Patents by Inventor Francis C. Rix

Francis C. Rix 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).

  • Publication number: 20160347888
    Abstract: Polymers, and systems and methods for making and using the same are described herein. A polymer includes ethylene and at least one alpha olefin having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The polymer has a melt index ratio (MIR) greater than about 40. The polymer also has a value for Mw1/Mw2 of at least about 2.0, wherein Mw1/Mw2 is a ratio of a weight average molecular weight (Mw) for a first half of a temperature rising elution (TREF) curve from a cross-fractionation (CFC) analysis to an Mw for a second half of the TREF curve. The polymer also has a value for Tw1?Tw2 of less than about ?15° C., wherein Tw1?Tw2 is a difference of a weight average elution temperature (Tw) for the first half of the TREF curve to a Tw for the second half of the TREF curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Timothy M. Boller, Garth R. Giesbrecht, Mark G. Goode, Sun-Chueh Kao, Dongming Li, R. Eric Pequeno, James M. Farley, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9234060
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing a catalyst system comprising a spray-dried activator and polymerization processes employing these catalyst systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sun-Chueh Kao, Phuong A. Cao, C. Jeff Harlan, Parul A. Khokhani, George Rodriguez, Francis C. Rix, Garth R. Giesbrecht
  • Patent number: 9181371
    Abstract: Described herein are methods comprising contacting one or more olefins with a catalyst system in a polymerization reactor at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin, wherein the catalyst system comprises a first metallocene catalyst compound comprising a first transition metal atom, two cyclopentadienyl ligands bound to the first transition metal atom, and two leaving groups bound to the first transition metal atom, wherein at least one leaving group is selected from the group consisting of a halo-phenoxy and a halo-alkoxy; wherein the first metallocene catalyst compound has a catalyst productivity that is at least 20% greater than a comparative metallocene catalyst compound used to produce the same polyolefin, wherein the comparative metallocene catalyst compound is the same as the first metallocene catalyst compound except neither leaving group is a halo-phenoxy or a halo-alkoxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lixin Sun, Francis C. Rix, Sun-Chueh Kao, Parul A. Khokhani, Phuong A. Cao
  • Publication number: 20150166699
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing a catalyst system comprising a spray-dried activator and polymerization processes employing these catalyst systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sun-Chueh Kao, Phuong A. Cao, C. Jeff Harlan, Parul A. Khokhani, George Rodriguez, Francis C. Rix, Garth R. Giesbrecht
  • Patent number: 8975427
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing an alkyl cyclopentadiene compound is disclosed. The method includes contacting at least one cyclopentadienyl anion source and at least one alkyl group source to form at least one alkyl cyclopentadiene compound. The method further includes extracting the alkyl cyclopentadiene compound with a hydrocarbon solvent. The alkyl cyclopentadiene compound may be converted to a metallocene catalyst compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: C. Jeff Harlan, Xianyi Cao, Francis C. Rix
  • Publication number: 20140288249
    Abstract: Described herein are methods comprising contacting one or more olefins with a catalyst system in a polymerization reactor at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin, wherein the catalyst system comprises a first metallocene catalyst compound comprising a first transition metal atom, two cyclopentadienyl ligands bound to the first transition metal atom, and two leaving groups bound to the first transition metal atom, wherein at least one leaving group is selected from the group consisting of a halo-phenoxy and a halo-alkoxy; wherein the first metallocene catalyst compound has a catalyst productivity that is at least 20% greater than a comparative metallocene catalyst compound used to produce the same polyolefin, wherein the comparative metallocene catalyst compound is the same as the first metallocene catalyst compound except neither leaving group is a halo-phenoxy or a halo-alkoxy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Lixin Sun, Francis C. Rix, Sun-Chueh Kao, Parul A. Khokhani, Phuong A. Cao
  • Patent number: 8835577
    Abstract: A polymerization catalyst system and polymerization processes using the catalyst systems are disclosed. The polymerization catalyst systems may include a) a first catalyst compound, and b) a second catalyst compound, wherein the first catalyst compound comprises a biphenyl phenol compound having essentially no hydrogen response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francis C. Rix, Sun-Chueh Kao, Rainer Kolb, Dongming Li, Cesar A. Garcia-Franco
  • Patent number: 8598287
    Abstract: A process for polymerizing olefin(s) utilizing a cyclic bridged metallocene catalyst system to produce polymers with improved properties is provided. The catalyst system may include a cyclic bridged metallocene, LA(R?SiR?)LBZrQ2, activated by an activator, the activator comprising aluminoxane, a modified aluminoxane, or a mixture thereof, and supported by a support, where: LA and LB are independently an unsubstituted or a substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand bonded to Zr and defined by the formula (C5H4-dRd), where R is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl substituent, a substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, or a heteroatom substituent, and where d is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; LA and LB are connected to one another with a cyclic silicon bridge, R?SiR?, where R? are independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl substituents that are connected with each other to form a silacycle ring; and each Q is a labile hydrocarbyl or a substituted hydrocarbyl ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chi-I Kuo, Dongming Li, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Mark G Goode, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., Tae Hoon Kwalk
  • Patent number: 8586497
    Abstract: Olefin polymerization catalyst systems including a high molecular weight catalyst compound and a low molecular weight catalyst compound, and methods of making same are provided. High molecular weight catalysts include metallocene catalysts and low molecular weight catalysts include non-metallocene compounds including biphenyl phenol compounds. Generally catalyst systems may include less than about 5.0 mol % of the high molecular weight catalyst compound relative to said low molecular weight catalyst. Methods for olefin polymerization including the aforementioned catalyst systems, and polyolefins and products made therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Dongming Li, Francis C. Rix, Cesar A. Garcia-Franco
  • Patent number: 8455601
    Abstract: A film of an ethylene polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Francis C. Rix, R. Eric Pequeno
  • Patent number: 8435914
    Abstract: A polymerization catalyst system and polymerization processes using the catalyst systems are disclosed. The polymerization catalyst systems may include a) a first catalyst compound, and b) a second catalyst compound, wherein the first catalyst compound includes an oxadiazole-containing compound. In some embodiments, the oxadiazole-containing compound has essentially no hydrogen response, thus allowing better and/or tailored control of product properties when producing polymers using the catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sun-Chueh Kao, Francis C. Rix, Dongming Li, C. Jeff Harlan, Parul A. Khokhani
  • Publication number: 20130085289
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing an alkyl cyclopentadiene compound is disclosed. The method includes contacting at least one cyclopentadienyl anion source and at least one alkyl group source to form at least one alkyl cyclopentadiene compound. The method further includes extracting the alkyl cyclopentadiene compound with a hydrocarbon solvent. The alkyl cyclopentadiene compound may be converted to a metallocene catalyst compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: C. Jeff Harlan, Xianyi Cao, Francis C. Rix
  • Patent number: 8329835
    Abstract: Polyethylene compositions having improved properties are provided. In one aspect, a polyethylene composition having a long chain branching index (g?avg) of 0.5 to 0.9; a Melt Flow Rate (MFR) of greater than (49.011×MI(?0.4304)), where MI is Melt Index; and a weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of less than or equal to 4.6 is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Goode, Rainer Kolb, Chi-I Kuo, Tae Hoon Kwalk, Dongming Li, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120271017
    Abstract: A polymerization catalyst system and polymerization processes using the catalyst systems are disclosed. The polymerization catalyst systems may include a) a first catalyst compound, and b) a second catalyst compound, wherein the first catalyst compound comprises a biphenyl phenol compound having essentially no hydrogen response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Francis C. Rix, Sun-Chueh Kao, Rainer Kolb, Dongming Li, Cesar A. Garcia-Franco
  • Publication number: 20120046428
    Abstract: A polymerization catalyst system and polymerization processes using the catalyst systems are disclosed. The polymerization catalyst systems may include a) a first catalyst compound, and b) a second catalyst compound, wherein the first catalyst compound includes an oxadiazole-containing compound. In some embodiments, the oxadiazole-containing compound has essentially no hydrogen response, thus allowing better and/or tailored control of product properties when producing polymers using the catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sun-Chueh Kao, Francis C. Rix, Dongming Li, C. Jeff Harlan, Parul A. Khokhani
  • Patent number: 8088704
    Abstract: Polymerization catalyst systems including three or more catalyst compounds are provided. Methods for olefin polymerization including the aforementioned catalyst systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Dongming Li, Francis C. Rix, Cesar A. Garcia-Franco
  • Publication number: 20110098422
    Abstract: Polyethylene compositions having improved properties are provided. In one aspect, a polyethylene composition having a long chain branching index (g?avg) of 0.5 to 0.9; a Melt Flow Rate (MFR) of greater than (49.011×MI(?0.4304)), where MI is Melt Index; and a weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of less than or equal to 4.6 is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dongming Li, Mark G Goode, Rainer Kolb, Chi-I Kuo, Tae Hoon Kwalk, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100298511
    Abstract: A process for polymerizing olefin(s) utilizing a cyclic bridged metallocene catalyst system to produce polymers with improved properties is provided. The catalyst system may include a cyclic bridged metallocene, LA(R?SiR?)LBZrQ2, activated by an activator, the activator comprising aluminoxane, a modified aluminoxane, or a mixture thereof, and supported by a support, where: LA and LB are independently an unsubstituted or a substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand bonded to Zr and defined by the formula (C5H4-dRd), where R is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl substituent, a substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, or a heteroatom substituent, and where d is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; LA and LB are connected to one another with a cyclic silicon bridge, R?SiR?, where R? are independently hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl substituents that are connected with each other to form a silacycle ring; and each Q is a labile hydrocarbyl or a substituted hydrocarbyl ligand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chi-I Kuo, Dongming Li, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Mark G. Goode, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., Tae Hoon Kwalk
  • Publication number: 20100261861
    Abstract: Polymerization catalyst systems including three or more catalyst compounds are provided. Methods for olefin polymerization including the aforementioned catalyst systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Rainer Kolb, Dongming Li, Francis C. Rix, Cesar A. Garcia-Franco
  • Patent number: 7638670
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing oligomers of olefins, comprising reacting olefins with a catalyst under oligomerization conditions. The catalyst can be the product of the combination of a chromium compound and a pyridyl amine or a heteroaryl-amine compound. In particular embodiments, the catalyst compound can be used to trimerize or tetramerize ethylene to 1-hexene, 1-octene, or mixtures of 1-hexene and 1-octene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: David H. McConville, Lily Ackerman, Robert T. Li, Xiaohong Bei, Matthew C. Kuchta, Tom Boussie, John F. Walzer, Jr., Gary Diamond, Francis C. Rix, Keith A. Hall, Anne LaPointe, James Longmire, Vince Murphy, Pu Sun, Dawn Verdugo, Susan Schofer, Eric Dias