Patents Assigned to Stepan Company
  • Patent number: 9567512
    Abstract: Surfactant compositions useful for oil recovery comprise from 10 to 80 wt. % of a prapoxylated C12-C20 alcohol sulfate, from 10 to 80 wt. % of a C12-C20 internal olefin sulfonate, and from 0.1 to 10 wt. % of an ethoxylated C4-C12 alcohol sulfate. A minor proportion of the ethoxylated alcohol sulfate reduces or eliminates the need to rely on costly cosolvents for achieving good performance in enhanced oil recovery processes. Low interfaoial tensions and low microemulsion viscosities can be achieved when the ethoxylated alcohol sulfate accompanies the propoxytated alcohol sulfate and internal olefin sulfonate. Aqueous concentrates comprising water and the surfactant compositions described above are also disclosed. Dilution of the surfactant composition or aqueous concentrate with water or brine to the desired anionic actives level provides an injectable composition useful for EOR applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Ramakrishna Ravikiran, Jieyuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9506013
    Abstract: Alkoxylated fatty ester compositions are disclosed. In one aspect, the compositions comprise a reaction product of a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives with one or more alkylene oxides in the presence of an insertion catalyst to give an alkoxylated fatty ester. In another aspect, the metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or its ester derivative is reacted with a glycol ether or a glycol ether alkoxylate, to give an alkoxylated fatty ester. In yet another aspect, the metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or octadecene-1,18-dioic acid is reacted with one or more alkylene oxides to give a fatty acid alkoxylate, followed by etherification of the fatty acid alkoxylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R Allen, Marcos Alonso, Randal J Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Kelly Buchek, Sangeeta Ganguly-Mink, Brian Holland, Andrew D Malec, Ronald A. Masters, Dennis S. Murphy, Patti Skelton, Brian Sook, Michael Wiester, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9493727
    Abstract: Fatty amine compositions made from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives are disclosed. In another aspect, fatty amidoamines made by reacting a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives with an aminoalkyl-substituted tertiary amine are disclosed. The fatty amines or amidoamines are advantageously sulfonated, sulfitated, oxidized, or reduced. In other aspects, the ester derivative is a modified triglyceride made by self-metathesis of a natural oil or an unsaturated triglyceride made by cross-metathesis of a natural oil with an olefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R Allen, Marcos Alonso, Randal J Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Kelly Buchek, Gary Luebke, Renee Luka, Andrew D. Malec, Ronald A. Masters, Lawrence A. Munie, Dennis S. Murphy, Irene Shapiro, Patti Skelton, Brian Sook, Michael R. Terry, Laura Lee Whitlock, Michael Wiester, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9487467
    Abstract: A method for producing a polyester polyol is disclosed. The method comprises reacting phthalic anhydride with a diol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, polyethylene glycols having a number average molecular weight within the range of 200 g/mol to 600 g/mol, and mixtures thereof at a diol to phthalic anhydride molar ratio within the range of 1.1 to 1.6. The resulting o-phthalate polyester polyol has a hydroxyl value in the range of 18 to 400 mg KOH/g, an acid value in the range of 0.2 to 5.0 mg KOH/g, and 1 wt. % or less of cyclic esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Douglas Hillshafer, Andrew Guo
  • Patent number: 9475955
    Abstract: A film may be formed from film forming compositions which comprise at least one carboxamide based coalescing solvent. These coalescing solvents impart equivalent or improved wet-scrub resistance, block resistance, gloss, dirt pick-up resistance and leveling characteristics to the films on a substrate, without contributing to total VOC levels, when replacing conventional coalescing solvents. The present invention also includes a method for forming a film comprising applying a film forming composition comprising polyunsaturated reactive carboxamides to a substrate and curing the film under ambient conditions. The coalescing carboxamide solvents are suitable for paint, latex based caulk, adhesives and floor care applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Gary Luebke, Renee Luka, Andrew D Malec, Michael R Terry, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9453185
    Abstract: Low-viscosity liquid fabric softening compositions are disclosed that comprise a fabric softener active system that contains at least one ammonium fabric softener compound and less than 8% added solvent. The fabric softening compositions have a Dispersion Parameter that is less than 100, provided the fabric softening active system has a viscosity of less than 2000 cP at 80° C. and the fabric softening composition has an initial viscosity of less than 400 cP. A method of preparing the liquid fabric softening composition and a method of softening fabric articles with the liquid fabric softening composition are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dennis S. Murphy, Christopher A. Gariepy, Carmen Matache, Daniel Bertholf
  • Patent number: 9447225
    Abstract: Polyester polyols containing adducts formed from Diels-Alder and Ene reactions are disclosed. Processes for making the polyester polyols and uses of the polyester polyols as polyurethane coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and foams are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the polyester polyols contain biorenewable adducts based on maleic anhydride and farnesene and have particular application in making rigid and flexible polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Rick Tabor, Chunhua Yao, Andrew Guo, Timothy L. Lambert, David J. Norberg
  • Patent number: 9416099
    Abstract: Quaternary ammonium, betaine, or sulfobetaine compositions derived from fatty amines, wherein the fatty amine is made by reducing the amide reaction product of a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives and a secondary amine, are disclosed. Quaternary ammonium, betaine, or sulfobetaine compositions derived from fatty amidoamines, wherein the amidoamine is made by reacting of a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives and an aminoalkyl-substituted tertiary amine, are also disclosed. The quaternized compositions are advantageously sulfonated or sulfitated. In one aspect, the ester derivative of the C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or octadecene-1,18-dioic acid is a lower alkyl ester. In other aspects, the ester derivative is a modified triglyceride made by self-metathesis of a natural oil or an unsaturated triglyceride made by cross-metathesis of a natural oil with an olefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R Allen, Marcos Alonso, Randal J Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Sangeeta Ganguly-Mink, Andrew Malec, Teresa Manuel, Ronald A. Masters, Lawrence A. Munie, Dennis S. Murphy, Patti Skelton, Brian Sook, Michael R. Terry, Jeremy Aaron Weitgenant, Laura Lee Whitlock, Michael Wiester, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9394401
    Abstract: Polyol acrylates are disclosed that are the reaction products of a modified polyol and a (meth)acrylic acid or derivative thereof. The modified polyols used in preparing the polyol acrylates are the reaction product of a natural oil or fatty carboxylic acid or derivative thereof with a polyol selected from the group consisting of polyester polyols, polyether polyols, polyester ether polyols and polyalcohols such that the natural oil or fatty carboxylic acid or derivative thereof is incorporated into the backbone of the polyol. The polyol acrylates are used to prepare pigment dispersions that are useful in formulating energy curable ink compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Scott Yin, Michael E. O'Brien, Mingzhe Wang
  • Patent number: 9321985
    Abstract: Laundry detergents useful for cold-water cleaning and boosted bargain detergents are disclosed. The detergents include a surfactant composition derived from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives. For fatty alkyl ester sulfonate-containing detergents, the composition is selected from C10 betaines, C12 or C16 amidoamines, C12 ethanolamine amides, C16 amidoamine sulfonates, C18 diamidoamine dioxides, quaternized C18 diamidoamine betaines, sulfonated C18 low-EO fatty ester alkoxylates, C18 amidoamine carboxylates, and amidoamine oxides and sulfobetaines derived from cross-metathesis of palm or soybean oil. The bargain detergents include a performance booster selected from C12 low-EO fatty ester alkoxylate sulfonates, C18 amidoamine oxide esters, C18 amidoamine oxide carboxylates, and amidoamine sulfobetaines made from self metathesized palm or soybean oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R Allen, Marcos Alonso, Randal J Bernhardt, Dennis S Murphy, Patrick Shane Wolfe, Aaron Brown
  • Patent number: 9309345
    Abstract: There are provided aromatic polyester polyol compositions comprising: (i) at least one aromatic acid component; (ii) at least one hydroxylated component; (iii) at least one functionalized natural oil component; and (iv) optionally at least one catalyst component for use in preparing foams. The aromatic polyester polyol compositions can be formed by esterification and/or transesterification. The present technology also provides a polyol blend for use in preparing foams wherein the polyol blend comprises (a) an aromatic polyester polyol formed by an interesterification reaction between (i) a phthalic acid based material; (ii) a hydroxylated material; and (iii) a hydrophobic material, wherein the hydrophobic material is present in an amount of from about 1% to about 50% by weight of the aromatic polyester polyol; and (b) a natural oil based polyol, wherein the hydrophobic material in the aromatic polyester polyol compatibilizes the natural oil based polyol to form a phase stable polyol blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: F. Leo Hickey, Timothy Lambert, Chunhua Yao
  • Patent number: 9303234
    Abstract: Aqueous hard surface cleaner compositions derived from metathesized natural oil feedstocks are disclosed. In one aspect, the compositions comprise at least one anionic surfactant derived from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, 5 octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives. In another aspect, aqueous hard surface cleaners comprising at least one nonionic or amphoteric surfactant derived from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives are disclosed. The aqueous cleaners noted above rival or outperform commercial baselines in a Gardner straight-line washability test. Industrial degreasers comprising a C10 or C12 amide solvent and derived from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid are superior to commercial standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R. Allen, Randal J. Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Ronald A. Masters, Patrick Shane Wolfe, Lena Titievsky
  • Patent number: 9249374
    Abstract: Light-duty liquid detergents derived from metathesized natural oil feedstocks are disclosed. The detergents comprise water, at least one anionic surfactant, and at least one secondary surfactant derived from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or its ester derivatives. In particular, the secondary surfactant is selected from C10 amidoamines, quaternized C10 or C12 amidoamines, C12 amidoamine oxides, C12 sulfobetaines, C12 amidoamine sulfobetaines, and C12 alkanolamides. The detergents noted above rival or outperform commercial baselines in standard foam tests for liquid detergents, particularly those used for dishwashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R Allen, Randal J Bernhardt, Scott Dillavou, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9249373
    Abstract: Laundry detergents useful for cold-water cleaning and boosted bargain detergents are disclosed. The detergents include a surfactant composition derived from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives. For fatty alkyl ester sulfonate-containing detergents, the composition is selected from C10 betaines, C12 or C16 amidoamines, C12 ethanolamine amides, C16 amidoamine sulfonates, C18 diamidoamine dioxides, quaternized C18 diamidoamine betaines, sulfonated C18 low-EO fatty ester alkoxylates, C18 amidoamine carboxylates, and amidoamine oxides and sulfobetaines derived from cross-metathesis of palm or soybean oil. The bargain detergents include a performance booster selected from C12 low-EO fatty ester alkoxylate sulfonates, C18 amidoamine oxide esters, C18 amidoamine oxide carboxylates, and amidoamine sulfobetaines made from self metathesized palm or soybean oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R. Allen, Marcos Alonso, Randal J. Bernhardt, Dennis S. Murphy, Patrick Shane Wolfe, Aaron Brown
  • Patent number: 9212250
    Abstract: A method of improving the mechanical strength of polyurethane foams made from bio-based polyols, the polyol-containing compositions utilized in the method of the invention, and the polyurethane foams produced by the method of the invention are provided. The method of the invention involves the incorporation of aromatic polyester polyol in the polyol-containing composition used to manufacture the foams. In one embodiment, the aromatic polyester polyol is utilized in a polyol-containing composition which is employed in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam. In another embodiment, the aromatic polyester polyol transesterified with a natural oil-containing composition to form a transesterification reaction product that is utilized in a polyol-containing composition which is employed in the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Warren A. Kaplan, Xiuguang A. Guo, David J. Norberg
  • Patent number: 9193936
    Abstract: Quaternary ammonium, betaine, or sulfobetaine compositions derived from fatty amines, wherein the fatty amine is made by reducing the amide reaction product of a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives and a secondary amine, are disclosed. Quaternary ammonium, betaine, or sulfobetaine compositions derived from fatty amidoamines, wherein the amidoamine is made by reacting of a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives and an aminoalkyl-substituted tertiary amine, are also disclosed. The quaternized compositions are advantageously sulfonated or sulfated. In one aspect, the ester derivative of the C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or octadecene-1,18-dioic acid is a lower alkyl ester. In other aspects, the ester derivative is a modified triglyceride made by self-metathesis of a natural oil or an unsaturated triglyceride made by cross-metathesis of a natural oil with an olefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R. Allen, Marcos Alonso, Randal J. Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Sangeeta Ganguly-Mink, Andrew D. Malec, Teresa Manuel, Ronald A. Masters, Lawrence A. Munie, Dennis S. Murphy, Patti Skelton, Brian Sook, Michael R. Terry, Jeremy Aaron Weitgenant, Laura Lee Whitlock, Michael Wiester, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9187711
    Abstract: Esteramine compositions and their derivatives are disclosed. The esteramines comprise a reaction product of a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives with a tertiary alkanolamine. Derivatives made by quaternizing, sulfonating, alkoxylating, sulfating, and/or sulfating the esteramines are also disclosed. In one aspect, the ester derivative of the C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or octadecene-1,18-dioic acid is a lower alkyl ester. In other aspects, the ester derivative is a modified triglyceride made by self-metathesis of a natural oil or an unsaturated triglyceride made by cross-metathesis of a natural oil with an olefin. The esteramines and derivatives are valuable for a wide variety of end uses, including cleaners, fabric treatment, hair conditioning, personal care (liquid cleansing products, conditioning bars, oral care products), antimicrobial compositions, agricultural uses, and oil field applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R. Allen, Randal J. Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Anatoliy A. Damashek, Brian Holland, Andrew D. Malec, Ronald A. Masters, Marshall J. Nepras, Patti Skelton, Laura Lee Whitlock, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9187712
    Abstract: Alkoxylated fatty ester compositions are disclosed. In one aspect, the compositions comprise a reaction product of a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives with one or more alkylene oxides in the presence of an insertion catalyst to give an alkoxylated fatty ester. In another aspect, the metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or its ester derivative is reacted with a glycol ether or a glycol ether alkoxylate, to give an alkoxylated fatty ester. In yet another aspect, the metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or octadecene-1,18-dioic acid is reacted with one or more alkylene oxides to give a fatty acid alkoxylate, followed by etherification of the fatty acid alkoxylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R. Allen, Marcos Alonso, Randal J. Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Kelly Buchek, Sangeeta Ganguly-Mink, Brian Holland, Andrew D. Malec, Ronald A. Masters, Dennis S. Murphy, Patti Skelton, Brian Sook, Michael Wiester, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9175246
    Abstract: Fatty amine compositions made from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives are disclosed. In another aspect, fatty amidoamines made by reacting a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives with an aminoalkyl-substituted tertiary amine are disclosed. The fatty amines or amidoamines are advantageously sulfonated, sulfitated, oxidized, or reduced. In other aspects, the ester derivative is a modified triglyceride made by self-metathesis of a natural oil or an unsaturated triglyceride made by cross-metathesis of a natural oil with an olefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: Dave R. Allen, Marcos Alonso, Randal J. Bernhardt, Aaron Brown, Kelly Buchek, Gary Luebke, Renee Luka, Andrew D. Malec, Ronald A. Masters, Lawrence A. Munie, Dennis S. Murphy, Irene Shapiro, Patti Skelton, Brian Sook, Michael R. Terry, Laura Lee Whitlock, Michael Wiester, Patrick Shane Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9174923
    Abstract: Alkyl lactyllactate and alkoxylated alkyl lactyllactate compounds that are useful as solvents in a variety of applications are disclosed. The compounds are derived from a hydroxyl containing compound and a lactide or lactic acid source that has a specific chirality. The alkyl lactyllactate and alkoxylated alkyl lactyllactate compounds are particularly suitable for use as solvents in applications requiring cold tolerance performance without inclusion of additional volatile components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Stepan Company
    Inventors: David R Allen, John C Hutchison, Christopher D Smith, Jacqueline M Pytel