Patents by Inventor Timothy M. Boller

Timothy M. Boller 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).

  • Publication number: 20230406973
    Abstract: Provided herein are polyethylene compositions having a combination of properties including: density from about 0.930 to 0.975 g/cm3; broad molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn?10 and/or Mz/Mn?80) and a highly branched architecture (e.g., g?LCB less than or equal to 0.85, preferably less than or equal to 0.75). The polyethylene compositions may further have a low molecular weight fraction (LMWF) and a high molecular weight fraction (HMWF), such that the wt % of LMWF in the compositions is greater than the wt % of HMWF. The polyethylene compositions may be suitable for making films, particularly oriented films such as uni axially (machine-direction-oriented) or biaxially-oriented films, and in particular all-PE films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Nino RUOCCO, Nilesh SAVARGAONKAR, Timothy M. BOLLER, Etienne R.H. LERNOUX, Robert M. CANRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20230322972
    Abstract: This invention relates to a supported catalyst system comprising: (i) at least one first catalyst component comprising a group 4 metallocycle containing metallocene complex; (ii) at least one second catalyst component comprising a 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl iron complex; (iii) activator; and (iv) support. The catalyst system may be used for preparing polyolefins, such a bimodal polyethylene, typically in a gas phase polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew W. HOLTCAMP, Laughlin G. MCCULLOUGH, Kevin A. STEVENS, Dongming LI, Robert L. HALBACH, Ramyaa MATHIALAGAN, Charles J. HARLAN, Timothy M. BOLLER
  • Patent number: 11738334
    Abstract: This invention relates to a supported catalyst system comprising: (i) at least one first catalyst component comprising a group 4 bis(phenolate) complex; (ii) at least one second catalyst component comprising a 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl iron complex; (iii) activator; and (iv) support. The catalyst system may be used for preparing polyolefins, such a bimodal polyethylene, typically in a gas phase polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Holtcamp, Dongming Li, Kevin A. Stevens, Jo Ann M. Canich, John R. Hagadorn, Ramyaa Mathialagan, Timothy M. Boller
  • Patent number: 11708438
    Abstract: A system and method of producing polyethylene, including: polymerizing ethylene in presence of a catalyst system in a reactor to form polyethylene, wherein the catalyst system includes a first catalyst and a second catalyst; and adjusting reactor conditions and an amount of the second catalyst fed to the reactor to control melt index (MI), density, and melt flow ratio (MFR) of the polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Boller, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., C. Jeff Harlan, James M. Farley, Fathi David Hussein, Dongming Li, Steven A. Best
  • Publication number: 20230022904
    Abstract: A polyethylene comprising of ethylene derived units and 0.5 wt % to 10 wt % C3 to C12 ?-olefin derived units may be synthesized using a mixed catalyst that comprises rac-dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dichloride and a zirconium co-catalyst in a mole ratio of 50:50 to 90:10, and wherein the zirconium co-catalyst is a poor comonomer incorporator as compared to the rac-dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dichloride catalyst. Such a polyethylene may have a density of 0.91 g/cm3 to 0.93 g/cm3, an I2 value of 0.5 g/10 min to 2 g/10 min, an I21 value of 25 g/10 min to 75 g/10 min, an I21/I2 ratio of 25 to 75, a molar reversed-co-monomer index (RCI,m) of 30 to 180, a phase angle equal or lower than 70° at complex modulus G* of 10,000 Pa, a ?2 of 1.5 radians to ?1.5 radians, and a low density population of 50% and 70% by weight of the polyethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew W. HOLTCAMP, Matthew S. BEDOYA, Timothy M. BOLLER, Hasnain RANGWALLA, David F. SANDERS, Ching-Tai LUE, Dongming LI, Adriana S. SILVA, Ru XIE, Joseph A. MOEBUS
  • Patent number: 11492428
    Abstract: Methods to produce heterogeneous polyethylene granules, the method including: contacting first olefin monomers and second olefin monomers with a catalyst system in a single reaction zone to produce heterogeneous polyethylene granules and recovering the heterogeneous polyethylene granules; wherein the catalyst system includes a product of a combination including: one or more catalysts having a Group 3 through Group 12 metal atom or lanthanide metal atom; at least one activator; and optionally, one or more support material compositions; and wherein the heterogeneous polyethylene granules include a product of a combination of: a first portion comprising a first polyethylene including the first olefin monomers and the second olefin monomers; a second portion including a second polyethylene including the first monomers and the second monomers; and wherein the first polyethylene has a higher second monomer weight percent than the second polyethylene, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Xuan Ye, Jonathan J. Schaefer, Timothy M. Boller, Christopher S. Breiner, Chi-I Kuo, Kevin A. Stevens, Logan E. Shephard, Eyerusalem H. Mamo, Evan J. Morris, Shamah Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20220298087
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes and apparatus for producing poly alpha olefins. In at least one embodiment, a process to produce a poly alpha olefin includes introducing a first olefin monomer to a first catalyst and an activator in a first reactor to form a first reactor effluent comprising an olefin dimer and an olefin trimer. The process includes introducing the first reactor effluent to a filtration unit to form a filtration effluent, and introducing the filtration effluent to a first distillation unit to form a first distillation effluent. The process includes introducing the first distillation effluent (or a second distillation effluent) to a second catalyst in a second reactor to form a second reactor effluent comprising the olefin trimer. The process includes removing a sample at any stage of the process and introducing the sample to a gas chromatograph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Monica D. Lotz, Frank N. Raushel, Timothy M. Boller, Mark H. Li, Kyle G. Lewis, Jennifer L. Rapp
  • Patent number: 11414505
    Abstract: A polymerization catalyst system, a method of using the polymerization catalyst system, and a polymer produced with the catalyst system. The polymerization catalyst system has a non-metallocene catalyst and a metallocene catalyst. The metallocene catalyst has the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently, phenyl, methyl, chloro, fluoro, or a hydrocarbyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: C. Jeff Harlan, Timothy R. Lynn, Fathi David Hussein, Timothy M. Boller
  • Publication number: 20220048016
    Abstract: This invention relates to a supported catalyst system comprising: (i) at least one first catalyst component comprising a group 4 bis(phenolate) complex; (ii) at least one second catalyst component comprising a 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl iron complex; (iii) activator; and (iv) support. The catalyst system may be used for preparing polyolefins, such a bimodal polyethylene, typically in a gas phase polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew W. Holtcamp, Dongming Li, Kevin A. Stevens, Jo Ann M. Canich, John R. Hagadorn, Ramyaa Mathialagan, Timothy M. Boller
  • Patent number: 11214631
    Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst systems comprising a catalyst compound having a bridged group 4 metal metallocene (where the bridge preferably contains an (Me2Si)2 group, an activator, and a support material. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides for polyolefins and a process for producing a polyolefin composition comprising contacting at least one olefin with a catalyst system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Yang, Gregory J. Karahalis, Timothy M. Boller, Yan Jiang
  • Patent number: 11208512
    Abstract: A high density, high polydispersity polyethylene having improved properties, and a process of producing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter S. Martin, John F. Szul, Roger L. Kuhlman, Mahsa McDougal, C. Jeff Harlan, Timothy M. Boller
  • Publication number: 20210284770
    Abstract: A system and method of producing polyethylene, including: polymerizing ethylene in presence of a catalyst system in a reactor to form polyethylene, wherein the catalyst system includes a first catalyst and a second catalyst; and adjusting reactor conditions and an amount of the second catalyst fed to the reactor to control melt index (MI), density, and melt flow ratio (MFR) of the polyethylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Boller, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, JR., C. Jeff Harlan, James M. Farley, Fathi David Hussein, Dongming Li, Steven A. Best
  • Patent number: 11111325
    Abstract: Polymerization processes to produce polyolefin polymers, for example, polyethylene polymers, from catalyst systems comprising one or more olefin polymerization catalysts and at least one activator are provided. The polyolefin polymers may have a Broad Orthogonal Composition Distribution (BOCD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Donna J. Crowther, Timothy M. Boller, Richard B. Pannell, Jeanette M. Diop, Wen Li
  • Patent number: 11034783
    Abstract: A system and method of producing polyethylene, including: polymerizing ethylene in presence of a catalyst system in a reactor to form polyethylene, wherein the catalyst system includes a first catalyst and a second catalyst; and adjusting reactor conditions and an amount of the second catalyst fed to the reactor to control melt index (MI), density, and melt flow ratio (MFR) of the polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy M. Boller, Ching-Tai Lue, Francis C. Rix, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr., C. Jeff Harlan, James M. Farley, Fathi David Hussein, Dongming Li, Steven A. Best
  • Patent number: 11028191
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure directed towards polymerization catalysts having improved ethylene enchainment. As an example, the present disclosure provides a polymerization catalyst having improved ethylene enchainment, the polymerization catalyst comprising a zirconocene catalyst of Formula (I) where R1 is a C1 to C20 alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, wherein R2 is an C1 to C20 alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group, and where R3 is a C1 to C20 alkyl or a hydrogen, and where each X is independently a halide, C1 to C20 alkyl, aralkyl group or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Roger L. Kuhlman, Mahsa McDougal, Timothy M. Boller, C. Jeff Harlan, Timothy R. Lynn, Cliff R. Mure, John F. Szul, Daniel P. Zilker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11015002
    Abstract: Polymerization processes to produce polyolefin polymers, for example, polyethylene polymers, from catalyst systems comprising one or more olefin polymerization catalysts and at least one activator are provided. The polyolefin polymers may have a Broad Orthogonal Composition Distribution (BOCD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Donna J. Crowther, Timothy M. Boller, Richard B. Pannell, Jeanette M. Diop, Wen Li
  • Patent number: 10954328
    Abstract: Polymerization processes to produce polyolefin polymers, for example, polyethylene polymers, from catalyst systems comprising one or more olefin polymerization catalysts and at least one activator are provided. The polyolefin polymers may have a Broad Orthogonal Composition Distribution (BOCD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Donna J. Crowther, Timothy M. Boller, Richard B. Pannell, Jeanette M. Diop, Wen Li
  • Publication number: 20210054122
    Abstract: A polymerization catalyst system, a method of using the polymerization catalyst system, and a polymer produced with the catalyst system. The polymerization catalyst system has a non-metallocene catalyst and a metallocene catalyst. The metallocene catalyst has the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently, phenyl, methyl, chloro, fluoro, or a hydrocarbyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: C. Jeff Harlan, Timothy R. Lynn, Fathi David Hussein, Timothy M. Boller
  • Patent number: 10889663
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to asymmetric ansa-metallocene catalyst compounds that include at least one indenyl ligand substituted at the 3-position with a C3-C40 ?-branched alkyl, such as 1-methylethyl, 1-methylpropyl, 1-methylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-methyl-1-ethylbutyl, 1,1-diethylbutyl, 1-propylpentyl, and the like. Catalyst systems prepared with the catalyst compounds, polymerization methods using such catalyst systems, and polyolefins made using the polymerization methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Yang, John R. Hagadorn, Gregory J. Karahalis, Timothy M. Boller, Evan J. Morris, Yan Jiang, Patrick Brant
  • Patent number: 10882925
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ansa-metallocene catalyst compounds that include (1) a first indenyl ligand substituted at the 3-position with a substituted or unsubstituted C4-C40 hydrocarbyl group, wherein the hydrocarbyl group is branched at the ?-position, and (2) a second indenyl ligand substituted at its 3-position with a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a ?-branched alkyl group. Catalyst systems prepared with the catalyst compounds, polymerization methods using such catalyst systems, and polyolefins made using the polymerization methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Yang, Gregory J. Karahalis, John R. Hagadorn, Timothy M. Boller, Evan J. Morris, Patrick Brant