Equistar Chemicals, LP

Douglas C McFaddin

Bradley P Etherton

Stephen M Imfeld

Jeffrey S Borke

Daniel Ward

David O Bostrom

William L Kelly

Disclosed is a method for improving the barrier properties of polyethylene films. The method comprises mixing a substantially linear, high density polyethylene with a nucleating agent and converting the mixture into a film. The film made by the method of the invention has at least a 15% improvement on the water vapor barrier property and/or in the oxygen barrier property compared with the control film made from the same substantially linear, high density polyethylene but does not contain the nucleating agent.

Barrier properties of substantially linear HDPE film with nucleating agents

Microfine powder adhesive blends are provided. The powders are comprised of a polyolefin base resin component and acid or acid derivative functionalized polyolefin component with one or more optional components. The microfine powders are produced from melt blended adhesive products using a dispersion process and have median particle sizes from 5 to 250 micrometers.

Microfine adhesive powders and process

The present invention discloses a method of dispersing cyclodextrins into a base polymer. The method of the invention comprises reacting grafted microfine polymer powder with a cyclodextrin to form a cyclodextrin-attached grafted polymer, and mixing the cyclodextrin-attached grafted polymer and the base polymer for a sufficient time that the cyclodextrin-attached grafted polymer is dispersed within the base polymer. The present invention also provides several cyclodextrin-inclusion complex products formed by the method of the invention. This products include an antimicrobial polymer blend, a fragrant polymer blend, and a dyed polymer blend.

Method for preparing cyclodextrin-polyolefin blends and products made therefrom

A process for producing acid functionalized polyolefins by hydrolyzing maleic anhydride grafts using a dispersion technique is provided. Acid functionalized polyolefin powders produced by the process as well as adhesive blends formulated therewith are also disclosed.

Process for producing acid functionalized polyolefins and products

An improved process for producing bonded activated carbon structures utilizing microwave radiation is provided. The structures are produced by exposing a particulate mixture comprised of activated carbon particles and polyolefin resin binder particles in a microwave transparent mold to increase the temperature of the activated carbon particles 3 to 30&deg; C. above the crystalline melting point of the polyolefin resin binder and thereafter compressing the mixture to increase contact between the particles and lowering the temperature of the particulate mixture below the melting point of the polyolefin while maintaining point bond formation conditions. The bonded structures may be separated from the container and used as such or the bonded structure and container in which it is formed may be retained and used as a unit.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Douglas C McFaddin