James Dexter Howell

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 Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) prepolymer having a relative viscosity of at least about 5 is continuously withdrawn from the prepolymerizer and continuously fed to a final polymerizer, where it is continuously polymerized to form a higher molecular weight poly(trimethylene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molecular weight poly(trimethylene terephthalate) having a relative viscosity of at least about 17 is continuously withdrawn from the final polymerizer.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:

6383632, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Feb 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/795518

Inventors:

James M. Howell - Greenville NC
Michelle H. Watkins - Waynesboro VA

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

D01F 600

US Classification:

428364, 428395

Abstract:

Fine denier poly(trimethylene terephthalate) feed yarns and drawn yarns wherein the drawn yarns are characterized by a denier per filament less than 1. 5 and are drawn such that the actual draw ratio is within 10 percent of the predicted draw ratio determined according to: [(elongation to break of the feed yarn)+115]/[(elongation to break of the drawn yarn)+115)] are disclosed.

US Patent:

6458455, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Aug 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/934866

Inventors:

Ismael A. Hernandez - Clemmons NC
Geoffrey David Hietpas - Newark DE
James M. Howell - Greenville NC
Claudia Schultze - Greenville DE

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

D01F 600

US Classification:

428359, 428397, 428364, 442357

Abstract:

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) tetrachannel cross-section staple fibers, as well as yarns, fiberfill webs, batts and products, and fabrics made therewith. Also, the process of making such staple fibers, yarns, fiberfill webs, batts and products, and fabrics.

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:

6656586, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Aug 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/228547

Inventors:

James V. Hartzog - Kinston NC
James M. Howell - Greenville NC
Michelle H. Watkins - Fisherville VA
Claudia Schultze - Greenville DE

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

D01F 800

US Classification:

428397, 428399, 428310, 428373, 428374

Abstract:

The invention provides a bicomponent fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and having: a weight ratio of poly(ethylene terephthalate) to poly(trimethylene terephthalate) of at least about 30:70 and no more than about 70:30, a scalloped oval cross-section selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core; a cross-section long axis; a boundary between the poly(ethylene terephthalate) and the poly(trimethylene terephthalate) that is substantially parallel to the cross-section long axis; and a plurality of longitudinal grooves.

US Patent:

6663806, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Feb 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/795520

Inventors:

James M. Howell - Greenville NC
Michelle H. Watkins - Waynesboro VA

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

D01D 5098

US Classification:

264103, 28271, 57289, 2642108, 26421117, 2642905

Abstract:

Fine denier poly(trimethylene terephthalate) feed yarns and drawn yarns wherein the drawn yarns are characterized by a denier per filament less than 1. 5 and are drawn such that the actual draw ratio is within 10 percent of the predicted draw ratio determined according to: [(elongation to break of the feed yarn)+115]/[(elongation to break of the drawn yarn)+115)].

US Patent:

6672047, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Feb 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/795933

Inventors:

James M. Howell - Greenville NC
Michelle H. Watkins - Waynesboro VA

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

D01H 111

US Classification:

57284, 57288, 57339

Abstract:

A stable partially oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn suitable for use in subsequent drawing and/or draw-texturing operations characterized by an elongation to break of at least 110%, and a process for false-twist texturing a partially oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn are disclosed.

US Patent:

6685859, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Mar 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/796785

Inventors:

James M. Howell - Greenville NC

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

D01D 5253

US Classification:

264103, 26417713

Abstract:

Processes for making poly(trimethyelene terephthalate) yarn are provided. The process includes extruding a polyester polymer through a spinneret to form non-round filaments at a spinning speed less than 4500 mpm and a temperature between about 255Â C. and about 275Â C. The polyester polymer composition includes at least 85 mole percent poly(trimethylene terephthalate) wherein at least 85 mole percent of the repeating units consist of trimethylene units, and the polyester polymer has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0. 70 dl/g.