Patents by Inventor Kirsten J. Fronek

Kirsten J. Fronek 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).

  • Fluoropolymer processing additive, compositions, and methods
    Patent number: 10723868
    Abstract: A polymer composition includes a non-fluorinated, thermoplastic polymer and a minor amount of a fluoropolymer combined with the non-fluorinated polymer. A polymer processing additive composition that includes a fluoropolymer and a polymer processing additive synergist is also disclosed. The fluoropolymer includes diads represented by formula —CF2-CF(R)—CH(R?)—CF(R?)— in a range from about 23 mole percent to about 50 mole percent. Each R is independently —CF3, —Rf, or —ORf, each R? and R? are independently H, F, CF3, or —Rf, and each Rf is independently a perfluoroalkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally interrupted by one or more —O— groups. A method of reducing melt defects during the extrusion of a polymer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Claude Lavallée, Peter J. Scott, Denis Duchesne, Dale E. Hutchens, Larry A. Last, Kirsten J. Fronek, Thomas J. Blong
  • FLUOROPOLYMER PROCESSING ADDITIVE, COMPOSITIONS, AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20180312673
    Abstract: A polymer composition includes a non-fluorinated, thermoplastic polymer and a minor amount of a fluoropolymer combined with the non-fluorinated polymer. A polymer processing additive composition that includes a fluoropolymer and a polymer processing additive synergist is also disclosed. The fluoropolymer includes diads represented by formula —CF2-CF(R)—CH(R?)—CF(R?)— in a range from about 23 mole percent to about 50 mole percent. Each R is independently —CF3, —Rf, or —ORf, each R? and R? are independently H, F, CF3, or —Rf, and each Rf is independently a perfluoroalkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally interrupted by one or more —O— groups. A method of reducing melt defects during the extrusion of a polymer is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Claude Lavallée, Peter J. Scott, Denis Duchesne, Dale E. Hutchens, Larry A. Last, Kirsten J. Fronek, Thomas J. Blong
  • Polymer processing additive containing a multimodal fluoropolymer and melt processable thermoplastic polymer composition employing the same
    Patent number: 6277919
    Abstract: A polymer processing aid composition, a melt processable polymer composition that uses the polymer processing aid, and a method of improving the melt processability of a thermoplastic polymer are provided. The polymer processing aid composition comprises a multimodal fluoropolymer that preferably comprises interpolymerized units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated fluoromonomer tetrafluoroethylene and at least one ethylenically copolymerizable alpha-olefin monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Dyneon LLC
    Inventors: Maria P. Dillon, Susan S. Woods, Kirsten J. Fronek, Claude Lavallée, Stephen E. Amos, Karl-Dieter Weilandt, Harald Kaspar, Bernhard Hirsch, Klaus Hintzer, Peter J. Scott
  • Fluoroplastic polymers with improved characteristics
    Patent number: 6242548
    Abstract: A multimodal fluoroplastic terpolymer composition is provided. The terpolymer can be extruded at high extrusion speeds without having to reduce its molecular weight. The terpolymer is useful by itself; in combination with conductive fillers to provide an electrostatically dissipative composition; and as a polymer processing aid. The polymer has a low molecular weight component, a high molecular weight component and, optionally an ultra-high molecular weight component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Dyneon LLC
    Inventors: Denis Duchesne, Harald Kaspar, Gernot Loehr, Attila A. Molnar, Klaus Hintzer, Maria P. Dillon, Susan S. Woods, Kirsten J. Fronek, Friedrich Kloos