Patents by Inventor Michael E. O'Brien

Michael E. O'Brien 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: 11970571
    Abstract: Noise, vibration, or harshness (NVH) properties of an industrial or consumer product are reduced by incorporating therein an effective amount of a polyether- or polyester-epoxide polymer (PEEP) composition. The PEEP compositions are one-component or two-component reaction products of a polyepoxide compound and a polyol composition. The PEEP compositions have a glass-transition temperature within the range of ?50° C. to 50° C. and a loss factor of at least 0.5 by ASTM D5992 over a temperature range of at least 15 Celsius degrees at one or more frequencies within the range of 0.1 to 10,000 Hz. The PEEP compositions provide NVH damping over a broad temperature range, have improved flexibility compared with conventional epoxy technologies, avoid amine and isocyanate reactants, and can be tailored to meet target specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Warren A. Kaplan, Sarah Wolek, Jennifer S. Westfall, Calvin Gang
  • Publication number: 20240082815
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a system. The system includes a substrate and a fluid capture material formed on one or more surfaces of the substrate. The fluid capture material includes a sorbent material that binds one or more fluids, the one or more fluids comprising water, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, or a combination thereof. The fluid capture material also includes one or more binder materials, wherein the binder material is at least partially cross-linked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Joseph O'Brien, David Roger Moore, William Christopher Alberts, Jingjing Yang, Mark Daniel Doherty, Mark D. Buckley, Jack E. Howson, Bryce E. Lipinski
  • Patent number: 11919993
    Abstract: Polyester polyols for use in low-VOC polyurethane compositions are disclosed. The polyester polyols are the reaction product of at least one aliphatic polycarboxylic acid, at least one alkoxylated polyalcohol having a functionality of 2.0 or greater, and one or more polyalcohols other than an alkoxylated polyalcohol. The polyester polyols can be formulated into polyurethane compositions to obtain a polyurethane having a low VOC content. The polyurethane composition is particularly suitable for polyurethane coating applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Jeffrey R. Janos
  • Patent number: 11667821
    Abstract: One-component (1K) adhesive compositions (“PEEP” compositions) and a process for making them are disclosed. A polyepoxide is reacted with a polyether polyol composition, a polyester polyol composition, or both in the presence of a heat-activated Lewis acid catalyst at a temperature within the range of 100° C. to 220° C. for a time effective to cure the adhesive. The compositions are storage-stable under ambient conditions. Compared with conventional epoxy compositions, the 1K PEEP compositions offer improved room temperature lap shear strength, better resilience, and higher elongation. The 1K PEEP systems deliver a desirable balance of physical and mechanical properties while avoiding polyisocyanates and polyamine crosslinkers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Warren A. Kaplan, Jennifer S. Westfall
  • Publication number: 20230153755
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for managing inventory items in a first inventory management system. The method can include determining, with a computing device and an optical scanning device, whether the inventory item corresponds to a first item data set based on at least one attribute for the first item data set. The method can include adding, in response to the inventory item corresponding to the first item data set, the first item data set to a plurality of item data sets in a facility inventory profile for the first inventory management system. The method can also include determining, based on a correlation between the facility inventory profile and a plurality of facility inventory profiles, a second attribute for the inventory item different from the at least one attribute. The method can include performing at least one action based on the determination of the second attribute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Kristin L. Thunhorst, Michael E. O'Brien, Priyanka Rao, Miranda Lapour
  • Publication number: 20230060289
    Abstract: A replacement part validation system is presented that includes a scanning system that scans a received part and provides the scan results of the received part. The system also includes a part recognition module that, based on the received scan results of the received part and provides a part identification and a part quality metric. The system also includes a job assignment module that assigns the received part to an outstanding repair job. The system also includes an output generator that outputs the outstanding repair job and the part quality metric. The system also includes a computing processor that, based on the received scanned results, causes the part recognition module to review a database of parts and retrieve a most-likely match. The part quality metric is based on a comparison of the received part to the most-likely match. The computing processor causes the output generator to output the outstanding repair job and part quality metric to a source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: John W. Henderson, Michael E. O'Brien, Esther S. Jeong, Matthew D. Moore, Andrew W. Long
  • Publication number: 20220373385
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of classifying a plurality of objects includes receiving, from a sensor mat, a pressure indication and a capacitance indication, corresponding to the plurality of objects placed on the sensor mat. The method includes determining an object location for each object from the plurality of objects from the pressure and/or capacitance indication. The method includes determining an object profile which includes an object pressure profile and an object capacitance profile for each object. The method includes determining, by one or more processors, the identity of a first object based on a correlation of the determined object profile matching with a first stored object profile from a plurality of first stored object profiles in a data store. The method includes performing at least one action based on the determined identity of the first object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Kristin L. Thunhorst, John W. Henderson, Esther S. Jeong, Sophia S. Liu, Andrew W. Long, Matthew D. Moore, Michael E. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20220041798
    Abstract: Noise, vibration, or harshness (NVH) properties of an industrial or consumer product are reduced by incorporating therein an effective amount of a polyether- or polyester-epoxide polymer (PEEP) composition. The PEEP compositions are one-component or two-component reaction products of a polyepoxide compound and a polyol composition. The PEEP compositions have a glass-transition temperature within the range of ?50° C. to 50° C. and a loss factor of at least 0.5 by ASTM D5992 over a temperature range of at least 15 Celsius degrees at one or more frequencies within the range of 0.1 to 10,000 Hz. The PEEP compositions provide NVH damping over a broad temperature range, have improved flexibility compared with conventional epoxy technologies, avoid amine and isocyanate reactants, and can be tailored to meet target specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Michael E. O'BRIEN, Warren A. KAPLAN, Sarah WOLEK, Jennifer S. WESTFALL, Calvin GANG
  • Publication number: 20210309895
    Abstract: One-component (1K) adhesive compositions (“PEEP” compositions) and a process for making them are disclosed. A polyepoxide is reacted with a polyether polyol composition, a polyester polyol composition, or both in the presence of a heat-activated Lewis acid catalyst at a temperature within the range of 100° C. to 220° C. for a time effective to cure the adhesive. The compositions are storage-stable under ambient conditions. Compared with conventional epoxy compositions, the 1K PEEP compositions offer improved room temperature lap shear strength, better resilience, and higher elongation. The 1K PEEP systems deliver a desirable balance of physical and mechanical properties while avoiding polyisocyanates and polyamine crosslinkers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Michael E. O'BRIEN, Warren A. KAPLAN, Jennifer S. WESTFALL
  • Publication number: 20210201274
    Abstract: A method includes determining, based on current repair data and at least one of historical repair data or existing repair specifications, a predicted material to be used during a vehicle repair, the vehicle repair including replacing or repairing a part of a vehicle. The material includes at least one of an adhesive, an abrasive, a tape, a paint, a coating, or a tool. The method also includes outputting data indicating the predicted material in a predicted material repair plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Shawn M. Ryan, Kristin L Thunhorst, Andrew W. Long
  • Publication number: 20200347176
    Abstract: Polyester polyols for use in low-VOC polyurethane compositions are disclosed. The polyester polyols are the reaction product of at least one aliphatic polycarboxylic acid, at least one alkoxylated polyalcohol having a functionality of 2.0 or greater, and one or more polyalcohols other than an alkoxylated polyalcohol. The polyester polyols can be formulated into polyurethane compositions to obtain a polyurethane having a low VOC content. The polyurethane composition is particularly suitable for polyurethane coating applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Jeffrey R. Janos
  • Patent number: 9563696
    Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature systems and methods for managing notes. The note management system includes a note source, a note recognition module, a note extraction module, and a note labeling module. The note source is a visual representation of a scene having a note. The note recognition module is configured to receive the visual representation and determine a general boundary of the note from the visual representation. The note extraction module is configured to extract content of the note from the visual representation based on the determined general boundary. The note labeling module is configured to label the note with a category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Willem V. Bastiaens, Gabriel A. Biller, Kristopher W. Clover, Brian R. Hackerson, Masuma W. Henry, Stephen M. June, Brian L. Linzie, Robert D. Lorentz, David M. Mahli, Richard J. Moore, Cristin E. Moran, Michael E. O'Brien, Scott D. Pearson, Dennard J. Powell, Olen Ronning, Guruprasad Somasundaram, Brian J. Stankiewicz, Diane R. Wolk
  • Patent number: 9394401
    Abstract: Polyol acrylates are disclosed that are the reaction products of a modified polyol and a (meth)acrylic acid or derivative thereof. The modified polyols used in preparing the polyol acrylates are the reaction product of a natural oil or fatty carboxylic acid or derivative thereof with a polyol selected from the group consisting of polyester polyols, polyether polyols, polyester ether polyols and polyalcohols such that the natural oil or fatty carboxylic acid or derivative thereof is incorporated into the backbone of the polyol. The polyol acrylates are used to prepare pigment dispersions that are useful in formulating energy curable ink compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Scott Yin, Michael E. O'Brien, Mingzhe Wang
  • Patent number: 9056964
    Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz
  • Publication number: 20140297646
    Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature systems and methods for managing notes. The note management system includes a note source, a note recognition module, a note extraction module, and a note labeling module. The note source is a visual representation of a scene having a note. The note recognition module is configured to receive the visual representation and determine a general boundary of the note from the visual representation. The note extraction module is configured to extract content of the note from the visual representation based on the determined general boundary. The note labeling module is configured to label the note with a category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Willem V. Bastiaens, Gabriel A. Biller, Kristopher W. Clover, Brian R. Hackerson, Masuma W. Henry, Stephen M. June, Brian L. Linzie, Robert D. Lorentz, David M. Mahli, Richard J. Moore, Cristin E. Moran, Michael E. O'Brien, Scott D. Pearson, Dennard J. Powell, Olen Ronning, Guruprasad Somasundaram, Brian J. Stankiewicz, Diane R. Wolk
  • Publication number: 20140155531
    Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: STEPAN
    Inventors: Rick TABOR, Brian K. MIROUS, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'BRIEN, Matthew I. LEVINSON, Daniel J. DERSHOWITZ
  • Patent number: 8692013
    Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz
  • Publication number: 20130085216
    Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz
  • Patent number: 8344172
    Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz
  • Publication number: 20120245268
    Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: STEPAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz