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).
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Publication number: 20240034879Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: Stratasys, Inc.Inventors: Liang Chen, Chen Xu, Leslie J. Vescio, Bruce D. Lawrey
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Patent number: 11820890Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Inventors: Liang Chen, Chen Xu, Leslie J. Vescio, Bruce D. Lawrey
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Publication number: 20220315759Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Liang Chen, Chen Xu, Leslie J. Vescio, Bruce D. Lawrey
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Patent number: 11225543Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Matthew Becker, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
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Patent number: 11041039Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignees: Covestro LLC, The University of AkronInventors: Matthew Becker, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
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Publication number: 20210115249Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Liang Chen, Karen L. Stewart, Bruce D. Lawrey
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Publication number: 20190211131Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Matthew Becker, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
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Publication number: 20190185609Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Matthew BECKER, Robert A. WEISS, Zachary Kurtiss ZANDER, Don S. WARDIUS, Karl W. HAIDER, Bruce D. LAWREY
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Patent number: 10227440Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignees: The University of Akron, Covestro, LLCInventors: Matthew Becker, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
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Publication number: 20160347900Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Matthew BECKER, Robert A. Weiss, Zachary Kurtiss Zander, Don S. Wardius, Karl W. Haider, Bruce D. Lawrey
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Publication number: 20120085961Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience LLCInventors: Marina Rogunova, Bruce D. Lawrey, Charles David Siler, Jose Chirino
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Publication number: 20100222524Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience LLCInventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Leslie J. Vescio
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Polyurethane elastomers having improved physical properties and a process for the production thereof
Patent number: 7511111Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLCInventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Kurt C. Frisch, Nigel Barksby -
Publication number: 20080139774Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Charles S. Gracik, Wolfgang Brauer, Henricus Peerlings
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Polyurethane elastomers having improved physical properties and a process for the production thereof
Patent number: 7045650Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Bayer Materialscience LLCInventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Kurt C. Frisch, Nigel Barksby -
Patent number: 6906163Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Bayer Materialscience LLCInventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Thomas A. J. Gross, Rolf-Volker Meyer
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Patent number: 6903179Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Bayer Materialscience LLCInventor: Bruce D. Lawrey
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Polyurethane elastomers having improved physical properties and a process for the production thereof
Patent number: 6824703Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLCInventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Kurt C. Frisch, Nigel Barksby -
Patent number: 6737497Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Bayer Polymers LLCInventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Thomas A. J. Gross, Rolf-Volker Meyer
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Publication number: 20030225242Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventors: Bruce D. Lawrey, Thomas A.J. Gross, Rolf-Volker Meyer