Patents by Inventor Karen A. Sheppard

Karen A. Sheppard 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: 7393592
    Abstract: A coextruded, heat-sealable film structure includes a core layer of a thermoplastic polymer having a first side and a second side. A functional layer which is printable, sealable, or can be laminated or is treatable for printing, sealing, or laminating is on the first side of the core layer. A heat-sealable layer is on the second side of the core layer. The heat-sealable layer is composed of a thermoplastic polymer and an amount of a slip system, based upon the entire weight of the heat-sealable layer, sufficient to reduce the coefficient of friction and improve the slip performance of the film structure. The slip system is composed of a silicone gum and at least one antiblocking agent. The film structure exhibits the desirable combination of improved converting performance and excellent machinability performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Karen A. Sheppard, Robert A. Migliorini
  • Patent number: 6863964
    Abstract: A metallized, multilayer film suitable for packaging applications is provided which comprises a first skin layer comprising a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, medium density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer, propylene-butylene copolymer, and amorphous polyamide, a metallized layer adjacent to the first skin layer, and a core layer comprising high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer with an intermolecular stereoregularity greater than 93%. Additionally, low density polyethylene, EMA, EVA, or EAA may be extrusion laminated to the metallized side of the metallized, multilayer film at a web tension sufficient to prevent metal crazing of the vacuum deposited aluminum layer. A method for making the film is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Migliorini, Salvatore James Pellingra, Karen A. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 6824878
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film comprising a core layer comprising a polyolefin wherein the core layer comprises the interior of the film; a first transition layer comprising a polyolefin and a silicone additive, wherein the first transition layer is exterior to the core layer; and a first skin layer comprising a polyolefin wherein the first skin layer is exterior to the first transition layer and the core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Migliorini, Karen A. Sheppard
  • Publication number: 20040209070
    Abstract: A coextruded, heat-sealable film structure includes a core layer of a thermoplastic polymer having a first side and a second side. A functional layer which is printable, sealable, or can be laminated or is treatable for printing, sealing, or laminating is on the first side of the core layer. A heat-sealable layer is on the second side of the core layer. The heat-sealable layer is composed of a thermoplastic polymer and an amount of a slip system, based upon the entire weight of the heat-sealable layer, sufficient to reduce the coefficient of friction and improve the slip performance of the film structure. The slip system is composed of a silicone gum and at least one antiblocking agent. The film structure exhibits the desirable combination of improved converting performance and excellent machinability performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Karen A. Sheppard, Robert A. Migliorini
  • Publication number: 20040072004
    Abstract: A metallized, multilayer film suitable for packaging applications is provided which comprises a first skin layer comprising a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, medium density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer, propylene-butylene copolymer, and amorphous polyamide, a metallized layer adjacent to the first skin layer, and a core layer comprising high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer with an intermolecular stereoregularity greater than 93%. Additionally, low density polyethylene, EMA, EVA, or EAA may be extrusion laminated to the metallized side of the metallized, multilayer film at a web tension sufficient to prevent metal crazing of the vacuum deposited aluminum layer. A method for making the film is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Robert A. Migliorini, Salvatore James Pellingra, Karen A. Sheppard
  • Publication number: 20030211350
    Abstract: A thermoplastic multilayer film having improved processability and sealability comprises: a) a core layer comprising a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of isotactic PP homopolymer, EP copolymer, HDPE, and LLDPE; b) a first transition layer external to the core layer wherein the first transition layer comprises a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of syndiotactic PP, EP copolymer, PB copolymer, EPB terpolymer, MDPE, LLDPE, LDPE, metallocene-catalyzed PE, EVA copolymer, EMA copolymer, and ionomer; and c) a first skin layer external to the first transition layer and the core layer wherein the first skin layer comprises a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of PP homopolymer, HDPE, EP copolymer, PB copolymer, EPB terpolymer, MDPE, and LLDPE, the first skin layer being at least 0.5 micron in thickness with a melting point at least 5° C. greater than the first transition layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Robert A. Migliorini, Salvatore J. Pellingra, Karen A. Sheppard, David A. Liestman
  • Patent number: 6623866
    Abstract: Multilayer films are contemplated. Specifically, films containing 3, 4, 5, 6 or more layers. Anti-block will be included in a tie layer, contiguous to a skin layer and a core layer. The film may contain one or two skin layers. If there are two tie layers, the anti-block may be found in one or both. Metallized films made from the multilayer films are also contemplated. Use of the multilayer films in packaging, imaging, or labeling, is further contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Migliorini, Salvatore J. Pellingra, Karen A. Sheppard
  • Publication number: 20030008153
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film comprising a core layer comprising a polyolefin wherein the core layer comprises the interior of the film; a first transition layer comprising a polyolefin and a silicone additive, wherein the first transition layer is exterior to the core layer; and a first skin layer comprising a polyolefin wherein the first skin layer is exterior to the first transition layer and the core layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Robert A. Migliorini, Karen A. Sheppard
  • Publication number: 20020182391
    Abstract: A multilayer matte film is described. The film has a core layer and one or more matte layers on its surfaces. Additionally, each one or more matte layers may have a skin layer or layers contiguous to the matte layer. Use in packaging, labeling or imaging is contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Robert A. Migliorini, Salvatore J. Pellingra, Karen A. Sheppard
  • Publication number: 20020182390
    Abstract: Multilayer films are contemplated. Specifically, films containing 3, 4, 5, 6 or more layers. Anti-block will be included in a tie layer, contiguous to a skin layer and a core layer. The film may contain one or two skin layers. If there are two tie layers, the anti-block may be found in one or both. Metallized films made from the multilayer films are also contemplated. Use of the multilayer films in packaging, imaging, or labeling, is further contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Migliorini, Salvatore J. Pellingra, Karen A. Sheppard
  • Patent number: 6455150
    Abstract: A heat-sealable multilayer film comprising: (a) an upper heat-sealable layer comprising (I) an ethylene polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer and (ii) a particulate, crosslinked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane having a mean particle size of from about 0.5 &mgr;m to about 20.0 &mgr;m, as a combined slip agent and antiblocking agent; (b) an intermediate core layer comprising a propylene polymer; and (c) a lower heat-sealable layer consisting essentially of (I) an ethylene polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer, (ii) a particulate, crosslinked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane having a mean particle size of from about 0.5 &mgr;m to about 20.0 &mgr;m, as a combined slip agent and antiblocking agent; and (iii) from about 0.15 wt% to about 1.5 wt% of a liquid, hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane. The upper heat-sealable sealable layer does not contain a liquid polysiloxane, but may have a coating of liquid polysiloxane transferred from the lower heat-sealable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventors: Karen A. Sheppard, Jay Kin Keung, Francis Tran The-Dzuy, Joseph E. Brew, Benoit Ambroise