Patents by Inventor Michel Duc

Michel Duc 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: 9862817
    Abstract: An at least two layer rotomolded article is described herein which may include a layer A and a layer B. Layer A can include an aliphatic polyester, a polyolefin, or a co- or ter-polymer that includes ethylene or styrene monomer, an unsaturated anhydride-containing monomer, epoxide-containing monomer, or carboxylic acid-containing monomer, and a (meth)acrylic ester monomer. Layer B can include a polyolefin and a polyester, or a co- or ter-polymer that includes an ethylene or a styrene monomer, an unsaturated anhydride-containing monomer, epoxide-containing monomer, or carboxylic acid-containing monomer, and a (meth)acrylic ester monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS & REFINING FELUY
    Inventors: Michel Duc, Philippe Lodefier
  • Patent number: 9761350
    Abstract: A composition can include polystyrene, modified-polystyrene, or a mixture thereof. The polystyrene, modified-polystyrene, or mixture thereof can include carbon nanotubes. The composition can also include a polyolefin. The composition can include at most 1.90% by weight of carbon nanotubes, based on a total weight of the composition. The composition can be prepared by providing a masterbatch including at least 5% by weight of carbon nanotubes based on a total weight of the masterbatch, and a polyolefin and/or styrenic copolymer. The masterbatch can be blended with polystyrene, modified-polystyrene, or a mixture thereof, and with a polyolefin, in amounts such that a conductive composition is obtained. An article can be made of the conductive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Dimitri Rousseaux, Michel Duc, Philippe Lodefier, Olivier Lhost
  • Patent number: 9650313
    Abstract: A styrene monomer reclamation process and system is described. The styrene monomer reclamation process includes providing a waste plastic. The waste plastic includes styrenic polymers. The waste plastic is formed into polymer particles. At least a portion of the polymer particles are dissolved in a solvent to form a polymer stream. The dissolved polymer particles are depolymerized to form a styrene monomer stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Tippet, James Butler, James Assef, John Ashbaugh, Jason Clark, Michel Duc, Jean-Bernard Cary
  • Publication number: 20170066913
    Abstract: The present invention is a process to make a composition comprising at least a monovinylaromatic polymer and at least a dispersed phase of one or more polymers made from renewable resources comprising: a) forming a polymerizable mixture comprising: at least a monomer or a dimer (a1) selected among an hydroxy carboxylic acid, a precursor of said hydroxy carboxylic acid, a cyclic component polymerizable by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and a mixture of an epoxide and carbon dioxide, dispersed in at least (a2) one monovinylaromatic monomer, optionally a rubber dissolved in (a2) the monovinylaromatic monomer, b) contacting an appropriate catalyst with the polymerizable solution at conditions effective to produce a polymer A1 comprising the repeating units (a1) dispersed in the (a2) monovinylaromatic monomer, c) polymerizing through a radical pathway the solution obtained at step b) optionally in the presence of a free radical initiator, optionally in the presence of chain transfer agents, to obtain a mono
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Michel Duc, Philippe Lodefier
  • Patent number: 9527993
    Abstract: A process to make a composition that includes a monovinylaromatic polymer and a dispersed phase of polymer made from renewable resources may include forming a polymerizable mixture. The polymerizable mixture may include a monomer or dimer dispersed in a monovinylaromatic monomer, and optionally a rubber dissolved in the monovinylaromatic monomer. The process may include contacting a catalyst with the polymerizable solution at conditions effective to produce a polymer dispersed in the monovinylaromatic monomer. The process may include polymerizing through a radical pathway the solution, optionally in the presence of a free radical initiator and a chain transfer agent, to obtain a monovinylaromatic polymer that includes a dispersed phase. The process may include degassing to separate unpolymerized monomers and comonomers, and recovering a composition of monovinylaromatic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Michel Duc, Philippe Lodefier
  • Patent number: 9512309
    Abstract: A rubber modified monovinylaromatic polymer composition may include a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix. The monovinylaromatic polymer matrix may have an average molecular weight in weight Mw above 150,000 g/mol. Rubber particles may be dispersed in the monovinylaromatic polymer matrix. The rubber particles may have a volume median particle size (RPS volume) ranging from 7 ?m to 10 ?m, a monomodal distribution, a ratio of RPS volume to surface median particle size (RPS surface) that is below 2, a crosslinking of the rubber expressed as a swell index (SI) above 13.8, and a rubber phase volume fraction (RPVF) of at least 39%. A refrigerator interior liner may be made of the rubber modified monovinylaromatic polymer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Michel Duc, Jan Neelen, Mark O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9384871
    Abstract: A composition can include polystyrene, modified-polystyrene, or a mixture thereof. The polystyrene, modified-polystyrene, or mixture thereof can include carbon nanotubes. The composition can also include a polyolefin. The composition can include at most 1.90% by weight of carbon nanotubes, based on a total weight of the composition. The composition can be made by melt blending the polystyrene, modified-polystyrene, or a mixture thereof with carbon nanotubes, and with the polyolefin. An article can be made from the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Dimitri Rousseaux, Michel Duc, Philippe Lodefier, Olivier Lhost
  • Patent number: 9371446
    Abstract: A monovinylaromatic polymer composition can include a bio-sourced polymer dispersed phase and optionally a rubber dispersed phase. The bio-sourced polymer dispersed phase can be predominantly made of particles having a size of less than 10 ?m. The monovinylaromatic polymer composition can be made by admixing a monovinylaromatic monomer, bio-sourced polymer, and optionally rubber at conditions effective to polymerize at least a part of the monovinylaromatic monomer and generate a compatibilizer. The monovinylaromatic polymer composition can be made by admixing a monovinylaromatic monomer, functionalized bio-sourced polymer(s) or mixtures of bio-sourced polymer(s) and functionalized bio-sourced polymer(s), and optionally rubber at conditions effective to polymerize at least a part of the monovinylaromatic monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Total Petrochemicals France
    Inventor: Michel Duc
  • Patent number: 9127149
    Abstract: A refrigerator interior liner can be made of a composition including a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix having an average molecular weight in weight Mwabove 150,000 g/mol; rubber particles; and low- Mwplasticizers. The rubber particles can have an RPS volume of about 8.5 ?m, a monomodal distribution, a swell index above 13.8, and an RPVF of at least 39%. The composition can be prepared by forming a polymerizable mixture including a monovinylaromatic monomer, and dissolving a viscous rubber in the polymerizable mixture. A free radical initiator and a chain transfer agent can be contacted with the polymerizable mixture at conditions whereby phase inversion subsequently occurs. The chain transfer agent can produce an increase of the rubber to PS phase viscosity ratio within the inversion reactor. Polymerization can be continued until a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix having rubber particles dispersed therein is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: TOTAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY FELUY
    Inventors: Michel Duc, Jan Neelen, Mark O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20150225493
    Abstract: A rubber modified monovinylaromatic polymer composition may include a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix. The monovinylaromatic polymer matrix may have an average molecular weight in weight Mw above 150,000 g/mol. Rubber particles may be dispersed in the monovinylaromatic polymer matrix. The rubber particles may have a volume median particle size (RPS volume) ranging from 7 ?m to 10 ?m, a monomodal distribution, a ratio of RPS volume to surface median particle size (RPS surface) that is below 2, a crosslinking of the rubber expressed as a swell index (SI) above 13.8, and a rubber phase volume fraction (RPVF) of at least 39%. A refrigerator interior liner may be made of the rubber modified monovinylaromatic polymer composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Michel Duc, Jan Neelen, Mark O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20150210611
    Abstract: A styrene monomer reclamation process and system is described. The styrene monomer reclamation process includes providing a waste plastic. The waste plastic includes styrenic polymers. The waste plastic is formed into polymer particles. At least a portion of the polymer particles are dissolved in a solvent to form a polymer stream. The dissolved polymer particles are depolymerized to form a styrene monomer stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jon Tippet, James Butler, James Assef, John Ashbaugh, Jason Clark, Michel Duc, Jean-Bernard Cary
  • Patent number: 8969638
    Abstract: A styrene monomer reclamation process and system is described. The styrene monomer reclamation process includes providing a waste plastic. The waste plastic includes styrenic polymers. The waste plastic is formed into polymer particles. At least a portion of the polymer particles are dissolved in a solvent to form a polymer stream. The dissolved polymer particles are depolymerized to form a styrene monomer stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Tippet, James R. Butler, James Assef, John Ashbaugh, Jason Clark, Michel Duc, Jean-Bernard Cary
  • Publication number: 20150028267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising polystyrene or modified-polystyrene or a mixture thereof, said polystyrene or modified-polystyrene or mixture thereof further comprising carbon nanotubes; wherein the composition comprises a polyolefin; and wherein the composition comprises at most 1.90% by weight of carbon nanotubes, based on the total weight of the composition. The present invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the composition, wherein the carbon nanotubes are provided in polyolefin or styrenic copolymer masterbatch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Dimitri Rousseaux, Michel Duc, Philippe Lodefier, Olivier Lhost
  • Publication number: 20140378578
    Abstract: A composition can include polystyrene, modified-polystyrene, or a mixture thereof. The polystyrene, modified-polystyrene, or mixture thereof can include carbon nanotubes. The composition can also include a polyolefin. The composition can include at most 1.90% by weight of carbon nanotubes, based on a total weight of the composition. The composition can be made by melt blending the polystyrene, modified-polystyrene, or a mixture thereof with carbon nanotubes, and with the polyolefin. An article can be made from the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Dimitri Rousseaux, Michel Duc, Philippe Lodefier, Olivier Lhost
  • Publication number: 20140323643
    Abstract: The present invention is a refrigerator interior liner made of a rubber modified monovinylaromatic polymer composition comprising: a) a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix having an average molecular weight in weight Mw above 150,000 g/mol, b) rubber particles dispersed therein, said particles having: a volume median particle size (RPS volume) of about 8.5 ?m, a monomodal distribution with essentially no shoulder, a low-to-moderate crosslinking of the rubber expressed as a swell index (SI) above 13.8, a rubber phase volume fraction (RPVF) of at least 39%, c) a moderate amount of low- Mw plasticizers, defined as the weight fraction of solubles in methanol, and such that the weight ratio c/(a+b+c) ranges from 0 to 5%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Michel Duc, Jan Neelen, Mark O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8785545
    Abstract: A refrigerator interior liner can be made of a composition including a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix having an average molecular weight in weight Mw above 150,000 g/mol; rubber particles; and low- Mw plasticizers. The rubber particles can have an RPS volume of about 8.5 ?m, a monomodal distribution, a swell index above 13.8, and an RPVF of at least 39%. The composition can be prepared by forming a polymerizable mixture including a monovinylaromatic monomer, and dissolving a viscous rubber in the polymerizable mixture. A free radical initiator and a chain transfer agent can be contacted with the polymerizable mixture at conditions whereby phase inversion subsequently occurs. The chain transfer agent can produce an increase of the rubber to PS phase viscosity ratio within the inversion reactor. Polymerization can be continued until a monovinylaromatic polymer matrix having rubber particles dispersed therein is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Total Research & Technology Feluy
    Inventors: Michel Duc, Jan Neelen, Mark O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8575271
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a monovinylaromatic polymer composition comprising a bio-sourced polymer dispersed phase and optionally a rubber dispersed phase wherein said bio-sourced polymer dispersed phase is predominantly made of particles having a size of less than 10 ?m. The present invention also relates to a process (hereunder referred as the first process) to make said monovinylaromatic polymer composition, said process comprising admixing: a monovinylaromatic monomer, at least one bio-sourced polymer, optionally a rubber, at conditions effective to polymerize at least a part of the monovinylaromatic monomer and generate a compatibilizer of the bio-sourced polymer and monovinylaromatic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Total Petrochemicals France
    Inventor: Michel Duc
  • Publication number: 20130289208
    Abstract: A monovinylaromatic polymer composition can include a bio-sourced polymer dispersed phase and optionally a rubber dispersed phase. The bio-sourced polymer dispersed phase can be predominantly made of particles having a size of less than 10 ?m. The monovinylaromatic polymer composition can be made by admixing a monovinylaromatic monomer, bio-sourced polymer, and optionally rubber at conditions effective to polymerize at least a part of the monovinylaromatic monomer and generate a compatibilizer. The monovinylaromatic polymer composition can be made by admixing a monovinylaromatic monomer, functionalized bio-sourced polymer(s) or mixtures of bio-sourced polymer(s) and functionalized bio-sourced polymer(s), and optionally rubber at conditions effective to polymerize at least a part of the monovinylaromatic monomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Total Petrochemicals France
    Inventor: Michel Duc
  • Patent number: 8399561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a high impact monovinylaromatic polymer comprising admixing a rubber, at least one monovinylaromatic monomer and optionally one or more comonomer in the presence of at least a borane complex of the L-BH3 type wherein L is a Lewis base and polymerizing the monovinylaromatic monomer. The borane complex initiator, L may be an ether (e.g THF, tetrahydrofurane), a thioether (e.g dimethylthioether) or an amine. A preferred complex is an amine borane such as by way of example triethylamine borane. The present invention also relates to a high impact monovinylaromatic polymer having a weight ratio of grafted monovinylaromatic monomer and optional comonomer to the initial monovinylaromatic monomer and optional comonomer above 0.1%, advantageously above 2% and preferably in the range 2 to 4%. The invention is of particular interest to make high impact polystyrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: Total Petrochemicals France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Michel Duc, Bruno Vuillemin, Denis Bertin, Sylvain Marque, Christophe Galindo
  • Publication number: 20120132845
    Abstract: The present invention is an expandable vinyl aromatic polymer which comprises: a) a matrix of a branched aromatic ionomer, b) 1-10% by weight calculated with respect to the polymer (a), of an expanding agent englobed in the polymeric matrix, c) 0-20% by weight, calculated with respect to the polymer (a), of a filler homogeneously distributed in the polymeric matrix, in which, the branched aromatic ionomer comprises the product of co-polymerizing a first monomer comprising an aromatic moiety and an unsaturated alkyl moiety and a second monomer comprising an ionic moiety and at least two unsaturated moieties, wherein the ionic moiety has at least two ionizable groups, a cationic group that ionizes to form cations and an anionic group that ionizes to form anions, and wherein the cationic group is polyvalent and one capable of forming bridges to other molecules. The present invention also relates to the use of the expandable vinyl aromatic polymer to make expanded articles, in particular insulation boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS RESEARCH FELUY
    Inventors: Philippe Lodefier, Stéphane Nowe, Jose M. Sosa, Michel Duc