Patents by Inventor William J. Kirk

William J. Kirk 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).

  • Publication number: 20240166922
    Abstract: Disclosed is composition and in particular a rubberized asphalt composition comprising asphalt, an elastomeric polymer, and an acrylic copolymer, a method to make the composition and uses thereof, useful in roofing underlayment. The underlayment products have improved adhesion at low temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Singa D. TOBING, William J. KIRK, Hiruy YIGEZU
  • Patent number: 11891519
    Abstract: Provided herein are asphalt compositions comprising asphalt, a carboxylated copolymer, a polyalkyleneimine, and a photoinitiator. The carboxylated copolymer present in the asphalt compositions can be a latex composition derived from a carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer. The carboxylated copolymer includes from 0.5% to 25% by weight carboxylic acid monomers. The carboxylated styrene-butadiene polymer and the asphalt can be present in a weight ratio of from 1:99 to 1:10. The polyalkyleneimine present in the asphalt compositions can be in an amount of greater than 0% to up to 10% by weight of the asphalt composition. The photoinitiator can include benzophenone and/or a derivative thereof. Tack coats meeting ASTM-D-977 standard comprising the asphalt compositions disclosed herein are also provided. The tack coat can have a tack-free time of 10 minutes or less. Methods of producing the asphalt compositions and tack coats are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Kostas S. Avramidis, James T. Andrews, William J. Kirk, Kimberly L. Walden, Arlis A. Kadrmas
  • Publication number: 20230303842
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are asphalt compositions containing a block-copolymer additive, for example for use as a dispersant. In some embodiments, the asphalt compositions can include asphalt, a block-copolymer dispersant, and an SBR latex. The block-copolymers have a molecular weight exceeding 5000 g/mol with a polybutyl acrylate hydrophobic block that attaches to the asphalt particle and a sodium polystyrene sulfonate hydrophilic block for stability, wherein the block copolymer has a first block comprising of alkyl acrylate and a second block comprising units of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer with sulfonic acid groups. The asphalt compositions can include asphalt in an amount of from 50 wt. % to 95 wt. %, based on the weight of the asphalt composition. In some embodiments, the asphalt compositions can include a styrene-butadiene copolymer in an amount of from 0.05 wt. % to 10 wt. %, based on the weight of the asphalt composition. Methods of making and using the asphalt compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: William J. KIRK, Kostas S. AVRAMIDIS
  • Publication number: 20230159760
    Abstract: Asphalt emulsions comprising asphalt present in an amount of 50% by weight or greater, based on the weight of the asphalt emulsion, an isocyanate present in an amount of 0.05% by weight or greater, based on the weight of the asphalt emulsion, and water. The isocyanate is derived from an aromatic, a cycloaliphatic, or an aliphatic isocyanate, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the isocyanate includes methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. The asphalt emulsion can comprise one or more polyols. Methods of making the asphalt emulsions are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: William J. KIRK, Arlis A. KADRMAS, James T. ANDREWS, Kostas S. AVRAMIDIS, Kimberly L. WALDEN
  • Publication number: 20210198491
    Abstract: An asphalt composition comprising 0.1 to 8 wt.-% based on the total weight of the composition of an Isocyanate as thermosetting reactive compound and 0.1 to 8 wt.-% based on the total weight of the composition of a polymer selected from the group consisting of styrene/butadiene/styrene copolymer (SBS), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), neoprene, polyethylene, low density polyethylene, oxidized high density polyethylene, polypropylene, oxidized high density polypropylene, maleated polypropylene, ethylene-butyl-acrylate-glycidyl-methacrylate terpolymer, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyphosphoric acid (FRA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Michael PRAW, Waldemar SCHATZ, Arlis A. KADRMAS, William J. KIRK, James T. ANDREWS, Iran OTERO MARTINEZ, Bernie Lewis MALONSON, Olivier FLEISCHEL
  • Publication number: 20210017388
    Abstract: Provided herein are asphalt compositions comprising asphalt, a carboxylated copolymer, a polyalkyleneimine, and a photoinitiator. The carboxylated copolymer present in the asphalt compositions can be a latex composition derived from a carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer. The carboxylated copolymer includes from 0.5% to 25% by weight carboxylic acid monomers. The carboxylated styrene-butadiene polymer and the asphalt can be present in a weight ratio of from 1:99 to 1:10. The polyalkyleneimine present in the asphalt compositions can be in an amount of greater than 0% to up to 10% by weight of the asphalt composition. The photoinitiator can include benzophenone and/or a derivative thereof. Tack coats meeting ASTM-D-977 standard comprising the asphalt compositions disclosed herein are also provided. The tack coat can have a tack-free time of 10 minutes or less. Methods of producing the asphalt compositions and tack coats are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Kostas S. AVRAMIDIS, James T. ANDREWS, William J. KIRK, Kimberly L. WALDEN, Arlis A. KADRMAS
  • Publication number: 20180371251
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are latex compositions and asphalt formulations comprising the latex compositions. In some embodiments, the latex compositions include a styrene-butadiene copolymer and polyphosphoric acid represented by the formula, Hn+2PnO3n+1, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 30. The latex composition can be used to prepare polymer-modified asphalt emulsions and hot mix asphalt compositions. The asphalt formulations can be prepared by contacting asphalt with a latex composition as described herein and a sulfur curing agent. Methods of coating a surface comprising applying an asphalt formulation as described herein to the surface are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Kostas S. AVRAMIDIS, William J. KIRK
  • Patent number: 9815984
    Abstract: A non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer is prepared by hot polymerization in the absence of acid monomers and is used in asphalt-based systems such as asphalt emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Kostas S. Avramidis, William J. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20160289451
    Abstract: A non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer is prepared by hot polymerization in the absence of acid monomers and is used in asphalt-based systems such as asphalt emulsions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Kostas S. Avramidis, William J. Kirk
  • Patent number: 9365707
    Abstract: A non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer is prepared by hot polymerization in the absence of acid monomers and is used in asphalt-based systems such as asphalt emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Kostas S. Avramidis, William J. Kirk
  • Patent number: 9139720
    Abstract: Styrene-based copolymers having acid monomer units, dispersions, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The styrene-based copolymer is prepared by polymerizing styrene, one or more acid monomers, and optionally butadiene at a temperature of 40° C. or greater and then is vulcanized. The obtained styrene-based copolymer is used in asphalt-based systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Kostas S. Avramidis, William J. Kirk
  • Patent number: 8952092
    Abstract: A non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer is prepared by hot polymerization in the absence of acid monomers and is used in asphalt-based systems such as asphalt emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Kostas S Avramidis, William J Kirk
  • Publication number: 20140378603
    Abstract: A non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer is prepared by hot polymerization in the absence of acid monomers and is used in asphalt-based systems such as asphalt emulsions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Kostas S. Avramidis, William J. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20130289172
    Abstract: A non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The non-carboxylated styrene-butadiene copolymer is prepared by hot polymerization in the absence of acid monomers and is used in asphalt-based systems such as asphalt emulsions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Kostas S. Avramidis, William J. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20130289173
    Abstract: Styrene-based copolymers having acid monomer units, dispersions, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The styrene-based copolymer is prepared by polymerizing styrene, one or more acid monomers, and optionally butadiene at a temperature of 40° C. or greater and then is vulcanized. The obtained styrene-based copolymer is used in asphalt-based systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Kostas S. Avramidis, William J. Kirk
  • Patent number: 5996482
    Abstract: A high speed, high volume fruit sectionizer is comprised of a pair of suction cup conveyors onto which fruit is loaded. The fruit is coupled by means of suction attachment to a first conveyor and carried to a position wherein the opposing side of the fruit is suction coupled to the second conveyor. The fruit is drawn through a halving guillotine and coring blade. The fruit halves are then positioned on scooping and sectioning assemblies. A rotating semicircular hoop blade cuts the fruit meat away from the peel while leaving the fruit meat and peel in place. The separated peel and fruit meat are moved across the scooping and sectioning assembly through a blade assembly which sections the fruit meat. The meat sectioning blade has a first portion which cuts through the peel and fruit meat to establish a first radial extent of the section cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Sunkist Growers, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Kirk, Maurice V. Johnson, Jr., Jaxon W. Potter
  • Patent number: 5787801
    Abstract: A high speed, high volume fruit sectionizer is comprised of a pair of suction cup conveyors onto which fruit is loaded. The fruit is coupled by means of suction attachment to a first conveyor and carried to a position wherein the opposing side of the fruit is suction coupled to the second conveyor. The fruit is drawn through a halving guillotine and coring blade. The fruit halves are then positioned on scooping and sectioning assemblies. A rotating semicircular hoop blade cuts the fruit meat away from the peel while leaving the fruit meat and peel in place. The separated peel and fruit meat are moved across the scooping and sectioning assembly through a blade assembly which sections the fruit meat. The meat sectioning blade has a first portion which cuts through the peel and fruit meat to establish a first radial extent of the section cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Sunkist Growers, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Kirk, Maurice V. Johnson, Jr., Jaxon W. Potter
  • Patent number: 5547256
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting children in various normal sitting and reclining positions in which separately movable seat, leg and back supporting sections are provided and wherein the leg and back sections are pivotally movable in unison with respect to the seat section such that the possibility of careless positioning of the supported child or infant is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventors: Robert A. D'Antuono, William J. Kirk
  • Patent number: 5336185
    Abstract: A safety device for use with standard or dental syringes as an add-on feature or as a retrofit in which a safety sleeve moves over the normally exposed front end of a needle to protect users from being accidentally stuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventors: Richard A. Lynch, William J. Kirk, Lawrence J. Dario
  • Patent number: 5138124
    Abstract: An apparatus for destroying used hypodermic needles includes a rotating electrode wheel, a stationary electrode element which is positioned in closely spaced relation to the electrode wheel and a guide member for guiding a hypodermic needle inserted into the apparatus so that it is advanced into electrical contact with the electrode wheel and the electrode element in order to electrically destroy the needle. The apparatus further includes a sensor for automatically energizing the electrode wheel and the electrode element when an operator approaches the apparatus, and a disposable cartridge assembly for receiving and containing debris generated as needles are destroyed in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventors: William J. Kirk, Stanley O. Thompson, John G. Mathews, William Lockett, III, Richard A. Lynch