Patents by Inventor Ted Calvin Germroth

Ted Calvin Germroth 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: 8377558
    Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with disk anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Akron Polymer Systems
    Inventors: Frank W. Harris, Dong Zhang, Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Ted Calvin Germroth, Thauming Kuo, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Brian Michael King
  • Publication number: 20120283371
    Abstract: A method for casting a styrenic fluoropolymer film on a substrate includes preparing a polymer solution by dissolving the fluoropolymer in a solvent or solvent blend whose Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs. MPa1/2) satisfy the following relations: |SPb?SPp|<5, |SPb?SPs|<4, |SPb(H)?SPp(H)|<7, and 2<|SPb(H)?SPs(H)|<10 wherein SPb, SPp, SPs, are the total Hansen solubility parameters of solvent/solvent blend, fluoropolymer, and substrate, respectively; SPb(H), SPp(H), and, SPs(H) are the hydrogen-bond Hansen solubility parameters of solvent/solvent blend, fluoropolymer, and substrate, respectively; wherein the fluoropolymer comprises a moiety of: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, or halogens, wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a fluorine atom, and wherein R is each independently a substituent on the styrenic ring, n is an integer from 0 to 5 representing the number of the substituents on the styrenic ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: AKRON POLYMER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: BIN WANG, THAUMING KUO, DOUGLAS STEPHENS McWILLIAMS, FRANK W. HARRIS, TED CALVIN GERMROTH, JIAOKAI JING, DONG ZHANG, XIAOLIANG ZHENG
  • Patent number: 8304079
    Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that are aromatic rings substituted with birefringence enhancing substituents (BES) and have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Akron Polymer Systems
    Inventors: Ted Calvin Germroth, Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Thauming Kuo, Dong Zhang, Brian Michael King, Frank W. Harris, Jiaokai Alexander Jing
  • Patent number: 8299204
    Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbons atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one alkyl phosphate esters, aryl phosphate esters, mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ted Calvin Germroth, Gary Wayne Connell, Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephen McWilliams, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Patent number: 8226860
    Abstract: A method for controlling positive birefringence in an optical compensation film (positive C-plate) having high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm is provided. The method includes selecting polymers with optically anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that exhibit the buttressing effect, wherein the OASUs may be disks, mesogens or aromatic rings substituted with birefringence enhancing substituents. The method further includes processing the polymer by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. These optical compensation films may be used in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Akron Polymer Systems
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Frank W. Harris, Ted Calvin Germroth, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Dong Zhang, Thauming Kuo, Brian Michael King
  • Patent number: 8193302
    Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3 -cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one of alkyl phosphate esters, aryl phosphate esters, mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ted Calvin Germroth, Gary Wayne Connell, Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20110251365
    Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with disk anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Frank W. Harris, Dong Zhang, Xiaoling Joe Zheng, Ted Calvin Germroth, Thauming Kuo, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Brian Michael King
  • Patent number: 7989036
    Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with disk anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Akron Polymer Systems
    Inventors: Frank W. Harris, Dong Zhang, Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Ted Calvin Germroth, Thauming Kuo, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Brian Michael King
  • Publication number: 20100298523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one phosphorus compound, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ted Calvin Germroth, Gary Wayne Connell, Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephen McWilliams, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20100184940
    Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one of alkyl phosphate esters, aryl phosphate esters, mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ted Calvin Germroth, Gary Wayne Connell, Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephen McWilliams, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20100096589
    Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyesters containing (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having from 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues and up to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; and (b) a glycol component having from 11 to 25 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues, and 75 to 89 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Ted Calvin Germroth, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20100087574
    Abstract: Described are polyesters comprising (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising terephthalic acid residues; optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues; 2,2,4,4-tetramethy-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and cyclohexanedimethanol residues. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Ted Calvin Germroth, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20090316085
    Abstract: Some embodiments include compositions and/or methods related to optical compensation films. More particularly, some embodiments can include brominated polystyrene compositions, and/or methods for their preparation, suitable for forming optical compensation films. In some embodiments, suitable brominated polystyrene compositions, and/or methods for their preparation, can include aromatic rings having one or more acyl moieties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Dong Zhang, Jiaokai Jing, Zhikuan Lu, Thauming Kuo, Brian Michael King, Xiaoliang Zheng, Frank W. Harris, Ted Calvin Germroth
  • Publication number: 20090096962
    Abstract: The invention relates to the preparations and uses of cellulose esters with a high degree of substitution of hydroxyl groups (also called high DSOH cellulose esters) as substrates and/or negative C-plate optical compensation films in LCD applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Charles Shelton, Ted Calvin Germroth, Dong Zhang, Frank Wayne Harris
  • Publication number: 20090093573
    Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one phosphorus compound, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ted Calvin Germroth, Gary Wayne Connell, Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20090093574
    Abstract: Described are polyester compositions comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid residues, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and cyclohexanedimethanol, wherein the inherent viscosity and the Tg of the polyester provides for certain polyester properties. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Ted Calvin Germroth, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20090068380
    Abstract: The present invention provides uniaxially stretched polymer films that have a refractive index profile suitable for use as negative A-plates or biaxial birefringent plates in a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. These wave plates can be used to compensate for the phase retardations existing in various modes of LCDs including TN (twisted nematic), VA (vertically aligned), IPS (in-plane switching), and OCB (optically compensated bend), and therefore improving the viewing quality of the displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Frank W. Harris, Ted Calvin Germroth, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Dong Zhang, Thauming Kuo, Brian Michael King
  • Publication number: 20080293882
    Abstract: Described are polyesters containing (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having from about 80 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid or an ester thereof, and up to about 10 mole % of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or esters thereof; and (b) a glycol component having from about 40 to 65 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and from about 35 to 60 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and wherein the inherent viscosity is from 0.50 to less than 0.70 dL/g or less as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles such as fibers, films, bottles or sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ted Calvin Germroth, Gary Wayne Connell, Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20080293857
    Abstract: Described are dialysis filter housings comprising polyester compositions comprising polyesters which comprise (a) a dicarboxylic acid component having terephthalic acid residues; optionally, aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues or ester residues thereof; 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Emmett Dudley Crawford, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Douglas Stephens McWilliams, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Ted Calvin Germroth, Benjamin Fredrick Barton, Damon Bryan Shackelford
  • Publication number: 20080239491
    Abstract: A method for controlling positive birefringence in an optical compensation film (positive C-plate) having high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm is provided. The method includes selecting polymers with optically anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that exhibit the buttressing effect, wherein the OASUs may be disks, mesogens or aromatic rings substituted with birefringence enhancing substituents. The method further includes processing the polymer by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. These optical compensation films may be used in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Frank W. Harris, Ted Calvin Germroth, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Dong Zhang, Thauming Kuo, Brian Michael King