates incorporating such layers. The meltblown layers of the present invention comprise propylene copolymers characterized by having less than 50 percent crystallinity. The meltblown layers of the present invention show an improved combination of extensibility and tensile strength. The laminate structures of the present invention are characterized by a combination of low bending modulus with high peel strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas T. Allgeuer, Andy C. Chang, Gert J. Claasen, Antonios K. Doufas, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Hong Peng, Randy E. Pepper, Jozef J. Van Dun
  • Patent number: 7413803
    Abstract: Extensible bicomponent fibers and webs particularly adapted for disposable personal care product component applications. Sheath/core configurations providing desirable feel properties for elastic embodiments when compared with conventional elastic fibers and webs are obtained with specific olefin polymer combinations and sheath configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joy F. Jordan, Renette E. Richard, Christian L. Sanders, Varunesh Sharma, Stephen M. Englebert, Bryon P. Day, Andy C. Chang, Hong Peng, Jozef J. I. Van Dun, Randy E. Pepper, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Antonios K. Doufas, Rajen M. Patel
  • Patent number: 7101622
    Abstract: Fibers that exhibit good elasticity or extensibility and tenacity, and low modulus are prepared from propylene-based copolymers. The propylene-based copolymers comprise at least about 50 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene and at least about 8 wt % of units derived from one or more comonomers other than propylene, e.g., ethylene. Particularly preferred propylene copolymers are characterized as having 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity. In one aspect of the invention, fibers are subjected to stress-induced crystallization by subjecting the fiber to tensile elongation during draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Andy C. Chang, Hong Peng, Jozef J. I. Van Dun, Randy E. Pepper, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Antonios K. Doufas, Rajen M. Patel, Lizhi Liu, Byron P. Day, Stephen M. Englebert, Joy F. Jordan, Renette E. Richard, Christian L. Sanders, Varunesh Sharma
  • Patent number: 7101623
    Abstract: Extensible bicomponent fibers and webs particularly adapted for disposable personal care product component applications. Sheath/core configurations providing desirable feel properties for elastic embodiments when compared with conventional elastic fibers and webs are obtained with specific olefin polymer combinations and sheath configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joy F. Jordan, Renette E. Richard, Christian L. Sanders, Varunesh Sharma, Stephen M. Englebert, Bryon P. Day, Andy C. Chang, Hong Peng, Jozef J. I. Van Dun, Randy E. Pepper, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Antonios K. Doufas, Rajen M. Patel
  • Patent number: 6559208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making improved polyolefinic elastic articles from cured, irradiated or crosslinked amorphous ethylene interpolymers. In particular, the invention relates to a method of making a shaped article (e.g. film or fiber) characterized by improved elevated temperature elasticity as well as washability and dryability. The inventive elastic article comprises a substantially cured, irradiated, or crosslinked (or curable, irradiated or crosslinkable) homogeneously branched ethylene interpolymer characterized as having a density less than 0.90 g/cm3 and containing at least one nitrogen-containing stabilizer. The improved elastic article of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in applications where good elasticity must be maintained at elevated temperatures and after laundering such as, for example, elastic waist bands of undergarments and other clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Thoi H. Ho, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Rexford A. Maugans
  • Patent number: 6482895
    Abstract: The subject invention is directed to fibers and polymer blend compositions having improved bonding performance. In particular, the subject invention pertains to a multiconstituent fiber comprising a blend of a polypropylene polymer and a high molecular weight (i.e. low melt index or melt flow) ethylene polymer. The subject invention further pertains to the use of the fiber and polymer blend composition which has improved bonding performance in various end-use applications, especially woven and nonwoven fabrics such as, for example, disposable incontinence garments and diapers. The fibers have good spinnability and provide fabrics having improved bond strength and elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Rexford A. Maugans, Kenneth B. Stewart, Edward N. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 6482896
    Abstract: The subject invention is directed to fibers and polymer blend compositions having improved bonding performance. In particular, the subject invention pertains to a multiconstituent fiber comprising a blend of a polypropylene polymer and a high molecular weight (i.e. low melt index or melt flow) ethylene polymer. The subject invention further pertains to the use of the fiber and polymer blend composition which has improved bonding performance in various end-use applications, especially woven and nonwoven fabrics such as, for example, disposable incontinence garments and diapers. The fibers have good spinnability and provide fabrics having improved bond strength and elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Rexford A. Maugans, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Kenneth B. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6448355
    Abstract: Elastic fibers and fabrics made from homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymers are disclosed which can be produced on conventional polypropylene or polyethylene fiber or fabric processes. They can be used to produce highly elastic structures that can have recycle compatibility between elastic and non-elastic components. The novel fibers have at least about 50% recovery at 100% strain. The fibers and fabrics are especially useful in making fabricated articles and components thereof (e.g., disposable diapers).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: George W. Knight, Rexford A. Maugans, Edward N. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 6436534
    Abstract: Elastic fibers and fabrics made from homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymers are disclosed which can be produced on conventional polypropylene or polyethylene fiber or fabric processes. They can be used to produce highly elastic structures that can have recycle compatibility between elastic and non-elastic components. The novel fibers have at least about 50% recovery at 100% strain. The fibers and fabrics are especially useful in making fabricated articles and components thereof (e.g., disposable diapers).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: George W. Knight, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Rexford A. Maugans
  • Publication number: 20020065384
    Abstract: Elastic fibers and fabrics made from homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymers are disclosed which can be produced on conventional polypropylene or polyethylene fiber or fabric processes. They can be used to produce highly elastic structures that can have recycle compatibility between elastic and non-plastic components. The novel fibers have at least about 50% recovery at 100% strain. The fibers and fabrics are especially useful in making fabricated articles and components thereof (e.g., disposable diapers).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: George W. Knight, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Rexford A. Maugans
  • Publication number: 20020049269
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making improved polyolefinic elastic articles from cured, irradiated or crosslinked amorphous ethylene interpolymers. In particular, the invention relates to a method of making a shaped article (e.g. film or fiber) characterized by improved elevated temperature elasticity as well as washability and dryability. The inventive elastic article comprises a substantially cured, irradiated, or crosslinked (or curable, irradiated or crosslinkable) homogeneously branched ethylene interpolymer characterized as having a density less than 0.90 g/cm3 and containing at least one nitrogen-containing stabilizer. The improved elastic article of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in applications where good elasticity must be maintained at elevated temperatures and after laundering such as, for example, elastic waist bands of undergarments and other clothing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: THOI H. HO, EDWARD N. KNICKERBOCKER, REXFORD A. MAUGANS
  • Publication number: 20020019490
    Abstract: The subject invention is directed to fibers and polymer blend compositions having improved bonding performance. In particular, the subject invention pertains to a multiconstituent fiber comprising a blend of a polypropylene polymer and a high molecular weight (i.e. low melt index or melt flow) ethylene polymer. The subject invention further pertains to the use of the fiber and polymer blend composition which has improved bonding performance in various end-use applications, especially woven and nonwoven fabrics such as, for example, disposable incontinence garments and diapers. The fibers have good spinnability and provide fabrics having improved bond strength and elongation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Rexford A. Maugans, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Kenneth B. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20010051267
    Abstract: The subject invention is directed to fibers and polymer blend compositions having improved bonding performance. In particular, the subject invention pertains to a multiconstituent fiber comprising a blend of a polypropylene polymer and a high molecular weight (i.e. low melt index or melt flow) ethylene polymer. The subject invention further pertains to the use of the fiber and polymer blend composition which has improved bonding performance in various end-use applications, especially woven and nonwoven fabrics such as, for example, disposable incontinence garments and diapers. The fibers have good spinnability and provide fabrics having improved bond strength and elongation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: The Dow Chemical Company.
    Inventors: Rexford A. Maugans, Kenneth B. Stewart, Edward N. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 6281289
    Abstract: The subject invention is directed to fibers and polymer blend compositions having improved bonding performance. In particular, the subject invention pertains to a multiconstituent fiber comprising a blend of a polypropylene polymer and a high molecular weight (i.e. low melt index or melt flow) ethylene polymer. The subject invention further pertains to the use of the fiber and polymer blend composition which has improved bonding performance in various end-use applications, especially woven and nonwoven fabrics such as, for example, disposable incontinence garments and diapers. The fibers have good spinnability and provide fabrics having improved bond strength and elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Rexford A. Maugans, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Kenneth B. Stewart