Patents by Inventor Steven Edward Knothe

Steven Edward Knothe 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: 6245271
    Abstract: Process for die extrusion of melted polymers that reduces die lip buildup and its deleterious effects. Direct extrusion of mixed polymer pellets and filler concentrate pellets in one embodiment avoids a precompounding step and reduces the tendency of polymer and filler particles to adhere to the exit portion of the die. In other embodiments a reduced die lip radius and lower melt processing temperatures further enhance the benefits obtained. For co-extruded muitilayer film embodiments elimination of fillers and antiblock additives in skin layers add to the levels of die lip buildup reduction obtained. Hours of continuous operation without excessive die lip buildup in one arrangement have been increased from a level of 4 to 6 hours, for example, to in excess of 20 hours. Reduced product defect levels have also been attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Lee Jacobs, Billy Ray Jones, Jr., Steven Edward Knothe, Daniel Kenneth Schiffer