Patents by Inventor Hiroji Niimi

Hiroji Niimi 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: 6613259
    Abstract: A process for preparing polyester pellets which involves blending polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene isophthalate copolymer before solid state polymerization, the polyethylene isophthalate copolymer being composed of dicarboxylic acid constituent units derived from dicarboxylic acids containing terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid and diol constituent units derived from diols containing ethylene glycol and 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, palletizing the blend and crystallizing the pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Koji Nakamachi, Hiroji Niimi, Shoji Hiraoka, Masayuki Sakai, Hitoshi Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 6355319
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polyester resin composition comprising (A) a polyethylene terephthalate composed mainly of repeating units derived from a dicarboxylic acid containing terephthalate acid and/or an esterified derivative thereof and a diol containing ethylene glycol and/or esterified derivative thereof, and (B) an ethylene/(meth) acrylic acid copolymer and, optionally, (C) polyethylene. The polyethylene terephthalate contains diethylene glycol units in a ratio of 0.5 to 2.0% by weight and a cyclic trimer in an amount not greater than 0.5% by weight based on polyethylene terephthalate. The ethylene/ (meth) arcylic acid coploymer is in an amount of 0.1 to 10,000 ppb based on the composition. Also provided are a perform formed from the composition and a blow molded container produced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals INC
    Inventors: Koji Nakamachi, Hiroji Niimi, Mitsuaki Masumoto
  • Patent number: 6320014
    Abstract: Disclosed are polyester pellets made of a polyester which comprises dicarboxylic acid constituent units derived from dicarboxylic acids containing terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid and diol constituent units derived from diols containing ethylene glycol and 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, and which has the properties: constituent units derived from terephthalic acid are 15 to 99.5% by mol and constituent units derived from isophthalic acid are 0.5 to 85% by mol, both based on the total amount of dicarboxylic acid isophthalic acid constituent units (i); constituent units derived from ethylene glycol are 25 to 99.5% by mol and constituent units derived from 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene are 0.5 to 75% by mol, both based on the total amount of the diol constituent units (ii); the intrinsic viscosity is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 dl/g; and the melting point (Tm (°C.)), as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter, satisfies the formula [1/527−0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals INC
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Koji Nakamachi, Hiroji Niimi, Shoji Hiraoka, Masayuki Sakai, Hitoshi Tsuboi
  • Publication number: 20010017429
    Abstract: Disclosed are polyester pellets made of a polyester which comprises dicarboxylic acid constituent units derived from dicarboxylic acids containing terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid and diol constituent units derived from diols containing ethylene glycol and 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, and which has the properties: constituent units derived from terephthalic acid are 15 to 99.5 % by mol and constituent units derived from isophthalic acid are 0.5 to 85 % by mol, both based on the total amount of dicarboxylic acid isophthalic acid constituent units (i); constituent units derived from ethylene glycol are 25 to 99.5 % by mol and constituent units derived from 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene are 0.5 to 75 % by mol, both based on the total amount of the diol constituent units (ii); the intrinsic viscosity is in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 dl/g; and the melting point (Tm (° C.)), as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter, satisfies the formula [1/527-0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Koji Nakamachi, Hiroji Niimi, Shoji Hiraoka, Masayuki Sakai, Hitoshi Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 5972446
    Abstract: The refillable polyester bottle of the invention has a mean crystallinity of 32 to 70% at the bottle body, a methanol adsorption of 1,500 ppm or less at the same portion and a paraxylene adsorption of 300 ppm or less at the same portion. Therefore, the bottle is excellent in non-adsorptivity and heat resistance. According to the method of removing adsorbates on a polyester bottle of the invention, the adsorbates can be rapidly desorbed by holding the bottle in air of 40 to 150.degree. C. or bringing the bottle into contact with water or water vapor heated at 40 to 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Kaya, Hiroji Niimi, Susumu Hatabu, Kunio Tomita
  • Patent number: 5964113
    Abstract: A method of producing a resin-coated steel sheet for drawn-and-ironed cans. The resin-coated steel sheet has a steel sheet with a tin-coat on each side and a resin layer of a first crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin on one of the tin-coats and a second non-crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin on the first crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin. The first crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin has an alloying ratio of: 50.ltoreq.alloying ratio<100. The second non-crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin has an alloying ratio of 0<alloying ratio<50. The method includes thermal fusion of a mixture of 95-5 percent by weight of a crystalline polyester resin and 5-95 percent of a non-crystalline polyester resin to produce the first crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin and the second non-crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryousuke Wake, Ryoichi Yoshihara, Hiroji Niimi, Takashi Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 5714273
    Abstract: A resin-coated steel sheet for drawn-and-ironed cans and a method of producing the resin-coated steel sheet. The resin-coated steel sheet has a steel sheet with a tin-coat on each side and a resin layer of a first crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin on one of the tin-coats and a second non-crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin on the first crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin. The first crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin has an alloying ratio of: 50.ltoreq.alloying ratio <100. The second non-crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin has an alloying ratio of 0<alloying ratio <50. The method includes thermal fusion of a mixture of 95-5 percent by weight of a crystalline polyester resin and 5-95 percent of a non-crystalline polyester resin to produce the first crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin and the second non-crystalline thermoplastic polyester resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryousuke Wake, Ryoichi Yoshihara, Hiroji Niimi, Takashi Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 5658393
    Abstract: A method of removing adsorbates on a polyester bottle, the body of the bottle having a mean crystallinity of 32 to 70%, a methanol adsorption of 1,500 ppm or less and a paraxylene adsorption of 300 ppm or less. As a result, the bottle has excellent non-adsorptivity and heat resistance. According to the method, the adsorbates can be rapidly desorbed by holding the bottle in air of 40.degree. to 150.degree. C. or bringing the bottle into contact with water or water vapor heated at 40.degree. to 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Kaya, Hiroji Niimi
  • Patent number: 5650204
    Abstract: The refillable polyester bottle of the invention has a mean crystallinity of 32 to 70% at the bottle body, a methanol adsorption of 1,500 ppm or less at the same portion and a paraxylene adsorption of 300 ppm or less at the same portion. Therefore, the bottle is excellent in non-adsorptivity and heat resistance. According to the method of removing adsorbates on a polyester bottle of the invention, the adsorbates can be rapidly desorbed by holding the bottle in air of 40.degree. to 150.degree. C. or bringing the bottle into contact with water or water vapor heated at 40.degree. to 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenori Kaya, Hiroji Niimi, Susumu Hatabu, Kunio Tomita
  • Patent number: 5641548
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided blow molded articles which are composed of specific copolyesters or specific polyester resin compositions and which are highly oriented so that the stretch index as defined by the following equations becomes not less than 130 cm. ##EQU1## The blow molded articles thus provided are excellent in transparency and also excellent in moldability and gas barrier properties and, moreover, excellent also in economical efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Yamamoto, Hiroji Niimi, Yoji Yamamoto, Susumu Hatabu
  • Patent number: 5571584
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided blow molded articles which are composed of specific copolyesters or specific polyester resin compositions and which are highly oriented so that the stretch index as defined by the following equations becomes not less than 130 cm. ##EQU1## The blow molded articles thus provided are excellent in transparency and also excellent in moldability and gas barrier properties and, moreover, excellent also in economical efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Yamamoto, Hiroji Niimi, Yoji Yamamoto, Susumu Hatabu
  • Patent number: 5556675
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided blow molded articles which are composed of specific copolyesters or specific polyester resin compositions and which are highly oriented so that the stretch index as defined by the following equations becomes not less than 130 cm. ##EQU1## The blow molded articles thus provided are excellent in transparency and also excellent in moldability and gas barrier properties and, moreover, excellent also in economical efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Yamamoto, Hiroji Niimi, Yoji Yamamoto, Susumu Hatabu
  • Patent number: 5527622
    Abstract: A packaging laminate material comprises a paper substrate and a polyester resin layer provided on at least the innermost surface side of the substrate, wherein the polyester resin comprises dicarboxylic acid units comprising terephthalic acid and adipic acid and dihydroxy compound units comprising ethylene glycol and a second different dihydroxy compound. The polyester may also contain polyfunctional units derived from a polycarboxylic acid having a valence of 3 or more and/or derived from a polyglycol having a valence of 3 or more. The packaging laminate has a high heat-sealing strength, a small decrease in the heat-sealing strength even after the laminate is subjected to a hot water treatment or a hot hydrogen peroxide treatment, and is excellent in scent (odor) retention properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignees: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd., Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Kato, Eiji Takahashi, Hiroshi Kondo, Hiroji Niimi, Takashi Hiraoka, Masayuki Sakai, Masaki Kohsaka
  • Patent number: 5286187
    Abstract: A machine for molding a starting crystalline saturated polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate includes a device for first drying and then preheating the starting resin to a temperature above its melting point to lower the viscosity of the resin to such an extent that the resin is not substantially degraded in the compression section of the molding machine. A feed section is provided for quantitatively feeding the molten starting resin to the main body of the molding machine. Accordingly, the starting resin is molded into a desired shape in a molding machine under conditions such that the crystallization temperature of the resulting molded article is within 20.degree. C. of the crystallization temperature of the starting saturated crystalline polyester resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroji Niimi, Takashi Satake, Kunio Tomita
  • Patent number: 5256363
    Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalates of the present invention are excellent in mechanical strength, heat resistance and transparency, and therefore blow molded containers molded from the present polyethylene terephthalate are excellent in high temperature filling properties when they are filled with juice, refrigerant beverage, carbonated beverage, seasonings, etc. Furthermore, the blow molded containers prepared from the present polyethylene terephthalates have such characteristic features that they are free from thermal deformation at the time when they are subjected to high temperature filling, they are readily subjected to sterilization treatment and hence excellent in high speed filling properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Hashimoto, Hiroji Niimi, Tadao Yatsu, Shigemi Shiraki
  • Patent number: 5191987
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bottle made of a saturated polyester comprising a mouth, an upper shoulder, a barrel, a lower shoulder and a bottom, characterized in that the saturated polyester at the upper and/or lower shoulders has an orientation degree of not more than 0.6, the saturated polyester at the upper and lower shoulders has an orientated crystallinity of not more than 50%, and the thickness of the upper and lower shoulders is not less than 0.25 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroji Niimi, Yoshimitsu Moritani
  • Patent number: 5102705
    Abstract: Presented in this invention are a bottle made of polyethylene naphthalate resin and formed by stretching a preform so that the stretch index defined as follows be 130 cm or more, wherein gas barrier properties are improved greatly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Yammoto, Hiroji Niimi, Nobuyasu Kumura
  • Patent number: 5034177
    Abstract: A crystalline saturated polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, is molded into a desired shape in a molding machine under conditions such that the crystallization temperature of the resulting molded article is within 20.degree. C. of the crystallization temperature of the starting saturated crystalline polyester resin. This is accomplished by preheating the resin in the molding apparatus to a temperature above its melting point to lower the viscosity of the resin to such an extent that the resin is not substantially degraded in the compression section of the molding machine. By avoiding reductions in the crystallization temperature of the molded resin, the resin can be shaped by, for example, blow molding into a bottle or other configuration while satisfying simultaneously the requirements for transparency and dimensional stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroji Niimi, Takashi Satake, Kunio Tomita
  • Patent number: 4198327
    Abstract: A composition having improved adhesion to polar solid materials which comprises(A) 99 to 70 parts by weight of a modified crystalline polyolefin having grafted thereto a monomer selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids and their anhydrides, esters, amides imides and metal salts, said crystalline polyolefin having a degree of crystallinity measured by an X-ray analysis, of at least 25% and containing the grafting monomer in an amount of 0.0001 to 3% by weight based on the total amount of the crystalline polyolefin and the grafting monomer; and(B) 1 to 30 parts by weight of a hydrocarbon elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Matsumoto, Hiroji Niimi