Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Scott McCollister
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Patent number: 7112369Abstract: A polymer nanoparticle is provided. The nanoparticle includes an inner layer having alkenylbenzene monomer units. The nanoparticle further includes an outer layer having monomer units selected from conjugated dienes, alkylenes, alkenylbenzenes, and mixtures thereof. The nanoparticle has at least one functional group associated with the outer layer. The nanoparticle further has at least one metal complexed with said functional group. The nanoparticles can be used as a templates for preparation of nano-sized metal crystals and polymer-metal nanocomposite.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Xiaorong Wang, James E. Hall, Georg G. A. Böhm, Chenchy Jeffrey Lin
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Patent number: 7105613Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a baleable lithium carboxylate polymer. The process includes polymerizing at least one conjudated diene in the presence of an organolithium initiator to a substantial completion. Thereafter, the polymerization process is terminated by the addition of carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Firestone Polymers, LLCInventors: Daniel F. Graves, David J. Dougherty, Thomas A. Antkowiak
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Patent number: 7101628Abstract: Broadly, the present invention provides a thermoplastic vulcanizate which can be readily processed into sheeting material for covering a roof that is both flexible and highly elastic. Where other thermoplastic elastomeric compositions have either been too stiff to act as roofing membranes or not processable due to their melt flow characteristics, the present thermoplastic vulcanizate employs a polypropylene random copolymer resin and a polyethylene random copolymer resin having about 10 to about 35 percent by weight ?-olefin co-monomer units; together with a compatibilizing rubber and a peroxide-based cross-linking agent, to provide an effective membrane for covering roofs.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: BFS Diversified Products, LLCInventor: Lichih Richard Peng
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Patent number: 7091282Abstract: A composition suitable for forming a sidewall for a tire includes a rubber composition which includes at least one rubber, an ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer, and a polyalkylene copolymer. The rubber may include one or more natural or synthetic rubbers, such as butadiene rubbers and isoprene rubbers. The ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer preferably has an ethylene content of at least 60%. The polyalkylene copolymer may be a copolymer of a polyalkylene and an ?-olefin, which is formed in a polymerization reaction involving a single site catalyst. The polyalkylene copolymer preferably has a high degree of crystallinity, being preferably at least about 90% by weight ethylene, with a melting point in the range of 80° C.–120° C. The presence of such a copolymer in the rubber composition markedly increases the resistance to crack growth and formation of cracks in the tire sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Zhong-Ren Chen, Christine M. Rademacher
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Patent number: 6956084Abstract: A nano-particle composition including a poly (alkenylbenzene) core and a poly (conjugated diene) or a poly(alkylene) surface layer is provided. The nano-particles have a mean average diameter less than about 100 nm. The nano-particles can be modified via, for example, hydrogenation or functionalization. The nano-particles can advantageously be incorporated into rubbers, elastomers, and thermoplastics.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Xiaorong Wang, Chenchy Jeffrey Lin, James Hall, Sandra Warren, James Krom, Hajime Kondo, Koichi Morita
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Patent number: 6881795Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a baleable lithium carboxylate polymer. The process includes polymerizing at least one conjudated diene in the presence of an organolithium initiator to a substantial completion. Thereafter, the polymerization process is terminated by the addition of carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Firestone Polymers, LLCInventors: Daniel F. Graves, David J. Dougherty, Thomas A. Antkowiak
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Patent number: 6875818Abstract: A polymer nano-string composition is provided. The polymer nano-strings can include a poly(alkenylbenzene) core, and a surface layer comprising poly(conjugated diene). The nano-strings have a mean average diameter of less than about 100 nm and a length of greater than about 1 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Xiaorong Wang
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Patent number: 6872785Abstract: A multi-layer nano-particle composition including a polymer core and at least two additional layers is provided. The nano-particles have a mean average diameter less than about 100 nm. The nano-particles can be modified via, for example, hydrogenation or functionalization. The nano-particles can be advantageously incorporated into rubbers, elastomers, and thermoplastics.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Xiaorong Wang, Victor J. Foltz
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Patent number: 6872783Abstract: A continuous process for manufacture of a polymer including branched and linear components comprising first polymerizing conjugated diene(s) in the presence of an organometallic initiator to a conversion that is at least 90% complete. A coupling agent is added to obtain a polymer including branched and linear components. The coupling agent is added at a ratio of about 0.3 to about 0.6 coupling equivalents to initiator equivalents.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Firestone Polymers, LLCInventor: Mark N. Dedecker
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Patent number: 6864195Abstract: A roofing membrane includes a substrate sheet formed of a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) and a film layer of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) adhered to at least one surface of the substrate sheet. The TPV preferably includes a copolymer of ethylene and a carbonyl containing monomer dynamically vulcanized in a polyolefin thermoplastic, preferably metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene. A scrim reinforcement layer is optionally embedded in the TPV layer. When installed on a roof substrate, the membrane can be sealed by heat welding the seams of the membrane sheets.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: BFS Diversified PRoducts, LLCInventor: Lichih R. Peng
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Patent number: 6838539Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a polymer composition having quaternary alkane units and aromatic hydrocarbon units. The aromatic hydrocarbon units have substituents of the general formula R1SiR2R3R4, wherein R1 is optional and is a hydrocarbon or ether linking the silicon and the aromatic hydrocarbon, and R2, R3, and R4 are one or more of hydrogen, alkyl, and alkoxy, with the provision that no more than two may be hydrogen or alkyl.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Terrence E. Hogan, David F. Lawson, Takayoki Yako, J. P. Kennedy
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Patent number: 6737470Abstract: A curable sealant composition is provided. The composition includes a polymer including at least conjugated diene contributed monomer units in a backbone of the polymer and terminal groups including silicon. The composition also includes additional sealant ingredients selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, filler, reinforcing agents, modifiers, curing catalysts/hardeners, stabilizers, and mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Takayuki Yako, Yuan-Yong Yan, Jason T. Poulton
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Patent number: 6727330Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a high-cis polydiene. The process includes catalyzing a diene polymerization, and terminating the polymerization with a termination mixture comprising an inorganic base and at least one of an amine and a carboxylic acid. The catalyst system is a mixture of (a) organoaluminum compounds; (b) organonickel compounds; and (c) fluorine-containing compounds. The use of an inorganic base reduces the amount of more expensive amine necessary to effectively terminate the polymerization as well as reducing the corrosion in the reaction container. The use of an inorganic base with a carboxylic acid results in a very low gel content as well as reducing the corrosion in the process systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Firestone Polymers, LLCInventors: Mark N. DeDecker, Harry L. Wright, Jason M. Pyle
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Patent number: 6706823Abstract: A conductive polymer gel composition including a copolymer with alkenyl monomer units and maleimide monomer units, a crosslinking agent, and an electrolyte solution. The conductive polymer has a current resistance less than or equal to 10−4 ohms and can be used to provide electrolyte cells.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Xiaorong Wang, Victor J. Foltz, James E. Hall
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Patent number: 6689469Abstract: A polymer nano-particle composition is provided. The composition includes polymer nano-particles having a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a surface layer comprising a crystalline polyolefin. The nano-particles preferably have a mean average diameter of less than about 100 nm.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Xiaorong Wang, Victor J. Foltz, Pat Sadhukhan
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Patent number: 6612346Abstract: A method of inflating a tire comprising separating N2 gas from air using a membrane; providing the N2 gas to a storage tank having capacity for at least 40 cubic feet of N2 gas at 18° Centigrade, providing the N2 gas from the storage tank to a hose, the hose including a stop valve and a fitting suited to mate with a tire inflation stem; securing the fitting to a tire inflation valve, and opening a stop valve to initiate the introduction of N2 gas into the tire.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLCInventors: Daniel Lee Allen, John Martin Vasser
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Patent number: 6599988Abstract: The instant invention relates to poly(maleimide-co-alkenyl benzene) centipede polymer and a method for producing the polymer by reacting a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleic anhydride) in the presence of a primary amine in a substantially dry state. The invention is further directed to a process for blending the poly(maleimide-co-alkenyl benzene) centipede polymer with elastomeric polymers, in combination with, or in substitution of, conventional extender oils, to produce extended polymers having improved properties such as tensile strength, maximum elongation, tear strength, damping properties, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Xiaorong Wang, Victor J. Foltz, Hideo Takeichi
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Patent number: 6525140Abstract: A continuous process for manufacture of a polymer including branched and linear components comprising first polymerizing conjugated diene(s) in the presence of an organometallic initiator to a conversion that is at least 90% complete. A coupling agent is added to obtain a polymer including branched and linear components. The coupling agent is added at a ratio of about 0.3 to about 0.6 coupling equivalents to initiator equivalents.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Firestone Polymers, LLCInventor: Mark N. Dedecker
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Patent number: 6509412Abstract: A soft gel composition includes a hydrogenated block copolymer, a polyphenylene ether, substantially amorphous polyolefin or hydrogenated polydiene, and a compatibilizer blended in respective proportions sufficient to provide the composition with a Shore A hardness of no more than about 30 and a service temperature of up to about 150° C.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: James E. Hall
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Patent number: 6492439Abstract: A rubber-modified asphalt composition is provided. The asphalt composition includes asphalt, a rubber including at least high vinyl poly(conjugated diene), and at least one phenolic curing resin. The high vinyl poly(conjugated diene) has a vinyl content of at least 35%. The use of phenolic curing agents results in improvements to the softening point of the present asphalt composition while also improving toughness and tenacity.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Firestone Polymers, LLCInventors: Mark H. Wollum, Daniel F. Graves