Patents by Inventor Bruce J. Thoman

Bruce J. Thoman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8445604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to articles made of a thermoformable resin comprising a biodegradable polymer having polybutylene succinate (PBS) via extrusion using an extruder which comprise: a biodegradable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 50° to about 150° C.); (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 150° C. (for example, up to about 120° C.); and (c) optionally, a Tm in the range of from about 70° to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 80° to about 150° C.). Thermoformed article such as a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, food storage container, etc provide the ability to resist deformation during higher temperature conditions that may occur during storage and distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Wei Li, Richard A Tedford, Bruce J Thoman, Thomas Robert Christie
  • Patent number: 8231954
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing a thermoformable composite by crosslinking PHA and PLA together in the presence of an additive to produce PHA and PLA blend and resins having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 180° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 160° C. The thermoformable composite is used to make a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, or food storage container. The thermoformable composite comprises from about 5% to about 95% by weight of polylactic acid (PLA), from about 5% to about 95% by weight polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer, and from about 0.01% to about 60% additives wherein the PLA and PHAs being crosslink together by intermolecular means to enhance performance and processability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Richard A Tedford, Bruce J Thoman
  • Publication number: 20110135863
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing a themoformable composite by crosslinking PHA and PLA together in the presence of an additive to produce PHA and PLA blend and resins having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 180° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 160° C. The themoformable composite is used to make a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, or food storage container. The thermoformable composite comprises from about 5% to about 95% by weight of polylactic acid (PLA), from about 5% to about 95% by weight polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer, and from about 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Wei LI, Richard A. TEDFORD, Bruce J. THOMAN
  • Publication number: 20110136978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to articles made of a thermoformable resin comprising a biodegradable polymer having polybutylene succinate (PBS) via extrusion using an extruder which comprise: a biodegradable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 50° to about 150° C.); (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 150° C. (for example, up to about 120° C.); and (c) optionally, a Tm in the range of from about 70° to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 80° to about 150° C.). Thermoformed article such as a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, food storage container, etc provide the ability to resist deformation during higher temperature conditions that may occur during storage and distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: International Paper Company
    Inventors: WEI LI, Richard A. Tedford, Bruce J. Thoman, Thomas Robert Christie
  • Publication number: 20100187296
    Abstract: A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an inner wall and an outer wall wrapped therearound so as to define a double-wall container construction. A plurality of spacer elements are interposed between the inner and the outer walls so as to maintain a minimum thickness of an air space defined therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Craig R. Puls, Jozef Milewski, Bruce J. Thoman, Wei Li, Richard A. Tedford
  • Patent number: 7717325
    Abstract: A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an inner wall and an outer wall wrapped therearound so as to define a double-wall container construction. A plurality of spacer elements are interposed between the inner and the outer walls so as to maintain a minimum thickness of an air space defined therebetween. In normal use conditions, the spacer elements do not contact the inner wall; however, the spacer elements prevent the outer wall from contacting the inner wall during non-standard use conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Craig R. Puls, Jozef Milewski, Bruce J. Thoman, Wei Li, Richard A. Tedford
  • Publication number: 20090274920
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable polymer composition useful for manufacturing biodegradable in which, the process comprising: (1) providing a renewable polymer and/or natural fiber having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 90° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 90° C.; (2) providing a heat-resistant polymer having: (a) a Ts of greater than about 60° C.; and (b) a heat distortion index greater than about 50° C., wherein the Ts value and heat distortion index of the heat-resistant polymer is greater than that of the renewable polymer and/or natural fiber; and (3) coextruding the heat-resistant polymer and the renewable polymer to provide a thermoformable composite comprising a core comprising the renewable polymer and/or natural fiber, wherein the renewable polymer and/or natural fiber comprises at least about 50% by weight of the composite and a heat-resistant outer layer comprising the heat-resistant polymer which substantially surrounds the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Wei Li, Zheng Tan, Thomas Robert Christie, Bruce J. Thoman, Richard A. Tedford, Mark Fagan
  • Publication number: 20020146489
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved container for food and non-food products. The container utilizes a novel delayed release process to overcome polymer odor-emission problems that detract from a packaged product. The novel process utilizes fragrance molecules or microcapsules which have fragrance molecules contained therein, to impart an enhanced fragrance to the product when the container is opened, increasing consumer appeal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Bruce J. Thoman, Tim M. Fairchild, Michael S. Mabee, Christopher S. Cleveland
  • Patent number: 4361612
    Abstract: A lamina for a medium density structural board made from dimensioned wood flakes cut from a mixture of hardwood species and having a high retained internal bond strength is disclosed. The wood flakes are blended with a phenol formaldehyde resin having a major quantity of a low molecular weight fraction and a wax and then formed into a hot pressed product. The lamina may be used alone or as the core of a structural board having veneer, hardboard or plywood face panels. Three or more lamina may be formed into a structural board or used as the core of a board having veneer, hardboard or plywood face panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: International Paper Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Shaner, Bruce J. Thoman, Mark D. Peterson, David A. Fergus, Karl K. Chiang