Patents by Inventor Jame C. Stevens

Jame C. Stevens 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: 7897679
    Abstract: Unique copolymers comprising propylene, ethylene and/or one or more unsaturated comonomers are characterized as having: at least one, preferably more than one, of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.20, (iv) a DSC curve with a Tme that remains essentially the same and a Tmax that decreases as the amount of comonomer in the copolymer is increased, and (v) an X-ray diffraction pattern that reports more gamma-form crystals than a comparable copolymer prepared with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst These polypropylene polymers are made using a nonmetallocene, metal-centered, heteroaryl ligand catalyst. These polymers can be blended with other polymers, and are useful in the manufacture of films, sheets, foams, fibers and molded articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stevens, Daniel D. Vanderlende
  • Patent number: 7858706
    Abstract: A composition for use in forming a multi-block copolymer, said copolymer containing therein two or more segments or blocks differing in chemical or physical properties, a polymerization process using the same, and the resulting polymers, wherein the composition comprises the admixture or reaction product resulting from combining: (A) a first metal complex olefin polymerization catalyst, (B) a second metal complex olefin polymerization catalyst capable of preparing polymers differing in chemical or physical properties from the polymer prepared by catalyst (A) under equivalent polymerization conditions, and (C) a chain shuttling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Arriola, Edmund M. Carnahan, Yunwa Wilson Cheung, David D. Devore, David D. Graf, Phillip D. Hustad, Roger L. Kuhlman, Colin Li Pi Shan, Benjamin C. Poon, Gordon R. Roof, James C. Stevens, Pamela J. Stirn, Timothy T. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20100256427
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to homogeneous liquid low molecular weight ethylene/alpha-olefin polymers having a number average molecular weight (Mn) as determined by gel permeation chromatography, of less than 25,000, a total crystallinity, as measured by DSC, of less than 10%, and a pour point, as measured by ASTM D97, of less than 50° C. The subject invention also pertains to homogeneous gel-like low molecular weight ethylene/alpha-olefin polymers having a number average molecular weight (Mn) as determined by gel permeation chromatography, of less than 25,000, a total crystallinity, as measured by DSC, of less than 50%, and a pour point, as measured by ASTM D97, of less than 90° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa P. Karjala, Selim Yalvac, Thomas Karjala, Daniel D. VanderLende, Brian W. Kolthammer, James C. Stevens, Charles F. Diehl
  • Patent number: 7795365
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to homogeneous liquid low molecular weight ethylene/alpha-olefin polymers having a number average molecular weight (Mn) as determined by gel permeation chromatography, of less than 25,000, a total crystallinity, as measured by DSC, of less than 10%, and a pour point, as measured by ASTM D97, of less than 50° C. The subject invention also pertains to homogeneous gel-like low molecular weight ethylene/alpha-olefin polymers having a number average molecular weight (Mn) as determined by gel permeation chromatography, of less than 25,000, a total crystallinity, as measured by DSC, of less than 50%, and a pour point, as measured by ASTM D97, of less than 90° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa P. Karjala, Selim Yalvac, Thomas Karjala, Daniel D. Vanderlende, Brian W. Kolthammer, James C. Stevens, Charles F. Diehl
  • Publication number: 20100222516
    Abstract: A process for forming tactic polymers employing at least one olefin polymerization catalyst comprising a non-racemic mixture of the R- and S-enantiomers of a metal complex containing at least one asymmetrically substituted (chiral) carbon atom, and a chain shuttling agent, a polar aprotic organic compound, or both a chain shuttling agent and a polar aprotic organic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Vicenzo Busico, Harold W. Boone, James C. Stevens, Francesca Alfano, Roberta Cipullo
  • Publication number: 20100190943
    Abstract: A process for forming a high molecular weight, multi-block copolymer comprising two or more chemically distinguishable segments or blocks, the process comprising polymerizing one or more olefin monomers in the presence of a chain shuttling agent and a catalyst composition comprising two or more olefin polymerization catalysts capable of preparing polymers having differing chemical or physical properties under equivalent polymerization conditions, or a catalyst composition comprising at least one olefin polymerization catalyst containing multiple active catalyst sites capable of preparing polymers having differing chemical or physical properties
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Vincenzo Busico, Francesca Alfano, Harold W. Boone, Roberta Cipullo, James C. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20100036069
    Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising a zirconium complex of a polyvalent aryloxyether and an alumoxane, polymerization processes employing the same, especially the continuous, solution polymerization of ethylene and one or more C3-30 olefins or diolefins to prepare copolymers having reduced cocatalyst by-product content, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Wayde V. Konze, James C. Stevens, Daniel D. VanderLende
  • Publication number: 20090312509
    Abstract: A process for polymerization of propylene, optionally ethylene, and further optionally one or more C4-30 ?-olefins and/or one or more conjugated or nonconjugated dienes under continuous, solution polymerization conditions to prepare a high molecular weight polymer or interpolymer, said process comprising conducting the polymerization in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising a hafnium complex of a polyvalent aryloxyether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: James C. Stevens, Daniel D. VanderLende
  • Publication number: 20090264605
    Abstract: A combinatorial method for identifying a catalyst composition for use in the homogeneous addition polymerization of an olefin monomers, said catalyst composition comprising a transition metal compound, a cocatalyst and a polymerization modifier, as well as catalyst compositions and improved olefin polymerization processes resulting therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Daryoosh Beigzadeh, Richard E. Campbell, JR., David D. Devore, Duane R. Romer, Jame C. Stevens, Francis J. Timmers, Hendrik E. Tuinstra, Paul C. Vosejpka
  • Publication number: 20090200761
    Abstract: An apparatus for shifting the center of gravity of a vehicle, including a master cylinder assembly with motor, gearbox and position sensing encoder; at least one vehicle shock and spring assembly with upper shock casing and lower piston end; a slave cylinder hydraulically connected with the master cylinder and connected with the at least one or more of the vehicle's vehicle shock and spring assemblies assembly to, upon actuation of the motor, vary the distance between the upper shock casing and the lower piston end; a driver control assembly including one or more actuator paddles connected behind the outer grip of the steering wheel; and, a control unit having computer programming to receive and issue data and instructions and being operationally connected between the driver control assembly and the master cylinder to actuate the motor upon movement of one or more of the paddles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: James C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7553917
    Abstract: A combinatorial method for identifying a catalyst composition for use in the homogeneous addition polymerization of an olefin monomers, said catalyst composition comprising a transition metal compound, a cocatalyst and a polymerization modifier, as well as catalyst compositions and improved olefin polymerization processes resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryoosh Beigzadeh, David D. Devore, Richard E. Campbell, Jr., Duane R. Romer, James C. Stevens, Hendrik E. Tuinstra, Francis J. Timmers, Paul C. Vosejpka
  • Publication number: 20080281484
    Abstract: A data acquisition system for a vehicle, including a plurality of sensors for sensing the value of a condition relative to the vehicle; at least one collector electronically connected with and configured to receive first data from at least one of the sensors and configured to output second data to a host controller; a host controller electronically connected with and configured to receive second data from at least one collector and configured to store the second data for later access; and, fiber optic cable means connected between the host controller and the at least one collector for carrying the second data from the at least one collector to the host controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Scott Seybert, James C. Stevens, Todd Rezac, Timothy Corbett
  • Patent number: 7438296
    Abstract: An apparatus for shifting the center of gravity of a vehicle includes a master cylinder assembly with motor, gearbox and position sensing encoder; a slave cylinder hydraulically connected with the master cylinder and connected with one or more of the vehicle's shock and spring assemblies to, upon actuation of the motor, vary the distance between the upper shock casing and the lower piston end: a driver control assembly including one or more actuator paddles connected behind the outer grip of the steering wheel: and, a control unit having computer programming to receive and issue data and instructions and being operationally connected between the driver control assembly and the master cylinder to actuate the motor upon movement of one or more of the paddles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: James C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7344775
    Abstract: Fibers comprising a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene and at least one of ethylene and one or more unsaturated comonomers exhibit desirable properties. The homopolymers 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. The copolymers are characterized as (A) comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene, and (B) having at least one of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stevens, Daniel D. Vanderlende, Samuel Ethiopia
  • Patent number: 7300983
    Abstract: A polymer composition that has a backbone chain; and a plurality of long chain branches connected to the backbone is described. The polymer composition also has a value of 2g?LCB-1g?LCB that is less than about 0.22, where 1g?LCB is the long chain branching index for a fraction of the composition having a Mw of 100,000 and 2g?LCB is the long chain branching index for a fraction of the composition having a Mw of 500,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander W. Degroot, James C. Stevens, Sylvie Y. Desjardins, Jeffrey Weinhold, Edmund M. Carnahan, David Gillespie, Daniel D. Vanderlende
  • Patent number: 7271221
    Abstract: Olefin polymers having a melt strength of about 5cN at 190 ° C., and when made into a film have a CD shrink of at least 20%. Some of the polymers have a comb-like structure with at least 0.3 long-chain branches per 1000 carbon atoms are disclosed. Some compositions described herein include a high molecular weight fraction and a low molecular weight fraction wherein the ratio of the molecular weight of the high molecular weight fraction to the molecular weight of the low molecular weight fraction is greater than about 1.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stevens, Daniel D. VanderLende
  • Patent number: 7250471
    Abstract: Polymer blends that exhibit good impact resistance comprise a crystalline polypropylene matrix and a partly crystalline copolymer impact modifier with a molecular weight lower than that of the matrix polymer. The matrix polymer can comprise any crystalline propylene homo- or copolymer. The impact modifying copolymers are characterized as comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene and, in certain embodiments, as having at least one, preferably two or more, of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stevens, Daniel D. Vanderlende, Patricia Ansems
  • Patent number: 7250470
    Abstract: A method of nucleating a propylene homo- or copolymer, the method comprising contacting the propylene polymer with a semi-crystalline branched or coupled polymeric nucleating agent under nucleation conditions. In one embodiment, the propylene homopolymer is 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 another embodiment, the copolymer is characterized as comprising at least about 60 weight percent (wt %) of units derived from propylene, and as having at least one of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content, i.e., the units derived from ethylene and/or the unsaturated comonomer(s), of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stevens, Daniel D. Vanderlende, Patricia Ansems
  • Patent number: 7238759
    Abstract: Unique copolymers comprising propylene, ethylene and/or one or more unsaturated comonomers are characterized as having: at least one, preferably more than one, of the following properties: (i) 13C NMR peaks corresponding to a regio-error at about 14.6 and about 15.7 ppm, the peaks of about equal intensity, (ii) a B-value greater than about 1.4 when the comonomer content of the copolymer is at least about 3 wt %, (iii) a skewness index, Six, greater than about ?1.20, (iv) a DSC curve with a Tme that remains essentially the same and a Tmax that decreases as the amount of comonomer in the copolymer is increased, and (v) an X-ray diffraction pattern that reports more gamma-form crystals than a comparable copolymer prepared with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst These polypropylene polymers are made using a nonmetallocene, metal-centered, heteroaryl ligand catalyst. These polymers can be blended with other polymers, and are useful in the manufacture of films, sheets, foams, fibers and molded articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Stevens, Daniel D. Vanderlende
  • Patent number: 7222673
    Abstract: A method for releasing gas from a gas hydrate without melting the gas hydrate by substituting the gas with a releasing agent that forms a more stable hydrate structure than the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: ConocoPhilips Company
    Inventors: Arne Graue, Bjorn Kvamme, David R. Zornes, James C. Stevens, James J. Howard, Bernard A. Baldwin