Patents by Inventor Stephen Weinhold

Stephen Weinhold 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: 10370486
    Abstract: Polyester polymer particle spheroids comprising a polyester polymer including: a carboxylic acid component containing at least 90 mole % of the residues of terephthalic acid, derivates of terephthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, and/or derivatives of naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, and a hydroxyl component containing from 90 to 96 mole % of the residues of ethylene glycol, based on 100 mole percent of the carboxylic acid component residues and 100 mole percent hydroxyl component residues in the polyester polymer, wherein said particle has an It.V. of at least 0.72 dL/g, and the It.V. at the surface of the particle is from 0.02 dL/g to less than 0.25 dL/g higher than the It.V. at the center of the particle, and wherein the polyester polymer spheroids are not solid state polymerized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: GRUPO PETROTEMEX S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Michael Paul Ekart, Mary Therese Jernigan, Stephen Weinhold
  • Publication number: 20170009009
    Abstract: Polyester polymer particle spheroids comprising a polyester polymer including: a carboxylic acid component containing at least 90 mole % of the residues of terephthalic acid, derivates of terephthalic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, and/or derivatives of naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid,; and a hydroxyl component containing from 90 to 96 mole % of the residues of ethylene glycol, based on 100 mole percent of the carboxylic acid component residues and 100 mole percent hydroxyl component residues in the polyester polymer, wherein said particle has an kV. of at least 0.72 dL/g, and the It.V. at the surface of the particle is from 0.02 dL/g to less than 0.25 dL/g higher than the It.V. at the center of the particle, and wherein the polyester polymer spheroids are not solid state polymerized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: GRUPO PETROTEMEX, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Frederick Leslie COLHOUN, Michael Paul EKART, Mary Therese JERNIGAN, Stephen WEINHOLD
  • Patent number: 9062200
    Abstract: Polymer blends suitable for packaging are disclosed that include one or more impact modifiers; 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 low temperature toughness compared with blends made using polymers prepared with conventional catalyst systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: GRUPO PETROTEMEX, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Mark Edward Stewart, Stephen Weinhold, Richard Dalton Peters, Roger Lee Martin
  • Patent number: 8968615
    Abstract: A bulk of polyester polymer particles comprising polyester polymer comprising greater than 75% virgin polyester polymer, the particles having: A) an It.V. of at least 0.72 dl/g, and B) 10 ppm or less of residual acetaldehyde; and C) at least two melting peaks, wherein one of said at least two melting peaks is a low peak melting point within a range of 140° C. to 220° C. and having a melting endotherm area of at least the absolute value of 1 J/g. The particles may also have a degree of crystallinity within a range of 20% and a maximum degree of crystallinity Tcmax defined by the equation: Tcmax=50%?CA?OH where CA is the total mole % of all carboxylic acid residues other than terephthalic acid residues, based on 100 mole % of carboxylic acid residues, and OH is the total mole % of all hydroxyl functional compound residues other than ethylene glycol residues, based on 100 mole % of hydroxyl functional compounds residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael Paul Ekart, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Mary Therese Jernigan, Stephen Weinhold, Rodney Scott Armentrout
  • Publication number: 20140357797
    Abstract: Polymer blends suitable for packaging are disclosed that include one or more impact modifiers; 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 low temperature toughness compared with blends made using polymers prepared with conventional catalyst systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Frederick Leslie CALHOUN, Mark Edward STEWART, Stephen WEINHOLD, Richard Dalton PETERS, Roger LEE MARTIN
  • Patent number: 8859681
    Abstract: Polymer blends suitable for packaging are disclosed that include one or more impact modifiers; 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 low temperature toughness compared with blends made using polymers prepared with conventional catalyst systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Mark Edward Stewart, Stephen Weinhold, Richard Dalton Peters, Roger Lee Martin
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110318519
    Abstract: Polymer blends suitable for packaging are disclosed that include one or more impact modifiers; 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 low temperature toughness compared with blends made using polymers prepared with conventional catalyst systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: GRUPO PETROTEMEX, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Frederick Leslie COLHOUN, Mark Edward Stewart, Stephen Weinhold, Richard Dalton Peters, Roger Lee Martin
  • Patent number: 8058360
    Abstract: Polymer blends suitable for packaging are disclosed that include one or more impact modifiers; 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 low temperature toughness compared with blends made using polymers prepared with conventional catalyst systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. De C.V.
    Inventors: Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Mark Edward Stewart, Stephen Weinhold, Richard Dalton Peters, Roger Lee Martin
  • 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: 8022168
    Abstract: Spheroidal polyester polymer particles, as well as preforms and stretch blow molded bottles made from the spheroidal particles, are provided which have: A) an It.V. of at least 0.72 dL/g, and either B) at least two melting peaks (on a DSC first heating scan), wherein one of said at least two melting peaks is a low peak melting point having a peak temperature within a range of 140° C. to 220° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotexmex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Stephen Weinhold, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Michael Paul Ekart, Benjamin Bradford Gamble
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7935399
    Abstract: A bulk of polyester polymer particles comprising polyester polymer comprising greater than 75% virgin polyester polymer, the particles having: A) an It.V. of at least 0.72 dl/g, and B) 10 ppm or less of residual acetaldehyde; and C) at least two melting peaks, wherein one of said at least two melting peaks is a low peak melting point within a range of 140° C. to 220° C. and having a melting endotherm area of at least the absolute value of 1 J/g. The particles may also have a degree of crystallinity within a range of 20% and a maximum degree of crystallinity Tcmax defined by the equation: Tcmax=50%?CA?OH where CA is the total mole % of all carboxylic acid residues other than terephthalic acid residues, based on 100 mole % of carboxylic acid residues, and OH is the total mole % of all hydroxyl functional compound residues other than ethylene glycol residues, based on 100 mole % of hydroxyl functional compounds residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Michael Paul Ekart, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Mary Therese Jernigan, Stephen Weinhold, Rodney Scott Armentrout
  • Publication number: 20110092663
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, spheroidal polyester polymer particles, as well as articles such as films, sheets, tubes, and the like made from the spheroidal particles, are provided. According to various embodiments of the invention, the particles may have an intrinsic viscosity (It.V.) of at least 0.65 dL/g and a degree of crystallinity less than about 45 percent. In another embodiment, the polyester polymer can comprise at least 4 mole percent and no more than 20 mole percent of residues other than ethylene glycol residues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Weinhold, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Michael Paul Ekart, Benjamin Bradford Gamble
  • 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: 20110040067
    Abstract: A bulk of polyester polymer particles comprising polyester polymer comprising greater than 75% virgin polyester polymer, the particles having: A) an It.V. of at least 0.72 dl/g, and B) 10 ppm or less of residual acetaldehyde; and C) at least two melting peaks, wherein one of said at least two melting peaks is a low peak melting point within a range of 140° C. to 220° C. and having a melting endotherm area of at least the absolute value of 1 J/g. The particles may also have a degree of crystallinity within a range of 20% and a maximum degree of crystallinity Tcmax defined by the equation: Tcmax=50%?CA?OH where CA is the total mole % of all carboxylic acid residues other than terephthalic acid residues, based on 100 mole % of carboxylic acid residues, and OH is the total mole % of all hydroxyl functional compound residues other than ethylene glycol residues, based on 100 mole % of hydroxyl functional compounds residues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Paul Ekart, Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Mary Therese Jernigan, Stephen Weinhold, Rodney Scott Armentrout
  • Publication number: 20110034665
    Abstract: There is now provided a polyester polymer particle having an It.V., a surface, and a center, wherein the It.V. at the surface of the particle is less than 0.25 dL/g higher than the It.V. at the center of the particle. The polyester polymer particle is desirably crystalline to prevent the particles from sticking to each other while drying, and desirably contains less than 10 ppm acetaldehyde. A polyester container, preferably a preform or beverage bottle, is made by feeding crystallized polyester particles having an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g to an extrusion zone, melting the particles in the extrusion zone to form a molten polyester polymer composition, and forming a sheet or a molded part from extruded molten polyester polymer, wherein at least a portion of the polyester particles have an It.V. at their surface which does not vary from their It.V. at their center by more than 0.25 dL/g, and the particles have not been solid state polymerized. Such polyester compositions have an It.V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Frederick Leslie Colhoun, Michael Paul Ekart, Mary Therese Jernigan, Stephen Weinhold
  • 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