Utilizing An Apparatus With Two Or More Physically Distinct Zones Patents (Class 525/53)
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Patent number: 6518379Abstract: In a process for polymerizing dienes in a solvent comprising vinylaromatic monomers, the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a metal compound of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo or W as catalyst and a Lewis acid as cocatalyst and, if desired, an alkylating agent and, if desired, a regulator. This process can be used for preparing high-impact polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers or methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stephan Jüngling, Christian Schade, Hermann Gausepohl, Volker Warzelhan, Rainer Moors, Hansjörg Schäch, Joachim Queisser, Gerrit Luinstra, Jürgen Demeter
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Patent number: 6486271Abstract: The present invention provides to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a method of producing a polymer. The method includes taking a product stream from a monovinyl aromatic polymerization system wherein the product stream comprises a polymerized monomer and a monomer. The product stream is introduced into an up-flow heat exchanger in a presence of an initiator, such as a peroxide, that affects a polymerization of the monomer in the up-flow heat exchanger. The initiator may include a low-temperature initiator and a high-temperature initiator where a ratio of the high-temperature initiator to the low-temperature initiator can range from about 0:600 to about 50:600.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jose M. Sosa, Aron T. Griffith
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Publication number: 20020173588Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for manufacturing monovinylaromatic compounds containing an elastomer to provide increased toughness and strength. One particular embodiment of the invention discloses a process for manufacturing high impact polystyrene wherein styrene monomer containing a dissolved polybutadiene rubber is flowed into an elongated upflow stirred reactor containing three reaction zones, wherein the styrene and rubber are polymerized past the inversion point, then discharged to at least one additional reactor to continue their conversion to polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Jose M. Sosa, Billy Ellis
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Publication number: 20020169221Abstract: The disclosed process to obtain a modifier for cement systems comprises a synthesis of the modifier by a process of polymerization in a soft alkaline catalysis. This contributes to the formation of a product with a low molecular mass and viscosity. The concentration of the homogeneous aqueous solution is from 40-58% and the specific production of the process is Q=0.25 to 3.00 kg per hour in comparison with the specific production of the known prototype which is Q=0.03 to 0.04 kg per hour. One of the most important characteristics of the new process used to obtain the disclosed modifier is the fact that synthesis is achieved without external heat sources. Also, synthesis is achieved either by a periodic process or a continuous process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventor: Jaime Moreno
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Patent number: 6479609Abstract: A multi-stage process for preparing ethylene (co)polymers having broad molecular weight distributions is disclosed, said process comprising: (A) a first polymerization stage in which, in the presence of a Ti or V catalyst, a first ethylene polymer is prepared; (B) a treatment stage in which the catalyst used in the first stage is deactivated and in which a bridged bis-2-indenyl zirconocene is supported on the ethylene polymer produced in stage (A), optionally in the presence of a suitable cocatalyst; and (C) a second polymerization stage in which ethylene is polymerized in the presence of the product obtained from stage (B). Furthermore, polyethylene obtainable by the above process is disclosed, having intrinsic viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 6 dl/g, Mw/Mn>8 and cold xylene solubility<1.2 % wt.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Basell Technology Company BVInventors: Tiziano Dall'Occo, Giovanni Baruzzi, Colin J. Schaverien
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Patent number: 6471865Abstract: The present invention provides a solvent exchange column for continuously exchanging styrene monomer with the solvent used to produce polybutadiene and a method of use therefor. The solvent exchange column includes an exchange plate support structure coupled to and supporting spaced apart exchange plates, wherein each of the exchange plates has holes located therein to allow a passage of fluid therethrough. The solvent exchange column further includes a vapor ventilation system for allowing the volatized solvent to exit the solvent exchange column.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: J. Todd Reaves, Aron T. Griffith, Jose M. Sosa, Douglas Berti, Brad Klussmann
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Patent number: 6469110Abstract: Described herein is a process and an apparatus for polymerizing propylene. The process comprises carrying out the polymerization in at least one slurry reactor and at least one gas phase reactor without recycling unreacted monomers to the slurry reactor. A polymerization product containing unreacted monomers is recovered from the slurry reactor and volatile components are separated from the product in a separation unit. The polymerization product is recovered from the separation unit and conducted to a first gas phase reactor; and at least a part of the volatile components a recovered from the separation unit and conducted them to a gas phase reactor. At least 10% of the polymer product is produced in the gas phase reactor(s). The invention provides propylene homopolymers and alloys of propylene homopolymers and copolymers having good impact and creep properties.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Borealis Technology OyInventors: Ali Harlin, Kauno Alastalo, Jouni Kivelä, Esa Korhonen
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Patent number: 6465570Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the production of impact resistance-modified thermoplastics. An elastomer, in particular a particulate graft polymer with a water moisture content of 1 to 50%, preferably 10 to 40%, is incorporated into a thermoplastics melt in a large volume kneader reactor. The mixing ratio of elastomer to thermoplastics melt is 4:1 to 1:4. The energy required to melt the elastomer and to evaporate the adhering water is added by heating the walls of the apparatus and via the kneading action of the installed rotating parts.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ulrich Liesenfelder, Hans-Jürgen Thiem, Martin Ullrich
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Patent number: 6455643Abstract: Described herein is a process and an apparatus for preparing propylene homopolymers and copolymers, which comprises polymerizing propylene optionally with comonomers in the presence of a catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure in at least one slurry reactor and at least one gas phase reactor, the polymerization product of at least one slurry reactor, containing unreacted monomers, being conducted to a first gas phase reactor essentially without recycling of the unreacted monomers to the slurry reactor. The invention provides for fast start-ups because the gas phase bed material is available directly from the loop reactor.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1998Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Borealis Technology OyInventors: Ali Harlin, Kauno Alastalo, Esa Korhonen, Jouni Kivelä
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Patent number: 6437043Abstract: The present invention discloses processes and apparatus for the efficient and rapid conversion of an elastomeric monomer to a polymerized elastomer, and conjointly, reaction of the resultant rubbery polymer into a monovinylaromatic polymerization reaction to form a rubber-modified polymer; and more specifically teaches a method of polymerizing butadiene and reacting it with styrene monomer to form a transparent rubber-modified impact-resistant polystyrene material exhibiting elastomer concentrations that range from as low as 6 weight percent or lower, to as high as about 50 percent.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jose M. Sosa, Billy J. Ellis
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Patent number: 6433133Abstract: There is described a process for producing ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having reduced melt index ratio (MIR) and reduced weight average molecular weight (Mw). Also disclosed are novel ethylene homopolymers and interpolymers and functionalized ethylene homopolymers and/or interpolymers, having melt index ratio (MIR) less than 22 and molecular weight distribution greater than 2.4. Further described are novel ethylene interpolymers and functionalized ethylene interpolymers, having a melt index ratio less than 26, a molecular weight distribution value of greater than 2.4 and a density of less than 0.95 g/cc.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventor: Stephen Wayne Coe
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Patent number: 6407185Abstract: Process for the preparation of a composition containing ethylene polymers comprising a polymer of melt index MI2 of 5 to 1000 g/10 min and a polymer of melt index MI5 of 0.01 to 2 g/10 min, the ratio of these indices being from 500 to 50,000 and the weight ratio of the two polymers being equal to (30 to 70):(70 to 30), according to which part of the ethylene, a catalyst derived from a transition metal having an intrinsic molecular weight distribution defined by an intrinsic Mw/Mn ratio less than or equal to 10 and a deactivation constant less than or equal to 0.5 h−1, and a cocatalyst are introduced into a first reactor, polymerization of the ethylene is carried out therein, a mixture comprising one of the polymers, the catalyst and the cocatalyst is drawn off from this reactor and the mixture and another part of the ethylene are introduced into a second reactor, which ethylene is polymerized to form the other polymer.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)Inventor: Michel Promel
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Patent number: 6403748Abstract: A set of trim forward bins is utilized to set aside, distribute and allocate portions of granular product made in a continuous, usually fluidized bed, olefin polymerization reactor, to form blends which more efficiently utilize the products made during transitions from one set of specifications to another and/or to maintain a target property substantially continuously during steady state production of a single product.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology CorporationInventors: Kim Dwight Powers, Jeff Scott Levin, Mark Louis Nelson, Jose Cavetano Jaen, Carlos Ray Morris
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Patent number: 6399683Abstract: A resin composition for extruded forms that has improved workability, and excellent properties with respect to transparency, heat resistance, low-temperature resistance, etc. The composition contains 50 to 99% by weight of component A, which is a copolymer of ethylene and &agr;-olefin, and 1 to 50% by weight of component B, which is an ethylene-containing polymer. The component A has: (a) a melt flow rate (MFR) of 0.1 to 5 g/10 min.; (b) a density D of 0.88 to 0.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical CorporationInventors: Koji Yamamoto, Hajime Ikeno, Keiko Shichijo
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Patent number: 6399703Abstract: A process for preparing impact-modified styrene polymers (HIPS) omprises anionic polymerization of styrene in the presence of a rubber in one or more polymerization reactors in succession. The rubber is prepared in solution in an immediately upstream process. The heat of polymerization is utilized to remove the solvent for the rubber, this solvent having a boiling point lower than those of styrene and ethylbenzene, from at least one of the polymerization reactors via distillation with distillative cooling, and the solvent is reintroduced into the process of rubber preparation.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Fischer, Eugen-Walter Büchner, Axel Deimling, Hermann Gausepohl, Christian Schade
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Patent number: 6399711Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a rubber reinforced styrene-based resin, using a polymerization apparatus comprising: a prepolymerizer; mixing means and a circulating reactor connected with a circulation line; and a plug-flow type reactor, which process comprises: continuously feeding a stock solution into the prepolymerizer; feeding the prepolymerized liquid into the mixer; in this mixer, mixing the prepolymer liquid with circulated liquid that is circulated from the circulating reactor at a flow amount of from 0.5 to 3 times (circulation flow ratio: volume ratio) the flow amount of the prepolymer liquid fed from prepolymerizer into the mixing means; particulating and dispersing the rubbery polymer in the mixed liquid by mechanical shear force; and then feeding the polymer liquid into the plug-flow type reactor, to thereby effect a polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiharu Kawasaki, Susumu Tanji
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Patent number: 6391965Abstract: A process is disclosed for the continuous production of an ABS resin. The polymerization step comprises at least two substeps, one being a first-stage substep of forming particles of the rubbery polymer and the other a second-stage substep of adjusting the particle sizes of the particles. The first-stage substep is conducted in a polymerization system making use of a plug flow reactor or a batch polymerization reactor, and conducts polymerization at least until the particles are formed in the polymerization mixture. The second-stage substep increases a converted amount of the monomer component into the polymer compared with that in the particle forming substep and makes the particles smaller. A polycarbonate-ABS resin composition is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1997Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Takashi Koura, Mune Iwamoto, Ryuichi Sugimoto, Takayasu Ikeda, Koji Kawano, Shiro Otsuzuki
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Publication number: 20020042472Abstract: A class of relatively high molecular weight, high density ethylene polymers (HMW-HDPE) is disclosed capable of being formed into thin films of high strength, such polymers having a density of at least about 0.935 g/cc, a flow index (I21) no higher than about 15 g/10 min., a melt flow ratio (MFR) of at least about 65, and a dynamic elasticity at 0.1 rad./sec. of no higher than about 0.7 at a corresponding complex viscosity at 0.1 rad./sec. no higher than about 14E5, i.e., about 14×105 poises.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: S. Christine Ong, Sandra D. Schregenberger, Pradeep P. Shirodkar
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Patent number: 6365682Abstract: A process for producing terpolymers of propylene, comprising a) feeding into a slurry reactor a reaction mixture containing 50-85 w-% of propylene, 1-10 w-% of ethylene, 15-40 w-% of another C4-C8 alpha-olefin, a catalyst system maintaining olefin polymerization at said temperature conditions, and optionally hydrogen, b) polymerizing said reaction mixture at a temperature of lower than 70° C. a sufficient time to obtain a propylene terpolymer amounting to 50-99 w-% of the end product, c) transferring said reaction mixture into a gas phase reactor operating at a pressure of higher than 5 bars, preferably higher than 10 bars, optionally adding 0-30 w-% of ethylene, 0-10 w-% of another C4-C8 alpha-olefin, 0-40 w-% of propylene and optionally hydrogen, and d) continuing polymerization in said gas phase reactor for obtaining a propylene terpolymer amounting to 1-50 wt-% of the end product. The terpolymer has a melting temperature a less than 135° C., preferably less than 132° C.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Borealis Technology OyInventors: Kauno Alastalo, Bo Malm, Päivi Pitkänen, Mika Meller, Anne Britt Bjåland, Nina Ackermans, Kshama Motha
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Patent number: 6350828Abstract: A polypropylene resin composition exibiting a high melt tension and superior moldability, which can be molded efficiently by a high-speed molding into scarcely deformable larger molded articles of better appearance with high stiffness and which comprises polypropylene as a main component and has the following characteristic features 1) to 4), namely, 1) that a melt flow rate (MFR, determined at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg) is in the range of 0.01 to 5 g/10 min., 2) that a content of a high molecular weight polypropylene exhibiting an intrinsic viscosity [&eegr;], determined at 135° C. in decalin, of 8-13 dl/g is in the range of 15 to 50% by weight, 3) that a gel areal density in number is 3,000/450 cm2 or less and 4) that a molecular weight distribution determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is 6-20, as expressed by Mw/Mn, and is 3.5 or higher, as expressed by Mz/Mw.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Grand Polymer Co LtdInventors: Tohru Takaoka, Ikunori Sakai, Hideki Nakagawa, Mikio Hashimoto, Satoshi Matsuura, Takashi Shimizu
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Patent number: 6344522Abstract: Process for the preparation of a composition containing ethylene polymers comprising a polymer of melt index MI2 of 5 to 1000 g/10 min and a polymer of melt index MI5 of 0.01 to 2 g/10 min, the ratio of these indices being from 500 to 50,000 and the weight ratio of the two polymers being equal to (30 to 70):(70 to 30), according to which part of the ethylene, a catalyst derived from a transition metal having an intrinsic molecular weight distribution defined by an intrinsic Mw/Mn ratio less than or equal to 10 and a deactivation constant less than or equal to 0.5 h−1, and a cocatalyst are introduced into a first reactor, polymerization of the ethylene is carried out therein, a mixture comprising one of the polymers, the catalyst and the cocatalyst is drawn off from this reactor and the mixture and another part of the ethylene are introduced into a second reactor, which ethylene is polymerized to form the other polymer.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Solvay Polyolefins - Europe BelgiumInventor: Michel Promel
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Patent number: 6329477Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making polymer compositions, e.g. EPDM compositions, in a multistage reactor with monomers chosen from ethylene, C3-C8 alpha olefins, and a non conjugated diene. In particular, the invention relates to a process for improving diene conversion during the manufacture of the aforementioned polymer compositions by use of a multistage reactor and a metallocene catalyst system.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Harrington, Charles C. Cozewith, Sudhin Datta, Bernard J. Folie, John F. Walzer, Jr., Donna J. Crowther
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Patent number: 6316546Abstract: A class of relatively high molecular weight, high density ethylene polymers (HMW-HDPE) is disclosed capable of being formed into thin films of high strength, such polymers having a density of at least about 0.925 g/cc, a flow index (I21) no highier than about 15 g/10 min., a melt flow ratio (MFR) of at least about 65, and a dynamic elasticity at 0.1 rad./sec. of no higher than about 0.7 at a corresponding complex viscosity at 0.1 rad./sec. no highier than about 14E5, i.e., about 14×105 poises. The ethylene polymer is a bimodal blend of relatively high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) ethylene polymers.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1993Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil CorporationInventors: S. Christine Ong, Sandra D. Schregenberger, Pradeep P. Shirodkar
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Publication number: 20010031827Abstract: A continuous mass polymerization process for making an extrusion grade ABS resin having desirable properties and suitable for making refrigerator liners is disclosed. The process comprise charging a reaction mixture into a first in a series of reactors under conditions promoting polymerization, the mixture comprising diene rubber, a mixture of monomers, inert solvent and a chemical initiator to form a reaction mixture. The mixture is then transferred into a subsequent reactor operating at a temperature of 130 to 155° C. with no addition of chemical initiator and the resulting product is then devolatilized. The ABS thus produced contains about 10 to 16 pbw of dispersed rubber particles having an average particle diameter of 0.3 to 0.7 microns.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventors: Terry L. Virkler, Wan C. Wu
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Patent number: 6303721Abstract: The anionic polymerization of dienes or copolymers of dienes and vinylaromatic monomers in a vinylaromatic monomer or monomer mixture to give homopolydienes or copolymers or mixed homopolydienes and copolymers is carried out in the presence of a metal alkyl or aryl of an element having a valence of at least two without addition of Lewis bases.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stefan Lätsch, Wolfgang Fischer, Hermann Gausepohl, Volker Warzelhan, Christian Schade
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Patent number: 6300434Abstract: Propylene-ethylene copolymers obtainable by three-step polymerization from the gas phase in an agitated fixed bed by means of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system which, in addition to a titanium-containing solid component, also contains, as cocatalyst, an aluminum compound, where, in a first polymerization step, propylene is polymerized at from 60 to 90° C. and at from 20 to 40 bar and at a mean residence time of the reaction mixture of from 0.5 to 5 hours, then, in a second polymerization step, a mixture of propylene and ethylene is polymerized onto the polymer obtained from the first polymerization step at from 40 to 110° C. and from 5 to 30 bar, this pressure being at least 7 bar below the pressure in the first polymerization step, and at a mean residence time of the reaction mixture of from 0.2 to 4 hours, and then, in a third polymerization step, ethylene or a mixture of ethylene and propylene is polymerized onto the polymer obtained from the second polymerization step at from 40 to 110° C.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1995Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Basell Polyolefin GmbHInventors: Harald Schwager, Juergen Kerth
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Publication number: 20010021754Abstract: Injection molded plastic parts (such as containers for ice cream or margarine, lids for the containers and crates) are made from a polyethylene resin having a controlled but narrow molecular weight distribution and a uniform comonomer distribution. The combination of narrow molecular weight distribution and uniform comonomer distribution allows the parts to be more easily molded whilst still maintaining a surprisingly high level of physical properties in the finished parts. The polyethylene resin is prepared in a dual reactor polymerization process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.Inventors: Mark Weber, Christopher John Brooke Dobbin
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Patent number: 6262195Abstract: A multi-stage process for preparing ethylene (co)polymers having broad molecular weight distributions is disclosed, said process comprising: (A) a first polymerization stage in which, in the presence of a Ti or V catalyst, a first ethylene polymer is prepared; (B) a treatment stage in which the catalyst used in the first stage is deactivated and in which a bridged bis-2-indenyl zirconocene is supported on the ethylene polymer produced in stage (A), optionally in the presence of a suitable cocatalyst; and (C) a second polymerization stage in which ethylene is polymerized in the presence of the product obtained from stage (B). Furthermore, polyethylene obtainable by the above process is disclosed, having intrinsic viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 6 dl/g, Mw/Mn>8 and cold xylene solubility<1.2% wt.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Montell Technology Company bvInventors: Tiziano Dall'Occo, Giovanni Baruzzi, Colin J. Schaverien
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Patent number: 6207750Abstract: This invention relates to isotactic propylene homopolymer compositions obtained from metallocene catalysis wherein the polymer has a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of from about 2.5 to about 20.0. The isotactic propylene homopolymer composition may be prepared in a multiple stage polymerization process using the same metallocene component in at least two stages.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.Inventors: Chon-Yie Lin, Michael Chia-Chao Chen, Aspy Keki Mehta, Rajan K. Chudgar
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Patent number: 6201078Abstract: Ethylene polymer having a die swell ratio (RB) of at least 1.4, a resistance to crazing under stress (ESCR) of at least 55 h and a melt index (MI5) of at least 0.2 g/10 min. Processes for obtaining this ethylene polymer using different catalytic systems, the first based on titanium and zirconium used in a polymerization in two reactors; the second consisting of a mixture of a titanium catalyst and a titanium and zirconium catalyst, used in a polymerization in two reactors; the third based on chromium on a support comprising at least two constituents chosen from silica, alumina and aluminum phosphates, used in a polymerization in a single or in two reactors.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1996Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Solvay Polyolefins Europe-BelgiumInventors: Jacques Breulet, Benoît Koch, Michel Promel, Jiang Bian, Olivier LHost
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Patent number: 6194520Abstract: A class of relatively high molecular weight, high density ethylene polymer blends is disclosed capable of being blow molded with excellent processability into articles, e.g., bottles, of superior mechanical and other properties, such blends having a density of at least about 0.930 g/cc, a flow index (I21) of at least about 2 g/10 min., a melt flow ratio (MFR) of at least about 60, and a polydispersity index of at least about 8, the polymers of said blend consisting essentially of at least about 0.3 weight fraction of a relatively high molecular weight (HMW) component having a density of at least about 0.900 g/cc, a flow index or high load melt index (I21) of at least about 0.2 g/10 min., and a flow ratio (FR) at least about 10, and a relatively low molecular weight (LMW) component having a density of at least about 0.930 g/cc and a melt index (I2) no greater than about 1000 g/10 min.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1993Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Subrahmanyam Cheruvu, Thomas E. Nowlin, S. Christine Ong, Giyarpuram N. Prasad, Paul P. Tong
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Patent number: 6177512Abstract: In the present invention, a process is provided for producing high impact polystyrene of improved heat resistance. According to the invention, after phase inversion of the rubber-polystyrene system, a slurry of PPE in styrene is added in situ to the process. The PPE slurry in styrene contains greater than 15 wt. % of PPE and is introduced to the process at point past rubber phase inversion, preferably at point where total polymer solids is greater than 40 wt. % of the total weight of the polymerization mixture. Preferably, four continuous stirred tank reactors in series are used in the process and preferably the slurry of PPE in styrene monomer is introduced to the third CSTR.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Chevron Chemical Company LLCInventors: Loren K. Gibbons, Chen-Youn Sue, Jeffrey Silloway, Jason J. Miller, Michael J. Hanner, Seldon L. Dotson
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Patent number: 6174930Abstract: This invention relates generally to foamable polypropylene polymer, and more particularly a foamable isotactic polypropylene homopolymer obtained from metallocene catalysis and to their methods of production and articles formed therefrom. The foamable polypropylene polymer has molecular weight distributions and densities that fall within broad ranges. The foamable polypropylene polymer may be prepared in a multiple stage polymerization process using the same metallocene component in at least two stages.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.Inventors: Pawan K. Agarwal, Aspy K. Mehta
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Patent number: 6162880Abstract: A process is disclosed for enhancing the production of polymerized monovinyl aromatic compounds, in which process a small polymerization reactor is inserted in the recycle stream to deactivate the polymerization inhibitors in the recycle stream and to further increase the conversion level of monomer to desirable polymer.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jose M Sosa, LuAnn Kelly
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Patent number: 6153692Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the production of impact resistance-modified thermoplastics. An elastomer, in particular a particulate graft polymer with a water moisture content of 1 to 50%, preferably 10 to 40%, is incorporated into a thermoplastics melt in a large volume kneader reactor. The mixing ratio of elastomer to thermoplastics melt is 4:1 to 1:4. The energy required to melt the elastomer and to evaporate the adhering water is added by heating the walls of the apparatus and via the kneading action of the installed rotating parts.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Bayer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ulrich Liesenfelder, Hans-Jurgen Thiem, Martin Ullrich
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Patent number: 6136924Abstract: Process for the preparation of a composition containing ethylene polymers comprising a polymer of melt index MI.sub.2 of 5 to 1000 g/10 min and a polymer of melt index MI.sub.5 of 0.01 to 2 g/10 min, the ratio of these indices being from 500 to 50,000 and the weight ratio of the two polymers being equal to (30 to 70):(70 to 30), according to which part of the ethylene, a catalyst derived from a transition metal having an intrinsic molecular weight distribution defined by an intrinsic M.sub.w /M.sub.n ratio less than or equal to 10 and a deactivation constant less than or equal to 0.5 h.sup.-1, and a cocatalyst are introduced into a first reactor, polymerization of the ethylene is carried out therein, a mixture comprising one of the polymers, the catalyst and the cocatalyst is drawn off from this reactor and the mixture and another part of the ethylene are introduced into a second reactor, which ethylene is polymerized to form the other polymer.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1995Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)Inventor: Michel Promel
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Patent number: 6093781Abstract: Monovinyl aromatic polymer compositions with high melt strength, good flow and good heat properties which are suitable for fast injection molding, blow molding and thermoforming applications, comprising non-linear monovinyl aromatic polymers and copolymers having comb-type structures with 3 branches, star type structures with 4 to 6 branches, and/or dendritic structures in which the branches themselves have attached branched units. These compositions possess inherent melt strength and can be blow molded or thermoformed without sagging or molded into articles in shorter cycle times using less material than linear monovinyl aromatic polymers and copolymers with the same flow and heat distortion temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1997Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Mehmet Demirors, Jozef Julius Sleeckx, Peter Hendrikus Vollenberg, Chau V. Vo, Gary C. Welsh
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Patent number: 6086967Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a film structure suitable for the packaging of perishable food, comprising at least one film layer which in turn comprises a blend of at least one homogeneous linear or substantially linear ethylene polymer and at least one polypropylene polymer, wherein the film structure is characterized as having a 2% secant modulus which is at least 8% greater than a comparable film structure prepared without the polypropylene polymer, an oxygen transmission rate of at least 700 cc(at STP)-mil/100 in..sup.2 -day-atm at 25.degree. C. The inventive film structures exhibit an optimized balance of properties, making them especially useful in modified atmosphere packages for perishable goods. The inventive films are particularly suited for the packaging of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items which would benefit from controlled access to environmental oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1996Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Nicole F. Whiteman, Gina L. Young, Jeffrey J. Wooster
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Patent number: 6084041Abstract: A process for homo or copolymerizing propylene, wherein propylene is polymerized in the presence of a catalyst at an elevated temperature in a reaction medium in which a major part of the reaction medium is propylene and the polymerization is carried in at least one CSTR or loop reactor, where the polymerization is carried out at a temperature and a pressure which are above the corresponding critical temperature and the pressure of the reaction medium and where the residence time is at least 15 minutes. The process can also comprise a supercritical loop polymerization before the supercritical stage polymerization or a gas phase polymerization after the supercritical stage polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1996Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Borealis A/SInventors: Henrik Andtsjo, Ismo Pentti, Ali Harlin
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Patent number: 6077903Abstract: There is a need for polymers which are utilized in automotive interiors which offer increased heat and ultraviolet light resistance. It is particularly critical for polymers which are utilized in making skin compounds for automotive instrument and door panels to display excellent heat and ultraviolet light resistance. This invention discloses a continuous process for preparing a rubbery polymer which can be blended with polyvinyl chloride to make leathery compositions having good heat and ultraviolet light resistance. This technique involves utilizing a multiple continuous reactor system wherein a first phase monomer solution containing butyl acrylate, an acrylic monomer, acrylonitrile and a crosslinking agent is continuously charged into at least three initial reactors. To attain a small particle size, it is necessary to limit the solids content in each of these initial reactors.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1998Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: The Goodyear Tire Rubber CompanyInventor: Hung Dang Ngoc
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Patent number: 6028140Abstract: Homopolymers or copolymers obtained by a multistage process of olefins having the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.CHR, in which R is hydrogen or R has from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group, the process comprising:(A) a first stage of polymerization in which one or more of the olefins are polymerized in the presence of a titanium or vanadium catalyst;(B) a treatment stage in which the product obtained in the first stage of polymerization (A) is brought into contact with a compound capable of deactivating the catalyst present in the stage (A); and also brought into contact with a compound of a transition metal M selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, V, or Hf containing at least one M-.pi. bond and optionally with an alkyl-Al compound; and(C) a second stage of polymerization in which one or more of the olefins are polymerized, in one or more reactors, in the presence of the product obtained in treatment stage (B).Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1997Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Montell Technology Company B.V.Inventors: Gianni Collina, Tiziano Dall'occo, Maurizio Galimberti, Enrico Albizzati, Luciano Noristi
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Patent number: 6025448Abstract: A gas phase fluidized bed process is described for producing ethylene polymers having improved processability and an MWD of less than about 2.9. Multiple reactors in series or parallel may be used to produce in-situ blended polymers. Each reactor can separately have a constrained geometry catalyst or a conventional Ziegler-Natta catalyst as needed for obtaining in-situ blended polymer with the desired properties as long as there is a constrained geometry catalyst in at least one reactor. Olefin polymers can be produced according to this invention which have low susceptibility to melt fracture, even under high shear stress conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1996Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert D. Swindoll, Bruce A. Story, Brian W. S. Kolthammer, Kevin P. Peil, David R. Wilson, James C. Stevens
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Patent number: 6005049Abstract: A process for the production of polypropylene comprising continuously contacting liquid propylene or a mixture comprising liquid propylene and one or more other alpha-olefins in one or more reaction zones, under gas phase polymerization conditions, with a catalyst system comprising (i) a solid particulate catalyst precursor, which includes magnesium; titanium; a halogen which is chlorine, bromine, or iodine, or mixtures thereof; and, as an inside electron donor, a carboxylic acid ester; (ii) a hydrocarbylaluminum cocatalyst; and (iii) as an outside electron donor, a silicon compound containing at least one silicon-oxygen-carbon linkage, the particles of precursor being carried into the reaction zone(s) via a portion of the liquid propylene, the flow rate of said portion having a Reynolds number greater than about 15,000.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1993Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology CorporationInventors: David Merrill Rebhan, David Albin Wibbenmeyer
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Patent number: 5990236Abstract: Abstract of the disclosure: A process is described for the continuous preparation of an impact-resistant molding material by anionic polymerization of styrene or another aromatic vinyl compound or mixtures thereof in the presence of a solvent and a block rubber, wherein the polymerization is carried out in at least 2 reaction vessels that together form a reactor cascade, the monomer stream being subdivided among the reaction vessels present, the living polymer chain ends being terminated in a conventional manner and the solvent being removed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Konrad Knoll, Wolfgang Loth, Hermann Gausepohl
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Patent number: 5990235Abstract: A chemically bonded olefin block copolymer consists essentially of chemically bonded polypropylene and poly(ethylene-co-propylene). The block copolymer is obtained by a process of (1) introducing a Ziegler polymerization catalyst based on titanium and propylene to a first polymerization zone (a) and polymerizing the propylene in the polymerization zone (a) for a period of 0.01 to 0.130 seconds and withdrawing an effluent stream of polypropylene, catalyst, solvent and unreacted propylene therefrom; (2) introducing the effluent stream to a second polymerization zone (b) together with ethylene dissolved in a solvent and carrying out a polymerization reaction in the second polymerization zone (b) for a period of 0.01 to 0.130 seconds; and (3) recovering the block copolymer.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Research Development Corporation of JapanInventor: Minoru Terano
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Patent number: 5977251Abstract: A solution polymerization system for polymerizing a olefin monomer by reacting the monomer with catalyst and solvent has been invented. The system in one aspect including a flow loop with a product polymer outlet, the flow loop forming a recycling reactor, a catalyst inlet on the flow loop through which catalyst and solvent flow into the flow loop, a monomer inlet on the flow loop through which monomer and solvent flow into the flow loop and, with the catalyst, form a reactant materials stream, a first heat exchanger on the flow loop for receiving the reactant materials stream and any formed polymer and for removing heat of reaction or polymerization from the flow loop, and pump apparatus for pumping the reactant materials stream and formed polymer in the flow loop and from the first heat exchanger to the product polymer outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Che I. Kao, R. Bruce Combs, Gary A. Camp, David A. Eversdyk, Pradeep Jain, Greg A. Winter, Jeff H. Stultz
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Patent number: 5955537Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing a styrene-butadiene polymer which comprises the steps of: (1) continuously charging 1,3-butadiene monomer, an organolithium compound, a polar modifier and an organic solvent into a first polymerization zone, (2) allowing the 1,3-butadiene monomer to polymerize in said first polymerization zone to a conversion of at least about 90 percent to produce a living polymer solution, (3) continuously withdrawing said living polymer solution from said first polymerization zone, (4) continuously charging divinyl benzene and the living polymer solution being withdrawn from the first polymerization zone into a second polymerization zone, (5) allowing the divinyl benzene monomer to react with the living polybutadiene chains in said second polymerization zone to produce a solution of living divinylbenzene modified butadiene polymer, (6) continuously withdrawing the solution of said divinylbenzene modified butadiene polymer from the second polymerization zone, (7) continuouType: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Jean Steininger Clites, Howard Allen Colvin, Ronald David Fiedler
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Patent number: 5929205Abstract: A method of dissolving a rubber continuously to form a raw material for the production of rubber-modified polymer, by dissolving a rubber in a monomer liquid dissolving the rubber and capable of reacting with the rubber in the presence or absence of a solvent. Pieces of rubber are fed continuously to a dissolution tank to allow the dissolved rubber and the undissolved rubber to coexist in the dissolution tank, wherein the concentration of the dissolved rubber is the concentration at which the feeding to the reactor is made, and the quantity of the undissolved rubber present in the dissolution tank is at most the quantity that prevents pieces of the undissolved rubber from sticking to one another to form larger rubber masses. The time required for dissolution can be shortened, and the size of a dissolution tank can be made smaller, compared with the conventional methods.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Toyo Engineering CorporationInventors: Kenichiro Matsuba, Katsuhisa Arai, Tetsuo Maeda
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Patent number: 5900446Abstract: Disclosed is an aromatic polycarbonate-styrene polymer resin composition comprising (A) an aromatic polycarbonate, (B) a specific rubber-modified styrene polymer and (C) a compatibility agent which is a copolymer containing an aromatic vinyl monomer and which has a non-uniform distribution with respect to the proportions of component monomers constituting the copolymer, so that the copolymer comprises copolymer molecules having different solubility parameter (SP) values, wherein the difference in SP value between the copolymer molecule having a maximum SP value and the copolymer molecule having a minimum SP value is from 0.3 to 1.0 ?(cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 !, and wherein the copolymer has an average SP value of from 10.6 to 11.0 ?(cal/cm.sup.3 ).sup.1/2 !.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1996Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hajime Nishihara, Akihiro Watanabe
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Patent number: 5874554Abstract: Solvent vehicles and methods of their use in the pulse jet delivery of reagents in automated oligonucleotide synthesis by the solid-phase phosphoramidite method are provided. For pulse jet delivery of the activated monomer, acetonitrile in combination with at least one stabilizer co-solvent is employed as the solvent vehicle, where the stabilizer co-solvent is an inert, organic solvent having a boiling point of at least 100.degree. C. For pulse jet delivery of the detritylation reagent, a mono- or disubstituted methane is employed as the solvent vehicle, where substituents have a molecular weight greater than 36 daltons. Use of the solvent vehicles according to the subject invention provides for reduced reagent precipitation in the pulse jet tubes and improved results.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1996Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Inventors: Ronald C. Gamble, Thomas P. Theriault, Scott C. Winder