Patents by Inventor Brian W. Walther

Brian W. Walther 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: 6365658
    Abstract: A polymer composition comprising, based on the total weight of A), B), C) and D), A) from about 10 to 89.99 percent of a substantially random interpolymer comprising in polymerized form i) from about 35 to about 89.5 mole percent of one or more &agr;-olefin monomers and ii) from about 65 to about 10.5 mole percent of one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and/or one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers, and optionally iii) other polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s); B) from about 10 to about 75 percent of one or more polyolefins selected from the group consisting of I) propylene polymers and II) high density polyethylenes; and C) from 0.01 to about 10 percent of a non-ionic lubricant; and D) from 0 to about 60 percent of a substantially random interpolymer comprising in polymerized form i) from about 50 to about 99.5 mole percent of one or more &agr;-olefin monomers and ii) from about 50 to about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jerker B. L. Kjellqvist, Brian W. Walther, Wenbin Liang, Roland Karlsson
  • Patent number: 6319969
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel compositions of ethylene and/or &agr;-olefin/vinyl or vinylidene interpolymers and an organic acid and a filler. Also disclosed are compositions including ethylene and/or &agr;-olefin/vinyl or vinylidene interpolymers, an organic acid, various processing agents, coupling agents and a filler. The compositions disclosed herein are particularly useful in sound management applications, or as insulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Brian W. Walther, Timothy E. Clayfield, Stephen R. Betso, Stephen M. Hoenig
  • Patent number: 5905097
    Abstract: The invention is a film having a discontinuous phase of open and closed cells and a continuous organic phase comprising:(a) one or more block copolymer(s) corresponding to the Formula I:A--B--X.sub.m --(B--A).sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Brian W. Walther
  • Patent number: 5798410
    Abstract: Artificial latexes that are film forming at room temperature can be prepared from a copolymer of ethylene and a C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 .alpha.-olefin. The copolymer is characterized by having a polydispersity index not greater than 2.5; random distribution of comonomer units along the polymer backbone; and a homogeneity index of at least 75. The copolymer preferably contains no polar substituents, which are generally necessary to make useful latexes from polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Brian W. Walther, James R. Bethea
  • Patent number: 5578674
    Abstract: What is claimed is a coherent, elastomeric, solid, free-standing film comprising an organic phase comprising: (a) one or more block copolymer(s) corresponding to the formula:A--B--X.sub.m --(B--A).sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: David R. Speth, Brian W. Walther, Ronald R. Pelletier
  • Patent number: 5574091
    Abstract: Artificial latexes that are film-forming at room temperature can be prepared from a copolymer of ethylene and a C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 alpha olefin. The copolymer preferably contains no polar substituents, which are generally necessary to make useful latexes from polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Comapny
    Inventors: Brian W. Walther, Jim R. Bethea
  • Patent number: 5567760
    Abstract: Aqueous dispersions, and films prepared therefrom, comprising an organic phase of block copolymers and optional extenders wherein the block copolymers corresponds to the formula:A-B-X.sub.m -(B-A).sub.nwherein each A is a polymer block of a monovinylidene aromatic monomer and conjugated dienes, each B is a polymer block of one or more conjugated dienes and, optionally, one or more monovinylidene aromatic monomers, X is the remnant of a multifunctional coupling agent, m is 0 or 1, and n is an integer from 1 to 5. Each A polymer block has a weight average molecular weight from 4,000 to 15,000 Daltons. Each B polymer block has a weight average molecular weight from 20,000 to 200,000 Daltons. The total monovinylidene monomer content is from 6 to 30 percent by weight of the organic phase. The effective phase volume of the A polymer block in the organic phase is from 8 to 20 percent. Thin elastomeric articles prepared from the emulsions have improved tensile strength properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Brian W. Walther, Gary R. Marchand
  • Patent number: 5563204
    Abstract: An aqueous dispersion is claimed which is capable of forming a free-standing, coherent, elastomeric, solid film which, after drying and annealing at 80.degree. C. for 30 minutes, demonstrates a tensile strength of about 11.0 MPa or greater wherein the dispersion comprises: I. an organic phase comprising: (a) one or more block copolymer(s) corresponding to the formula A-B-X.sub.m -(B-A).sub.n, wherein each A polymer block consists essentially of a monovinylidene aromatic monomer, having a weight average molecular weight from about 8,000 to about 15,000 Daltons, each B polymer block consists essentially of a conjugated diene and, optionally, a monovinylidene aromatic monomer having a weight average molecular weight from about 30,000 to about 200,000 Daltons, X is the remnant of a multifunctional coupling agent, m is 0 or 1, and n is an integer from 1 to 5, and (b) optionally, an extender for the block copolymer which is compatible with the B block; II. a surfactant; and III.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: David R. Speth, Ronald R. Pelletier, Brian W. Walther
  • Patent number: 5556911
    Abstract: Aqueous dispersions, and films prepared therefrom, comprising an organic phase of block copolymers and optional extenders wherein the block copolymers corresponds to the formula:A--B--X.sub.m --(B--A).sub.nwherein each A is a polymer block of a monovinylidene aromatic monomer and conjugated dienes, each B is a polymer block of one or more conjugated dienes and, optionally, one or more monovinylidene aromatic monomers, X is the remnant of a multifunctional coupling agent, m is 0 or 1, and n is an integer from 1 to 5. Each A polymer block has a weight average molecular weight from 4,000 to 15,000 Daltons. Each B polymer block has a weight average molecular weight from 20,000 to 200,000 Daltons. The total monovinylidene monomer content is from 6 to 30 percent by weight of the organic phase. The effective phase volume of the A polymer block in the organic phase is from 8 to 20 percent. Thin elastomeric articles prepared from the emulsions have improved tensile strength properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Brian W. Walther, Gary R. Marchand
  • Patent number: 5286457
    Abstract: A reactor for the solution polymerization of volatile monomers equipped with an agitator to cause splashing and droplet formation to reduce volatile monomer accumulation in the vapor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Woodson, Brian W. Walther, Brian G. Witt, Gary R. Marchand
  • Patent number: 5225493
    Abstract: A process for anionic polymerization of polymerizable monomers with an organo lithium initiator followed by polymerization termination characterized in that terminated reaction products are neutralized by contacting with sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Marchand, Brian W. Walther, Warren R. Rose
  • Patent number: 5171791
    Abstract: A process for anionic polymerization of polymerizable monomers with an organo lithium initiator followed by polymerization termination characterized in that terminated reaction products are neutralized by contacting with sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Marchand, Brian W. Walther, Warren R. Rose
  • Patent number: 5120805
    Abstract: A process for the solution polymerization of volatile monomers in a reactor equipped with an agitator to cause splashing and droplet formation to reduce volatile monomer accumulation in the vapor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gary L. Woodson, Brian W. Walther, Brian G. Witt, Gary R. Marchand
  • Patent number: 5089572
    Abstract: A process for blanking a reaction mixture utilizing as a blanking agent a difunctional lithium composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Marchand, Joseph G. Schell, Jr., Brian W. Walther, Corwin J. Bredeweg
  • Patent number: 4960842
    Abstract: Narrow molecular weight telechelic and/or block copolymers are prepared by anionic polymerization using an initiator composition comprising a multifunctional lithium initiator in combination with an organic diamine or triamine and optionally a metal alkoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Grace Y. Lo, Eric W. Otterbacher, Massimo D. Bezoari, Brian W. Walther
  • Patent number: 4794145
    Abstract: A process is provided for metallating ethylene polymers which have polymerized therein a minor amount of nonconjugated diene. Metallation is accomplished with a blend of three metallating reagents: (a) an alkyllithium compound; (b) a potassium alkoxide; and (c) a chelating tertiary diamine. The metallated polymers so prepared may be reacted with one or more anionically polymerizable monomers to form graft polymers or with a reagent such as carbon dioxide to form a functionalized polymer. When the anionically polymerizable monomer has two or more polymerizable sites, the metallated polymer is reacted with a modifying compound such as alpha-methylstyrene before it is reacted with the monomer(s). Certain of the graft polymers behave as thermoplastic elastomers whereas others are thermoplastic. The blend of metallating reagents may be used with any polymer having partial or complete unsaturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gary K. Lund, Raymond L. Laakso, Jr., Calvin P. Esneault, Brian W. Walther
  • Patent number: 4786689
    Abstract: A process is provided for metallating ethylene polymers which have polymerized therein a minor amount of nonconjugated diene. Metallation is accomplished with a blend of three metallating reagents: (a) an alkyllithium compound; (b) a potassium alkoxide; and (c) a chelating tertiary diamine. The metallated polymers so prepared may be reacted with one or more anionically polymerizable monomers to form graft polymers or with a reagent such as carbon dioxide to form a functionalized polymer. When the anionically polymerizable monomer has two or more polymerizable sites, the metallated polymer is reacted with a modifying compound such as alpha-methylstyrene before it is reacted with the monomer(s). Certain of the graft polymers behave as thermoplastic elastomers whereas others are thermoplastic. The blend of metallating reagents may be used with any polymer having partial or complete unsaturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gary K. Lund, Raymond L. Laakso, Jr., Calvin P. Esneault, Brian W. Walther