Patents Examined by Timothy J. Kugel
  • Patent number: 8105986
    Abstract: A sand slurry composition and a method for making sand slurries are disclosed. The sand slurry composition is comprised of sand, an aqueous liquid and a chemical compound that renders the surface sand of hydrophobic. The method is comprised of rendering sand surface hydrophobic during or before making the slurry. This method and composition can find many applications in different industries, especially in various oil field applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Trican Well Service Ltd.
    Inventor: Kewei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8105984
    Abstract: A reduced abrasion drilling fluid system and method of drilling a borehole by circulating the reduced abrasion drilling fluid through the borehole is disclosed. The reduced abrasion drilling fluid comprises a drilling fluid, a first additive and a weighting agent, wherein the weighting agent has a particle size of at least 90% by volume less than 50 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Freddy Quiroga, George Quercia, Richard Rengifo, Manuel Mas
  • Patent number: 8101554
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the retention of a scale inhibitor within a hydrocarbon producing system (e.g. a subterranean formation), said method comprising contacting said system with a polymer formed from a diallyl ammonium salt and with said scale inhibitor, wherein said polymer formed from a diallyl ammonium salt has a molecular weight of greater than 50,000 (e.g. a molecular weight of 55,000 to 2,000,000).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignees: Champion Technologies Ltd., Statoilhydro ASA.
    Inventors: Harry Montgomerie, Ping Chen, Thomas Hagen, Rex Wat, Olav Martin Selle
  • Patent number: 8101555
    Abstract: A spotting fluid is provided and the spotting fluid consists essentially of: syrup, syrup solids and a liquid medium, said syrup and syrup solids are derived from a group consisting essentially of agave syrup, barley syrup, sugar syrup, beets syrup, birch syrup, rice syrup, cane syrup, chocolate syrup, coconut syrup, corn syrup, date syrup, fruit syrup, golden syrup, high fructose corn syrup, inverted sugar syrup, karo syrup, citrus fruit syrup, maple syrup, molasses, Muscavado syrup, palm syrup, rice syrup, sorghum syrup, Turbinado syrup, vanilla syrup and mixtures and blends thereof, and the liquid medium is selected from a group consisting of water, purified water, ionized water, salt water and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventors: Jerry Rayborn, Sr., Dan M. DeLaRosa
  • Patent number: 8101557
    Abstract: Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of a synergistic internal breaker composition that contains at least one first internal breaker that may be a mineral oil and a second breaker that may be an unsaturated fatty acid. The internal breakers may initially be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the fluid. This combination of different types of internal breakers break the VES-gelled aqueous fluid faster than if one of the breaker types is used alone in an equivalent total amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang
  • Patent number: 8101556
    Abstract: The present invention provides treatment fluids useful for subterranean operations, and more particularly, in at least one aspect, a treatment fluid that comprises a carrier fluid and a cationic surfactant comprising a cationic head group, a polar group attached to the head group, and a hydrophobic group that is either a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight chain alkyl, and comprises about 6 carbons to about 22 carbons. The treatment fluids of the present invention are at least suitable for use as a remedial treatment for the reduction of existing water blocks, oil blocks, and/or gas condensates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis R. Norman, Bobby E. Hall, Rajesh K. Saini, Anindya Ghosh
  • Patent number: 8092869
    Abstract: There is provided an ink composition for ink jet recording, including (A) N-vinyllactam, (B) a compound having a partial structure represented by the following formula (I) and a polymerizable unsaturated bond, and (C) a radical polymerization initiator. In formula (I), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R2 to R5 each independently represent a methyl group or an ethyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Ippei Nakamura, Yuuichi Hayata
  • Patent number: 8093308
    Abstract: A method comprising contacting a first styrenic polymer composition comprising residual styrene monomer with a molecular sieve, and recovering a second styrenic polymer composition comprising a reduced amount of residual styrene monomer. A composition comprising a styrenic polymer having a residual styrene monomer amount of less than 100 ppm produced by contacting a styrenic polymer composition having a residual styrene monomer amount of equal to or greater than 100 ppm with a molecular sieve, and recovering the styrenic polymer having a residual styrene monomer amount of less than 100 ppm. A method comprising providing a styrenic polymer composition having a residual styrene monomer amount of equal to or greater than 100 ppm, contacting the styrenic polymer composition with a molecular sieve, adding a nucleating agent, a foaming agent, and a coloring agent to the styrenic polymer composition, and forming an expanded styrenic polymer composition having a residual styrene monomer amount of less than 100 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Shuler, Jose Sosa
  • Patent number: 8093320
    Abstract: Disclosed are new compositions consisting of polyphosphonates and specific additive compositions that exhibit superior resistance to degradation due to exposure to air, high temperature and air, moisture or combinations thereof. Also disclosed are polymer mixtures or blends comprising these polyphosphonates/additive compositions and commodity and engineering plastics and articles produced therefrom. Further disclosed are articles of manufacture produced from these materials, such as fibers, films, coated substrates, moldings, foams, fiber-reinforced articles, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: FRX Polymers, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Freitag, Pin Go, Gad Stahl
  • Patent number: 8084401
    Abstract: New fluids are disclosed for use in servicing subterranean formations containing oil and gas. In particular, an improved chemical gelling additive for hydrocarbon based fracturing fluids is disclosed having reduce, negligible or no volatile phosphorus at temperatures below about 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Lukocs, Shaun Mesher, Thomas P Wilson, Jr., Tina Garza, Wayne Mueller, Frank Zamora, Larry W. Gatlin
  • Patent number: 8084136
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-sealable coating system suitable for the sealing of various types of substrate and comprising a film-forming dispersion, characterized in that a polymer type A is present and is a polyester or a polyester mixture, a polymer type B is present and is a (meth)acrylate homo- or/and copolymer, containing standard methacrylates and/or standard acrylates, and a polymer type AB is present and is a graft copolymer composed of polymer type A and polymer type B, and if appropriate a polymer type C is present and is an olefin polymer or is an olefin copolymer, and a polymer type CB is present and is a graft polymer composed of polymer type C and polymer type B, and also if appropriate a polymer type D and/or a polymer type DA is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Evonik Röhm GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Loehden, Sven Balk, Marita Kaufmann, Axel Schroeder, Thorsten Brand, Gabriele Brenner
  • Patent number: 8084510
    Abstract: Expandable polystyrenic resin particles having superior resistance to cracking of a molded foam product, having superior retention of blowing agent and maintaining expandability over a long period of time, a production process thereof, and a molded foam product are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Morioka, Yasutaka Tsutsui, Hideyasu Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8084090
    Abstract: The present invention relates to (1) a water dispersion for ink-jet printing which includes a self-dispersible pigment (A) containing a salt-forming group and polymer particles (B) containing a constitutional unit derived from a salt-forming group-containing monomer and a constitutional unit derived from a silicone macromer, wherein the polymer particles (B) contain the same salt-forming groups as that contained in and the self-dispersible pigment (A), the water dispersion being excellent in optical density, higher lighter fastness and ejection property; (2) a water-based ink containing the water dispersion; and (3) a method for preventing aggregates from adhering onto an inner surface of nozzles in an ink-jet printing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Ito
  • Patent number: 8084402
    Abstract: An ionic liquid may be used to inhibit the swelling and/or disintegration of clay in a subterranean formation. A subterranean clay-containing formation may be treated with the ionic liquid by contacting the formation with a well treatment composition containing the ionic liquid dispersed or dissolved in a carrier fluid. Damage to the formation caused by contact with the well treating composition is reduced or substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Huges Incorporated
    Inventors: Sandra L. Berry, Brian B. Beall, Joel L. Boles, Harold D. Brannon
  • Patent number: 8080589
    Abstract: A method for producing a bio-based polymeric shoe component includes: preparing a blend from a composition including 5˜50 weight parts of a modified starch, 50˜95 weight parts of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, 5˜30 weight parts of a filler, 1˜50 weight parts of a polyolefin, 2.0˜8.0 weight parts of a foaming agent, 0.5˜3.0 weight parts of a foaming aid, 0.5˜2.0 weight parts of a lubricant, and 0.4˜1.2 weight parts of a crosslinking agent, the modified starch being obtained by hydrolyzing and esterifying a predetermined amount of a raw starch to form a hydrolyzed and esterified starch, followed by drying the hydrolyzed and esterified starch; processing the blend into a foamable product; and forming the foamable product into the shoe component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Pou Chien Technology Co., Ltd., Feng Chia University
    Inventors: Shu-Yii Wu, Shih-Chien Chu, Ting-Yu Lee, Ming-Lei Wang, Yan-Ting Shen, Ying-Ming Lu, Yu-Hsin Chu
  • Patent number: 8080498
    Abstract: The concept involves placing within the annulus, hollow particles that possess material and geometric properties such that the hollow particles buckle at or near a defined pressure. Buckling of the particles increases the available volume within the annulus, thereby decreasing the annular pressure. The elastic hollow particles are designed such that they buckle in a sufficiently elastic manner to allow them to rebound towards their original shape as the pressure decreases. The rebounded particles then remain available to mitigate subsequent instances of APB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Shepherd, Joseph F. Rakow, Phillip David Pattillo, II
  • Patent number: 8080596
    Abstract: A method for producing a biodegradable plastic material includes: hydrolyzing starch to form a hydrolyzed starch; esterifying the hydrolyzed starch to form a hydrolyzed and esterified starch; drying the hydrolyzed and esterified starch to obtain a dried modified starch; and mixing the dried modified starch with a plastic material, such as an EVA copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Pou Chien Technology Co., Ltd., Feng Chia University
    Inventors: Shu-Yii Wu, Shih-Chien Chu, Ting-Yu Lee, Ming-Lei Wang, Chao-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 8080319
    Abstract: Disclosed is related to a thermosetting resin composition which comprises a polyimide resin (A) having a phenolic hydroxyl group, preferably a polyimide resin (A) produced from an aminophenol (a), a diamino compound (b) and a tetrabasic acid dianhydride (c), and an epoxy resin (B); and a cured product thereof. The resin composition is excellent in storage stability, and gives a cured product excellent in flame retardancy and heat resistance. Furthermore, when the cured product is in a film form, the product has sufficient flexibility and excellent folding endurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Kippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryutaro Tanaka, Makoto Uchida, Hiroo Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 8076272
    Abstract: A process for preparing an alkylaryl sulfonate comprising (a) reacting at least one meta-xylene compound with olefin or a mixture of olefins having from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms, in the presence of an acid catalyst, wherein the resulting product comprises no more than 40 weight percent of 1-alkyl-2,4 dimethylsubstituted aromatic compound and at least about 60 weight percent of 1-alkyl-3,5 dimethyl substituted aromatic compound; (b) sulfonating the product of (a); and (c) neutralizing the product of (b) with a source of alkali or alkaline earth metal or ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron Oronite Company LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Howes, Curtis Bay Campbell, Sophany Thach
  • Patent number: 8076270
    Abstract: The disclosed compositions and methods utilize hydrophilic polymers modified by the incorporation of one or more hydrophilic side groups. The polymers may exhibit physical association in solution at a specific temperature so as to provide a significant increase in viscosity at the specific temperature. The viscosity of such systems is substantially increased by the further inclusion of one or more hydrophilic components that may exhibit physical association in solution at one or more temperature trigger points and also associate with the one or more hydrophilic polymers modified by the incorporation of one or more hydrophilic side groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA Inc.
    Inventors: Philip S. Smith, Dale L. Handlin, Jr.