Michael Rowland

US Patent:

6359073, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Oct 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/694649

Inventors:

David A. Babb - Lake Jackson TX
Wendy D. Hoenig - Lake Jackson TX
Michael E. Rowland - Lake Jackson TX
Clark H. Cummins - Midland MI
H. Craig Silvis - Midland MI
Michael J. Mullins - Lake Jackson TX
Thoi H. Ho - Lake Jackson TX

Assignee:

The Dow Chemical Company - Midland MI

International Classification:

C08F 800

US Classification:

525194, 525197, 525212, 525240

Abstract:

The invention includes a process of reacting a poly(sulfonyl azide) with a polymer comprising steps (a) forming a first admixture of a first amount of a first polymer or in a liquid which does not require removal from the polymer and a poly(sulfonyl azide); (b) then forming a second admixture of the first admixture with a second amount of at least one second polymer; and (c) heating the second admixture at lest to the decomposition temperature of the coupling agent for a time sufficient to result in coupling of polymer chains. The invention further includes all compositions obtainable by processes of the invention as well as blends of those compositions with one or more polymers of compositions different from the first or second polymer or the product of a process of the invention. Additionally the invention includes articles made from compositions of the invention, and shaping those articles particularly by processes which comprise shaping the compositions in a melted state into an article, more preferably when the process comprises thermoforming, injection molding, extrusion, casting, blow molding, foaming or blowing as well as the use of the compositions in those processes.

US Patent:

6376620, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Jan 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/755700

Inventors:

Michael E. Rowland - Lake Jackson TX
Che I. Kao - Lake Jackson TX

Assignee:

The Dow Chemical Company - Midland MI

International Classification:

C08F 800

US Classification:

5253317, 5253328, 5253329, 525387

Abstract:

A process for improving the green strength of ethylene/-olefin/diene polymers is described comprising (A) selecting an ethylene/olefin/diene polymer having a Mooney viscosity at 125 C up to about 80 and a percent gel (% gel) up to about 30 percent and (B) partially crosslinking the ethylene/-olefin/diene polymer selected in step (A) to make a modified ethylene/-olefin/diene polymer satisfying the equations MV100 and wherein MV is the Mooney viscosity of the modified polymer, MS is the melt strength in centiNewtons of the polymer selected in step (A) at 110 C, when formulated according to ASTM D3568#2, MS is the melt strength in centiNewtons of the modified polymer produced by step (B) measured under the same conditions, and W is 0. 3. Modified ethylene/-olefin/diene polymers obtainable according to the above process or satisfying the equation: is also described in which MS , MV and % gel of the modified polymer are defined as defined above, X is 50, Y is 20, and Z is 40. Further described is a process for making an article comprising an ethylene/-olefin/diene polymer and intermediates for making the modified ethylene/-olefin/diene polymers.

US Patent:

6528136, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

Aug 26, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/140603

Inventors:

Thoi H. Ho - Lake Jackson TX
Wendy D. Hoenig - Lake Jackson TX
Michael E. Rowland - Lake Jackson TX
Clark H. Cummins - Midland MI
Michael J. Mullins - Lake Jackson TX
H. Craig Silvis - Midland MI

Assignee:

Dow Global Technologies Inc. - Midland MI

International Classification:

B29D 2200

US Classification:

428 368, 428 352, 428 357, 524194, 525344, 5253327, 525351

Abstract:

The invention includes a process of preparing a coupled polymer comprising heating an admixture containing (1) at least one polyolefin comprising ethylene and optionally at least one comonomer which is selected from alpha olefins having at least 3 carbon atoms, dienes and combinations thereof said polyolefin having a molecular weight distribution of less than or equal to about 3 and (2) a coupling amount at least one poly(sulfonyl azide) to at least the decomposition temperature of the poly(sulfonyl azide) for a period sufficient for decomposition of at least about 80 weight percent of the poly(sulfonyl azide) and sufficient to result in a coupled polymer; particularly where the polyolefin is the product of polymerization of ethylene and optionally at least one other alpha-olefin in the presence of a single site catalyst (transition metal like Va or Cr, metallocene or constrained geometry). The amount of poly(sulfonyl azide) is preferably from about 0. 01 to about 5 weight percent of the polyolefin.

US Patent:

6552129, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Dec 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/013152

Inventors:

David A. Babb - Lake Jackson TX
Wendy D. Hoenig - Lake Jackson TX
Michael E. Rowland - Lake Jackson TX
Clark H. Cummins - Midland MI
H. Craig Silvis - Midland MI
Michael J. Mullins - Lake Jackson TX
Thoi H. Ho - Lake Jackson TX

Assignee:

Dow Global Technologies Inc. - Midland MI

International Classification:

C08F 800

US Classification:

525194

Abstract:

The invention includes a process of reacting a poly(sulfonyl azide) with a polymer comprising steps (a) forming a first admixture of a first amount of a first polymer or in a liquid which does not require removal from the polymer and a poly(sulfonyl azide); (b) then forming a second admixture of the first admixture with a second amount of at least one second polymer; and (c) heating the second admixture at least to the decomposition temperature of the coupling agent for a time sufficient to result in coupling of polymer chains. The invention further includes all compositions obtainable by processes of the invention as well as blends of those compositions with one or more polymers of compositions different from the first or second polymer or the product of a process of the invention. Additionally the invention includes articles made from compositions of the invention, and shaping those articles particularly by processes which comprise shaping the compositions in a melted state into an article, more preferably when the process comprises thermoforming, injection molding, extrusion, casting, blow molding, foaming or blowing as well as the use of the compositions in those processes.

US Patent:

6689851, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Jul 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/614030

Inventors:

Michael E. Rowland - Lake Jackson TX
Robert R. Turley - Lake Jackson TX
James J. Hill - Angleton TX
Lawrence T. Kale - Lake Jackson TX
Kyle G. Kummer - Lake Jackson TX
Pak-Wing Steve Chum - Lake Jackson TX

Assignee:

Dow Global Technologies Inc. - Midland MI

International Classification:

C08F 800

US Classification:

526223, 526352, 526348, 526 72, 526 81

Abstract:

The subject invention is directed to a rheology-modified ethylene polymer having less than 0. 5 weight percent gel, a composition distribution breadth index (CDBI) greater than 50 percent, and a molecular weight distribution (M /M ) of less than 4. 0, which is characterized as having improved rheological performance and/or melt strength attributes relative to the unmodified polymer. The subject invention is further directed to polymer blends which comprise the rheology-modified polymers, and to a process for preparing the rheology-modified polymers.

US Patent:

6777502, Aug 17, 2004

Filed:

Jan 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/347713

Inventors:

Thoi H. Ho - Lake Jackson TX
Wendy D. Hoenig - Lake Jackson TX
Michael E. Rowland - Lake Jackson TX
Clark H. Cummins - Midland MI
Michael J. Mullins - Lake Jackson TX
H. Craig Silvis - Midland MI

Assignee:

Dow Global Technologies Inc. - Midland MI

International Classification:

C08C 1900

US Classification:

5253326, 428 368, 428 352, 428 357, 524194, 525191, 525194, 525242, 5253327, 525344, 525351

Abstract:

Coupled polymers are prepared by a process comprising heating an admixture containing (1) at least one polyolefin comprising ethylene and optionally at least one comonomer and (2) a coupling amount at least one poly(sulfonyl azide) to at least the decomposition temperature of the poly(sulfonyl azide) for a period sufficient for decomposition of at least 80 weight percent of the poly(sulfonyl azide) and sufficient to result in a coupled polymer; particularly where the polyolefin is the product of polymerization of ethylene and optionally at least one other alpha-olefin in the presence of a single site catalyst.

US Patent:

20030216509, Nov 20, 2003

Filed:

Nov 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/276087

Inventors:

Gabriele Goethel - Merseburg, DE
Michael Rowland - Lake Jackson TX, US
Martin Guest - Rheinmunster, DE
Steve Betso - Bedminster NJ, US
Karin Katzer - Horgen, CH
Thomas Allgeuer - Wollerau, CH
Ronald Wevers - Terneuzen, NL
Hari Reddy - Midland MI, US

International Classification:

C08F265/02
C08F267/02

US Classification:

525/070000, 525/242000, 525/301000

Abstract:

A graft polymer according to the invention contains a backbone of one or more substantially random interpolymers, comprising: (1) polymer units derived from: (a) at least one vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer, or (b) at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomer, or (c) a combination of at least one aromatic vinyl or vinylidene monomer and at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomer, and (2) polymer units derived from at least one of ethylene and/or a C-olefin; and (3) optionally polymer units derived from one or more of ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers other than those derived from (1) and (2); said backbone being grafted with one or more olefinically unsaturated organic monomer(s). In a preferred embodiment such graft polymers were prepared using a reactive extrusion process.

US Patent:

20040038022, Feb 26, 2004

Filed:

Sep 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/240291

Inventors:

Rexford Maugans - Lake Jackson TX, US
Kalyan Sehanobish - Friendswood TX, US
Michael Rowland - Lake Jackson TX, US
Ray Herring - Lake Jackson TX, US
John Kaarto - Missouri City, CA
Kenneth Springs - Clute TX, US
Thoi Ho - Lake Jackson TX, US

International Classification:

B32B027/00
B32B001/00

US Classification:

428/328000, 428/394000, 428/409000, 156/229000, 156/062600

Abstract:

This invention relates to a method of making a film-fabric composite (includinng a film-fabric laminate) wherein the fabric is characterized as having improved tensile elongation (without rupture). In particular, the invention pertains to a method of making a film-fabric laminate having structual elastic-like behavior wherein the fabric is a nonwoven thermally bonded fabric characterized as having improved high strain rate tensile elongation and comprises a plurality of fibers comprised of at least one polypropylene polymer and at least one ethylene polymer, wherein the method comprises stretching the laminate at a high strain rate. The improved farbic is characterized by higher high strain rate tensile properties and a broader bond window which is also shifted to substantially lower temperatures with regard to maximum tensile properties. The improved fabric enables higher stretching levels or speeds on stretching apparati often employed to impart elasticity or elastic-like behavior to inelastic ploymeric materials. Polypropylene copolymers as well as polypropylene homopolymers may be used in the invention which is sueful for durable and disposable articles such as diapers, bandages, pantiliners, continence pads, and sanitary napkins.