Patents by Inventor Michael D. Cleckner

Michael D. Cleckner 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: 11801670
    Abstract: A squeezable, white polypropylene film is disclosed having a novel balance of conformability, stiffness, modulus, opacity, and whiteness. The film includes an ABCBA structure having a core layer of polypropylene resin with an elastomeric copolymer and a cavitating agent. Two intermediate layers of polypropylene resin are present on either side, the intermediate layers optionally including an elastomeric copolymer and a pigmenting agent. Two polymer skin layers surround the two intermediate layers. The resins are co-extruded into a biaxially oriented film having a thickness between 40 to 70 pm for use in pressure-sensitive labeling applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Jindal Films Americas LLC
    Inventors: Benoît Ambroise, Daniel L. Hinman, Robert M. Sheppard, Michael D. Cleckner
  • Patent number: 11752746
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and uses for multi-layered films which are intended to provide high quality sealants having sufficient sealing strength for use in packaging and other applications while being more cost-effective and higher-yield than traditional combinations of unoriented polyolefin films and web materials. The film comprises a multilayer structure of LLDPE having a core layer, a surface skin layer, and a sealant skin layer. The core layer further comprises a slip agent, while the skin layers further comprise antiblock agents. Optional embodiments may include tie layers between the core layer and the skin layers, or may include pigments in one or more of the core layer or tie layers. The surface skin layer may be subjected to a surface treatment (e.g., corona treatment) to improve suitability for coating or metallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Jindal Films Americas LLC
    Inventors: Benoît Ambroise, Michael D. Cleckner, Christophe E. Guillaume, Lesley A. Bliss
  • Publication number: 20190001648
    Abstract: A squeezable, white polypropylene film is disclosed having a novel balance of conformability, stiffness, modulus, opacity, and whiteness. The film comprises an ABCBA structure having a core layer of polypropylene resin with an elastomeric copolymer and a cavitating agent. Two intermediate layers of polyproplene resin are present on either side, the intermediate layers optionally comprising an elastomeric copolymer and a pigmenting agent. Two polymer skin layers surround the two intermediate layers. The resins are co-extruded into a biaxially oriented film having a thickness between 40 to 70 ?m for use in pressure-sensitive labeling applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Jindal Films Americas LLC
    Inventors: Benoît Ambroise, Daniel L. Hinman, Robert M. Sheppard, Michael D. Cleckner
  • Publication number: 20180361722
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and uses for multi-layered films which are intended to provide high quality sealants having sufficient sealing strength for use in packaging and other applications while being more cost-effective and higher-yield than traditional combinations of unoriented polyolefin films and web materials. The film comprises a multilayer structure of LLDPE having a core layer, a surface skin layer, and a sealant skin layer. The core layer further comprises a slip agent, while the skin layers further comprise antiblock agents. Optional embodiments may include tie layers between the core layer and the skin layers, or may include pigments in one or more of the core layer or tie layers. The surface skin layer may be subjected to a surface treatment (e.g., corona treatment) to improve suitability for coating or metallization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Jindal Films Americas LLC
    Inventors: Benoît Ambroise, Michael D. Cleckner, Christophe E. Guillaume, Lesley A. Bliss
  • Patent number: 8844248
    Abstract: Provided is a method for forming a bag around an article, the method comprising: providing an oriented film; cauterizing the film at a temperature sufficient to de-orient a portion of the film to create a cauterized area on the continuous film; placing an article(s) on the film between adjacent cauterized areas; heat-sealing the film around the article(s) such that at least a portion of the film between the heat-sealed area and the article comprises the cauterized area. Also, provided is a form, fill, and seal apparatus comprising a heat sealer and a cauterizer, both having a temperature control, the heat sealer positioned to allow the heat sealer to form a seal between two edges of film having an article wrapped therein, and the cauterizer positioned to cauterize an area of the sealed film in an area adjacent to the sealed edges and the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Jindal Films Americas LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Cleckner, Scott Wilkins, James S. Howard
  • Publication number: 20130044967
    Abstract: Provided is a method for forming a bag around an article, the method comprising: providing an oriented film; cauterizing the film at a temperature sufficient to de-orient a portion of the film to create a cauterized area on the continuous film; placing an article(s) on the film between adjacent cauterized areas; heat-sealing the film around the article(s) such that at least a portion of the film between the heat-sealed area and the article comprises the cauterized area. Also, provided is a form, fill, and seal apparatus comprising a heat sealer and a cauterizer, both having a temperature control, the heat sealer positioned to allow the heat sealer to form a seal between two edges of film having an article wrapped therein, and the cauterizer positioned to cauterize an area of the sealed film in an area adjacent to the sealed edges and the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Michael D. CLECKNER, Scott Wilkins, James S. Howard
  • Publication number: 20110236668
    Abstract: Disclosed are single and multi-layer films having low haze and low density properties, comprising at least one polymeric layer and at least one density reduction agent, wherein the film has a haze ?35% and a density (D) of at least 1% lower than the density of the polymer. The density reduction agent may be added to, for example, a core layer, one or more tie layers, or a core layer and one or more tie layers. Processes for the manufacture of these films, and the use of these films as labels and packaging products are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Bader, Robert M. Sheppard, Michael D. Cleckner, James A. Brooks, Jan M. Crum, Lori A. Frauenhofer, Rene H. Doyen, Leland L. Liu
  • Patent number: 7195818
    Abstract: A sealable multi-layer opaque film. In particular, a sealable multi-layer opaque film that is moisture permeable and water resistant. The sealable multi-layer opaque film is an oriented multilayer film with a core layer comprising an orientation-enhancing polymer, a polypropylene homopolymer and a beta crystal nucleator of polypropylene and at least one sealable skin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Dan-Cheng Kong, Michael D. Cleckner
  • Publication number: 20030207137
    Abstract: A sealable multi-layer opaque film. In particular, a sealable multi-layer opaque film that is moisture permeable and water resistant. The sealable multi-layer opaque film is an oriented multilayer film with a core layer comprising an orientation-enhancing polymer, a polypropylene homopolymer and a beta crystal nucleator of polypropylene and at least one sealable skin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dan-Cheng Kong, Michael D. Cleckner
  • Publication number: 20030207138
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film containing a core layer and an enhanced printing skin layer. The core layer comprises an orientation enhancing polymer, a polypropylene homopolymer, and a beta-crystal nucleators of polypropylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dan-Cheng Kong, Michael D. Cleckner
  • Patent number: 5789123
    Abstract: A label stock structure comprising a liquid toner printable thermoplastic film is provided. The film is coated with an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer based coating capable of electrostatic imaging with liquid toner. Optionally, the coating contains acrylic polymer. In a specific embodiment, the coating includes a major proportion of ethylene-acrylic acid and minor amounts of filler such as talc and silica. The coating can also include wax and/or pigment such as titanium dioxide. In a further embodiment, the carboxylate groups of the copolymer are neutralized with metal ions from Group Ia, IIa or IIb of the Period Table of the Elements, specifically, sodium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Cleckner, George Forman Cretekos, Pang-Chia Lu, Robert Edward Touhsaent