Patents by Inventor William J. Michie

William J. Michie 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: 8697806
    Abstract: The instant invention is a high-density polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, articles made therefrom, and method of making such articles. The high-density polyethylene composition of the instant invention includes a first component, and a second component. The first component is a high molecular weight ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density in the range of 0.915 to 0.940 g/cm3, and a melt index (I21.6) in the range of 0.5 to 10 g/10 minutes. The second component is a low molecular weight ethylene polymer having a density in the range of 0.965 to 0.980 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of 50 to 1500 g/10 minutes. The high-density polyethylene composition has a melt index (I2) of at least 1, a density in the range of 0.950 to 0.960 g/cm3, and g? of 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies
    Inventors: William J. Michie, Jr., Thomas W. Kay, Stephanie M. Whited, Dale M. Elley-Bristow, David T. Gillespie, Lonnie G. Hazlitt
  • Patent number: 8679602
    Abstract: The invention provides an ethylene-based interpolymer comprising the following features: a) density from 0.910 to 0.930 g/cc; b) melt index (I2) from 0.1 to 0.5 g/10 min; and c) a high density fraction in an ATREF short chain branch distribution (SCBD) curve, eluting above 92° C., of greater than 10 percent to less than 28 percent of the total ATREF SCBD curve area. The invention also provides a composition comprising an ethylene-based interpolymer that comprises the following features: a) a density from 0.919 to 0.928 g/cc; b) a melt index (I2) from 0.1 to 0.8 g/10 min; and c) a high density fraction in an ATREF short chain branch distribution (SCBD) curve, eluting above 92° C., of greater than 10 percent to less than 28 percent of the total ATREF SCBD curve area. The invention also provides a hollow tube comprising at least one component formed from a composition comprising an ethylene-based interpolymer that comprises the following features: a) a density from 0.919 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William J. Michie, Jr., Sarah M. Hayne, Sarah E. Patterson, Robert James Jorgensen, Dale A. Wright
  • Patent number: 8658732
    Abstract: Solid state draw a polymer billet, wherein at least 50 percent of all polymers in the billet is a continuous phase of polyethylene polymer having a density of 0.941-0.959 grams per cubic centimeter and a weight-average molecular weight that is 110,000 grams per mole or greater, at a drawing rate of 1.2 meters per minute or faster using a tensile force to create an oriented and cavitated polymer composition whose cross section dimensions all exceed two millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Eovations, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Nichols, William J. Michie, Jr., Mridula Kapur
  • Publication number: 20130338323
    Abstract: The instant invention is a polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, articles made therefrom, and method of making the same. The polyethylene composition according to the instant invention comprises (1) less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene; and (2) less than 15 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers. The polyethylene composition according the instant invention has a density in the range of 0.907 to 0.975 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.62, a melt index (I2) in the range of 2 to 1000 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, and a vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.06 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William J. Michie, JR., Mark B. Davis, Nathan J. Wiker, Debra R. Wilson, Peter Schindler, John W. Garnett, IV
  • Publication number: 20130237670
    Abstract: The instant invention is a high-density polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, articles made therefrom, and method of making such articles. The high-density polyethylene composition of the instant invention includes a first component, and a second component. The first component is a high molecular weight ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density in the range of 0.915 to 0.940 g/cm3, and a melt index (I21.6) in the range of 0.5 to 10 g/10 minutes. The second component is a low molecular weight ethylene polymer having a density in the range of 0.965 to 0.980 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of 50 to 1500 g/10 minutes. The high-density polyethylene composition has a melt index (I2) of at least 1, a density in the range of 0.950 to 0.960 g/cm3, and g? of 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Michie, JR., Thomas W. Kay, Stephanie M. Whited, Dale M. Elley-Bristow, David T. Gillespie, Lonnie G. Hazlitt
  • Patent number: 8486323
    Abstract: The instant invention provides rotational molded articles, and method of making the same. The rotational molded articles according to the present invention comprise a polyethylene composition comprising: (a) at least 85 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene; and (b) less than 15 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers; wherein the polyethylene composition has a density in the range of 0.930 to 0.945 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.50, a melt index (I2) in the range of 0.5 to 20 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.06 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the polyethylene composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark B. Davis, Mridula Kapur, William J. Michie, Jr., Peter Schindler, Nathan J. Wiker, Debra R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8445594
    Abstract: The instant invention is a high-density polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, articles made therefrom, and method of making such articles. The high-density polyethylene composition of the instant invention includes a first component, and a second component. The first component is a high molecular weight ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density in the range of 0.915 to 0.940 g/cm3, and a melt index (I21.6) in the range of 0.5 to 10 g/10 minutes. The second component is a low molecular weight ethylene polymer having a density in the range of 0.965 to 0.980 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of 50 to 1500 g/10 minutes. The high-density polyethylene composition has a melt index (I2) of at least 1, a density in the range of 0.950 to 0.960 g/cm3, and g? of 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William J. Michie, Jr., Thomas W. Kay, Stephanie M. Whited, Dale M. Elley-Bristow, David T. Gillespie, Lonnie G. Hazlitt
  • Patent number: 8344068
    Abstract: The invention is related to compositions suitable for the fabrication of pipes, and other articles, with excellent performance properties. The invention provides a composition, comprising a blend, wherein said blend comprises a high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer and a low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer, and the high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is a heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.922 g/cc to 0.929 g/cc, and a high load melt index (I21) from 0.2 g/10 min to 1.0 g/10 min, and the low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.940 g/cc to 0.955 g/cc, and a melt index (I2) from 6 g/10 min to 50 g/10 min. The blend has a single peak in an ATREF profile eluting above 30° C., and has a coefficient of viscosity average molecular weight (CM?) less than ?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William J. Michie, Jr., Dane Chang, Lonnie G. Hazlitt, Stephanie M. Whited, Michael A. Kinnan, Anthony C. Neubauer, Thoi H. Ho
  • Publication number: 20120302681
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising at least the following: A) a first composition comprising a first ethylene-based polymer, wherein the ratio, I21 (first composition)/I21 (first ethylene-based polymer), is greater than, or equal to, 30; and B) one or more azide compounds in an amount from 10 ?g/g to 40 ?g/g (based on the weight of the composition).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Anthony C. Neubauer, William J. Michie, JR.
  • Patent number: 8318862
    Abstract: The invention is related to films formed from a composition, comprising a blend, wherein said blend comprises a high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer and a low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer, and the high molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is a heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.922 g/cc to 0.929 g/cc, and a high load melt index (I21) from 0.2 g/10 min to 1.0 g/10 min, and the low molecular weight ethylene-based interpolymer is heterogeneously branched linear or a homogeneously branched linear ethylene-based interpolymer, and has a density from 0.940 g/cc to 0.955 g/cc, and a melt index (I2) from 6 g/10 min to 50 g/10 min. The blend has a single peak in an ATREF profile eluting above 30° C., and has a coefficient of viscosity average molecular weight (CMv) less than ?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: William J. Michie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8247497
    Abstract: The invention relates to formulated compositions which can be easily formed into bottle caps, without the need for a liner, while still maintaining pressure requirements, such as for carbonated beverages. The compositions may include an ethylene polymer having a density in the range of from about 0.947 to 0.962 g/cm3, a melt index of from about 1 to about 10 g/10 min., and another ethylene polymer having a density in the range of from about 0.912 to 0.932 g/cm3, a melt index of from about 0.25 to about 6 g/10 min., wherein the two ethylene polymers have a density difference of equal to or greater than 0.03 g/cm3. In other cases, the composition may include a single component resin with a density in the 0.935-0.955 g/cm3 range with a melt index in the range of 0.3-1.2 g/10 minutes, and wherein the resin comprises a polyethylene polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Debra R. Wilson, William J. Michie, Jr., Spyro P. Petsalis
  • Publication number: 20120142881
    Abstract: The instant invention provides rotational molded articles, and method of making the same. The rotational molded articles according to the present invention comprise a polyethylene composition comprising: (a) at least 85 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene; and (b) less than 15 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers; wherein the polyethylene composition has a density in the range of 0.930 to 0.945 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.50, a melt index (I2) in the range of 0.5 to 20 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.06 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the polyethylene composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark B. Davis, Mridula Kapur, William J. Michie, JR., Peter Schindler, Nathan J. Wiker, Debra R. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120100357
    Abstract: This invention relates to coupling of polyethylene resins, more specifically coupling of polyethylene resins for use in extruded profiles, especially extruded profiles for sheet extrusion and cut sheet thermoforming applications and geomembranes. The process involves conveying a HDPE resin through an extruder, wherein the extruder comprises a feed zone, a first melt zone downstream of the feed zone, a second melt zone downstream of the first melt zone, and a third melt zone downstream of the second melt zone. The resin is melted in the first zone, contacted with oxygen in the second melt zone, and contacted antioxidant in the third melt zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: William J. Michie, JR., Todd A. Hogan, Felipe Martinez Barreneche, Anthony C. Neubauer, Stephane Costeux
  • Publication number: 20120022214
    Abstract: The instant invention is a high-density polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, closure devices made therefrom, and method of making such closure devices. The high-density polyethylene composition according to the present invention comprises (a) a first component comprising a high molecular weight ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density in the range of 0.927 to 0.938 g/cm3, and a melt flow rate (I21) in the range of 4 to 10 g/10 minutes, and (b) a second component comprising a low molecular weight ethylene polymer having a density in the range of 0.960 to 0.975 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) in the range of 100 to 1200 g/10 minutes; and wherein the high-density polyethylene composition has a melt index (I2) in the range of from 2 to 10 g/10 minutes, a density in the range of from 0.950 to 0.960 g/cm3, and a flow direction shrinkage to cross flow direction shrinkage ratio in the range of from 2 to 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mark B. Davis, Dale M. Elley-Bristow, William J. Michie, JR., Stephanie M. Whited, Theresa J. Hermel-Davidock
  • Publication number: 20110318514
    Abstract: The invention provides an ethylene-based interpolymer comprising the following features: a) density from 0.910 to 0.930 g/cc; b) melt index (I2) from 0.1 to 0.5 g/10 min; and c) a high density fraction in an ATREF short chain branch distribution (SCBD) curve, eluting above 92° C., of greater than 10 percent to less than 28 percent of the total ATREF SCBD curve area. The invention also provides a composition comprising an ethylene-based interpolymer that comprises the following features: a) a density from 0.919 to 0.928 g/cc; b) a melt index (I2) from 0.1 to 0.8 g/10 min; and c) a high density fraction in an ATREF short chain branch distribution (SCBD) curve, eluting above 92° C., of greater than 10 percent to less than 28 percent of the total ATREF SCBD curve area. The invention also provides a hollow tube comprising at least one component formed from a composition comprising an ethylene-based interpolymer that comprises the following features: a) a density from 0.919 to 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sarah E. Patterson, William J. Michie, JR., Robert J. Jorgensen, Dale Wright, Sarah M. Hayne
  • Patent number: 7989549
    Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a low-molecular-weight (LMW) ethylene polymer component and a high-molecular-weight (HMW) ethylene polymer component. Preferably, the LMW polyethylene component and the HMW polyethylene component co-crystallize in the composition such that it exhibits a single or substantially single peak in a lamella thickness distribution (“LTD”) curve. The ethylene polymer for the LMW and the HMW polyethylene components can be either homopolyethylene or ethylene copolymer. Preferably, both components are an ethylene copolymer of the same or different composition (i.e., with the same or different comonomers). A method of making a pipe that includes selecting a polymer composition having a substantially single peak in the LTD curve is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology LLC
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Jimmy Zhou, William J. Michie, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110178262
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a method for improving the bubble stability of a polyethylene composition suitable for blown film extrusion process. The method for improving the bubble stability of a polyethylene composition suitable for blown film extrusion process comprises the steps of: (1) providing a polyethylene composition having a density in the range of 0.900 g/cm3 to 0.970 g/cm3 and an relaxation spectrum index (RSI) value in the range of 10 to 100; (2) oxygen tailoring said polyethylene composition; (3) thereby forming an oxygen tailored polyethylene composition, wherein the RSI value of the said oxygen tailored polyethylene composition increases from 10% to 300% of its initial value; (4) thereby improving the bubble stability of said polyethylene composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC (formerly known as Dow Global Technologies Inc.)
    Inventors: Anthony C. Neubauer, William J. Michie, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110092937
    Abstract: The instant invention is a polyethylene composition, method of producing the same, fibers made therefrom, and method of making the same. The polyethylene composition according to instant invention comprises: (a) less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene; and (b) less than 20 percent by weight of units derived from one or more ?-olefin comonomers. The polyethylene composition according to instant invention has a density in the range of 0.920 to 0.970 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.5, a melt index (I2) in the range of 0.2 to 1000 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.1 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Randy E. Pepper, Mridula Kapur, Gert J. Claasen, Edward N. Knickerbocker, Nathan J. Wiker, William J. Michie, JR., Mark B. Davis
  • Publication number: 20110034635
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a blend, which comprises a high molecular weight ethylene-based polymer, and a low molecular weight ethylene-based polymer, and wherein the high molecular weight ethylene-based polymer has a density less than, or equal to, 0.955 g/cm3, and wherein the blend has a high load melt index (I21) greater than, or equal to, 15 g/10 min, and wherein the blend has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) greater than, or equal to, 15. The invention also provides a composition comprising a blend, which comprises a high molecular weight ethylene-based polymer and a low molecular weight ethylene-based polymer, and wherein the high molecular weight ethylene-based polymer component has a density less than, or equal to, 0.945 g/cm3, and a melt index (I2) less than, or equal to, 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Mridula Kapur, Robert J. Jorgensen, Burkhard E. Wagner, William J. Michie, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100227144
    Abstract: Solid state draw a polymer billet, wherein at least 50 percent of all polymers in the billet is a continuous phase of polyethylene polymer having a density of 0.941-0.959 grams per cubic centimeter and a weight-average molecular weight that is 110,000 grams per mole or greater, at a drawing rate of 1.2 meters per minute or faster using a tensile force to create an oriented and cavitated polymer composition whose cross section dimensions all exceed two millimeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin L. Nichols, William J. Michie, JR., Mridula Kapur