Patents by Inventor Steven Nichols

Steven Nichols 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: 8524343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins that are capable of being formed into articles (e.g., carbonated soft drink and water bottle preforms) at reduced injection-molding cycle times. In particular, the titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins of the present invention can be formed into carbonated soft drink bottle preforms at reduced injection-molding cycle times to yield high-clarity, carbonated soft drink bottles that possess satisfactory resistance to stress cracking and thermal creep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: DAK Americas Mississippi Inc.
    Inventors: David Eugene Thompson, Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Sharon Sue Griffith, Billy Mack Humelsine, Robert Joseph Schiavone
  • Patent number: 8385384
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for selecting an appropriate frequency hopping sequence in a system of communicating devices. A random seed value is generated at the host device at its point of deployment. A frequency hopping sequence is generated using the random seed value. Other embodiments involve verifying whether the randomly generated seed value is indeed random in the operational vicinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Kidder, Steven Nichols, Robert Juntunen
  • Publication number: 20120320949
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for managing message communications in systems employing frequency hopping. One method according to the invention involves transmitting a message via a frequency of a frequency hopping sequence, and determining when the same frequency will reoccur in the frequency hopping sequence. Relevant portions of the device enter a sleep mode, and the device emerges from the sleep mode when the frequency at which the message was transmitted reoccurs in the frequency hopping sequence. The device monitors for a response to the message via the frequency at which the message was transmitted when the frequency reoccurs in the frequency hopping sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Nichols
  • Patent number: 8304510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to slow-crystallizing, titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins that are useful for making high-strength, high-clarity bottles that possess improved resistance to stress cracking and thermal creep. The polyethylene terephthalate resins possess improved reheating profiles and are especially useful for making polyester articles that have exceptional clarity, dimensional stability, and thermal stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Wellman Inc.
    Inventors: David Eugene Thompson, Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Sharon Sue Griffith, Billy Mack Humelsine, Robert Joseph Schiavone
  • Patent number: 8259775
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for managing message communications in systems employing frequency hopping. One method according to the invention involves transmitting a message via a frequency of a frequency hopping sequence, and determining when the same frequency will reoccur in the frequency hopping sequence. Relevant portions of the device enter a sleep mode, and the device emerges from the sleep mode when the frequency at which the message was transmitted reoccurs in the frequency hopping sequence. The device monitors for a response to the message via the frequency at which the message was transmitted when the frequency reoccurs in the frequency hopping sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Nichols
  • Publication number: 20120148771
    Abstract: The present invention relates to titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins that are capable of being formed into articles (e.g., carbonated soft drink and water bottle preforms) at reduced injection-molding cycle times. In particular, the titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins of the present invention can be formed into carbonated soft drink bottle preforms at reduced injection-molding cycle times to yield high-clarity, carbonated soft drink bottles that possess satisfactory resistance to stress cracking and thermal creep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WELLMAN, INC.
    Inventors: David Eugene Thompson, Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Sharon Sue Griffith, Billy Mack Humelsine, Robert Joseph Schiavone
  • Publication number: 20110212282
    Abstract: The present invention relates to slow-crystallizing, titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins that are useful for making high-strength, high-clarity bottles that possess improved resistance to stress cracking and thermal creep. The polyethylene terephthalate resins possess improved reheating profiles and are especially useful for making polyester articles that have exceptional clarity, dimensional stability, and thermal stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: WELLMAN, INC.
    Inventors: David Eugene Thompson, Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Sharon Sue Griffith, Billy Mack Humelsine, Robert Joseph Schiavone
  • Patent number: 7858731
    Abstract: The invention embraces polyester resins and containers that include surface-modified talc. The invention also embraces a method for the late introduction of surface-modified talc via a reactive carrier to achieve a polyester resin that is capable of being formed into low-haze, high-clarity bottles possessing reduced coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Lee Edwards, Carl Steven Nichols, Robert Joseph Schiavone, Sharon Sue Griffith, Tony Clifford Moore
  • Patent number: 7829656
    Abstract: The invention is a method for making condensation polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate polyester. The method includes introducing a catalyst system, which includes a coordination catalyst component and an acid component, to a polycondensation reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Daniel Allen Huenefeld
  • Publication number: 20100221472
    Abstract: The present invention relates to slow-crystallizing, titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins that are useful for making high-strength, high-clarity bottles that possess improved resistance to stress cracking and thermal creep. The polyethylene terephthalate resins possess improved reheating profiles and are especially useful for making polyester articles that have exceptional clarity, dimensional stability, and thermal stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: WELLMAN, INC.
    Inventors: David Eugene Thompson, Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Sharon Sue Griffith, Billy Mack Humelsine, Robert Joseph Schiavone
  • Patent number: 7763701
    Abstract: The invention is a method for making condensation polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate polyester. The method includes introducing to a polycondensation reaction a catalyst system that includes a coordination catalyst and a composite catalyst, which includes an acid component and an auxiliary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Daniel Allen Huenefeld
  • Publication number: 20090306313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making polyethylene terephthalate resin in which a titanium-nitride polycondensation catalyst is introduced prior to or during the initial stages of esterification or transesterification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: WELLMAN, INC.
    Inventor: Carl Steven Nichols
  • Publication number: 20090198022
    Abstract: The invention is a method for making condensation polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate polyester. The method includes introducing a catalyst system, which includes a coordination catalyst component and an acid component, to a polycondensation reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: WELLMAN, INC.
    Inventors: Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Daniel Allen Huenefeld
  • Publication number: 20090187002
    Abstract: The invention is a method for making condensation polymers, such as polyethylene terephthalate polyester. The method includes introducing to a polycondensation reaction a catalyst system that includes a coordination catalyst and a composite catalyst, which includes an acid component and an auxiliary component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Wellman, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Daniel Allen Huenefeld
  • Publication number: 20090176046
    Abstract: The present invention relates to slow-crystallizing, titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins that are useful for making high-strength, high-clarity bottles that possess improved resistance to stress cracking and thermal creep. The polyethylene terephthalate resins possess improved reheating profiles and are especially useful for making polyester articles that have exceptional clarity, dimensional stability, and thermal stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: WELLMAN, INC.
    Inventors: David Eugene Thompson, Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Sharon Sue Griffith, Billy Mack Humelsine, Robert Joseph Schiavone
  • Publication number: 20080274317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins that are capable of being formed into articles (e.g., carbonated soft drink and water bottle preforms) at reduced injection-molding cycle times. In particular, the titanium-catalyzed polyethylene terephthalate resins of the present invention can be formed into carbonated soft drink bottle preforms at reduced injection-molding cycle times to yield high-clarity, carbonated soft drink bottles that possess satisfactory resistance to stress cracking and thermal creep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: WELLMAN, INC.
    Inventors: David Eugene Thompson, Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore, Sharon Sue Griffith, Billy Mack Humelsine, Robert Joseph Schiavone
  • Publication number: 20080226856
    Abstract: The invention embraces polyester resins and containers that include surface-modified talc. The invention also embraces a method for the late introduction of surface-modified talc via a reactive carrier to achieve a polyester resin that is capable of being formed into low-haze, high-clarity bottles possessing reduced coefficient of friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Welllman, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Lee Edwards, Robert Joseph Schiavone, Sharon Sue Griffith, Carl Steven Nichols, Tony Clifford Moore
  • Publication number: 20080101420
    Abstract: A communication system has a number of nodes connected to a serial data bus. Nodes communicate with each other by transmitting dominant and recessive bits during bit intervals as taught by the CAN (controller area network) arbitration protocol. According to the CAN arbitration protocol, any dominant bit transmitted during a bit interval causes the bit value received to be a dominant bit regardless of the number of recessive bits being sent. The system is arranged so that two or more nodes each respond to a report query message sent by one of the nodes, with a report message sent simultaneously by each of the nodes. The headers (leading bits) of each of the report messages sent by nodes responding to a report query message are the same, allowing arbitration on a trailing node data field. This results in the message having the numerically largest (or smallest) node data field value to survive arbitration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Steven Nichols
  • Publication number: 20070205570
    Abstract: A wheeled scooter is integrated with an event forum seat. The apparatus is configured to convert between a first configuration in which the apparatus is operable as a scooter for transportation and a second configuration in which the apparatus is operable as an event forum seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Nichols
  • Publication number: 20070067518
    Abstract: A plurality of nodes are coupled via a serial data bus so that simultaneous transmission on the bus of a dominant state by at least one of the nodes and a recessive state by the other nodes results in the dominant state being detectable on the bus. A transition from a first state to a second state is repeatedly transmitted onto the bus from a node arbitrarily selected from the plurality of nodes. The first and second states are complementary states selected from the dominant and recessive states. The arbitrarily selected node is defined as the bit master. One or more of the nodes transmits onto the bus dominant and recessive states at a first predetermined time after each transition. The transmitted states representing respective dominant and recessive bits of an attempted message. The plurality of nodes detect dominant and recessive states of the bus at a second predetermined time after each transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Nichols