Patents by Inventor Bruce D. Lawrey

Bruce D. Lawrey 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).

  • Publication number: 20240034879
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to pulverulent thermoplastic polymer blends comminuted to a particle size of less than 300 ?m. The pulverulent thermoplastic polymer blends can include a first thermoplastic polyurethane and a second thermoplastic polyurethane at a weight ratio of from about 90:10 to about 30:70 first thermoplastic polyurethane to second thermoplastic polyurethane. The first thermoplastic polyurethane can include a reaction product of a first reaction mixture consisting of or consisting essentially of an aliphatic diisocyanate having a number average molecular weight of from 140 g/mol to 170 g/mol and an aliphatic diol having a number average molecular weight of from 62 g/mol to 120 g/mol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Chen Xu, Leslie J. Vescio, Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Patent number: 11820890
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to pulverulent thermoplastic polymer blends comminuted to a particle size of less than 300 ?m. The pulverulent thermoplastic polymer blends can include a first thermoplastic polyurethane and a second thermoplastic polyurethane at a weight ratio of from about 90:10 to about 30:70 first thermoplastic polyurethane to second thermoplastic polyurethane. The first thermoplastic polyurethane can include a reaction product of a first reaction mixture consisting of or consisting essentially of an aliphatic diisocyanate having a number average molecular weight of from 140 g/mol to 170 g/mol and an aliphatic diol having a number average molecular weight of from 62 g/mol to 120 g/mol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Chen Xu, Leslie J. Vescio, Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Publication number: 20220315759
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to pulverulent thermoplastic polymer blends comminuted to a particle size of less than 300 ?m. The pulverulent thermoplastic polymer blends can include a first thermoplastic polyurethane and a second thermoplastic polyurethane at a weight ratio of from about 90:10 to about 30:70 first thermoplastic polyurethane to second thermoplastic polyurethane. The first thermoplastic polyurethane can include a reaction product of a first reaction mixture consisting of or consisting essentially of an aliphatic diisocyanate having a number average molecular weight of from 140 g/mol to 170 g/mol and an aliphatic diol having a number average molecular weight of from 62 g/mol to 120 g/mol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Chen Xu, Leslie J. Vescio, Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Patent number: 11225543
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a novel approach to the addition of plasticizers for softening TPUs, i.e., lowering the durometer and the melt viscosity. This approach involves incorporating bonded sulfonate groups with quaternary ammonium counterions into the TPU. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the softening of TPU is achieved by incorporating an ionic diol, such as N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid (BES), coupled with various bulky alkyl ammonium cations, during the chain extension step of the TPU synthesis. It is believed that that steric hindrance of the bulky quaternary ammonium groups weakens the dipole-dipole interactions of the sulfonate groups and/or lowers the crystallinity of the hard block, thereby creating additional free volume that softens the polymer and lowers the melt viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Matthew Becker, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Patent number: 11041039
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a novel approach to the addition of plasticizers for softening TPUs, i.e., lowering the durometer and the melt viscosity. This approach involves incorporating bonded sulfonate groups with quaternary ammonium counterions into the TPU. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the softening of TPU is achieved by incorporating an ionic diol, such as N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid (BES), coupled with various bulky alkyl ammonium cations, during the chain extension step of the TPU synthesis. It is believed that that steric hindrance of the bulky quaternary ammonium groups weakens the dipole-dipole interactions of the sulfonate groups and/or lowers the crystallinity of the hard block, thereby creating additional free volume that softens the polymer and lowers the melt viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignees: Covestro LLC, The University of Akron
    Inventors: Matthew Becker, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Publication number: 20210115249
    Abstract: A thermoplastic material can include a thermoplastic polyurethane material having a hard segment content of at least 30 wt % based on a total weight of the thermoplastic polyurethane material. The thermoplastic polyurethane material is pre-annealed to have a single melting peak having a full-width at half maximum value of less than or equal to 15° C. based on a differential scanning calorimetry analysis from ?25° C. to 250° C. at a 20° C./min temperature ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Karen L. Stewart, Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Publication number: 20190211131
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a novel approach to the addition of plasticizers for softening TPUs, i.e., lowering the durometer and the melt viscosity. This approach involves incorporating bonded sulfonate groups with quaternary ammonium counterions into the TPU. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the softening of TPU is achieved by incorporating an ionic diol, such as N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid (BES), coupled with various bulky alkyl ammonium cations, during the chain extension step of the TPU synthesis. It is believed that that steric hindrance of the bulky quaternary ammonium groups weakens the dipole-dipole interactions of the sulfonate groups and/or lowers the crystallinity of the hard block, thereby creating additional free volume that softens the polymer and lowers the melt viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Becker, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Publication number: 20190185609
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a novel approach to the addition of plasticizers for softening TPUs, i.e., lowering the durometer and the melt viscosity. This approach involves incorporating bonded sulfonate groups with quaternary ammonium counterions into the TPU. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the softening of TPU is achieved by incorporating an ionic diol, such as N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid (BES), coupled with various bulky alkyl ammonium cations, during the chain extension step of the TPU synthesis. It is believed that that steric hindrance of the bulky quaternary ammonium groups weakens the dipole-dipole interactions of the sulfonate groups and/or lowers the crystallinity of the hard block, thereby creating additional free volume that softens the polymer and lowers the melt viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew BECKER, Robert A. WEISS, Zachary Kurtiss ZANDER, Don S. WARDIUS, Karl W. HAIDER, Bruce D. LAWREY
  • Patent number: 10227440
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a novel approach to the addition of plasticizers for softening TPUs, i.e., lowering the durometer and the melt viscosity. This approach involves incorporating bonded sulfonate groups with quaternary ammonium counterions into the TPU. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the softening of TPU is achieved by incorporating an ionic diol, such as N,N-bis (2-hydoxyethyl)-2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid (BES), coupled with various bulky alkyl ammonium cations, during the chain extension step of the TPU synthesis. It is believed that that steric hindrance of the bulky quaternary ammonium groups weakens the dipole-dipole interactions of the sulfonate groups and/or lowers the crystallinity of the hard block, thereby creating additional free volume that softens the polymer and lowers the melt viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: The University of Akron, Covestro, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Becker, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Publication number: 20160347900
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a novel approach to the addition of plasticizers for softening TPUs, i.e., lowering the durometer and the melt viscosity. This approach involves incorporating bonded sulfonate groups with quaternary ammonium counterions into the TPU. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the softening of TPU is achieved by incorporating an ionic diol, such as N,N-bis (2-hydoxyethyl)-2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid (BES), coupled with various bulky alkyl ammonium cations, during the chain extension step of the TPU synthesis. It is believed that that steric hindrance of the bulky quaternary ammonium groups weakens the dipole-dipole interactions of the sulfonate groups and/or lowers the crystallinity of the hard block, thereby creating additional free volume that softens the polymer and lowers the melt viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew BECKER, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Publication number: 20120085961
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving damping performance and viscoelastic response in a vehicle interior part, the method involving including a thermoplastic blend in the part, wherein the thermoplastic blend contains 50 to 70 percent by weight of a thermoplastic aromatic polycarbonate and 5 to 10 percent by weight of a thermoplastic polyester-polyol-based polyurethane, wherein the percents are based on the combined weights of the thermoplastic aromatic polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane. The inventive methods may find particular application in vehicles such as vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience LLC
    Inventors: Marina Rogunova, Bruce D. Lawrey, Charles David Siler, Jose Chirino
  • Publication number: 20100222524
    Abstract: Transparent thermoplastic polyurethanes characterized by high impact resistance, high flexural modulus, high chemical resistance and a deflection temperature under load of at least 50° C. at 264 psi are produced by blending a polyurethane reaction product with from 3 to 20 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of total blend, of a thermoplastic polyurethane. The polyurethane reaction product is prepared from a diphenylmethane diisocyanate and at least one chain extender at an NCO/OH ratio of from 0.95:1 to 1.10:1 in the absence of any isocyanate-reactive material having a molecular weight greater than 400.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience LLC
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Leslie J. Vescio
  • Patent number: 7511111
    Abstract: A polyol composition having a number average molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about3,000 Daltons is made up of (1) at least 55% by weight of a low monol polyoxypropylene polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 1,000 to 12,000 Da and a degree of unsaturation less than or equal to 0.02 meq/g and (2) no more than 45% by weight of a polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 1,000 Da and a polydispersity index greater than1.1. This polyol composition is reacted with a diisocyanate, a polyisocyanate, an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer or an isocyanate-terminated quasi-prepolymer to produce polyurethanes, particularly, polyurethane elastomers having good physical and mechanical properties. Any of the known processes for producing polyurethanes, particularly, elastomers, including one-shot processes, may be used to produce polyurethanes in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLC
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Kurt C. Frisch, Nigel Barksby
  • Publication number: 20080139774
    Abstract: Thermoplastic polyurethanes which are readily released from a mold, have a hardness of up to 80 Shore A, and a low degree of cold hardening are produced from polyester polyols made with at least one dihydric alcohol having no ether groups and an average of at least 0.40 side carbon chains per ester group in the polyester polyol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Charles S. Gracik, Wolfgang Brauer, Henricus Peerlings
  • Patent number: 7045650
    Abstract: A polyol composition having a number average molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 3,000 Daltons is made up of (1) at least 60% by weight of a low monol polyoxypropylene polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 2,000 to 12,000 Da and a degree of unsaturation less than or equal to 0.02 meq/g and (2) no more than 40% by weight of a polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 1,000 Da and a polydispersity index greater than 1.1. This polyol composition is reacted with a diisocyanate, a polyisocyanate, an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer or an isocyanate-terminated quasi-prepolymer to produce polyurethane elastomers having good physical and mechanical properties. Any of the known processes for producing polyurethane elastomers, including one-shot processes, may be used to produce elastomers in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Bayer Materialscience LLC
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Kurt C. Frisch, Nigel Barksby
  • Patent number: 6906163
    Abstract: Segmented polyurethane/ureas useful for the production of spandex, particularly spandex fibers, are made from isocyanate-terminated prepolymers formed by reacting excess isocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive component satisfying specified compositional requirements in the presence of a catalyst which promotes linear polymerization but does not cause degradation of the polymer. Suitable catalysts include metal salts of organic fatty acids and/or of naphthenic acid. The isocyanate-reactive component includes at least 10 equivalent percent of a polyoxypropylene diol having a number average molecular weight of at least about 1500 Da and an average unsaturation level less than or equal to 0.03 meq/g and up to 90 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene glycol having a number average molecular weight of at least 200 Da.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer Materialscience LLC
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Thomas A. J. Gross, Rolf-Volker Meyer
  • Patent number: 6903179
    Abstract: Segmented polyurethane/ureas useful in the production of spandex are produced by chain extending an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer in the presence of a solvent. The isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is formed by reacting a stoichiometric excess of an isocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive component that includes more than 50 equivalent percent of a high molecular weight polyoxyalkylene diol having an unsaturation level no greater than about 0.015 meq/g and up to about 50 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene ether glycol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Bayer Materialscience LLC
    Inventor: Bruce D. Lawrey
  • Patent number: 6824703
    Abstract: A polyol composition having a number average molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 3,000 Daltons is made up of (1) at least 60% by weight of a low monol polyoxypropylene polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 2,000 to 12,000 Da and a degree of unsaturation less than or equal to 0.02 meq/g and (2) no more than 40% by weight of a polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 1,000 Da and a polydispersity index greater than 1.1. This polyol composition is reacted with a diisocyanate, a polyisocyanate, an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer or an isocyanate-terminated quasi-prepolymer to produce polyurethane elastomers having good physical and mechanical properties. Any of the known processes for producing polyurethane elastomers, including one-shot processes, may be used to produce elastomers in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLC
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Kurt C. Frisch, Nigel Barksby
  • Patent number: 6737497
    Abstract: Segmented polyurethane/ureas useful in the production of spandex are produced by chain extending an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer with a diamine chain extender that includes: (1) from about 7 to 25 equivalent percent of an asymmetric aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic diamine and (2) a linear diamine such as ethylene diamine in the presence of a solvent. The isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is produced by reacting a stoichiometric excess of an isocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive component that includes: (1) from about 10 to about 70 equivalent percent of a polyoxypropylene diol having a molecular weight in excess of 1500 Da and an average unsaturation level no greater than about 0.03 meq/g and (2) from about 30 to about 90 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight of at least 600 Da.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Bayer Polymers LLC
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Thomas A. J. Gross, Rolf-Volker Meyer
  • Publication number: 20030225242
    Abstract: Segmented polyurethane/ureas useful for the production of spandex, particularly spandex fibers, are made from isocyanate-terminated prepolymers formed by reacting excess isocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive component satisfying specified compositional requirements in the presence of a catalyst which promotes linear polymerization but does not cause degradation of the polymer. Suitable catalysts include metal salts of organic fatty acids and/or of naphthenic acid. The isocyanate-reactive component includes at least 10 equivalent percent of a polyoxypropylene diol having a number average molecular weight of at least about 1500 Da and an average unsaturation level less than or equal to 0.03 meq/g and up to 90 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene glycol having a number average molecular weight of at least 200 Da.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Thomas A.J. Gross, Rolf-Volker Meyer