Patents by Inventor Michael A. Leaf

Michael A. Leaf 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).

  • Publication number: 20250101224
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for processing polymers with fluorine-free polymer processing aids (PPAs) are described. The methods can include continuously extruding a polymer composition through an extruder to form a polymer product, and during at least a portion of the extruding, continually feeding a polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite to the extruder so that the PEG composite and polymer composition are coextruded through the extruder at conditions sufficient to melt blend the PEG composite and the polymer composition. The PEG composite can comprise or consist essentially of PEG (preferably PEG having weight average molecular weight less than 10,000 g/mol) and one or more non-PPA additives having melting point at 1 atm greater than that of the PEG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Nino RUOCCO, Michael A. LEAF, Danny VAN HOYWEGHEN, Stephen E. DEHLINGER
  • Publication number: 20250084248
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for processing polymers with fluorine-free polymer processing aids (PPAs) are described. The methods can include continuously extruding a polymer composition through an extruder to form a polymer product, and during at least a portion of the extruding, continually feeding a polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite to the extruder so that the PEG composite and polymer composition are coextruded through the extruder at conditions sufficient to melt blend the PEG composite and the polymer composition. The PEG composite can comprise or consist essentially of PEG (preferably PEG having weight average molecular weight less than 10,000 g/mol) and one or polymers having melting point at 1 atm greater than that of the PEG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Nino RUOCCO, Michael A. LEAF, Danny VAN HOYWEGHEN, Stephen E. DEHLINGER
  • Publication number: 20240400804
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polyethylene blends, films thereof, and methods thereof. In at least one embodiment, a polymer blend includes a first polyethylene having a density of about 0.94 g/cm3 to about 0.97 g/cm3 and a melt index of about 0.1 g/10 min to about 10 g/10 min. The blend includes a second polyethylene comprising at least 80 wt % ethylene derived-units. The second polyethylene has a density of about 0.918 g/cm3 to about 0.945 g/cm3, a number average molecular weight (Mn) of about 10,000 g/mol to about 20,000 g/mol, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of about 75,000 g/mol to about 300,000 g/mol, a melt index (2.16 kg) of about 0.1 g/10 min to about 5 g/10 min, a high load melt index (21.6 kg) of about 25 g/10 min to about 80 g/10 min, and a melt index ratio of about 10 to about 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Nino RUOCCO, Maria Josefina CARBONE, Etienne RH LERNOUX, Michael A. LEAF, Wen LI, Adriana S. SILVA
  • Publication number: 20240400805
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a polymer and polymer processing aid (PPA) comprising a blend of at least two of: (i) a polyethylene glycol; (ii) a surfactant comprising a sorbitan ester or a polysorbate; and (iii) a metal salt of a fatty acid. The polymer can be a C2-C6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C2-C20 ?-olefins. and the polymer composition can take the form of polymer pellets; a polymer melt; reactor-grade polymer granules and/or polymer slurries; or other form of polymer composition containing the PPA and optionally one or more other additives. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Michael A. LEAF, Danny VAN HOYWEGHEN, Nino RUOCCO
  • Publication number: 20240392129
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a Ziegler Natta-catalyzed polymer and polymer processing aid (PPA) compositions. The PPA composition comprises a polyethylene glycol, and optionally a sorbitan ester or polysorbate. The polyethylene glycol can have molecular weight less than 40,000 g/mol. The polymer can have melt index ratio (MIR) of 20 or greater. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Nino RUOCCO, Michael A. LEAF, Danny VAN HOYWEGHEN
  • Publication number: 20240392121
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a polymer and a surfactant. The surfactant can serve as a polymer processing aid (PPA), and can include a sorbitan ester and/or a polysorbate, preferably a polysorbate. The polymer composition can optionally include other additives, as well. The polymer can be a C2-Ce olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C2-C20 a-olefins, and the polymer composition can take the form of polymer pellets; a polymer melt; reactor-grade polymer granules and/or polymer slurries; or other form of polymer composition containing the PPA and optionally one or more other additives. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropoly mer-based PPAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Danny VAN HOYWEGHEN, Michael A. LEAF
  • Publication number: 20240392120
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a polymer and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based polymer processing aid (PPA) compositions. The polyethylene glycol can have molecular weight less than 40,000 g/mol. The polymer can be a C2-C6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C2-C20 ?-olefins, and can have melt index ratio (MIR) of 20 or less. The polymer composition can further include a metal salt of a fatty acid. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Nino RUOCCO, Michael A. LEAF, Danny VAN HOYWEGHEN
  • Patent number: 12018142
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a polymer and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based polymer processing aid (PPA). The polyethylene glycol can have molecular weight less than 40,000 g/mol. The polymer can be a C2-C6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C2-C20 ?-olefins, and the polymer composition can take the form of polymer pellets; a polymer melt; reactor-grade polymer granules and/or polymer slurries; or other form of polymer composition containing the PPA and optionally one or more other additives. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Leaf, Danny Van Hoyweghen, Nino Ruocco
  • Publication number: 20230399426
    Abstract: Provided herein are metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene compositions that exhibit a high degree of broad orthogonal composition distribution (“BOCD”), meaning that they have a relatively high degree of short-chain branching in higher-molecular-weight chains, as compared to the short-chain branching in lower-molecular weight chains. The compositions may have 80 to 99.9 wt % units derived from ethylene and 0.1 to 20 wt % units derived from a C3 to C40 ?-olefin comonomer; density from 0.925 to 0.950 g/cm3, melt index (I2.16) within the range from 0.1 to 5 g/10 min, and molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) within the range from 4.0 to 8.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Wen LI, Haiqing PENG, Michael A. LEAF, Kevin A. STEVENS
  • Patent number: 11702535
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a polymer and polymer processing aid (PPA) comprising a blend of at least two of: (i) a polyethylene glycol; (ii) a surfactant comprising a sorbitan ester or a polysorbate; and (iii) a metal salt of a fatty acid. The polymer can be a C2-C6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C2-C20 ?-olefins, and the polymer composition can take the form of polymer pellets; a polymer melt; reactor-grade polymer granules and/or polymer slurries; or other form of polymer composition containing the PPA and optionally one or more other additives. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Nino Ruocco, Michael A. Leaf, Danny Van Hoyweghen
  • Patent number: 11643534
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions and methods of making them, including blending a polymer and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) masterbatch. The PEG masterbatch can include one or more PEGs each having molecular weight less than 40,000 g/mol. The polymer can be a C2-C6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C2-C20 ?-olefins. The PEG masterbatch and resulting polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Nino Ruocco, Michael A. Leaf, Danny Van Hoyweghen
  • Publication number: 20230036922
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a polymer and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based polymer processing aid (PPA). The polyethylene glycol can have molecular weight less than 40,000 g/mol. The polymer can be a C2-C6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C2-C20 ?-olefins, and the polymer composition can take the form of polymer pellets; a polymer melt; reactor-grade polymer granules and/or polymer slurries; or other form of polymer composition containing the PPA and optionally one or more other additives. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. LEAF, Danny Van Hoyweghen
  • Publication number: 20230031000
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions comprising a polymer and polymer processing aid (PPA) comprising a blend of at least two of: (i) a polyethylene glycol; (ii) a surfactant comprising a sorbitan ester or a polysorbate; and (iii) a metal salt of a fatty acid. The polymer can be a C2-C6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C2-C20 ?-olefins, and the polymer composition can take the form of polymer pellets; a polymer melt; reactor-grade polymer granules and/or polymer slurries; or other form of polymer composition containing the PPA and optionally one or more other additives. The polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Nino RUOCCO, Michael A. LEAF, Danny VAN HOYWEFHEN
  • Publication number: 20230024578
    Abstract: Provided herein are polymer compositions and methods of making them, including blending a polymer and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) masterbatch. The PEG masterbatch can include one or more PEGs each having molecular weight less than 40,000 g/mol. The polymer can be a C2-C6 olefin homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more C2-C20 ?-olefins. The PEG masterbatch and resulting polymer composition is preferably free or substantially free of fluorine, including fluoropolymer-based PPAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Nino RUOCCO, Michael A. LEAF, Danny VAN HOYWEGHEN
  • Publication number: 20220035233
    Abstract: A film assembly for transferring an image to a surface includes a base layer, an ink layer that is removably adhered to the base layer, a developer layer that develops the ink layer and a transfer layer that is removably adhered to the developer layer, the transfer layer including the image that is configured to be transferred onto the surface. The base layer and the rear layer can be adhered together to form a rear layer. A frame layer can be removably adhered to the transfer layer. The ink layer can contain a non-toxic ink. The transfer layer can be manufactured with resilient materials. The frame layer can be removed from the transfer layer. The rear layer can be removed from the developer layer. The film assembly can be within a film assembly array of a plurality of film assemblies and can be disposed within a film assembly housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Leaf
  • Publication number: 20210230383
    Abstract: A cast film is made from at least one ethylene polymer which comprises from 75.0 mol % to 100.0 mol % of ethylene derived units and which has a density of from 0.900 g/cm3 to 0.926 g/cm3, a melt index (I2.16) from greater than 1.2 g/10 min to 6 g/10 min, a melt index ratio (I21.6/I2.16) of from 20 to 50, and a z-average molecular weight (Mz) of greater 150,000 g/mol. The cast film has an average flex crack resistance as measured by ASTM F392 of less than or equal to 15 holes/300 cm2 after 10,000 cycles, preferably 8±1 holes/300 cm2 after 10,000 cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Giriprasath GURURAJAN, Michael A. LEAF, Porter C. SHANNON
  • Patent number: 9012368
    Abstract: A system and method for systematically generating potential metal-organic framework (MOFs) structures given an input library of building blocks is provided herein. One or more material properties of the potential MOFs are evaluated using computational simulations. A range of material properties (surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, powder x-ray diffraction pattern, methane adsorption capability, and the like) can be estimated, and in doing so, illuminate unidentified structure-property relationships that may only have been recognized by taking a global view of MOF structures. In addition to identifying structure-property relationships, this systematic approach to identify the MOFs of interest is used to identify one or more MOFs that may be useful for high pressure methane storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Christopher E. Wilmer, Michael Leaf, Randall Q. Snurr, Omar K. Farha, Joseph T. Hupp
  • Patent number: 8900352
    Abstract: A system and method for systematically generating potential metal-organic framework (MOFs) structures given an input library of building blocks is provided herein. One or more material properties of the potential MOFs are evaluated using computational simulations. A range of material properties (surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, powder x-ray diffraction pattern, methane adsorption capability, and the like) can be estimated, and in doing so, illuminate unidentified structure-property relationships that may only have been recognized by taking a global view of MOF structures. In addition to identifying structure-property relationships, this systematic approach to identify the MOFs of interest is used to identify one or more MOFs that may be useful for high pressure methane storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Christopher E. Wilmer, Michael Leaf, Randall Q. Snurr, Omar K. Farha, Joseph T. Hupp
  • Publication number: 20130143768
    Abstract: A system and method for systematically generating potential metal-organic framework (MOFs) structures given an input library of building blocks is provided herein. One or more material properties of the potential MOFs are evaluated using computational simulations. A range of material properties (surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, powder x-ray diffraction pattern, methane adsorption capability, and the like) can be estimated, and in doing so, illuminate unidentified structure-property relationships that may only have been recognized by taking a global view of MOF structures. In addition to identifying structure-property relationships, this systematic approach to identify the MOFs of interest is used to identify one or more MOFs that may be useful for high pressure methane storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Northwestern University
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER E. WILMER, Michael Leaf, Randall Q. Snurr, Omar K. Farha, Joseph T. Hupp
  • Publication number: 20130139686
    Abstract: A system and method for systematically generating potential metal-organic framework (MOFs) structures given an input library of building blocks is provided herein. One or more material properties of the potential MOFs are evaluated using computational simulations. A range of material properties (surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, powder x-ray diffraction pattern, methane adsorption capability, and the like) can be estimated, and in doing so, illuminate unidentified structure-property relationships that may only have been recognized by taking a global view of MOF structures. In addition to identifying structure-property relationships, this systematic approach to identify the MOFs of interest is used to identify one or more MOFs that may be useful for high pressure methane storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Northwestern University
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER E. WILMER, Michael Leaf, Randall Q. Snurr, Omar K. Farha, Joseph T. Hupp