Patents Represented by Attorney John F. Stevens
  • Patent number: 5736086
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a layered structure of metal sheet and polyester by heating the metal sheet, extrusion coating a thin layer of polyester on at least one side of the metal sheet, passing the coated sheet through nip rolls and optionally quenching the coated sheet to ensure the polyester coating(s) is in an amorphous state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Allan S. Jones, Richard L. McConnell, James W. Mercer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5657404
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spectroscopic probe apparatus useful for Raman, near infrared, luminescence, ultraviolet or visible spectroscopies that is formed with a robust method of construction using a molten metal soldering technique. The disclosed method and apparatus provides an optical probe that is easy to manufacture yet able to withstand drastic environmental conditions without damage and produce useful spectroscopic results under such conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Norma Lindsey Buchanan, Daniel Charles Alsmeyer, Gregory Wayne Nelson, Roger Dale Edwards, Vincent Alvin Nicely
  • Patent number: 5638172
    Abstract: A method for quantitatively monitoring in situ by Raman spectrometry one or more selected constituents of a chemical composition comprises: simultaneously irradiating with a substantially monochromatic radiation source a reference material and a chemical composition containing one or more constituents, the radiation being transmitted from the source to the chemical composition by an excitation conduit connecting the source to an optical probe that interfaces with the composition; simultaneously acquiring at more than one wavelength convolved Raman spectra of the reference material and the chemical composition by means of a spectrograph, which is connected to the optical probe by a collection conduit; choosing the standard Raman spectrum of the reference material; determining the convolution function of the convolved spectra from the convolved Raman spectrum and the standard Raman spectrum of the reference material; applying the convolution function to adjust the convolved Raman spectrum of the composition to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Daniel C. Alsmeyer, Michael J. Pearce, Vincent A. Nicely
  • Patent number: 5611981
    Abstract: Disclosed are fibers that are capable of spontaneously transporting certain fluids, for example aqueous fluids, such as water, on their surfaces. The fibers, especially in the form of tow, can be incorporated into absorbent articles, such as diapers, in order to transport fluids to more effectively utilize the absorbent portion of the article. The fibers can be synthetically coated with absorbent materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Bobby M. Phillips, Shriram Bagrodia
  • Patent number: 5608034
    Abstract: Polyether polymers obtained by the reaction or polymerization of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of an onium iodide compound such as an ammonium or phosphonium iodide, an organotin compound such as a trihydrocarbyltin iodide, and a nucleophilic hydroxyl initiator compound. The polyether polymers comprise n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 2 to 70, m/(n+m) is greater than 0.75 and up to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Stephen N. Falling, Stephen A. Godleski, Patricia Lopez-Maldonado, Peter B. MacKenzie, Laughlin G. McCullough, James C. Matayabas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5523382
    Abstract: Disclosed are polyester particles adapted to be extrusion blow molded into articles having improved rheological qualities and a process for producing such particles, said particles comprising a polyester having repeat units from about 40 to 100 mol % terephthalic acid, about 80-98 mol % ethylene glycol, about 0.5-10 mol % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, about 3-10 mol % diethylene glycol, and about 0.05-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Randy S. Beavers, Karen L. Carman, Michael L. Cassell, Joseph F. Knight, James W. Mercer
  • Patent number: 5523139
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for forming diagonal splices in flexible, fusible material and the material spliced accordingly. The splice is formed by overlapping the material, tensioning the material at the area to be spliced, and heating a strip of the material under tension to its fusion temperature, thereby fusing and separating the material at the strip. The splice is nearly undetectable to the untrained eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kyle E. Morrison, Kenneth R. Wilmoth, Richard D. Neal, Jimmie L. Cox
  • Patent number: 5502249
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the removal of iodine, including I.sub.2, I.sup.- and iodine-containing organic compounds, from acetic acid or anhydride wherein an acetyl product stream comprising (i) acetic acid or acetic anhydride and (ii) iodine, one or more iodine-containing compounds or a mixture thereof is subjected to distillation in the presence of a packing material comprising iron, nickel, copper, or an alloy thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Carl F. Fillers, Jerry A. Barron, Eric D. Middlemas
  • Patent number: 5496627
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel composite fibrous structures which have utility as filters. These composite structures have at least two layers. The first layer is a nonwoven fibrous structure made from uniquely grooved fibers. The second layer is of a fibrous material that offers high filter efficiency.. The first layer has significantly lower pressure drop and higher dust holding capacity than the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Shriram Bagrodia, Bobby M. Phillips, William A. Haile
  • Patent number: 5466419
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vertically disposed polymerization reactor having a series of essentially circular tray assemblies; each tray assembly having a central open vapor chimney and two split-flow paths each split-flow path containing one reverse flow path wherein the liquid polymer flow is reversed by means of a substantially semi-circular turnaround region; each tray having a liquid polymer tray inlet and a liquid polymer tray outlet for conducting a flow of the liquid polymer by means of a hydraulic gradient; each tray assembly being open at the top for escape of vapor from the liquid polymer flow to the central open vapor chimney; and each tray arranged in vertical disposition one above the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventors: Thomas L. Yount, Larry C. Windes, J. Wesley Adams
  • Patent number: 5464590
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vertically disposed polymerization reactor having a series of essentially circular tray assemblies; each tray assembly having a central open vapor chimney and a single flow path composed of at least two loops wherein the liquid polymer flow is reversed by means of a substantially semi-circular turnaround wall; each tray having a liquid polymer tray inlet and a liquid polymer tray outlet for conducting a flow of the liquid polymer by means of a hydraulic gradient; each tray assembly being open at the top for escape of vapor from the liquid polymer flow to the central open vapor chimney; and each tray arranged in vertical disposition one above the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventors: Thomas L. Yount, J. Wesley Adams, Larry C. Windes
  • Patent number: 5464883
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high solids content waterborne correction fluid that dries quickly and bonds to paper surfaces for correcting laser-jet printed and photocopied markings. More specifically, the waterborne correction fluid contains a water-dispersible sulfopolyester, an opacifying pigment, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mahendra K. Sharma, Andy H. Singleton, John J. Hiller
  • Patent number: 5455673
    Abstract: A Raman spectrometry apparatus that is capable of measuring and compensating for variabilities in the apparatus comprises a source of substantially monochromatic radiation, means for simultaneously interfacing the radiation with a sample and a reference material, means for simultaneously acquiring at more than one wavelength a convolved Raman spectrum of the sample and a convolved spectrum of the reference material, and means for determining the convolution function of the convolved spectra and applying the convolution function to adjust the convolved Raman spectrum of the sample to produce thereby the standard Raman spectrum of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Daniel C. Alsmeyer, Brinda A. Gala, Vincent A. Nicely
  • Patent number: 5442036
    Abstract: Disclosed are polyester particles adapted to be extrusion blow molded into articles having improved rheological qualities and a process for producing such particles, said particles comprising a polyester having repeat units from about 40 to 100 mol % terephthalic acid, about 80-98 mol % ethylene glycol, about 0.5-10 mol % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, about 3-10 mol % diethylene glycol, and about 0.05-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Randy S. Beavers, Karen L. Carman, Michael L. Cassell, Joseph F. Knight, James W. Mercer
  • Patent number: 5438878
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for determining the stretching characteristics of thermoplastic articles such as bottles on a consistently accurate basis by making an initial measurement such as dimension or volume, stretching the article to the onset of strain hardening, and correlating the measurements to a physical property such as inherent viscosity, intrinsic viscosity or molecular weight of the thermoplastic article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventor: Max L. Carroll, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5434314
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel polyether compounds obtained by the reaction or polymerization of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of an acidic catalyst and a nucleophilic initiator compound. The polyether compounds comprise n units of residue (1) and m units of residue (2), wherein the total value of n+m is 2 to 70, n/(n+m) is a value in the range of 0.70 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: James C. Matayabas, Jr., Stephen N. Falling
  • Patent number: 5428086
    Abstract: Disclosed are reinforced polyester compositions having repeat units from terephthalic acid and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol which have improved melt stability due to the addition of small amounts of an epoxy compound and either a phosphite or phosphonite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Larry A. Minnick, Robert W. Seymour
  • Patent number: 5418318
    Abstract: This invention relates to naphthalenedicarboxylic acid containing polymer compositions having reduced fluorescence. More specifically, the polymers contain at least 0.1 mole percent of a dicarboxylic acid selected from 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid or 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate ester, with 0.1 to 5 mole percent of a copolymerizable halogen containing aromatic compound. These polymers are useful for packaging applications where clarity and/or aesthetic appeal are of concern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Allan S. Jones, David E. Mills, Mitchell A. Winnik
  • Patent number: 5399752
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the purification of carboxyl streams such as product streams comprising one or more carboxyl compounds selected from carboxylic acids, carboxylic anhydrides and alkylidene dicarboxylates. The process provides a means for the reduction of the iodine content of carboxyl compound product streams which are contaminated with one or more iodine compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Stanley J. Okrasinski, Regina M. Moncier, Patricia N. Mercer, Dewey W. Fuller, Jr., Steven L. Cook
  • Patent number: 5399595
    Abstract: Disclosed are foamable copolyester compositions containing 0.5 to 5.0 mole percent of a dicarboxylic acid sulfomonomer which contains at least one metal sulfonate group attached to an aromatic nucleus. These copolyesters possess high melt viscosity and are readily foamable with a wide range of foaming agents to provide low density shaped articles, films, and sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Bobby J. Sublett, Richard L. McConnell