Patents Examined by Morton Foelak
  • Porous polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering
    Patent number: 6337198
    Abstract: Biodegradable and biocompatible porous scaffolds characterized by a substantially continuous polymer phase, having a highly interconnected bimodal distribution of open pore sizes with rounded large pores of about 50 to about 500 microns in diameter and rounded small pores less than 20 microns in diameter, wherein the small pores are aligned in an orderly linear fashion within the walls of the large pores. Methods of preparing polymeric tissue scaffolds are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University
    Inventors: Howard B. Levene, Christelle M. Lhommeau, Joachim B Kohn
  • Process for rigid polyurethane foams
    Patent number: 6335378
    Abstract: Process for preparing rigid polyurethane or urethane-modified polyisocyanurate foam using as blowing agent a mixture containing from 1 to 50 mole % 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and from 50 to 99 mole % isopentane and/or n-pentane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventor: Luc Ferdinand Leon Colman
  • Silicone rubber compositions
    Patent number: 6333364
    Abstract: A silicone rubber composition comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a heat curable organopolysiloxane composition, (B) 0.1-30 parts by weight of unexpanded or expanded organic resin-base microspheres, and (C) 0.5-50 parts by weight of a polyhydric alcohol or derivative thereof cures into a low specific gravity silicone rubber elastomer which experiences a minimal compression set at elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Shin Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Meguriya, Nobumasa Tomizawa
  • Stable, foamed caulk and sealant compounds and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 6333365
    Abstract: Stable foam caulk, sealant and insulation compositions are disclosed. The compositions comprise a waxy, solid foam stabilizer and a liquid lithophilic surfactant having low HLB value of about 3-14. The foam stabilizer provides stable support for bubbles formed from the drying of the latex emulsion of film forming polymer, and the volatile liquid hydrocarbon propellant. In addition to the use in caulking sealant or insulation methods, the compositions can be used to form artificial terrains or other hardenable structural surfaces as backgrounds or support means for hobbies, crafts and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Dap Products Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Lucas, Anthony J. Taylor
  • Surface-decorated foam skin of cross-linked rubbery soft olefin resin
    Patent number: 6331576
    Abstract: A surface decorated foam skin of cross-linked rubbery soft olefin resin, comprising rubbery soft olefin resin, characterizing by having (1) an average cell diameter of 50 to 400 &mgr;m, (2) a crystallinity of 5 to 40% (3) a hysteresis loss of 35% or lower, and (4) an embossing percentage of 40% or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co Ltd
    Inventors: Koichi Kusakawa, Shigeki Ichimura
  • Extrusion of a foamable melt consisting of mixed polyolefin and rubber copolymer
    Patent number: 6329439
    Abstract: A tapered stepped land having a choked funnel section which terminates in a lateral longitudinal section results in the formation of a foamed extrudate of a vulcanized blend of polyolefin and rubber which is a mass of closed cells having a specific gravity in the range from about 0.1 to 0.5 and the cells are sheathed in a dense non-porous, smoothly continuous skin which is formed integrally with the extrudate. The dense skin makes it possible to deposit a thin slip-coating of a low friction material longitudinally upon a chosen portion of the surface. An extruded weatherseal for the glass of an automobile's window has the slip-coating deposited as a thin film on a contacting strip of a surface which is in contact with the glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: Duane E. Peterson, Antonius Van Meesche
  • In-mold foaming article of polypropylene resin composition
    Patent number: 6326409
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an in-mold foaming article of a propylene resin composition having improved productivity and stable quality in internal molding, and simultaneously a compressive strength and a tensile strength thereof at high density range are improved at the same time. The in-mold foaming article is obtained by using a pre-foamed particle having a density of 90 to 300 g/L and an open cell ratio of at most 12%, wherein the pre-foamed particle comprises a resin composition having (A) 100 parts by weight of a polypropylene resin and (B) 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polymer as a base material resin, and water as a foaming agent, the pre-foamed particle having at least two endothermic peaks in a DSC curve obtained in differential scanning calorimetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Mihayashi, Yutaka Yanagihara, Takayuki Goda
  • Process for producing phenol resin
    Patent number: 6326453
    Abstract: A novolak-type phenol resin with less unreacted phenol and a narrow molecular weight distribution is produced in high yield by reaction of a phenol with an aldehyde using an organophosphonic acid as a catalyst, while keeping a water concentration of reaction system at not more than 30% by weight and a reaction temperature at 110° C.-200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Durez Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakatsu Asami, Yoshikazu Kobayashi
  • Transformation of expanded polymers
    Patent number: 6326408
    Abstract: The invention concerns the transformation of expanded polymers, in particular styrene polymers of the polystyrene type and styrene copolymers. More particularly it concerns a method for transforming polymers in an expanded solid state into a non-expanded amorphous state in the form of a re-usable malleable pasty magma. The method comprises a step for treating the polymer with a transforming solution containing a solvent, a non-fatty lubricant and optionally an alcohol. The invention concerns the transformation method proper, the transforming solution used in said method, the device for implementing said method and the magma resulting from implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Financiere Lea S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Patrick Jura
  • Method for production of porous material
    Patent number: 6323250
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a method for the production of a porous material by polymerizing a water-in-oil type high internal phase emulsion in a briefer time than a conventional technique without impairing the stability of the emulsion. The object of this invention can be accomplished by a method for the production of a porous material comprising a step of polymerizing a water-in-oil type high internal phase emulsion containing a polymerization initiator, wherein the polymerization initiator is a redox type initiator combining an oil-soluble oxidizing agent and a reducing agent, either of the oil-soluble oxidizing agent or the reducing agent is preparatorily added to form the emulsion, and thereafter the remainder of the reducing agent or the oil-soluble oxidizing agent is added to the emulsion to polymerize the added emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co. LTD
    Inventors: Kenji Kadonaga, Akiko Mitsuhashi, Hirotama Fujimaru, Masazumi Sasabe, Kazutomo Takahashi, Masuji Izubayashi
  • Blowing agent, polyolefin foam, and process for producing polyolefin foam
    Patent number: 6323245
    Abstract: A blowing agent for expanding an extrudable, expandable polyolefin foam product, the blowing agent including a blend of isobutane and n-butane. The isobutane is present in the blend at a weight percentage ranging from 35 to 65 and the n-butane is present in the blend at a weight percentage ranging from 35 to 65.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: N. S. Ramesh, S. T. Lee, Lloyd George
  • Use of bo polyols to improve compatibility of pentane and cyclopentane in rigid polyurethane foams
    Patent number: 6322722
    Abstract: The present invention is a polyol mixture that is useful for preparing polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams. The polyol mixture of the present invention includes: a polyol that is derived from butylene oxide; and a hydrocarbon blowing agent such as pentane or cyclopentane, for example. Use of butylene oxide polyols of the present invention allow inclusion of a sufficient amount of a hydrocarbon blowing agent to produce foams having low density, without incorporating a higher concentration of water into a polyurethane foam formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Debkumar Bhattacharjee, Dwight D. Latham, Gilbert L. Nelson
  • Ethylene resin foamed products
    Patent number: 6319961
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ethylene resin foamed product containing uniform cells and having excellent appearance, toughness and flexibility. The ethylene resin foamed product comprises an ethylene/&agr;-olefin copolymer having the following properties: the density is in the range of 0.880 to 0.940 g/cm3; the melt flow rate (MFR) at 190° C. under a load of 2.16 kg is in the range of 0.1 to 20 g/10 min; the decane-soluble component fraction (W) at room temperature and the density (d) satisfy the relation W<80×exp(−100(d−0.88))+0.1 in case of MFR≦10 g/10 min and the relation W<80×(MFR-9)0.26×exp(−100(d−0.88))+0.1 in case of MFR>10 g/10 min; and the temperature (TM) at the maximum peak position in the endothermic curve as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter and the density (d) satisfy the relation Tm<400×d−250.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals INC
    Inventor: Mamoru Takahashi
  • Acoustic baffle with predetermined directional expansion characteristics
    Patent number: 6319964
    Abstract: Heat-expandable molded synthetic resin seal and baffle components adapted for use in automobile body cavities or the like are provided which are designed to preferentially expand upon heating in desired directions and to a desired degree, in order to properly seal irregular or special cavity shapes. The molded components of the invention have selected body surface portions thereof UV crosslinked to a depth of up to about 0.5 mm, while other portions of the molded body are not crosslinked; upon heating, the crosslinked portions expand at a slower rate and to a lesser extent than non-crosslinked body portions. The preferred synthetic resin includes a grafted anhydride polymer, a terminal epoxide polymer additive, a blowing agent, a UV photoinitiator and a UV crosslinkable resin system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sika Corporation
    Inventors: Norman E. Blank, Cheong Kow
  • Process for reuse of vulcanized rubber
    Patent number: 6316509
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic material made from (a) recycled rubber particles, (b) expandable microspheres and (c) a thermoplastic resin other than (b) or (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Rolf Innovatios Corporation
    Inventor: Rolf Degerman
  • Method of producing a foamed granulate
    Patent number: 6315931
    Abstract: A method for producing a foamed granulate, wherein a thermoplastic synthetic material is placed in an extruder, the synthetic material is melted, a pressurized expanding agent is fed through one or several injection nozzles, the molten material enriched with the expanding medium is foamed as it exits through a perforated plate arranged at the outlet of the extruder and is granulated by a cutting device arranged behind the perforated plate. Also disclosed is a device for implementing the method and the foamed granulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Gefinex Polymerschaeume GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Bruning, Otto Deseke, Joachim Meyke
  • Polymers having backbones with reactive groups employed in crosslinking as precursors to nanoporous thin film structures
    Patent number: 6313185
    Abstract: Nanoporous materials are fabricated from polymers having backbones with reactive groups used in crosslinking. In one aspect of preferred methods and compositions, the reactive groups in the backbone comprise a diene and a dienophile. The diene may advantageously comprise a tetracyclone, and the dienophile may advantageously comprise an ethynyl. In another aspect of preferred methods and compositions, the reactive groups in the backbone are included in a conjugated system. Especially preferred polymeric strands comprise a poly(arylene ether) synthesized from a difluoroaromatic portion and an aromatic bisphenolic portion. It is still more preferred that the difluoroaromatic portions of the poly(arylene ether) are modified in such a way that some difluoroaromatic portions carry a thermolabile portion. In still other aspects crosslinking may advantageously occur without reliance on an exogenous crosslinker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kreisler Lau, Tian-An Chen, Roger Leung
  • Inorganic-organic composite foam and process for the production thereof
    Patent number: 6313186
    Abstract: A inorganic-organic composite foam having a structure comprising phosphoric acids and a blowing agent for phosphoric acids, wherein the brittleness is improved by urethane prepolymer having NCO groups. The foam is produced by foaming and curing by mixing each component of phosphoric acids, a blowing agent for phosphoric acids, urethane prepolymer having NCO groups, water, and, if necessary, an inorganic filler. A foam of phosphoric acids is inherently brittle, but the brittleness is improved, and flexibility and rebound resilience can be provided. The foam of the present invention is effectively used for the applications, for example, heat insulating materials of external panel or internal panel which require the fire preventive property of train, automobile, housing, building etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignees: Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd., Sekisui House, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinzou Kaida, Tomokazu Shimizu, Misao Okamoto
  • Expanded polypropylene resin beads and a molded article
    Patent number: 6313184
    Abstract: Propylene resin beads for molding expansion molded articles having improved high temperature resistance include as base resin metallocene-catalyzed copolymers of propylene with at least one or more of ethylene and ∝-olefins of 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The metallocene-catalyzed propylene copolymers are isotactic random copolymers characterized by a melting point higher than 140° C. to 160° C. and a melt flow rate (MFR) of not higher than 12 g/10 minutes, especially, 0.5 to 12 g/10 minutes. Expansion molded articles produced by expansion molding the expanded beads have a high temperature degree of deflection which is lower than that of metallocene-catalyzed propylene homopolymers and lower than that of Ziegler-Natta-catalyzed random propylene copolymers having the same comonomers and melting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: JSP Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiro Sasaki, Masakazu Sakaguchi, Mitsuhiro Akiyama, Hisao Tokoro
  • Hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer foams
    Patent number: 6310112
    Abstract: This invention provides a thermoplastic polymer foam having a density of up to 800 kg/m3. The foam is made from a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer that contains pendant cycloaliphatic groups. This polymer is conveniently made by hydrogenating a poly(vinyl aromatic) polymer such as polystyrene or a polystyrene-butadiene block copolymer. A suitable blowing agent is a mixture comprising (a) one or more fluorine-containing carbon compounds and (b) carbon dioxide, nitrogen, an alcohol having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a linear or cyclic hydrocarbon having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a ketone, an alkyl ether, an alkyl halide, water or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Chau Van Vo, Jerry L. Hahnfeld, Felix Achille, Daniel D. Imeokparia, George A. Mackey