Patents by Inventor Michael Duane Cliffton

Michael Duane Cliffton 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: 8377530
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester polymer composition comprising at least one polyethylene terephthalate polyester in an amount ranging from 94.0 weight percent to 99.5 weight percent and at least one additive in an amount ranging from 0.5 weight percent to 6 weight percent, each based on the total weight of the polyester composition. The at least one additive comprises a diamide molecule. The composition of the present invention is useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms, and profiles. These articles can exhibit improved gas barrier properties. The process for making the polymer composition and the shaped articles is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Richard Dalton Peters, Michael Duane Cliffton
  • Patent number: 8304499
    Abstract: Disclosed are polymer compositions having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. The blends of the present invention are useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce oxygen-scavenging compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Marcus David Shelby, Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Mark Edward Stewart
  • Publication number: 20120199515
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester polymer composition comprising at least one polyethylene terephthalate polyester in an amount ranging from 94.0 weight percent to 99.5 weight percent and at least one additive in an amount ranging from 0.5 weight percent to 6 weight percent, each based on the total weight of the polyester composition. The at least one additive comprises a diamide molecule. The composition of the present invention is useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms, and profiles. These articles can exhibit improved gas barrier properties. The process for making the polymer composition and the shaped articles is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Dalton Peters, Michael Duane Cliffton
  • Patent number: 8133417
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enables the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Marcus David Shelby, Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Mark Edward Stewart
  • Publication number: 20110201703
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enables the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Marcus David Shelby
  • Publication number: 20110200774
    Abstract: Disclosed are polymer compositions having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. The blends of the present invention are useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce oxygen-scavenging compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Marcus David Shelby, Martin Emerson Rogers, Michael Duane Cliffton, Mark Edward Stewart
  • Patent number: 7964258
    Abstract: Disclosed are oxygen-scavenging polymer compositions having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides, and a metal catalyst. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. The blends of the present invention are useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Marcus David Shelby
  • Patent number: 7959836
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze, and comprising immiscible blends of at least one polyester comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Emmett Dudley Crawford, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Marcus David Shelby
  • Patent number: 7959998
    Abstract: Disclosed are oxygen-scavenging polymer compositions having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of at least one polyester comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides, and a metal catalyst. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. The blends of the present invention are useful in producing shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Emmett Dudley Crawford, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Marcus David Shelby
  • Patent number: 7955533
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze comprising immiscible blends of one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyarylates, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend which have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Marcus David Shelby
  • Patent number: 7786252
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of multilayered, shaped articles having high transparency and low haze having at least one layer contains one or more thermoplastic polymers selected from polyesters, polycarbonates, and homogeneous blends thereof, and a separate layer which contains a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The thermoplastic polymer components and the polyamide components have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into one or more of the layers of the article while maintaining high clarity. These articles can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into one or more layers to impart oxygen-scavenging properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Marcus David Shelby
  • Patent number: 7709595
    Abstract: A stable catalyst solution suitable for catalyzing the polycondensation of reactants to make polyester polymers comprising: (i) M, wherein M is represented by an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal and (ii) aluminum metal and (iii) a polyhydroxyl ether solvent, wherein the molar ratio of M:Al ranges from 0.2:1 to 4:1 or less. The catalyst solution is desirably a solution which does not precipitate upon standing over a period of at least one week at room temperature (25° C.-40° C.), even at molar ratios of M:Al approaching 1:1. There is also provided a method for the manufacture of the solution, its feed to and use in the manufacture of a polyester polymer, and polyester polymers obtained by combining certain ingredients or containing the residues of these ingredients in the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Donna Rice Quillen, Barry Glen Pearcy, Michael Duane Cliffton, Aaron Nathaniel Edens
  • Patent number: 7462684
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of multilayered, shaped articles having high transparency and low haze and in which at least one layer contains at least one polyester comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and a separate layer which contains a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The polyester component and the polyamide component have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into one or more of the layers of the article while maintaining high clarity. These articles can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into one or more layers to impart oxygen-scavenging properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Emmett Dudley Crawford, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Marcus David Shelby
  • Publication number: 20080255280
    Abstract: Polymer blends suitable for packaging are disclosed that include a transition metal; one or more polyamide homopolymers or copolymers; and one or more polyethylene terephthalate homopolymers or copolymers obtained by a melt phase polymerization using a catalyst system comprising aluminum atoms in an amount, for example, from about 3 ppm to about 60 ppm and one or more alkaline earth metal atoms, alkali metal atoms, or alkali compound residues in an amount, for example, from about 1 ppm to about 25 ppm, in each case based on the weight of the one or more polyethylene terephthalate homopolymers or copolymers The polymer blends disclosed exhibit improved oxygen-scavenging activity compared with blends made using polymers prepared with conventional catalyst systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Susan Sims, Mark Edward Stewart, Jason Christopher Jenkins, Rodney Scott Armentrout, Richard Dalton Peters, Michael Duane Cliffton, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Stephen Weinhold
  • Publication number: 20080027208
    Abstract: A stable catalyst solution suitable for catalyzing the polycondensation of reactants to make polyester polymers comprising: (i) M, wherein M is represented by an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal and (ii) aluminum metal and (iii) a polyhydroxyl ether solvent, wherein the molar ratio of M:Al ranges from 0.2:1 to 4:1 or less. The catalyst solution is desirably a solution which does not precipitate upon standing over a period of at least one week at room temperature (25° C.-40° C.), even at molar ratios of M:Al approaching 1:1. There is also provided a method for the manufacture of the solution, its feed to and use in the manufacture of a polyester polymer, and polyester polymers obtained by combining certain ingredients or containing the residues of these ingredients in the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Donna Rice Quillen, Barry Glen Pearcy, Michael Duane Cliffton, Aaron Nathaniel Edens
  • Patent number: 6300462
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate) and copolymers thereof having high molecular weight, low methyl end-group content, low diethylene glycol content and low carboxyl end-group content in the presence of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael Duane Cliffton, Joseph Franklin Knight, Reed Lervik Christiansen
  • Patent number: 5856424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a high molecular weight polyester having less than about 0.5 weight % diethylene glycol comprising adding at least one carbonate compound to the ester exchange reaction product produced from reaction of a glycol component comprising ethylene glycol and an ester component comprising dimethylterephthalate, dimethylnaphthalenedicarboxylate and mixtures thereof wherein said reaction product is formed without a Ti catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: David Taylor Bowers, Ronnie Jay Jones, Michael Duane Cliffton, Joseph Franklin Knight, Donna Rice Quillen