Patents by Inventor Lee A. Stafford
Lee A. Stafford 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).
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Patent number: 8057726Abstract: Disclosed is a process for a melt processing a polyethylene terephthalate resin characterized by one or more of the following. The polyester particles may have at least two melting peaks wherein one of the at least two melting peaks is a low peak melting point with a range from 140° C. to 220° C., or from 140° C. to 230° C., and having a melting endothermic area of at least the absolute value of 1 J/g. The polyester particles may have one or more melting peaks at least one of which when measured on a DSC first heating scan has a heating curve departing from a baseline in the endothermic direction at a temperature of less than or equal to 200° C. The polyester particles may have an It.V. at their surface which is less than 0.25 dL/g higher than the It.V. at their center. The polyester particles may have not been solid stated. The melt processing device comprises a screw with a total length, L, a feed zone length in the range from 0.16L and 0.45L, a taper angle, ?, in the range from 0.5 degrees and 5.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.Inventors: Marcus David Shelby, Michael Eugene Donelson, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Steven Lee Stafford, Mark Edward Stewart, Stephen Weinhold, Edward Lewis Boochard, Robert Noah Estep
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Patent number: 8039577Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein titanium nitride particles that provide one or more of the following advantages: improving the reheat properties of the compositions, improving the color of the compositions through reduced yellowness, and improving the UV-blocking properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The titanium nitride particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable, or decreased yellowness is desired, or increased resistance to the effects of ultraviolet light is desired, or any combination of the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.Inventors: Zhiyong Xia, Steven Lee Stafford, Susan Sims, Frederick Leslie Colhoun
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Patent number: 8039578Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing. In one embodiment, the process comprises (a) forming polyester polymer particles from a polyester polymer melt; (b) quenching at least a portion of the particles, (c) drying at least a portion of the particles, (d) crystallizing at least a portion of the particles, (e) annealing at least a portion of the particles. At all points during and between steps (b) through (e), the average bulk temperature of the particles is maintained above 165° C.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, Jr., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders
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Publication number: 20110251340Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: GRUPO PETROTEMEX, S.A. DE C.V.Inventors: Bruce Roger DEBRUIN, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, JR., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
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Patent number: 7989577Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Grupo Petromex, S.A. De C.V.Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, Jr., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
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Publication number: 20110091290Abstract: A retaining wall system formed from a wire facing unit having an upstanding face section and a rearwardly extending floor section the rear end of which is provided with aligned, transversely extending, openings defined by upstanding U-shaped protuberances. The apertures in the forward portion of a geogrid, preferably an integral, uniaxially-stretched, polymer geogrid, can be seated over the protuberances and a connector strut interconnects the face section and floor section for providing support therebetween and for securing the geogrid to the floor section. The connector strut is formed from an elongated rigid rod having a curved first end that extends to a substantially right-angled bend, and a connector rod portion extends from the bend to a free second end. The connector rod portion is threaded through the aligned openings of adjacent protuberances to secure the geogrid to the floor section and the curved first end of the connector strut is hooked to a transverse cross-wire element of the face section.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Jon Robert Ridgway, Willie Liew, Robert Lloyd Talbot, Jeremy Lee Stafford
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Publication number: 20110070445Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, JR., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
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Publication number: 20110034664Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, JR., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders
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Patent number: 7868125Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing. In one embodiment, the process comprises (a) forming polyester polymer particles from a polyester polymer melt; (b) quenching at least a portion of the particles, (c) drying at least a portion of the particles, (d) crystallizing at least a portion of the particles, (e) annealing at least a portion of the particles. At all points during and between steps (b) through (e), the average bulk temperature of the particles is maintained above 165° C.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, Jr., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
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Publication number: 20100299439Abstract: A content delivery network (CDN) for delivering content over the Internet is disclosed in one embodiment. The CDN is configured to deliver content for others and includes a domain resolution service (DNS) server, caching servers and an Internet interface. The DNS server receives a first domain resolution request and produces a first DNS solution, and receives a second domain resolution request and produces a second DNS solution. The first and second domain resolution requests correspond to a same domain. The caching servers correspond to a plurality of addresses. The interface receives domain resolution requests, which include the first and second domain resolution requests, and transmits DNS solutions, which include the first and second DNS solutions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Limelight Networks, Inc.Inventors: Nils H. McCarthy, Brad B. Harvell, Lee A. Stafford, Gary S. Baldus, Michael M. Gordon
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Patent number: 7707314Abstract: A content delivery network (CDN) for delivering content over the Internet is disclosed in one embodiment. The CDN is configured to deliver content for others and includes a domain resolution service (DNS) server, caching servers and an Internet interface. The DNS server receives a first domain resolution request and produces a first DNS solution, and receives a second domain resolution request and produces a second DNS solution. The first and second domain resolution requests correspond to a same domain. The caching servers correspond to a plurality of addresses. The interface receives domain resolution requests, which include the first and second domain resolution requests, and transmits DNS solutions, which include the first and second DNS solutions.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Limelight Networks, Inc.Inventors: Nils H. McCarthy, Brad B. Harvell, Lee A. Stafford, Gary S. Baldus, Michael M. Gordon
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Patent number: 7641950Abstract: This invention relates to a polyester/polyamide blend having an excellent gas barrier property. More particularly, the present invention relates to combinations of a polyethylene terephthalate polymer and a polyamide polymer having an excellent gas barrier property and short oxygen scavenging induction periods, where the polyamide polymer has a C:A terminal group concentration ratio of 2:1 or more and a C+A terminal group concentration of at least 0.17 meq/g of polyamide polymer, wherein C represents a cumulative total of a terminal carboxyl group concentration and a terminal hydrocarbyl group concentration expressed in meq/g of polyamide, and A represents a terminal amine group concentration expressed in meq/g of polyamide.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Mark Edward Stewart, Benjamin Bradford Gamble
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Publication number: 20090315219Abstract: Disclosed is a process for a melt processing a polyethylene terephthalate resin characterized by one or more of the following. The polyester particles may have at least two melting peaks wherein one of the at least two melting peaks is a low peak melting point with a range from 140° C. to 220° C., or from 140° C. to 230° C., and having a melting endothermic area of at least the absolute value of 1 J/g. The polyester particles may have one or more melting peaks at least one of which when measured on a DSC first heating scan has a heating curve departing from a baseline in the endothermic direction at a temperature of less than or equal to 200° C. The polyester particles may have an It.V. at their surface which is less than 0.25 dL/g higher than the It.V. at their center. The polyester particles may have not been solid stated. The melt processing device comprises a screw with a total length, L, a feed zone length in the range from 0.16L and 0.45L, a taper angle, ?, in the range from 0.5 degrees and 5.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Marcus David Shelby, Michael Eugene Donelson, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Steven Lee Stafford, Mark Edward Steward, Stephen Weinhold, Edward Lewis Boochard, Robert Noah Estep
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Publication number: 20090221785Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, JR., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders
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Patent number: 7399802Abstract: Polyesters and polyester containers having a reduced coefficient of friction and improved clarity are produced using an antiblock agent comprising a dried talc having from about 20 to about 300 ppm water or a fatty acid tethered talc. The use of these talcs result in polyesters and polyester containers having a coefficient of less than about 1.0 and a clarity with haze values of less than about 4%.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Ronald Richard Light, Louis Thomas Germinario, Emerson Eston Sharpe, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080153962Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein titanium nitride particles that provide one or more of the following advantages: improving the reheat properties of the compositions, improving the color of the compositions through reduced yellowness, and improving the UV-blocking properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The titanium nitride particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable, or decreased yellowness is desired, or increased resistance to the effects of ultraviolet light is desired, or any combination of the foregoing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2008Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Zhiyong Xia, Steven Lee Stafford, Susan Sims, Frederick Leslie Colhoun
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Patent number: 7375154Abstract: This invention relates to a polyester/polyamide blend having an excellent gas barrier property. More particularly, the present invention relates to combinations of a polyethylene terephthalate polymer and a polyamide polymer having an excellent gas barrier property and short oxygen scavenging induction periods, where the polyamide polymer has a C:A terminal group concentration ratio of 2:1 or more and a C+A terminal group concentration of at least 0.17 meq/g of polyamide polymer, wherein C represents a cumulative total of a terminal carboxyl group concentration and a terminal hydrocarbyl group concentration expressed in meq/g of polyamide, and A represents a terminal amine group concentration expressed in meq/g of polyamide.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Mark Edward Stewart, Benjamin Bradford Gamble
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Patent number: 7368523Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein titanium nitride particles that provide one or more of the following advantages: improving the reheat properties of the compositions, improving the color of the compositions through reduced yellowness, and improving the UV-blocking properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The titanium nitride particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable, or decreased yellowness is desired, or increased resistance to the effects of ultraviolet light is desired, or any combination of the foregoing.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Zhiyong Xia, Steven Lee Stafford, Susan Sims, Frederick Leslie Colhoun
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Patent number: 7288586Abstract: A solid concentrate is provided having a combination of a transition metal present in an amount ranging from 1000 to 40,000 ppm (weight by metal) and a polyester polymer present in an amount of at least 40 wt. % based on the weight of the concentrate. Concentrates made with highly modified polyester polymers are easy to compound with transition metals forming less brittle polymer upon melt extrusion. Bottle preforms and oxygen scavenging bottles can be made from these concentrates by combining solid polyester particles, solid polyamide particles, and solid these concentrate particles c into an melt processing zone, forming a melt, and forming an article directly from the melt. The b* color and the L* color and the haze levels of the preforms are improved over the preforms made with liquid carriers instead of solid concentrates.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Mark Edward Stewart, Emerson Eston Sharpe, Jr., Benjamin Bradford Gamble, Steven Lee Stafford, Robert Noah Estep, James Carl Williams, Thomas Roger Clark
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Publication number: 20070118667Abstract: A content delivery network (CDN) for delivering content over the Internet is disclosed in one embodiment. The CDN is configured to deliver content for others and includes a domain resolution service (DNS) server, caching servers and an Internet interface. The DNS server receives a first domain resolution request and produces a first DNS solution, and receives a second domain resolution request and produces a second DNS solution. The first and second domain resolution requests correspond to a same domain. The caching servers correspond to a plurality of addresses. The interface receives domain resolution requests, which include the first and second domain resolution requests, and transmits DNS solutions, which include the first and second DNS solutions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2005Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: Limelight Networks, Inc.Inventors: Nils McCarthy, Brad Harvell, Lee Stafford, Gary Baldus, Michael Gordon