David Eugene Griffith

US Patent:

6353062, Mar 5, 2002

Filed:

Feb 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/501700

Inventors:

Carl J. Giardino - Hixson TN
David B. Griffith - Houston TX
James M. Howell - Greenville NC
Michelle Hoyt Watkins - Waynesboro VA
Joseph James Duffy - Newark DE

Assignee:

E. I. du pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C08F 200

US Classification:

526 65, 528272, 5283086, 526 67, 526 68, 526 71

Abstract:

A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1. 1 to 2. 2 is fed to a prepolymerizer. Bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and the low molecular weight polyesters are continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a first stream of gaseous by-products. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer having a relative viscosity of at least about 5 is continuously withdrawn from the prepolymerizer and continuously fed to a final polymerizer, where it is continuously polymerized to form a higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and a second stream of gaseous by-products. Higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) having a relative viscosity of at least about 17 is continuously withdrawn from the final polymerizer.

US Patent:

6538076, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

May 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/057497

Inventors:

Carl J. Giardino - Hixson TN
David B. Griffith - Houston TX
James M. Howell - Greenville NC
Michelle Hoyt Watkins - Waynesboro VA

Assignee:

E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C08F 200

US Classification:

526 65

Abstract:

A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1. 1 to 2. 2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1. 5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer having a relative viscosity of at least about 5 is continuously withdrawn from the prepolymerizer and continuously fed to a final polymerizer, where it is continuously polymerized to form a higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and a third stream of gaseous by-products. Higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) having a relative viscosity of at least about 17 is continuously withdrawn from the final polymerizer.

US Patent:

6951954, Oct 4, 2005

Filed:

Feb 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/503599

Inventors:

Carl J. Giardino - Hixson TN, US
David B. Griffith - Houston TX, US
James M. Howell - Greenville NC, US
Michelle Hoyt Watkins - Waynesboro VA, US

Assignee:

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C07C067/02

US Classification:

560 92, 560 91, 562 89, 562 92, 562103

Abstract:

A process for the continuous production of at least one of bis(3-hydroxypropyl) terephthalate and low molecular weight oligomers of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid is disclosed. According to the process, preheated 1,3-propanediol (about 150 C. to about 200 C. ) and preheated lower dialkyl esters of terephthalic acid (about 150 C. to about 220 C. ) are combined in a mole ratio of about 1. 2:1 to about 2. 3:1 and fed to an ester exchange vessel where the mixture undergoes a continuous transesterification reaction. The liquid reaction mixture is continuously heated and mixed, at a temperature of about 215 C. to about 250 C. , and a pressure of about 800 mm Hg to about 1,000 mm Hg. Gaseous reaction products are continuously separated from the liquid reaction mixture, and a stream of liquid reaction products containing bis(3-hydoxypropyl) terephthalate and low molecular weight oligomers of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid is continuously removed from a base portion of the ester exchange vessel.

US Patent:

6979472, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

May 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/137322

Inventors:

Richard Paul Apiscopa - Kingwood TX, US
Lawrence Patrick Tighe - Houston TX, US
David Brian Griffith - Cedar Knolls NJ, US

Assignee:

Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc. - Tarrytown NY

International Classification:

A23F005/00
A23F005/28

US Classification:

426594, 426433, 426434, 426387, 426492

Abstract:

A method is provided for producing a soluble coffee extract which, when reconstituted, produces an intensified in-cup brew color without altering the flavor of the cup of coffee. The method includes heating a coffee extract at a temperature and for a time selected to produce an intensified color coffee extract without altering the flavor of the coffee. The intensified color coffee is either immediately dried to form dried intensified color coffee or cooled while in the liquid state. The soluble coffee produced by this method has intensified color while its flavor remains unaltered. As desired, the soluble coffee may be packaged as an instant coffee, combined with traditional soluble coffee, incorporated into a liquid coffee product or combined with sugar, creamer, and flavors to form various soluble coffee products. Alternatively, the coffee exact may be directly incorporated into a ready-to-drink or a concentrated liquid coffee product without undergoing a drying step.

US Patent:

20020132962, Sep 19, 2002

Filed:

Feb 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/080497

Inventors:

Carl Giardino - Hixson TN, US
David Griffith - Houston TX, US
James Howell - Greenville NC, US
Michelle Watkins - Waynesboro VA, US

International Classification:

C08G063/02

US Classification:

528/272000

Abstract:

A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture-having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer having a relative viscosity of at least about 5 is continuously withdrawn from the prepolymerizer and continuously fed to a final polymerizer, where it is continuously polymerized to form a higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and a third stream of gaseous by-products. Higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) having a relative viscosity of at least about 17 is continuously withdrawn from the final polymerizer.

US Patent:

20030220465, Nov 27, 2003

Filed:

Feb 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/373587

Inventors:

Carl Giardino - Hixson TN, US
David Griffith - Houston TX, US
James Howell - Greenville NC, US
Michelle Watkins - Waynesboro VA, US

International Classification:

C08G063/00
C08G069/00
C08G067/00
C08G063/02
C08G063/12

US Classification:

528/271000, 528/272000, 528/296000

Abstract:

A continuous process for the production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) is disclosed. According to the process, a liquid feed mixture comprising bis-3-hydroxypropyl terephthalate and/or low molecular weight polyesters of 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid, the liquid feed mixture-having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of 1.1 to 2.2 is fed to a flasher. A first stream of gaseous by-products is continuously vaporized and removed from the flasher, and a liquid flasher reaction product having a mole ratio of propylene groups to terephthalate groups of less than about 1.5 is continuously withdrawn from the flasher. The liquid flasher reaction product is continuously fed to a prepolymerizer where it is continuously polymerized to form a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer and a second stream of gaseous by-products. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer having a relative viscosity of at least about 5 is continuously withdrawn from the prepolymerizer and continuously fed to a final polymerizer, where it is continuously polymerized to form a higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and a third stream of gaseous by-products. Higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) having a relative viscosity of at least about 17 is continuously withdrawn from the final polymerizer.

US Patent:

20130264326, Oct 10, 2013

Filed:

Apr 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/439543

Inventors:

Craig S. Tiras - Houston TX, US
David Griffith - Cypress TX, US

Assignee:

Gaumer Company, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F27D 11/00

US Classification:

219385

Abstract:

An electrical heater has first and second heater elements, each having a hairpin-shaped metal tube with an upstream and a downstream leg and tube ends adjacent each other. An electrical resistance wire surrounded by insulation powder extends through the tube. Electrical terminals join to the wire and protrude from each of the tube ends. Conduits enclose the upstream and the downstream legs of the heater elements, providing a continuous annular flow path. A manifold has heater element passages for end portion of the legs. An inlet passage in the manifold leads from an exterior portion of the manifold to the annular flow path surrounding the upstream leg of the first heater element. A transfer passage within the manifold leads from the annular flow path surrounding the downstream leg of the first heater element to the annular flow path surrounding the upstream leg of the second heater element.