Patents by Inventor Robert Noah Estep

Robert Noah Estep 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: 8247522
    Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, Jr., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
  • Patent number: 8057726
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for a melt processing a polyethylene terephthalate resin characterized by one or more of the following. The polyester particles may have at least two melting peaks wherein one of the at least two melting peaks is a low peak melting point with a range from 140° C. to 220° C., or from 140° C. to 230° C., and having a melting endothermic area of at least the absolute value of 1 J/g. The polyester particles may have one or more melting peaks at least one of which when measured on a DSC first heating scan has a heating curve departing from a baseline in the endothermic direction at a temperature of less than or equal to 200° C. The polyester particles may have an It.V. at their surface which is less than 0.25 dL/g higher than the It.V. at their center. The polyester particles may have not been solid stated. The melt processing device comprises a screw with a total length, L, a feed zone length in the range from 0.16L and 0.45L, a taper angle, ?, in the range from 0.5 degrees and 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Marcus David Shelby, Michael Eugene Donelson, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Steven Lee Stafford, Mark Edward Stewart, Stephen Weinhold, Edward Lewis Boochard, Robert Noah Estep
  • Patent number: 8039578
    Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing. In one embodiment, the process comprises (a) forming polyester polymer particles from a polyester polymer melt; (b) quenching at least a portion of the particles, (c) drying at least a portion of the particles, (d) crystallizing at least a portion of the particles, (e) annealing at least a portion of the particles. At all points during and between steps (b) through (e), the average bulk temperature of the particles is maintained above 165° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, Jr., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders
  • Publication number: 20110251340
    Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: GRUPO PETROTEMEX, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DEBRUIN, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, JR., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
  • Patent number: 7989577
    Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Grupo Petromex, S.A. De C.V.
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, Jr., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
  • Publication number: 20110070445
    Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, JR., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
  • Publication number: 20110034664
    Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, JR., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 7868125
    Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing. In one embodiment, the process comprises (a) forming polyester polymer particles from a polyester polymer melt; (b) quenching at least a portion of the particles, (c) drying at least a portion of the particles, (d) crystallizing at least a portion of the particles, (e) annealing at least a portion of the particles. At all points during and between steps (b) through (e), the average bulk temperature of the particles is maintained above 165° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, Jr., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders, John Guy Franjione
  • Publication number: 20090315219
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for a melt processing a polyethylene terephthalate resin characterized by one or more of the following. The polyester particles may have at least two melting peaks wherein one of the at least two melting peaks is a low peak melting point with a range from 140° C. to 220° C., or from 140° C. to 230° C., and having a melting endothermic area of at least the absolute value of 1 J/g. The polyester particles may have one or more melting peaks at least one of which when measured on a DSC first heating scan has a heating curve departing from a baseline in the endothermic direction at a temperature of less than or equal to 200° C. The polyester particles may have an It.V. at their surface which is less than 0.25 dL/g higher than the It.V. at their center. The polyester particles may have not been solid stated. The melt processing device comprises a screw with a total length, L, a feed zone length in the range from 0.16L and 0.45L, a taper angle, ?, in the range from 0.5 degrees and 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Marcus David Shelby, Michael Eugene Donelson, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Steven Lee Stafford, Mark Edward Steward, Stephen Weinhold, Edward Lewis Boochard, Robert Noah Estep
  • Publication number: 20090221785
    Abstract: A process for producing non-solid-stated polyester polymer particles having one or more properties similar to polyester polymer particles that have undergone solid-state processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce Roger DeBruin, Tommy Ray Maddox, II, John Alan Wabshall, JR., Steven Lee Stafford, Stephen Weinhold, Robert Noah Estep, Mary Therese Jernigan, Steven Paul Bellner, Alan George Wonders
  • Patent number: 7288586
    Abstract: A solid concentrate is provided having a combination of a transition metal present in an amount ranging from 1000 to 40,000 ppm (weight by metal) and a polyester polymer present in an amount of at least 40 wt. % based on the weight of the concentrate. Concentrates made with highly modified polyester polymers are easy to compound with transition metals forming less brittle polymer upon melt extrusion. Bottle preforms and oxygen scavenging bottles can be made from these concentrates by combining solid polyester particles, solid polyamide particles, and solid these concentrate particles c into an melt processing zone, forming a melt, and forming an article directly from the melt. The b* color and the L* color and the haze levels of the preforms are improved over the preforms made with liquid carriers instead of solid concentrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mark Edward Stewart, Emerson Eston Sharpe, Jr., Benjamin Bradford Gamble, Steven Lee Stafford, Robert Noah Estep, James Carl Williams, Thomas Roger Clark
  • Publication number: 20040228993
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester composition comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Weinhold, Lavonna Suzanne Buehrig, Robert Noah Estep, David Paul Fischer
  • Publication number: 20040030029
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester composition comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Weinhold, Lavonna Suzanne Buehrig, Robert Noah Estep, David Paul Fischer
  • Publication number: 20020033943
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting defects in colored articles. Specifically, the present invention comprises exposing a plastic colored article to radiation in the near infrared range; measuring radiation returned from or passed through said article and analyzing said returned or passed radiation to provide defect data for said article or contents within said article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Horst Clauberg, David Paul Fischer, Robert Noah Estep, Michael Eugene Donelson
  • Patent number: D459657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventor: Robert Noah Estep