Patents Represented by Attorney Steven C. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 6020069
    Abstract: An improved aqueous cathodic electrocoating composition of an aqueous carrier having dispersed therein a film forming binder of (1) an epoxy-resin amine adduct and (2) a blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent; wherein the improvement is an epoxy resin amine adduct which is a reaction product of an epoxy resin and a polyhydric phenol which is chain extended with a primary amine to form a chain extended epoxy resin having epoxy end groups and an equivalent amine to epoxy ratio is 1-10 to 4-10 and wherein the epoxy end groups of the resin are reacted with a ketimine and/or a diamine and the resulting chain extended epoxy resin has an epoxy equivalent weight of about 700-2,000 and is neutralized with an organic or inorganic acid; wherein the electrocoating composition has improved throw power and forms coatings that have improved corrosion resistance in comparison to conventional electrocoating compositions formed from epoxy resins extended with conventional diamines or polyols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Antonelli, Christopher Scopazzi
  • Patent number: 6017593
    Abstract: Low gloss appearance in a coating derived from UV curable powder coatings can be achieved by using UV curable powder containing crystalline resins or blends of crystalline and amorphous resins and after heat fusing the powders together, allowing the crystalline resins in the coating to cool and recrystallize to a low gloss finish before curing with UV radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Daly, Richard P. Haley, Eugene P. Reinheimer, Gregory R. Mill
  • Patent number: 6017640
    Abstract: Opaquely pigmented or thick filmed powder coatings for heat sensitive substrates, such as wood, wood composites, for example, medium density fiber board, and plastics, that can be fully cured, especially near the substrate, through the incorporation of a dual cure system in the powder comprising a thermal initiator, such as a peroxide, along with a UV initiator. The UV initiator cures the surface, while the thermal initiator cures at the substrate. Surprisingly, virtually no pregelation occurs during the heated melt and flow out step prior to UV curing. Consequently, the hardened film finish formed on the surface exhibits exceptional smoothness which is comparable to that of traditional UV curable powders. The hardened film finish is also fully cured throughout and exhibits exceptional adhesion to the substrate which cannot be achieved with traditional UV curable powders that have been pigmented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeno Muthiah, Andrew T. Daly, Richard P. Haley, Joseph J. Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 6011080
    Abstract: This invention provides a UV curable powder coating composition comprising a particulate blend of a non-crystalline unsaturated polyester base resin, a crystalline unsaturated crosslinker resin co-polymerizable with the base resin, and a photoinitiator, that exhibits reduced or eliminated hazing in the cured coating formed therefrom upon being cured at low temperatures demanded by certain heat sensitive substrates. This is accomplished by incorporating in the powder composition a recrystallization inhibitor which is comprised of a crystalline epoxy resin. When this powder blend is melted for curing, all of the crystalline resin species tend to separate and recrystallize out of the molten powder slower and less completely than they do in the absence of the recrystallization inhibitor. This prevents a visible haze from quickly developing on the surface of the molten coating before the coating can be cured with UV radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Daly, Jeno Muthiah, Richard P. Haley, Owen H. Decker, Eugene P. Reinheimer, Matthew B. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6008462
    Abstract: A weldable heat curable liquid coating composition for steel is provided that exhibits improved mar resistance without impairing the weldability characteristics of the coating. To this end, the composition contains a conductive welding aid of iron dust. The weldable coating when applied to steel and cured thereon to a dry film allows for spot welding of the coated steel without requiring special welding equipment and techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey N. Soltwedel
  • Patent number: 6005017
    Abstract: Opaquely pigmented or thick filmed powder coatings for heat sensitive substrates, such as wood, wood composites, for example, medium density fiber board, and plastics, that can be fully cured, especially near the substrate, through the incorporation of a dual cure system in the powder comprising a thermal initiator, such as a peroxide, along with a UV initiator. The UV initiator cures the surface, while the thermal initiator cures at the substrate. Surprisingly, virtually no pregelation occurs during the heated melt and flow out step prior to UV curing. Consequently, the hardened film finish formed on the surface exhibits exceptional smoothness which is comparable to that of traditional UV curable powders. The hardened film finish is also fully cured throughout and exhibits exceptional adhesion to the substrate which cannot be achieved with traditional UV curable powders that have been pigmented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Daly, Jeno Muthiah, Richard P. Haley, Joseph J. Kozlowski, Navin B. Shah
  • Patent number: 5980593
    Abstract: Liquid petroleum products and industrial liquids are marked with highly soluble silent fluorescent markers having the formula: ##STR1## where R is selected from a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkylcarboxy radical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Friswell, Alejandro Zimin, Sr., Peter A. Caputo
  • Patent number: 5962574
    Abstract: A sprayable, solvent-borne, primer composition for use as a first coat on light-sensitive, automotive plastic parts. The primer serves as a barrier to block ultraviolet light penetration to the underlying substrate and to prevent migration of substrate degradation and by-products up into the topcoat finishes. The primer is a solvent blend of a film-forming crosslinkable polymer resin, a crosslinker for the resin, a catalyst, carbon black pigments surface modified with a polymer dispersant and an organic pigment derivative co-dispersant, crosslinked polymer microgel particles, and U.V. absorbers and optional antioxidants. The surface modification on the carbon black pigments results in higher pigment loadings, which, in turn, imparts U.V. light protection at exceptionally low dry film builds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Bee Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael L. Jackson, Frank A. Stubbs, Joseph M. Mecozzi, Dean T. Smith
  • Patent number: 5961730
    Abstract: An asphalt release agent for preventing hot road asphalt, especially polymer-modified asphalt, from sticking to surfaces of delivery truck beds is provided. The release agent includes a water-based mixture of polycycloaliphatic amines and polyalkylene glycols. The release agent is applied onto the truck beds to create a slippery non-stick surface so that the road asphalt which comes in contact with such truck bed surfaces will not adhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Todd Salmonsen, Michael Dean Frailey, James Joseph Proctor, Lawrence Paul Krantz, Susan Marie Crooks
  • Patent number: 5922473
    Abstract: Opaquely pigmented or thick filmed powder coatings for heat sensitive substrates, such as wood, wood composites, for example, medium density fiber board, and plastics, that can be fully cured, especially near the substrate, through the incorporation of a dual cure system in the powder comprising a thermal initiator, such as a peroxide, along with a UV initiator. The UV initiator cures the surface, while the thermal initiator cures at the substrate. Surprisingly, virtually no pregelation occurs during the heated melt and flow out step prior to UV curing. Consequently, the hardened film finish formed on the surface exhibits exceptional smoothness which is comparable to that of traditional UV curable powders. The hardened film finish is also fully cured throughout and exhibits exceptional adhesion to the substrate which cannot be achieved with traditional UV curable powders that have been pigmented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeno Muthiah, Andrew T. Daly, Richard P. Haley, Joseph J. Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 5922509
    Abstract: A negative-acting photoimageable composition useful as a photoresist comprises an acid-functional binder polymer, a photopolymerizable component, and a photoinitiator chemical system, in which the binder polymer has a multi-modal molecular weight distribution used to promote faster photoresist stripping times and a smaller stripped particle size. The combination of faster stripping times and smaller stripped particle size allows for fully aqueous, environmentally friendly, stripping of the photoresist from overplated circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall W. Kautz, Robert K. Barr
  • Patent number: 5888279
    Abstract: An asphalt release agent for preventing hot road asphalt, especially polymer-modified asphalt, from sticking to surfaces of delivery truck beds is provided. The release agent includes a water-based mixture of polycycloaliphatic amines and polyalkylene glycols. The release agent is applied onto the truck beds to create a slippery non-stick surface so that the road asphalt which comes in contact with such truck bed surfaces will not adhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Todd Salmonsen, Michael Dean Frailey, James Joseph Proctor, Lawrence Paul Krantz, Susan Marie Crooks
  • Patent number: 5837753
    Abstract: A highly fluid water-based ink composition that comprises a stable oil-in-water emulsion of a water-reducible solvent dye and solvent, preferably citrus solvent, solution homogeneously dispersed as small finely divided dye-containing oil droplets in an aqueous carrier solution containing an emulsion stabilizer of a water-soluble resin. Water-immiscible solvent dyes, including azo, phthalocyanine, and anthraquinone dyes, are mixed with organic solvents and non-ionic surfactants to form emulsifiable water-reducible true solvent dye-containing solutions. The water-reducible solvent dye solutions are stably emulsified as dye-containing oil droplets in aqueous solutions that contain water, water-soluble resins, and optional organic solvent diluents. The stable oil-in-water ink emulsion is suitable to be ejected through ink-jet printer jet nozzles, or through dispensing tips of felt-tip or roller-ball pens, onto a porous substrate, such as paper, to construct a water-fast printed image on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Caputo
  • Patent number: 5797546
    Abstract: A mixing and dispensing system for two reactive fluids, such as two-component polysulfide sealants, in which the dispensed fluids are supplied to a hand operated mixing and dispensing gun through a pair of flexible hoses suspended above the floor from a pivotal boom. The flexible hoses are pivotally attached with swivel joints onto the inlets of the gun that are spaced on opposite lateral sides of the gun, and the swivels are rotatable about a common generally horizontal pivot axis. The gun is fully weight supported in an operative position above the floor with a tool balancer attached to the boom. The tool balancer includes an adjustably tensioned and extendable line that is pivotally attached to the top of the gun body and rotatable about a generally vertical pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Reed, Richard L. Frazier
  • Patent number: 5782488
    Abstract: A three piece bag construction for an air bag cushion adapted to be deployed in the event of a collision has reduced stress at corners of the mouth. An elongated central main panel 10 totally surrounds the two side panels 12 and 14 and has end portions which form a transition section leading from the mouth 16 to the interior of the cushion. No part of the side panels 12 or 14 extends to the mouth 16. Seams extending from the four corners of the bag mouth 16 through the mouth/attach area to the side panels 52 and 54 found in traditional bags where high stress occurs, are not used in the present invention. A novel rod and rod pocket assembly facilitates attachment of the cushion to a conventional module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Trudy C. Lewis, Dennis K. Talbot, Douglas V. Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 5746815
    Abstract: A highly fluid water-based ink composition that comprises a stable oil-in-water emulsion of a water-reducible, water-insoluble nigrosine dye-containing solvent solution, preferably containing a high flash-point and high-boiling point solvent, homogeneously dispersed as small, finely divided dye-containing oil droplets in an aqueous carrier solution containing an emulsion stabilizer of a water-soluble resin. Water-insoluble nigrosine dyes are dissolved preferably in relatively low VOC and non-flammable solvent solutions containing non-ionic surfactants to form emulsifiable water-reducible true nigrosine dye-containing solutions. The water-reducible nigrosine dye-containing solutions are then stably emulsified as dye-containing oil droplets in aqueous solutions that contain water, optional solvent diluents, and water-soluble resins that serves as an emulsion stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Caputo
  • Patent number: 5740221
    Abstract: An x-ray inspection apparatus designed for safe, efficient, simple and rapid inspection of assembled automotive airbag inflators to detect the presence of defects in construction. The apparatus includes a lead-lined cabinet having spaced apart entry and exit openings and a central inspection space intermediate thereto which houses a continuous source of x-rays and an x-ray visual imaging system for converting x-radiation into a visible image that can be compared to a standard in order to determine whether the inflator has been properly constructed. The apparatus also includes a conveyor for moving inflators into and out of the x-ray cabinet. The entry and exit sections of the x-ray cabinet are sealed with respective single rotating doors. Each rotating door includes a rotatable cylindrical drum having only one opening in the sidewall of the drum configured to receive an inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry J. Norman, Brian L. Baxter, Kenneth D. Fowler, Daren L. Sagers, Michael J. Hill, Jeffery P. England
  • Patent number: 5721052
    Abstract: Thermosetting powder coating compositions adapted to form a grainy textured finish on heat sensitive substrates, especially wood products, such as particle board, conductive particle board, and medium density fiber board, without damaging the substrates comprise an epoxy resin, particularly bisphenol A type epoxy resins having low viscosities, either a catalytic curing agent comprising an imidazole, a substituted imidazole, or adduct of an imidazole or substituted imidazole and an epoxy resin, or a curing agent comprising an adduct of a polyamine and an epoxy resin, or a combination of the catalytic curing agent and curing agent, a texturing agent, a flow control agent, optional extender, and optional pigment. The thermosetting powder coatings have a cure time/temperature ranging from about 30 seconds at about 350.degree. F. peak substrate temperature down to about 20 minutes at about 225.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeno Muthiah, Andrew T. Daly, Richard P. Haley, Paul R. Horinka, Joseph J. Kozlowski, Glenn D. Correll
  • Patent number: 5709405
    Abstract: A variable mass flow airbag module includes a housing having gas discharge ports in direct communication with an airbag to be inflated for rapidly inflating the airbag and adapted to receive gas from a pyrotechnic inflator, stored gas or hybrid inflator, or other type of inflator. The housing has a vent opening which is controlled by a valve to vent a controlled variable amount of gas to achieve a desired mass flow of gas into the airbag to provide a desired level of energy absorption capability for optimizing occupant protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignees: Morton International, Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Davin G. Saderholm, Kevin E. Hauppa, Daniel R. Leininger, Ian C. Faye
  • Patent number: 5694737
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a new and improved method and apparatus for packing an inflatable air bag cushion into a housing of an air bag module assembly of an occupant restraint system for a motor vehicle. After securing an inlet chute of the air bag cushion in the open end of the housing and placing the air bag on a flat support with a larger portion of the back wall thereof overlaying a small portion of the back wall with the front wall in between in a folded condition, a central portion of the air bag is clamped by a large blade and subsequently a first edge portion is folded over the central portion and a second opposite edge portion is folded over the first edge portion so that opposite edge fold lines extend outwardly just inside opposite ends of the housing. A rolling clamp is attached transversely across the folded air bag and the air bag is rolled-up on an axis moved toward the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry F. Lunt, Michael J. Daines