Patents by Inventor Louis Thomas Germinario

Louis Thomas Germinario 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: 7439286
    Abstract: A modified asphalt composition is provided comprising at least one plastomer, at least one elastomer, and asphalt. More specifically, a modified asphalt composition is provided comprising an oxidized polyethylene, a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, and asphalt. A hot mix asphalt composition is also provided comprising the modified asphalt composition and aggregate. Processes for producing the modified asphalt composition and the hot mix asphalt composition is also provided as well as articles produced from these inventive compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Westlake Longview Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Kingsley Stuart, Jr., Jeffrey Lynn Presley, Louis Thomas Germinario
  • Patent number: 7399802
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Ronald Richard Light, Louis Thomas Germinario, Emerson Eston Sharpe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7144933
    Abstract: A modified asphalt composition is provided comprising at least one plastomer, at least one elastomer, and asphalt. More specifically, a modified asphalt composition is provided comprising an oxidized polyethylene, a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, and asphalt. A hot mix asphalt composition is also provided comprising the modified asphalt composition and aggregate. Processes for producing the modified asphalt composition and the hot mix asphalt composition is also provided as well as articles produced from these inventive compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Richard Kingsley Stuart, Jr., Jeffery Lynn Presley, Louis Thomas Germinario
  • Patent number: 6903154
    Abstract: 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 results 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: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Ronald Richard Light, Louis Thomas Germinario, Emerson Eston Sharpe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6828370
    Abstract: The invetion is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite material comprising a melt-processible matrix oplymer and a layered clay material having decreased levels of extractable material, such as extractible salts of organic cations. This invention is also derected to processes for preparing polymer-clay nanocomposites, intercalates, exfoliates, and articles or products produced from nanocomposite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: AMCOL International Corporation
    Inventors: Tie Lan, Vasiliki Psihogios, Shriram Bagrodia, Louis Thomas Germinario, John Walker Gilmer
  • Publication number: 20040228994
    Abstract: 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 results 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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Ronald Richard Light, Louis Thomas Germinario, Emerson Eston Sharpe
  • Publication number: 20040143073
    Abstract: A method for determining gloss in a curative powder coatings containing at least two polyester resins and &bgr;-Hydroxyalkylamide formulations. The method includes the steps of: providing a powder coating comprising a first polyester resin and &bgr;-hydroxyalkylamide formulation having a first acid value and a second polyester resin and &bgr;-hydroxyalkylamide formulation having a second acid value; blending the first and second formulations together to make coating; determining the percent difference in the acid values between the first and second polyester resins; determining a surface gloss of the coating after application; determining a gloss versus percent difference in acid values correlation; and determining the amount of at least one of the resins to be present in the blend to achieve the desired gloss using the correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Imir Bejko, Damiano Beccaria, Louis Thomas Germinario, Penny J. Evans James, Gregory Alexander, Andrea Capra
  • Patent number: 6737464
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite material comprising a melt-processible matrix polymer and a layered clay material having low quartz content. This invention is also directed to a process for preparing polymer-clay nanocomposites, and articles or products produced from nanocomposite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: University of South Carolina Research Foundation
    Inventors: Shriram Bagrodia, Louis Thomas Germinario, John Walker Gilmer, Tie Lan, Vasiliki Psihogios
  • Publication number: 20030152726
    Abstract: Polyester containers having a reduced coefficient of friction (“COF”) are produced by increasing the surface roughness of the polyester using either thermal crystallization or solvent crystallization. Because the low COF reduces or eliminates friction between polyester containers, the containers do not become entangled and disrupt the manufacturing process. As a result, the containers move easily through typical conveying and filling lines in manufacturing processes that use the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Lavonna Suzanne Buehrig, Louis Thomas Germinario, Eric Jon Moskala, David Paul Fischer, Michael Eugene Donelson, Steven Matthew Scheffer, Darrin James Nicholson, Maurice Harold Hodgson, Fabian Clarke Pike, Jeff Erich Neff
  • Patent number: 6596803
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite material comprising a melt-processible matrix polymer and a layered clay material having low quartz content. This invention is also directed to a process for preparing a polymer-clay nanocomposites, and articles or products produced from nanocomposite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: AMCOL International Corporation
    Inventors: Tie Lan, Vasiliki Psihogios, Shriram Bagrodia, Louis Thomas Germinario, John Walker Gilmer
  • Patent number: 6586500
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite material comprising a melt-processible matrix polymer and a layered clay material having decreased levels of extractable material, such as extractable salts of organic cations. This invention is also directed to processes for preparing polymer-clay nanocomposites, and articles or products produced from nanocomposite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: University of South Carolina Research Foundation
    Inventors: Shriram Bagrodia, Louis Thomas Germinario, John Walker Gilmer, Tie Lan, Vasiliki Psihogios
  • Publication number: 20030039783
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Ronald Richard Light, Louis Thomas Germinario, Emerson Eston Sharpe
  • Publication number: 20030001317
    Abstract: A method for reducing or eliminating plate-out during the process used to produce stretch blow molded containers from polyester preforms by crystallizing the low molecular weight polyester molecules in or on the preform exterior surface before stretch blow molding the preform into a container. The molecules are crystallized using a crystallization process selected from (1) treating the outer surface of the preform with a solvent that is capable of crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester or (2) heating the outer surface of the preform to a temperature and for a time suitable for crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester. Plate-out is reduced because the crystallized molecules do not migrate out of the preform and form plate-out deposits on the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Lavonna Suzanne Buehrig, Louis Thomas Germinario, Terrill M. McGee, Gary Wayne Minnick, Eric Jon Moskala, Michael Eugene Donelson
  • Publication number: 20020194895
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the coefficient of friction for plastic articles having non-planar surfaces and particularly plastic articles having irregular and arcuate surfaces, such as thermoplastic bottles or preforms utilizes a stationary sample and a rotatable sample in contact with the stationary sample. A downward force is applied to the stationary sample while applying torque to the rotatable sample. The torque applied is computer controlled and at the moment of slip is detected. The amount of torque necessary for maintaining a constant speed is also computer controlled and recorded. From the torque measurements, the computer calculates the coefficient of friction between the two sample materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Louis Thomas Germinario, James Edward Moore, Steven Lee Stafford
  • Patent number: 6458468
    Abstract: Coated articles having improved chemical resistance comprising an article formed from a moldable polymer coated on at least one surface with a coating composition comprising at least one vinyl ether oligomer compound, and at least one photoinitiator are disclosed. Coatings which also contain at least one acrylate compound and/or at least one epoxy compound are also disclosed. The articles are preferably made from polyesters. Methods for coating such articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Eric Jon Moskala, Louis Thomas Germinario, David Gayle Salyer
  • Publication number: 20020098309
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite material comprising a melt-processible matrix polymer and a layered clay material having decreased levels of extractable material, such as extractable salts of organic cations. This invention is also directed to processes for preparing polymer-clay nanocomposites, and articles or products produced from nanocomposite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Shriram Bagrodia, Louis Thomas Germinario, John Walker Gilmer, Tie Lan, Vasiliki Psihogios
  • Patent number: 6395386
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel multilayer formed articles including, but not limited to containers such as bottles, tubes, pipes, preforms and films (including oriented films such as biaxially oriented) comprising a melt processible resin having dispersed therein a platelet filler. The multilayer formed articles have improved barrier while maintaining excellent clarity. More particularly, the multilayer structures of the present invention display haze values of less than about 2% and carrier resins which are substantially free from platelet particles having a diameter greater than about 15 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Shriram Bagrodia, Louis Thomas Germinario, Rodney Layne Piner, Jack Wesley Trexler, Jr.
  • Patent number: H2132
    Abstract: Polyester containers having a reduced coefficient of friction (“COF”) are produced by increasing the surface roughness of the polyester using either thermal crystallization or solvent crystallization. Because the low COF reduces or eliminates friction between polyester containers, the containers do not become entangled and disrupt the manufacturing process. As a result, the containers move easily through typical conveying and filling lines in manufacturing processes that use the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Lavonna Suzanne Buehrig, Louis Thomas Germinario, Eric Jon Moskala, David Paul Fischer, Michael Eugene Donelson, Steven Matthew Scheffer, Darrin James Nicholson, Maurice Harold Hodgson, Fabian Clarke Pike, Jeff Erich Neff
  • Patent number: H2088
    Abstract: A method for reducing or eliminating plate-out during the process used to produce stretch blow molded containers from polyester preforms by crystallizing the low molecular weight polyester molecules in or on the preform exterior surface before stretch blow molding the preform into a container. The molecules are crystallized using a crystallization process selected from (1) treating the outer surface of the preform with a solvent that is capable of crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester or (2) heating the outer surface of the preform to a temperature and for a time suitable for crystallizing low molecular weight polyester molecules in polyester. Plate-out is reduced because the crystallized molecules do not migrate out of the preform and form plate-out deposits on the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Stafford, Lavonna Suzanne Buehrig, Louis Thomas Germinario, Terrill M. McGee, Gary Wayne Minnick, Eric Jon Moskala, Michael Eugene Donelson
  • Patent number: RE41167
    Abstract: A modified asphalt composition is provided comprising at least one plastomer, at least one elastomer, and asphalt. More specifically, a modified asphalt composition is provided comprising an oxidized polyethylene, a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, and asphalt. A hot mix asphalt composition is also provided comprising the modified asphalt composition and aggregate. Processes for producing the modified asphalt composition and the hot mix asphalt composition is also provided as well as articles produced from these inventive compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Westlake Longview Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Kingsley Stuart, Jr., Jeffery Lynn Presley, Louis Thomas Germinario