Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by esterifying cellulose in a reaction medium comprising one or more halide ionic liquids and at least one binary component. Cellulose esters prepared via the methods of the present invention can have a degree of substitution (“DS”) of at least 1.5 and can comprise a plurality of ester substituents, where at least 50 percent of the ester substituents comprise alkyl esters having a carbon chain length of at least 6 carbons.

Abstract: Processes for recycling an ionic liquid comprising employing an initial ionic liquid as a solvent and/or reagent resulting in a modified ionic liquid and thereafter subjecting at least a portion of the modified ionic liquid to at least one anion exchange process to produce a reformed ionic liquid. The initial ionic liquid can be employed in a cellulose esterification process, thereby producing the modified ionic liquid. At least a portion of the reformed ionic liquid can be recycled to a point upstream in the cellulose esterification process.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes and apparatus for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by dissolving cellulose in carboxylated ionic liquids and thereafter contacting the cellulose solution with at least one acylating reagent. Cellulose esters produced via the present invention can comprise ester groups that originate from the carboxylated ionic liquid and/or the acylating reagent.

Abstract: This invention relates a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate and processes to produce the cellulose solution. Another aspect of this invention relates to shaped articles prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising derivatives of cellulose prepared from a cellulose solution comprising at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. In another embodiment of the invention, the cellulose esters of the present invention are used as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer cellulose ester film having a reversed optical dispersion. The film can have an A-B bi-layer or an A-B-A tri-layer configuration. The cellulose ester material for layer A has a hydroxyl degree of substitution (DSOH) from 0 to 0.5, while the cellulose ester material for layer B has a DSOH from 0.5 to 1.3. By manipulating the thickness of layers A and B, and the film stretching conditions, desirable optical retardation and optical dispersion properties can be obtained. The film can be used as an optical waveplate in liquid crystal displays to improve viewing angle, contrast ratio, and color shift.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and cellulose ester compositions and processes for producing ionic liquids and cellulose esters. Cellulose esters can be produced by esterifying cellulose in a reaction medium comprising one or more halide ionic liquids and at least one binary component. Cellulose esters prepared via the methods of the present invention can have a degree of substitution (“DS”) of at least 1.5 and can comprise a plurality of ester substituents, where at least 50 percent of the ester substituents comprise alkyl esters having a carbon chain length of at least 6 carbons.

Abstract: This invention relates a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate and processes to produce the cellulose solution. Another aspect of this invention relates to shaped articles prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising derivatives of cellulose prepared from a cellulose solution comprising at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. In another embodiment of the invention, the cellulose esters of the present invention are used as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: A grid simulating muntins is retained or secured by clips within a spacer frame between glass sheets. The clips include a spacer-engaging member having a platform, and upright walls bendable toward one another, and a grid-engaging member. The grid-engaging member is mounted on the platform, extends upward between and spaced from the upright walls, and is received into one of the ends of the elongated members of the grid. The platform and portions of the upright walls of the spacer-engaging member are positioned within the spacer frame such that the ends of the elongated members of the grid are below the sight line of the unit. The spacer-engaging member and the grid-engaging member can be a monolithic piece, or the grid-engaging member can be detachably secured to the platform of the spacer-engaging member.

Abstract: A corner key for joining ends of spacer sections to form a corner of a spacer frame of a multi-sheet unit includes an elongated body having a first end and an opposite second end and a cut out between the ends of the body. The body is bendable to decrease spacing of the cut out to form a corner of the spacer frame.

Abstract: This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.

Abstract: Ionic liquids and processes and apparatus for their production. The ionic liquids can be low sulfur and low halide carboxylated ionic liquids. The ionic liquids can be produced via formation of at least one intermediate carboxylated ionic liquid, and thereafter subjecting the intermediate carboxylated ionic liquid to at least one anion exchange process.

Abstract: This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-sheet unit with a spacer frame having at least three sides, at least three corners, a first sheet supporting surface and an opposite second sheet supporting surface. The spacer frame includes a spacer stock member having a first end, an opposite second end, the at least three sides and at least two corners of the at least three corners; a corner key comprising a bendable elongated body having a first end in the first end of the spacer stock member, an opposite second end in the second end of the spacer stock member to provide one of the corners of the at least three corners of the spacer frame, and a cut out between the ends of the corner key, the ends of the corner key bendable relative to one another to decrease the spacing of the cut out; a first sheet secured to the first sheet supporting surface by a first moisture and/or gas impervious layer, and a second sheet secured to the second sheet supporting surface by a second moisture and/or gas impervious layer.

Abstract: This invention relates a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate and processes to produce the cellulose solution. Another aspect of this invention relates to shaped articles prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising derivatives of cellulose prepared from a cellulose solution comprising at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. In another embodiment of the invention, the cellulose esters of the present invention are used as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Abstract: The present invention provides spacer stock for making a spacer frame for a multi-sheet unit. The spacer stock includes a first supporting surface; a second supporting surface opposite to, and facing away from, the first supporting surface; a base surface between and connecting the first and second supporting surfaces, and wherein the first and second supporting surfaces and base surface are made of plastic and rate of moisture and/or gas movement through portions of the first and second supporting surfaces is greater than the rate of moisture and/or gas movement, respectively through the base surface.

Abstract: This invention relates a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate and processes to produce the cellulose solution. Another aspect of this invention relates to shaped articles prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising derivatives of cellulose prepared from a cellulose solution comprising at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. In another embodiment of the invention, the cellulose esters of the present invention are used as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.