Patents by Inventor Theodore F. Wells

Theodore F. Wells 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).

  • Integrated process for the manufacture of lactide
    Patent number: 5521278
    Abstract: An integrated process for the manufacture of lactide from a solution of lactic acid in de-ionized water comprising the sequential steps:A. Dehydrating the aqueous lactic acid in at least two stages to effect condensation polymerization of the lactic acid and the formation of oligomers in which the average number of monomer units is 8-25, the dehydration stages being conducted in equipment fabricated from low ferrous materials;B. Thermally cracking the oligomers in the presence of depolymerization catalyst to form lactide vapor of which the average residence time within the cracking zone is less than 15 seconds;C. Condensing the lactide vapor and fractionally distilling the condensate to remove concentrated lactide as a liquid sidestream; andD. Subjecting the concentrated lactide sidestream to melt crystallization to separate purified lactide having an Acidity Potential less than 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Ecological Chemical Products
    Inventors: William G. O'Brien, Lisa A. Cariello, Theodore F. Wells
  • Control of product withdrawal from a sorptive separation system
    Patent number: 4995889
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating flow of product gas from a sorptive separation apparatus, especially during periods of discontinuous product supply and variable demand is set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Abel, William E. Waldron, Theodore F. Wells