Patents by Inventor Brad Lees

Brad Lees has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6544611
    Abstract: The present invention improves the effectiveness of the oxygen scavenging composition and maintains an excellent balance in the color properties of the polymer. The present invention relates to an improved oxygen scavenging PET based copolymer comprising from about 10 to about 120 ppm cobalt based on the PET polymer, and from about 15 to about 150 ppm zinc based on the PET polymer. The present invention also comprises a process for preparing a PET based oxygen scavenging copolymer, comprising the steps of: a) polymerizing a PET based polymer; b) adding Zn, Co, and an oxygen scavenging compound during said polymerizing step; c) copolymerizing said oxygen scavenging compound with said PET based polymer to form a copolymer; and d) extruding said copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Arteva North America S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: David Anthony Schiraldi, Douglas John Sekelik, Brad Lee Smith
  • Publication number: 20030031815
    Abstract: The present invention improves the effectiveness of the oxygen scavenging composition and maintains an excellent balance in the color properties of the polymer. The present invention relates to an improved oxygen scavenging PET based copolymer comprising from about 10 to about 120 ppm cobalt based on the PET polymer, and from about 15 to about 150 ppm zinc based on the PET polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: David Anthony Schiraldi, Douglas John Sekelik, Brad Lee Smith
  • Publication number: 20020116137
    Abstract: A method for detecting change in the foam forming characteristic of an input stream of an aqueous solution which continuously samples the input stream by taking a series of discrete, independent measurements. The method relies on an acoustic sensor to measure foam height within a column. A sample of the input stream is introduced into the column, and aerated to produce foam. The height of the column of foam is then measured using the acoustic sensor, which is correlated with the concentration of foam forming chemical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Brad Lee Hollan
  • Patent number: 6405580
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting change in the foam forming characteristic of an input stream of an aqueous solution which continuously samples the input stream by taking a series of discrete, independent measurements. A sample of the input stream is collected, analyzed, then discarded. The collect-analyze-discard cycle is repeated. The apparatus relies on an acoustic sensor to measure foam height within a column. This allows the column containing the foam to be fabricated from any material, including durable plastics. A sample of the input stream is introduced into the apparatus. The sample is then aerated by a aeration stone to produce foam. The height of the column of foam produced is then measured using the acoustic sensor. The sample is then discarded and the process repeated. The height of the foam column is correlated with the concentration of foam forming chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Brad Lee Hollan
  • Patent number: 6397665
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting change in the foam forming characteristic of an input stream of an aqueous solution which continuously samples the input stream by taking a series of discrete, independent measurements. A sample of the input stream is collected, analyzed, then discarded. The collect-analyze-discard cycle is repeated. The apparatus relies on an acoustic sensor to measure foam height within a column. This allows the column containing the foam to be fabricated from any material, including durable plastics. A sample of the input stream is introduced into the apparatus. The sample is then aerated by an aeration stone to produce foam. The height of the column of foam produced is then measured using the acoustic sensor. The sample is then discarded and the process repeated. The height of the foam column is correlated with the concentration of foam forming chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Brad Lee Hollan
  • Publication number: 20010042407
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting change in the foam forming characteristic of an input stream of an aqueous solution which continuously samples the input stream by taking a series of discrete, independent measurements. A sample of the input stream is collected, analyzed, then discarded. The collect-analyze-discard cycle is repeated. The apparatus relies on an acoustic sensor to measure foam height within a column. This allows the column containing the foam to be fabricated from any material, including durable plastics. A sample of the input stream is introduced into the apparatus. The sample is then aerated by a aeration stone to produce foam. The height of the column of foam produced is then measured using the acoustic sensor. The sample is then discarded and the process repeated. The height of the foam column is correlated with the concentration of foam forming chemical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Richard Eugene Kirts, Brad Lee Hollan
  • Patent number: 6160159
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the production of terephthalic acid and esters thereof from p-tolualdehyde or mixtures of p-tolualdehyde and p-xylene. The process of the invention can be carried out at lower temperatures and faster throughput than conventional processes using p-xylene. The use of p-tolualdehyde facilitates safety considerations by eliminating the induction period and high oxiding fluid concentrations encountered in typical oxidation reactions which use only p-xylene as the terephthalic acid or ester precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Arteva North America, S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Brad Lee Smith
  • Patent number: D413995
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Vari-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Lee, Breck M. Outland, Timothy W. Terleski, Staci A. Mininger