Patents by Inventor Jean Merrick-Mack

Jean Merrick-Mack 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: 8475898
    Abstract: Resin blends useful for pipe and blow-molded articles are disclosed. The blends comprise a low-molecular-weight, high-density polyethylene and a high-molecular-weight, low-density ethylene copolymer. The high-molecular-weight component is made with a bridged indenoindolyl Group 4 metal complex having open architecture. Blends of the invention uniquely have high molecular weight (Mw>200,000) and low levels of long-chain branching. A quick, convenient approach for estimating levels of long-chain branching in polyethylenes from gel permeation chromatography and dynamic oscillatory rheometry (“viscosity enhancement factor”) is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Shaotian Wang, Gregory G. Hlatky, Sebastian Joseph, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Kenneth J. Klug, Wallace W. Yau
  • Patent number: 7855255
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyethylene composition. The composition comprises single-site multimodal resin A and single-site multimodal resin B, wherein resin A differs from resin B in molecular weight, in monomeric composition, in density, in long chain branch concentration or distribution, or in combinations thereof. Disclosed is also a method for making the polyethylene composition. The method comprises polymerizing, in the presence of two or more single-site catalysts, ethylene or its mixture with a C3-C10 ?-olefin to form a first multimodal resin and continuing the polymerization in the presence of the same catalysts but in a different hydrogen concentration, in a different monomer composition, or at a different temperature to form a second multimodal resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Venki Chandrashekar, Mark P. Mack, Charles H. Gates, Jr., Charles S. Holland, Natalia Nagy, Sandor M. Nagy, Edward S. Vargas, Jean A. Merrick-Mack
  • Patent number: 7723451
    Abstract: A slurry process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of an ?-olefin, hydrogen, and a catalyst comprising an activator and a supported, dimethylsilyl-bridged bis(indenoindolyl)zirconium complex. The process has high catalyst activity and produces polyethylene having a broad molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Sandor Nagy, Barbara M. Tsuie, Bradley P. Etherton, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Everett O. Lewis, Mark P. Mack, Natalia Nagy, Edward S. Vargas
  • Patent number: 7666961
    Abstract: A slurry process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of an ?-olefin and a catalyst comprising an activator and a supported bridged bis-indeno[2,1-b]indolyl zirconium complex. The process uses a highly active catalyst and provides polyethylene characterized by a high level of long-chain branching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Sandor Nagy, Barbara M. Tsuie, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Natalia Nagy
  • Patent number: 7655740
    Abstract: A slurry process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of an ?-olefin and a catalyst comprising an activator and a supported bridged indeno[1,2-b]indolyl zirconium complex. The process produces polyethylene characterized by good incorporation of the ?-olefin and moderate long-chain branching. The process is capable of forming high molecular weight polyethylene and has good catalyst activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Sandor Nagy, Barbara M. Tsuie, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Natalia Nagy
  • Patent number: 7538173
    Abstract: Ethylene copolymers valuable for films, coatings, sheets, and molded articles are disclosed. Some of the copolymers have a long-chain-branching index from 0.25 to 0.60 and a gpcBR index from 0.1 to 0.7. Others have a primary DSC melting point that is less than its secondary DSC melting point. Also disclosed is LLDPE in which the weight percentage of the low-temperature elution fraction exceeds that of the high-temperature fraction, and wherein the Mw of the low-temperature fraction exceeds that of the high-temperature fraction. The ethylene copolymers process easily, even at low melt indices, and films from the copolymers have high stiffness, good impact resistance, and high heat-seal strength over a wide temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals LP
    Inventors: Thomas J. Schwab, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Wallace W. Yau, Kelly L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090099316
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyethylene composition. The composition comprises single-site multimodal resin A and single-site multimodal resin B, wherein resin A differs from resin B in molecular weight, in monomeric composition, in density, in long chain branch concentration or distribution, or in combinations thereof. Disclosed is also a method for making the polyethylene composition. The method comprises polymerizing, in the presence of two or more single-site catalysts, ethylene or its mixture with a C3-C10 ?-olefin to form a first multimodal resin and continuing the polymerization in the presence of the same catalysts but in a different hydrogen concentration, in a different monomer composition, or at a different temperature to form a second multimodal resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Venki Chandrashekar, Mark P. Mack, Charles H. Gates, JR., Charles S. Holland, Natalia Nagy, Sandor M. Nagy, Edward S. Vargas, Jean A. Merrick-Mack
  • Publication number: 20090062488
    Abstract: A slurry process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of an ?-olefin and a catalyst comprising an activator and a supported bridged indeno[1,2-b]indolyl zirconium complex. The process produces polyethylene characterized by good incorporation of the ?-olefin and moderate long-chain branching. The process is capable of forming high molecular weight polyethylene and has good catalyst activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Sandor Nagy, Barbara M. Tsuie, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Natalia Nagy
  • Publication number: 20090062490
    Abstract: A slurry process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of an ?-olefin, hydrogen, and a catalyst comprising an activator and a supported, dimethylsilyl-bridged bis(indenoindolyl)zirconium complex. The process has high catalyst activity and produces polyethylene having a broad molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Sandor Nagy, Barbara M. Tsuie, Bradley P. Etherton, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Everett O. Lewis, Mark P. Mack, Natalia Nagy, Edward S. Vargas
  • Publication number: 20090061135
    Abstract: Resin blends useful for pipe and blow-molded articles are disclosed. The blends comprise a low-molecular-weight, high-density polyethylene and a high-molecular-weight, low-density ethylene copolymer. The high-molecular-weight component is made with a bridged indenoindolyl Group 4 metal complex having open architecture. Blends of the invention uniquely have high molecular weight (Mw>200,000) and low levels of long-chain branching. A quick, convenient approach for estimating levels of long-chain branching in polyethylenes from gel permeation chromatography and dynamic oscillatory rheometry (“viscosity enhancement factor”) is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Shaotian Wang, Gregory G. Hlatky, Sebastian Joseph, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Kenneth J. Klug, Wallace W. Yau
  • Publication number: 20090062489
    Abstract: A slurry process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of an ?-olefin and a catalyst comprising an activator and a supported bridged bis-indeno[2,1-b]indolyl zirconium complex. The process uses a highly active catalyst and provides polyethylene characterized by a high level of long-chain branching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Sandor Nagy, Barbara M. Tsuie, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Natalia Nagy
  • Patent number: 7473745
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyethylene composition. The composition comprises single-site multimodal resin A and single-site multimodal resin B, wherein resin A differs from resin B in molecular weight, in monomeric composition, in density, in long chain branch concentration or distribution, or in combinations thereof. Disclosed is also a method for making the polyethylene composition. The method comprises polymerizing, in the presence of two or more single-site catalysts, ethylene or its mixture with a C3-C10 ?-olefin to form a first multimodal resin and continuing the polymerization in the presence of the same catalysts but in a different hydrogen concentration, in a different monomer composition, or at a different temperature to form a second multimodal resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Venki Chandrashekar, Mark P. Mack, Charles H. Gates, Jr., Charles S. Holland, Natalia Nagy, Sandor M. Nagy, Edward S. Vargas, Jean A. Merrick-Mack
  • Patent number: 7423098
    Abstract: An ethylene polymerization process is disclosed. Ethylene is polymerized in two slurry reaction zones with a C6-C10 alpha-olefin in the presence of a single-site catalyst capable of making a high molecular weight polyolefin. The process yields medium density and linear low density polyethylene having a bimodal molecular weight distribution and a melt index from about 0.10 to about 0.80. Films from the polyethylene have superior impact properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Philip J. Garrison, Charles S. Holland, Mark P. Mack, Linda N. Winslow, Everett O. Lewis, James R. Clark, Leonard V. Cribbs, Bradley P. Etherton, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Paula L. Nygard
  • Publication number: 20070167585
    Abstract: An ethylene polymerization process is disclosed. Ethylene is polymerized in two slurry reaction zones with a C6-C10 alpha-olefin in the presence of a single-site catalyst capable of making a high molecular weight polyolefin. The process yields medium density and linear low density polyethylene having a bimodal molecular weight distribution and a melt index from about 0.10 to about 0.80. Films from the polyethylene have superior impact properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Philip Garrison, Charles Holland, Mark Mack, Linda Winslow, Everett Lewis, James Clark, Leonard Cribbs, Bradley Etherton, Jean Merrick-Mack, Paula Nygard
  • Publication number: 20070117946
    Abstract: Ethylene copolymers valuable for films, coatings, sheets, and molded articles are disclosed. Some of the copolymers have a long-chain-branching index from 0.25 to 0.60 and a gpcBR index from 0.1 to 0.7. Others have a primary DSC melting point that is less than its secondary DSC melting point. Also disclosed is LLDPE in which the weight percentage of the low-temperature elution fraction exceeds that of the high-temperature fraction, and wherein the Mw of the low-temperature fraction exceeds that of the high-temperature fraction. The ethylene copolymers process easily, even at low melt indices, and films from the copolymers have high stiffness, good impact resistance, and high heat-seal strength over a wide temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Schwab, Jean Merrick-Mack, Wallace Yau, Kelly Williams
  • Publication number: 20070055021
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyethylene composition. The composition comprises single-site multimodal resin A and single-site multimodal resin B, wherein resin A differs from resin B in molecular weight, in monomeric composition, in density, in long chain branch concentration or distribution, or in combinations thereof. Disclosed is also a method for making the polyethylene composition. The method comprises polymerizing, in the presence of two or more single-site catalysts, ethylene or its mixture with a C3-C10 ?-olefin to form a first multimodal resin and continuing the polymerization in the presence of the same catalysts but in a different hydrogen concentration, in a different monomer composition, or at a different temperature to form a second multimodal resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Venki Chandrashekar, Mark Mack, Charles Gates, Charles Holland, Natalia Nagy, Sandor Nagy, Edward Vargas, Jean Merrick-Mack
  • Patent number: 6908972
    Abstract: A method for making ethylene polymers and copolymers is disclosed. The method uses a catalyst system comprising a low level of an aluminum-containing activator, a bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex, and a treated silica support. The method enables economical preparation of ethylene copolymers having very low density. The silica-supported, bridged complexes incorporate comonomers efficiently and are valuable for a commercial slurry loop process. Use of a bridged indeno[2,1-b]indolyl complex provides exceptionally efficient comonomer incorporation, and gives polymers with a substantial and controlled level of long-chain branching. The method facilitates the production of a wide variety of polyolefins, from HDPE to plastomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Barbara M. Tsuie, Karen L. Neal-Hawkins, Sandor Nagy, Michael W. Lynch, Mark P. Mack, Shaotian Wang, Jean A Merrick-Mack, Clifford C. Lee, Joel A. Mutchler, Kenneth W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6770715
    Abstract: A high molecular weight, medium density polyethylene (HMW, MDPE) is disclosed. The polyethylene comprises from about 85 to about 98 wt % of recurring units of ethylene and about 2 to about 15 wt % of a C3-C10 &agr;-olefin. It has a density from about 0.92 to about 0.944 g/cc, a melt index MI2 from about 0.01 to about 0.5 dg/min, and a melt flow ratio MFR from about 50 to about 300. It has a multimodal molecular weight distribution comprising a high molecular weight component and a low molecular weight component. The low molecular weight component has an MI2 from about 50 to about 600 dg/min and a density from about 0.94 to about 0.97 g/cc. A process for making the medium density polyethylene is also disclosed. The process uses a Ziegler catalyst and applies multiple reaction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Philip J. Garrison, Lawrence R. Wallace, Danny L. Wise, James H. Meas, Leonard V. Cribbs, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Paula L. Nygard
  • Patent number: 6664349
    Abstract: An ethylene polymerization process is disclosed. The process uses a single-site catalyst that contains a boraaryl ligand. It comprises supporting the catalyst, forming a slurry of the supported catalyst in an organic solvent, mixing the catalyst slurry with trialkyl aluminum compound, and polymerizing ethylene in the presence of the trialkyl aluminum-treated catalyst slurry. The process gives polyethylene having a controlled long-chain-branch index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Shaotian Wang, Jean A. Merrick-Mack
  • Publication number: 20030195306
    Abstract: A method for making ethylene polymers and copolymers is disclosed. The method uses a catalyst system comprising a low level of an aluminum-containing activator, a bridged indenoindolyl transition metal complex, and a treated silica support. The method enables economical preparation of ethylene copolymers having very low density. The silica-supported, bridged complexes incorporate comonomers efficiently and are valuable for a commercial slurry loop process. Use of a bridged indeno[2,1-b]indolyl complex provides exceptionally efficient comonomer incorporation, and gives polymers with a substantial and controlled level of long-chain branching. The method facilitates the production of a wide variety of polyolefins, from HDPE to plastomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Barbara M. Tsuie, Karen L. Neal-Hawkins, Sandor Nagy, Michael W. Lynch, Mark P. Mack, Shaotian Wang, Jean A. Merrick-Mack, Clifford C. Lee, Joel A. Mutchler, Kenneth W. Johnson