Patents by Inventor Ryan J. McEneany
Ryan J. McEneany 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: 10889696Abstract: Microparticles that have a multimodal pore size distribution are provided, Notably, the pore structure of the present invention can be formed without the need for complex techniques and solvent chemistries traditionally employed to form porous microparticles. Instead, the microparticles contain a polymeric material that is formed from a thermoplastic composition, which is simply strained to a certain degree to achieve the desired porous network structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Neil T. Scholl, Ryan J. McEneany, Thomas A. Eby
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Patent number: 10857705Abstract: A technique for initiating the formation of pores in a polymeric material that contains a thermoplastic composition is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains microinclusion and nanoinclusion additives dispersed within a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. To initiate pore formation, the polymeric material is mechanically drawn (e.g., bending, stretching, twisting, etc.) to impart energy to the interface of the continuous phase and inclusion additives, which enables the inclusion additives to separate from the interface to create the porous network. The material is also drawn in a solid state in the sense that it is kept at a temperature below the melting temperature of the matrix polymer.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J McEneany, Neil T. Scholl, Antonio J. Carrillo, Mark M. Mleziva
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Patent number: 10858762Abstract: Fibers that are formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and has a voided structure and low density are provided. To achieve such a structure, the renewable polyester is blended with a polymeric toughening additive in which the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. Fibers are thereafter formed and then stretched or drawn at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polyester (i.e., “cold drawn”).Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Ryan J. McEneany, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Neil T. Scholl, Thomas A. Eby
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Patent number: 10815374Abstract: A film that is formed from a thermoplastic composition is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains a rigid renewable polyester and a polymeric toughening additive. The toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. An increase in deformation force and elongational strain causes debonding to occur in the renewable polyester matrix at those areas located adjacent to the discrete domains. This can result in the formation of a plurality of voids adjacent to the discrete domains that can help to dissipate energy under load and increase tensile elongation. To even further increase the ability of the film to dissipate energy in this manner, the present inventors have discovered that an interphase modifier may be employed that reduces the degree of friction between the toughening additive and renewable polyester and thus reduces the stiffness (tensile modulus) of the film.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J. McEneany, Neil T. Scholl, Thomas A. Eby
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Patent number: 10752745Abstract: A polyolefin packaging film is provided. The polyolefin film is formed by a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J. McEneany, Mark M. Mleziva, Brent M. Thompson
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Patent number: 10753023Abstract: Polylactic acid fibers formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains polylactic acid and a polymeric toughening additive are provided. The present inventors have discovered that the specific nature of the components and process by which they are blended may be carefully controlled to achieve a composition having desirable morphological features. More particularly, the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous phase of the polylactic acid. These domains have a particular size, shape, and distribution such that upon fiber drawing, they absorb energy and become elongated. This allows the resulting composition to exhibit a more pliable and softer behavior than the otherwise rigid polylactic acid. Through selective control over the components and method employed, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting fibers may thus exhibit good mechanical properties, both during and after melt spinning.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Peiguang Zhou, Gregory J. Wideman, Tom Eby, Ryan J. McEneany
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Patent number: 10718069Abstract: A method for forming biodegradable fibers is provided. The method includes blending polylactic acid with a polyepoxide modifier to form a thermoplastic composition, extruding the thermoplastic composition through a die, and thereafter passing the extruded composition through a die to form a fiber. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the polyepoxide modifier reacts with the polylactic acid and results in branching of its polymer backbone, thereby improving its melt strength and stability during fiber spinning without significantly reducing glass transition temperature. The reaction-induced branching can also increase molecular weight, which may lead to improved fiber ductility and the ability to better dissipate energy when subjected to an elongation force. Through selective control over this method, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting fibers may exhibit good mechanical properties, both during and after melt spinning.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J. McEneany, Thomas A. Eby, Tyler J. Lark
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Patent number: 10640898Abstract: A polyolefin material that comprises a thermoplastic composition that is annealed and thereafter drawn in a solid state is provided. The composition contains a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores, wherein the thermoplastic composition has a glass transition temperature of from about ?20° C. to about 50° C. as determined in accordance with ASTM E1640-13.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J. McEneany, Neil T. Scholl, Antonio J. Carrillo, Mark M. Mleziva, Hristo A. Hristov, Yuriy Galabura
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Patent number: 10640890Abstract: A method for forming porous fibers is provided. The fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase, which includes a matrix polymer, and a nanoinclusion additive that is at least partially incompatible with the matrix polymer so that it becomes dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. The method includes traversing a bundle of the fibers through a multi-stage drawing system that includes at least a first fluidic drawing stage and a second fluidic drawing stage. The first drawing stage employs a first fluidic medium having a first temperature and the second drawing stage employs a second fluidic medium having a second temperature. The first and second temperatures are both lower than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer, and the first temperature is greater than the second temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Neil T. Scholl, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Antonio J. Carrillo Ojeda, Ryan J. McEneany, Theodore T. Tower
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Publication number: 20190374672Abstract: A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises extruding a matrix polymer and a nanoinclusion additive to form a thermoplastic composition in which the nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within a continuous phase of the matrix polymer. The extruded thermoplastic composition is thereafter passed through a spinneret to form a fiber having a porous network containing a plurality of nanopores, wherein the average percent volume occupied by the nanopores within a given unit volume of the fiber is from about 3% to about 15% per cm3.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Ryan J. McEneany, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Yuewen Xu
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Publication number: 20190343978Abstract: A polymeric material that includes a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyester and a copolyetherester elastomer is provided. The copolyetherester elastomer is dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Ryan J. McEneany, Yuewen Xu
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Publication number: 20190338097Abstract: A polymeric material that includes a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer and a siloxane component is provided. The siloxane component contains an ultrahigh molecular weight siloxane polymer that is dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is defined within the thermoplastic composition that includes a plurality of nanopores.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Ryan J. McEneany, Yuriy Galabura, Antonio J. Carrillo Ojeda, Neil T. Scholl, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, David W. Hall, Juha P. Kemppinen, Peter S. Lortscher, Lori A. Eslinger, Brent M. Thompson, Gregory J. Wideman
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Patent number: 10286593Abstract: A thermoformed article that is formed from a polymeric sheet having a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 100 millimeters is provided. The polymeric sheet contains a thermoplastic composition that includes a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. A microinclusion additive and nanoinclusion additive are dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains, and a porous network is defined in the composition that includes a plurality of nanopores having an average cross-sectional dimension of about 800 nanometers or less.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J. McEneany, Brent M. Thompson, Duane L. McDonald
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Patent number: 10240260Abstract: An absorbent article containing a nonwoven web that includes a plurality of polyolefin fibers is provided. The polyolefin fibers are formed by a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a polyolefin matrix polymer and nanoinclusion additive is provided. The nanoinclusion additive is dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. When drawn, the nano-scale phase domains are able to interact with the matrix in a unique manner to create a network of nanopores.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J. McEneany, Antonio J. Carrillo, Mark M. Mleziva, Andy J. Meyer
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Publication number: 20190071547Abstract: A color-changing polymeric material is provided. The material is formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer, colorant, microinclusion additive, and nanoinclusion additive, wherein the microinclusion additive and nanoinclusion additive are dispersed within the continuous phase in the form of discrete domains. A porous network is formed in the polymeric material when subjected to a deformational strain in a solid state. The polymeric material exhibits a first color prior to being subjected to the deformational strain and a second color after being subjected to the deformational strain, the first color being different than the second color.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Ryan J. McEneany, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Neil T. Scholl, Antonio J. Carrillo Ojeda, Brent M. Thompson
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Patent number: 10195157Abstract: A delivery system containing an active agent within a polymeric material formed from a thermoplastic composition is provided. Through selective control over the particular nature of the thermoplastic composition, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the present inventors have discovered that a porous network can be created that contains a plurality of micropores and nanopores. The ability to create such a multimodal pore size distribution can allow the delivery rate of an active agent to be tailored for a particular use.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Neil T. Scholl, Ryan J. McEneany, Thomas A. Eby
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Patent number: 10144825Abstract: A thermoplastic composition that contains a rigid renewable polyester and a polymeric toughening additive is provided. The toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous matrix of the renewable polyester. An increase in the deformation force and elongational strain causes debonding to occur in the renewable polyester matrix at those areas located adjacent to the discrete domains. This can result in the formation of a plurality of voids adjacent to the discrete domains that can help to dissipate energy under load and increase impact strength. To even further increase the ability of the composition to dissipate energy in this manner, an interphase modifier may be employed that reduces the degree of friction between the toughening additive and renewable polyester and thus enhances the degree and uniformity of debonding.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Neil T. Scholl, Ryan J. McEneany, Thomas A. Eby
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Publication number: 20180291530Abstract: A method for forming porous fibers is provided. The fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase, which includes a matrix polymer, and a nanoinclusion additive that is at least partially incompatible with the matrix polymer so that it becomes dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. The method includes traversing a bundle of the fibers through a multi-stage drawing system that includes at least a first fluidic drawing stage and a second fluidic drawing stage. The first drawing stage employs a first fluidic medium having a first temperature and the second drawing stage employs a second fluidic medium having a second temperature. The first and second temperatures are both lower than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer, and the first temperature is greater than the second temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2016Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Neil T. Scholl, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Antonio J. Carrillo Ojeda, Ryan J. McEneany, Theodore T. Tower
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Publication number: 20180291528Abstract: A method for forming porous fibers is provided. The fibers are formed from a thermoplastic composition containing a continuous phase, which includes a matrix polymer, and a nanoinclusion additive that is at least partially incompatible with the matrix polymer so that it becomes dispersed within the continuous phase as discrete nano-scale phase domains. The method generally includes traversing a bundle of the fibers over one or more draw bars that are in contact with a fluidic medium (e.g., water). In certain embodiments, for example, the draw bar(s) are submerged in the fluidic medium. The fluidic medium is lower than the melting temperature of the matrix polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2016Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Neil T. Scholl, Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Antonio J. Carrillo Ojeda, Ryan J. McEneany, Theodore T. Tower
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Patent number: 10058513Abstract: A delivery system containing an active agent within a polymeric material formed from a thermoplastic composition is provided. Through selective control over the particular nature of the thermoplastic composition, as well as the manner in which it is formed, the present inventors have discovered that a porous network can be created that contains a plurality of micropores and nanopores. The ability to create such a multimodal pore size distribution can allow the delivery rate of an active agent to be tailored for a particular use.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Neil T. Scholl, Ryan J. McEneany, Thomas A. Eby