Patents by Inventor Mark K. Reinking

Mark K. Reinking 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: 6727331
    Abstract: A polyethylene having improved rheological properties is disclosed. The polyethylene has a melt index (MI2) from about 0.01 dg/min to about 50 dg/min and a melt strength (&eegr;) that satisfies MI2×&eegr;≧3.5. A process for making the polyethylene is also disclosed. The process uses an azaborolinyl-containing single-site catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, where the hydrogen consumption is controlled to be less than 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Mark K. Reinking, Harilaos Mavridis
  • Patent number: 6713585
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ethylene copolymer resin that has unique melt elastic properties not observed in ethylene copolymers heretofore known. Specifically, the ethylene copolymer resin of the present invention when in pelletized form has a reduction in melt elasticity (ER) of 10% or more to a final value of 1.0 or less upon rheometric low shear modification or solution dissolution. Moreover, the resin of the present invention when in reactor-made form exhibits at least a partially reversible increase of 10% or more in ER when pelletizing the same. An ethylene polymerization catalyst, a process of preparing the ethylene copolymer resin and a high-impact film are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Harilaos Mavridis, Mark K. Reinking, Ramesh N. Shroff, Joel A. Mutchler, Charles S. Holland, Keta M. Lindstrom, Kiran M. Gupte, Michael H. Treptau, Francis M. Mirabella
  • Publication number: 20040059024
    Abstract: A method for modifying a high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-clay nanocomposite is disclosed. The method comprises shearing a melt of the nanocomposite at an effective shear rate. The modified nanocomposite shows significantly increased complex melt viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Mark K. Reinking, Karl P. Rufener
  • Patent number: 6656995
    Abstract: A process for producing olefin polymer composites having improved melt strength and other improved physical characteristics is provided. The process is a solution process wherein an organically modified clay is intimately incorporated, at low levels and without the use of compatibilizing agents, into an olefin polymer base resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Douglas D. Klendworth, Mark K. Reinking, Sameer D. Mehta
  • Patent number: 6646072
    Abstract: A clay-filled polyolefin composition and process for making it are disclosed. The process involves treatment of a non-acid-treated smectite clay with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in the presence of a hydrocarbon and subsequent polymerization of an olefin in the presence of the treated clay and an organoaluminum cocatalyst. Results indicate that filled compositions produced by this process contain exfoliated clay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Douglas D. Klendworth, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 6642326
    Abstract: A process for the polymerization of olefins is disclosed. A boraaryl catalyst precursor and an activator are used in the presence of a silane modifier. A low level of silane modifier enhances the activity of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Karen E. Meyer, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 6630544
    Abstract: A process for polymerizing propylene is disclosed. The process involves charging propylene and about 90 to 99% of an organoaluminum cocatalyst to a reactor and heating this mixture to at least about 50° C. This is followed by addition of a premix of 1 to 10% of the organoaluminum cocatalyst with a magnesium halide-supported Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The temperature of the reaction mixture is maintained to produce a propylene polymer. The process gives improved catalyst activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Douglas D. Klendworth, Mark K. Reinking, Edward D. Kist, Karen E. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20030176553
    Abstract: A process for producing olefin polymer composites having improved melt strength and other improved physical characteristics is provided. The process is a solution process wherein an organically modified clay is intimately incorporated, at low levels and without the use of compatibilizing agents, into an olefin polymer base resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas D. Klendworth, Mark K. Reinking, Sameer D. Mehta
  • Publication number: 20030139545
    Abstract: A clay-filled polyolefin composition and process for making it are disclosed. The process involves treatment of a non-acid-treated smectite clay with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in the presence of a hydrocarbon and subsequent polymerization of an olefin in the presence of the treated clay and an organoaluminum cocatalyst. Results indicate that filled compositions produced by this process contain exfoliated clay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas D. Klendworth, Mark K. Reinking
  • Publication number: 20030125486
    Abstract: A polyethylene having improved rheological properties is disclosed. The polyethylene has a melt index (MI2) from about 0.01 dg/min to about 50 dg/min and a melt strength (&eegr;) that satisfies MI2×&eegr;≧3.5. A process for making the polyethylene is also disclosed. The process uses an azaborolinyl-containing single-site catalyst in the presence of hydrogen, where the hydrogen consumption is controlled to be less than 30%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Mark K. Reinking, Harilaos Mavridis
  • Patent number: 6323148
    Abstract: An ethylene polymerization catalyst and catalyst system which provides an ethylene copolymer which is characterized by desirable ER shift values. The high level ER shift of these polymers produce films having high impact strength. The catalyst is prepared by treating a support material with an agent selected from the group consisting of a compound having the structural formula BX53, where X5 is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine or OR5, where R5 is C1-C6 alkyl; a compound having the structural formula X62 where X6 is fluorine, bromine or iodine; a compound having the structural formula NR6, where R6 is C1-C6 alkyl or OR7, where R7 is C1-C8 alkyl; and a compound having the structural formula Ti(OR8)4, where R8 is C1-C6 alkyl or phenyl to reduced surface hydroxyl group concentration of the support material. The thus treated support material is thereupon contacted with a dialkylmagnesium compound or complex, an alcohol compound or a silane compound and a transition metal compound, in that order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventor: Mark K. Reinking
  • Publication number: 20010041777
    Abstract: Supported heterometallocene catalysts wherein the support is a particulate polymeric material are provided. The catalysts have a transition metal complex containing at least one anionic, polymerization stable heteroatomic ligand associated with the transition metal and a boron activator compound deposited on the support. Polymeric supports used for the heterometallocene catalysts of the invention are homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C3-8 &agr;-olefins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: EQUISTAR CHEMICALS, L.P.
    Inventors: Karen E. Meyer, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 6310150
    Abstract: Supported heterometallocene catalysts wherein the support is a particulate polymeric material are provided. The catalysts have a transition metal complex containing at least one anionic, polymerization stable heteroatomic ligand associated with the transition metal and a boron activator compound deposited on the support. Polymeric supports used for the heterometallocene catalysts of the invention are homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C3-8 &agr;-olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, L.P.
    Inventors: Karen E. Meyer, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 6281155
    Abstract: Supported heterometallocene catalysts wherein the support is a particulate polymeric material are provided. The catalysts have a transition metal complex containing at least one anionic, polymerization stable heteroatomic ligand associated with the transition metal and a boron activator compound deposited on the support. Polymeric supports used for the heterometallocene catalysts of the invention are homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and C3-8 &agr;-olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, L.P.
    Inventors: Karen E. Meyer, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 6171993
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ethylene copolymer resin that has unique melt elastic properties not observed in ethylene copolymers heretofore known. Specifically, the ethylene copolymer resin of the present invention when in pelletized form has a reduction in melt elasticity (ER) of 10% or more to a final value of 1.0 or less upon rheometric low shear modification or solution dissolution. Moreover, the resin of the present invention when in reactor-made form exhibits at least a partially reversible increase of 10% or more in ER when pelletizing the same. An ethylene polymerization catalyst, a process of preparing the ethylene copolymer resin and a high-impact film are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Harilaos Mavridis, Mark K. Reinking, Ramesh N. Shroff, Joel A. Mutchler, Charles S. Holland, Keta M. Lindstrom, Kiran M. Gupte, Michael H. Treptau, Francis M. Mirabella
  • Patent number: 5346872
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel catalyst component for ethylene polymerization comprising vanadium and titanium. Moreover, when the vanadium/titanium containing catalyst of the present invention is employed with an aluminum-containing cocatalyst enhanced activity as well as melt index is obtained.The present invention is directed to a novel halosilane cocatalyst component which, when used in conjunction with an aluminum containing cocatalyst, is effective in increasing the activity of a silica supported titanium/vanadium containing solid catalyst component in the polymerization of ethylene and/or .alpha.-olefins. In addition to the increased catalytic activity, the polymers produced by the present invention exhibit improved melt index values compared with melt index values typically obtained using prior art catalyst systems. Thus, the catalyst system of the instant invention represent an advancement in the art in view of the combination of increased activity, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Quantum Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Raghu Menon, Albert P. Masino, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 5344803
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel halosilane cocatalyst component which, when used in conjunction with an aluminum containing cocatalyst, is effective in increasing the activity of a supported magnesium/titanium containing catalyst in the polymerization of ethylene and .alpha.-olefins. In addition to the increased catalytic activity, the polymers produced by the present invention are characterized as having an unexpected enhancement in the polymer melt index. Thus, the catalyst system of the instant invention represents an advancement in the art in view of the combination of increased activity, i.e., yield of polymer produced, and physical properties of the polyolefin product.In another aspect of the present invention, a process for polymerizing .alpha.-olefins is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Quantum Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Raghu Menon, Albert P. Masino, Mark K. Reinking
  • Patent number: 5334567
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel halosilane cocatalyst component which may be used in conjunction with an aluminum-containing cocatalyst to provide enhanced catalytic activity of a vanadium based solid catalyst component in the polymerization of .alpha.-olefins. In addition to the enhancement in the catalytic activity obtaining using the present catalyst system, the resultant polymer produced by the present invention exhibits improved physical properties compared with polymers produced by prior art vanadium based catalyst systems. Thus, the catalyst system of the instant invention represents an advance in the art in view of the combination of increased catalytic activity, i.e. yield of polymer produced, and enhanced physical properties of the polyolefin produced.In accordance with the present invention, a catalyst system is provided which comprises a solid catalyst component and a halosilane cocatalyst component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Quantum Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Raghu Menon, Albert P. Masino, Mark K. Reinking