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).
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Patent number: 11970571Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: STEPAN COMPANYInventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Warren A. Kaplan, Sarah Wolek, Jennifer S. Westfall, Calvin Gang
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Publication number: 20240082815Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Michael Joseph O'Brien, David Roger Moore, William Christopher Alberts, Jingjing Yang, Mark Daniel Doherty, Mark D. Buckley, Jack E. Howson, Bryce E. Lipinski
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Patent number: 11919993Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Jeffrey R. Janos
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Patent number: 11667821Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: STEPAN COMPANYInventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Warren A. Kaplan, Jennifer S. Westfall
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Publication number: 20230153755Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Kristin L. Thunhorst, Michael E. O'Brien, Priyanka Rao, Miranda Lapour
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Publication number: 20230060289Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: John W. Henderson, Michael E. O'Brien, Esther S. Jeong, Matthew D. Moore, Andrew W. Long
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Publication number: 20220373385Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Kristin L. Thunhorst, John W. Henderson, Esther S. Jeong, Sophia S. Liu, Andrew W. Long, Matthew D. Moore, Michael E. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20220041798Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Michael E. O'BRIEN, Warren A. KAPLAN, Sarah WOLEK, Jennifer S. WESTFALL, Calvin GANG
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Publication number: 20210309895Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Michael E. O'BRIEN, Warren A. KAPLAN, Jennifer S. WESTFALL
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Publication number: 20210201274Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Shawn M. Ryan, Kristin L Thunhorst, Andrew W. Long
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Publication number: 20200347176Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Jeffrey R. Janos
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Patent number: 9563696Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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
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Patent number: 9394401Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Scott Yin, Michael E. O'Brien, Mingzhe Wang
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Patent number: 9056964Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz
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Publication number: 20140297646Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20140155531Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: STEPANInventors: Rick TABOR, Brian K. MIROUS, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'BRIEN, Matthew I. LEVINSON, Daniel J. DERSHOWITZ
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Patent number: 8692013Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz
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Publication number: 20130085216Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz
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Patent number: 8344172Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz
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Publication number: 20120245268Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: STEPAN COMPANYInventors: Rick Tabor, Brian K. Mirous, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'Brien, Matthew I. Levinson, Daniel J. Dershowitz