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).
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Patent number: 8377530Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Richard Dalton Peters, Michael Duane Cliffton
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Patent number: 8304499Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Marcus David Shelby, Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Mark Edward Stewart
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Publication number: 20120199515Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Richard Dalton Peters, Michael Duane Cliffton
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Patent number: 8133417Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Marcus David Shelby, Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Mark Edward Stewart
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Publication number: 20110201703Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Marcus David Shelby
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Publication number: 20110200774Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANYInventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Marcus David Shelby, Martin Emerson Rogers, Michael Duane Cliffton, Mark Edward Stewart
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Patent number: 7964258Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Marcus David Shelby
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Patent number: 7959836Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 7959998Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 7955533Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Marcus David Shelby
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Patent number: 7786252Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Marcus David Shelby
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Patent number: 7709595Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Donna Rice Quillen, Barry Glen Pearcy, Michael Duane Cliffton, Aaron Nathaniel Edens
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Patent number: 7462684Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20080255280Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: Susan Sims, Mark Edward Stewart, Jason Christopher Jenkins, Rodney Scott Armentrout, Richard Dalton Peters, Michael Duane Cliffton, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Stephen Weinhold
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Publication number: 20080027208Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Donna Rice Quillen, Barry Glen Pearcy, Michael Duane Cliffton, Aaron Nathaniel Edens
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Patent number: 6300462Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2000Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Michael Duane Cliffton, Joseph Franklin Knight, Reed Lervik Christiansen
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Patent number: 5856424Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: David Taylor Bowers, Ronnie Jay Jones, Michael Duane Cliffton, Joseph Franklin Knight, Donna Rice Quillen