John A Cuculo

US Patent:

6827773, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Oct 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/283505

Inventors:

John A. Cuculo - Raleigh NC
Kazuyuki Hattori - Kitami, JP

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

C08L 102

US Classification:

1062002, 10620401, 106311, 536 56, 536 57

Abstract:

Cellulose solvents, cellulose compositions, and methods of making and using the same. For example, a cellulose composition including cellulose dissolved in the following solvent: an amine-based composition, provided however, the amine-based composition is not ammonia; and a salt selected from the group including a thiocyanate salt, a halide salt, and a nitrate salt. Representative amine-based compositions include hydrazine, hydrazine hydrate, and ethylenediamine.

US Patent:

20130040521, Feb 14, 2013

Filed:

Jul 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/383076

Inventors:

John A. Cuculo - Raleigh NC, US
Richard Kotek - Raleigh NC, US
Peng Chen - Zhejiang, CN
Mehdi Afshari - Raleigh NC, US
Ferdinand Lundberg - Garner NC, US

Assignee:

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

B29C 47/88
C08G 63/183
D04H 13/00
D03D 25/00
D04B 1/00
C08G 63/189
B32B 5/16

US Classification:

442181, 528298, 5283081, 264178 R, 428221, 442304, 442327

Abstract:

A melt-spun highly oriented and crystalline thermoplastic filament or fiber having a tenacity of at least about 10 g/d, an elongation less than about 15-%, and a modulus of at least about 130 g/d. A method of making highly oriented and crystalline thermoplastic filaments has been developed that comprises extruding a thermoplastic polymer to form at least one molten filament. The at least one molten filament is introduced into a horizontal liquid isothermal bath. The bath is maintained at a temperature between the glass transition temperature and the melting temperature of the thermoplastic polymer. The bath increases the tension along the molten filament to form at least one partially oriented and low crystalline filament. The partially oriented filament is drawn to form the highly oriented and crystalline filament.

US Patent:

49099760, Mar 20, 1990

Filed:

May 9, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/191446

Inventors:

John A. Cuculo - Raleigh NC
Paul A. Tucker - Raleigh NC
Gao-Yuan Chen - Raleigh NC
Chon-yie Lin - Raleigh NC
Jeffrey Denton - Raleigh NC
Ferdinand Lundberg - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

D01F 662

US Classification:

26421115

Abstract:

The high speed melt spinning of synthetic polymer fibers is provided with on-line zone heating and cooling by which the strand emerging from the spinneret is initially cooled to an optimum temperature above the glass transition point of the polymer, the maintained near that temperature for a period of time to promote development of desirable fiber properties such as crystallization and crystal orientation, and then finally cooled below the solidification point for take up.

US Patent:

43671918, Jan 4, 1983

Filed:

Mar 25, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/247308

Inventors:

John A. Cuculo - Raleigh NC
Samuel M. Hudson - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

Research Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

D01F 200

US Classification:

264187

Abstract:

A method of forming a cellulose fiber which comprises dissolving cellulose in a solvent comprising ammonia and a salt and subsequently forming a fiber.

US Patent:

RE359726, Nov 24, 1998

Filed:

Mar 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/622431

Inventors:

John A. Cuculo - Raleigh NC
Paul A. Tucker - Raleigh NC
Gao-Yuan Chen - Apex NC
Ferdinand Lundberg - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

D02G 300
D02G 302

US Classification:

428364

Abstract:

Ultra-oriented, crystalline synthetic filaments with high tenacity are produced by extrusion of a fiber-forming synthetic polymer melt into a liquid isothermal bath maintained at a temperature of at least 30. degree. C. above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, withdrawing the filaments from the bath and then winding up the filaments. Polymer filaments so produced are characterized in that the ratio of the crystalline orientation factor (f. sub. c) to the amorphous orientation factor (f. sub. a) is 1. 2 or less, and are further characterized in that the percent crystallinity is less than 40. The filaments also have a fine crystal size. The crystal size is less than 40. ANG. in the 100 and 105 planes and less than 30. ANG. in the 010 plane.

US Patent:

57336539, Mar 31, 1998

Filed:

May 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/643925

Inventors:

John A. Cuculo - Raleigh NC
Paul A. Tucker - Raleigh NC
Ferdinand Lundberg - Garner NC
Gang Wu - Beijing, CN
Gao-Yuan Chen - Apex NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

D02G 300

US Classification:

428364

Abstract:

Ultra-oriented, crystalline synthetic filaments with a combination of high tenacity, high dimensional stability, high modulus, and a high fraction of taut-tie molecular phase are produced by extruding a fiber-forming synthetic polymer melt into a liquid isothermal bath, withdrawing the filaments from the bath and then post-treating them at a very low draw ratio. The bath is preferably maintained at a temperature of at least 30. degree. C. above the glass transition temperature of the polymer to enhance the orientation and promote the formation of stable extended chains. Polymer filaments so produced are characterized in that they have ultra-high birefringence, high tenacity and modulus, a high dimensional stability, and a high fraction of taut-tie molecular phase.

US Patent:

48406732, Jun 20, 1989

Filed:

Mar 9, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/166041

Inventors:

John A. Cuculo - Raleigh NC
Michael H. Theil - Raleigh NC
Kap S. Yang - Raleigh NC
Yue S. Chen - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

C08L 100
D01F 200

US Classification:

106198

Abstract:

Lyotropic mesophase (liquid crystalline) solutions of cellulose are formed in an ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate solvent. The nature of the solution can be controlled to selectively produce lyotropic cellulose mesophases having either nematic or cholesteric character. High strength, high modulus fibers are produced from a lyotropic mesophase solution of cellulose essentially in the nematic phase. The films are prepared from mesophase solutions of cellulose that are mainly in the cholesteric phase.

US Patent:

47509392, Jun 14, 1988

Filed:

Dec 2, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/937034

Inventors:

John A. Cuculo - Raleigh NC
Michael H. Theil - Raleigh NC
Kap S. Yang - Raleigh NC
Yue S. Chen - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

C08L 100
D01F 206

US Classification:

106203

Abstract:

Lyotropic mesophase (liquid crystalline) solutions of cellulose are formed in an ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate solvent. The nature of the solution can be controlled to selectively produce lyotropic cellulose mesophases having either nematic or cholesteric character. High strength, high modulus fibers are produced from a lyotropic mesophase solution of cellulose essentially in the nematic phase. The films are prepared from mesophase solutions of cellulose that are mainly in the cholesteric phase.