Steven L Gray

US Patent:

20100210797, Aug 19, 2010

Filed:

Feb 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/372224

Inventors:

Steven Gray - Florence KY, US
David Knoeppel - League City TX, US
Tim Coffy - Houston TX, US
Kayo Vizzini - Pasadena TX, US
Cyril Chevillard - Dickinson TX, US
Shannon Hoesing - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

Fina Technology, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C08F 4/42
C08F 110/02

US Classification:

526 90, 526352

Abstract:

Blown films and processes of forming the same are described herein. The blown films generally include high density polyethylene exhibiting a molecular weight distribution of from about 1.5 to about 8.0 and a density of from 0.94 g/cc to less than 0.96 g/cc.

US Patent:

20120108769, May 3, 2012

Filed:

Oct 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/914071

Inventors:

Ricky McCormick - Sealey TX, US
Steven Gray - Florence KY, US
Tim Coffy - Houston TX, US
David Knoeppel - League City TX, US

Assignee:

Fina Technology, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C08F 4/76
C08F 210/06
C08F 10/02

US Classification:

526 96

Abstract:

Polymerization processes and polymers formed therefrom are described herein. The polymerization processes generally include contacting ethylene and propylene with a multi-component catalyst composition including a first catalyst component including a chromium oxide based catalyst and a second catalyst component selected from metallocene and Ziegler-Natta catalysts within a polymerization reaction vessel to form a random copolymer, wherein the second catalyst component exhibits a higher comonomer response than the first catalyst component.

US Patent:

20130048909, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/594905

Inventors:

Kamlesh P. Nair - Florence KY, US
Joseph J. Grenci - Florence KY, US
Steven D. Gray - Mequon WI, US

Assignee:

TICONA LLC - Florence KY

International Classification:

C09K 19/54

US Classification:

2522995

Abstract:

A liquid crystalline polymer composition that contains a liquid crystalline polymer and an aromatic amide oligomer is provided. The oligomer can serve as a flow aid by altering intermolecular polymer chain interactions, thereby lowering the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix under shear. The oligomer is also not easily volatized or decomposed during compounding, molding, and/or use, which minimizes off-gassing and the formation of blisters that would otherwise impact the final mechanical properties of a part made from the polymer composition. While providing the benefits noted, the aromatic amide oligomer does not generally react with the polymer backbone of the liquid crystalline polymer to any appreciable extent so that the mechanical properties of the polymer are not adversely impacted.

US Patent:

20130048910, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/594910

Inventors:

Kamlesh P. Nair - Florence KY, US
Steven D. Gray - Florence KY, US

Assignee:

TICONA LLC - Florence KY

International Classification:

C09K 19/54

US Classification:

2522995

Abstract:

A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer melt polymerized in the presence of a viscosity modifier that can help increase the “low shear” viscosity of the resulting composition is provided. The increased “low shear” viscosity can minimize drooling of the polymer composition during processing and also allow it to possess a greater melt strength, which facilitates its ability to be processed in a wide variety of applications without losing its physical integrity. Despite having a relatively high “low shear” viscosity, the present inventors have discovered that the viscosity modifier does not substantially increase the “high shear” melt viscosity of the polymer composition. In this regard, the ratio of the “low shear” viscosity to the melt viscosity is generally very high, such as within a range of from about 50 to about 1000.

US Patent:

20130048911, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/594916

Inventors:

Kamlesh P. Nair - Florence KY, US
Steven D. Gray - Mequon WI, US

Assignee:

TICONA LLC - Florence KY

International Classification:

C07C 235/84
C09K 19/54
C07C 241/04
C07C 231/02
C07C 243/38

US Classification:

2522995, 564153, 564142, 564149

Abstract:

An aromatic amide compound having the following general formula (I) is provided:wherein,

US Patent:

20130048914, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/594900

Inventors:

Kamlesh P. Nair - Florence KY, US
Joseph J. Grenci - Florence KY, US
Sayanti Basu - Pasadena CA, US
Steven D. Gray - Florence KY, US

Assignee:

TICONA LLC - Florence KY

International Classification:

C09K 19/42

US Classification:

25229962, 2522996

Abstract:

A liquid crystalline polymer composition that contains a liquid crystalline polymer and an aromatic amide oligomer is provided. The oligomer can serve as a flow aid by altering intermolecular polymer chain interactions, thereby lowering the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix under shear. The oligomer is also not easily volatized or decomposed during compounding, molding, and/or use, which minimizes off-gassing and the formation of blisters that would otherwise impact the final mechanical properties of a part made from the polymer composition. While providing the benefits noted, the aromatic amide oligomer does not generally react with the polymer backbone of the liquid crystalline polymer to any appreciable extent so that the mechanical properties of the polymer are not adversely impacted.

US Patent:

20130052446, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/594919

Inventors:

Kamlesh P. Nair - Florence KY, US
Steven D. Gray - Mequon WI, US
Camilo Cano - Union KY, US

Assignee:

TICONA LLC - Florence KY

International Classification:

C09K 19/38
B29C 43/24

US Classification:

428220, 264571

Abstract:

A melt-extruded substrate that can be readily thermoformed into a shaped, three-dimensional article is provided. The substrate is formed from a polymer composition that contains a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and a unique aromatic amide oligomer. The present inventors have discovered that the oligomer can help increase the “low shear” complex viscosity of the resulting polymer. The ability to achieve enhanced low shear viscosity values can lead to polymer compositions with an increased melt strength, which allows the resulting substrate to better maintain its shape during thermoforming without exhibiting a substantial amount of sag. Due to its relatively high degree of melt strength, the polymer composition is particularly well suited for forming thin extruded substrates for use in thermoforming processes.

US Patent:

20130053531, Feb 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/594903

Inventors:

Kamlesh P. Nair - Florence KY, US
Steven D. Gray - Mequon WI, US

Assignee:

TICONA LLC - Florence KY

International Classification:

C08G 63/80

US Classification:

528190

Abstract:

A method for lowering melt viscosity of a liquid crystalline polymer as it is formed in a reactor vessel. More particularly, a reaction mixture is initially supplied to the reactor vessel that contains two or more precursor monomers (e.g., acetylated or non-acetylated). The reaction mixture is heated to an elevated temperature under agitation to initiate formation of the polymer. After a certain period of time, an aromatic amide oligomer is added to the reaction mixture. Among other things, the present inventors have discovered that such an oligomer can serve as a flow aid by altering intermolecular polymer chain interactions, thereby lowering the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix under shear. This minimizes the likelihood of “freeze off” of the polymer within the reactor vessel and limits the impact of process disruptions on the production of the liquid crystalline polymer.