Patents by Inventor Carl Lesley Willis
Carl Lesley Willis 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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Patent number: 10233323Abstract: Blends comprising a sulfonated block copolymer and particulate carbon are useful materials for membranes, films and coatings in applications which require high dimensional stability, high water vapor transport, high conductivity, and low flammability. The sulfonated block copolymer comprises at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block contains essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups and each B block is a polymer block containing from about 10 to about 100 mol percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups based on the number of monomer units of the B block.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Kuitian Tan
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Patent number: 10022680Abstract: Selectively amino- or phosphino-functionalized block copolymers, and their preparation, for use as anion exchange membrane materials. The selectively functionalized block copolymers have at least two end blocks A each of which are substantially free of amino- or phosphino-functional groups, and have at least one interior block D which comprises on average at least one amino- or phosphino-functionalized polymer unit of formula (I) wherein Z is nitrogen or phosphorous; R1 is hydrogen or alkyl; R2 is hydrogen or is tertiary alkyl; R each independently, is hydrogen or is alkyl optionally substituted by a moiety -(A1-NRa)xRb; or two R groups, together with the Z to which they are bonded, form an optionally substituted ring; x is 1, 2 or 3; A1 is straight chain alkylene optionally substituted by one or more methyl and/or ethyl groups; and Ra and Rb, each independently, is hydrogen or alkyl; or a corresponding onium salt.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Irwan Hidajat, Mike Heniff
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Patent number: 9587106Abstract: Improved methods for preparing sulfonated block polymers with acyl sulfates in non-halogenated aliphatic solvents are provided. The methods include the sulfonation of a precursor block polymer with an acyl sulfate in a reaction mixture further comprising at least one non-halogenated aliphatic solvent to form a sulfonated block polymer, wherein the initial concentration of the precursor block polymer is in the range of from about 0.1 wt % to a concentration that is below the limiting concentration of the precursor block polymer based on the total weight of the reaction mixture. A sulfonation degree of greater than about 1.0 milliequivalent sulfonic acid per gram sulfonated block polymer can be achieved substantially free of polymer precipitation and free of disabling gelation.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Gregory Paul Dado, Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Carl Lesley Willis
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Patent number: 9365662Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymer composition formed by dissolving in an aprotic polar solvent at least one sulfonated block copolymer having at least one end block A and at least one interior block B wherein each A block contains essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups and each B block is a polymer block containing from about 10 to about 100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups based on the number of sulfonation susceptible monomer units of the B block.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventor: Carl Lesley Willis
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Publication number: 20150005439Abstract: Improved methods for preparing sulfonated block polymers with acyl sulfates in non-halogenated aliphatic solvents are provided. The methods include the sulfonation of a precursor block polymer with an acyl sulfate in a reaction mixture further comprising at least one non-halogenated aliphatic solvent to form a sulfonated block polymer, wherein the initial concentration of the precursor block polymer is in the range of from about 0.1 wt % to a concentration that is below the limiting concentration of the precursor block polymer based on the total weight of the reaction mixture. A sulfonation degree of greater than about 1.0 milliequivalent sulfonic acid per gram sulfonated block polymer can be achieved substantially free of polymer precipitation and free of disabling gelation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Gregory Paul Dado, Dale Lee Handlin, JR., Carl Lesley Willis
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Patent number: 8835562Abstract: Improved methods for preparing sulfonated block polymers with acyl sulfates in non-halogenated aliphatic solvents are provided. The methods include the sulfonation of a precursor block polymer with an acyl sulfate in a reaction mixture further comprising at least one non-halogenated aliphatic solvent to form a sulfonated block polymer, wherein the initial concentration of the precursor block polymer is in the range of from about 0.1 wt % to a concentration that is below the limiting concentration of the precursor block polymer based on the total weight of the reaction mixture. A sulfonation degree of greater than about 1.0 milliequivalent sulfonic acid per gram sulfonated block polymer can be achieved substantially free of polymer precipitation and free of disabling gelation.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Gregory Paul Dado, Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Carl Lesley Willis
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Publication number: 20140197032Abstract: Selectively amino- or phosphino-functionalized block copolymers, and their preparation, for use as anion exchange membrane materials. The selectively functionalized block copolymers have at least two end blocks A each of which are substantially free of amino- or phosphino-functional groups, and have at least one interior block D which comprises on average at least one amino- or phosphino-functionalized polymer unit of formula (I) wherein Z is nitrogen or phosphorous; R1 is hydrogen or alkyl; R2 is hydrogen or is tertiary alkyl; R each independently, is hydrogen or is alkyl optionally substituted by a moiety -(A1-NRa)xRb; or two R groups, together with the Z to which they are bonded, form an optionally substituted ring; x is 1, 2 or 3; A1 is straight chain alkylene optionally substituted by one or more methyl and/or ethyl groups; and Ra and Rb, each independently, is hydrogen or alkyl; or a corresponding onium salt.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Irwan Hidajat, Mike Heniff
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Publication number: 20130240438Abstract: Blends comprising a sulfonated block copolymer and particulate carbon are useful materials for membranes, films and coatings in applications which require high dimensional stability, high water vapor transport, high conductivity, and low flammability. The sulfonated block copolymer comprises at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block contains essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups and each B block is a polymer block containing from about 10 to about 100 mol percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups based on the number of monomer units of the B block.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Kuitian Tan
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Patent number: 8445631Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for neutralizing a sulfonated block copolymer with a metal compound, to metal-neutralized block copolymers, and to various articles comprising the metal-neutralized block copolymers, e.g., in form of a water vapor permeable membrane which comprises the metal-neutralized block copolymers. The present disclosure further relates to a means and a method for storing and stabilizing a polar component such as a metal compound in a non-polar liquid phase by immuring the polar component in micelles of the sulfonated block copolymer in the non-polar liquid phase.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventor: Carl Lesley Willis
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Patent number: 8383735Abstract: A pre-cursor block copolymer for sulfonation which, prior to hydrogenation, has the general configuration A-B-A, A-B-A-B-A, (A-B-A)nX, (A-B)nX, A-D-B-D-A, A-B-D-B-A, (A-D-B)nX, (A-B-D)nX or mixtures thereof, wherein A, B and D blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. Each A and D block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation, and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation. Each A block is a segment of one or more polymerized para-substituted styrene monomers, each B block contains segments of one or more vinyl aromatic monomers selected from polymerized (i) unsubstituted styrene monomers, (ii) ortho-substituted styrene monomers, (iii) meta-substituted styrene monomers, (iv) alpha-methylstyrene, (v) 1,1-diphenylethylene, (vi) 1,2-diphenylethylene and (vii) mixtures thereof, and each D block contains polymers having a glass transition temperature less than 20° C. and a number average molecular weight of between 1,000 and 50,000.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Kraton Polymers US LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Scott Russell Trenor, Brian Douglas Mather
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Patent number: 8329827Abstract: A sulfonated block copolymer which is solid and non-dispersible in water having at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation, wherein the A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. Each A block includes one or more segments selected from polymerized (i) ethylene, (ii) monomers of conjugated dienes having a vinyl content less than 35 mol percent prior to hydrogenation, and (iii) mixtures thereof; and each B block comprising segments of one or more polymerized vinyl aromatic monomers selected from (i) unsubstituted styrene monomers, (ii) ortho-substituted styrene monomers, (iii) meta-substituted styrene monomers, (iv) alpha-methylstyrene, (v) 1,1-diphenylethylene, (vi) 1,2-diphenylethylene and (vii) mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Scott Russell Trenor, Brian Douglas Mather
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Publication number: 20120267248Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymer composition formed by dissolving in an aprotic polar solvent at least one sulfonated block copolymer having at least one end block A and at least one interior block B wherein each A block contains essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups and each B block is a polymer block containing from about 10 to about 100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups based on the number of sulfonation susceptible monomer units of the B block.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventor: CARL LESLEY WILLIS
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Patent number: 8263713Abstract: An Amine neutralized sulfonated block copolymer and a method for neutralizing a sulfonated block copolymer, the process including providing a solution comprising an organic solvent and the non-neutralized block copolymer in micellar form, and adding at least one amine to the solution.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventor: Carl Lesley Willis
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Patent number: 8084546Abstract: A method for varying the transport properties of a film cast from a polymer having at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation, and wherein said A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. The method includes casting the polymer using a solvent mixture having two or more solvents selected from the group consisting of polar solvents and non-polar solvents.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Scott Russell Trenor, Brian Douglas Mather
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Patent number: 8058353Abstract: A sulfonated block copolymer which is solid and non-dispersible in water having at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer containing essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups and each B block is a polymer block containing 10 to 100 mol percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups based on the number of monomer units of the B block, and wherein said A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. Also claimed are processes for making such block copolymers, and the various end uses and applications for such block copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Kraton Polymers US LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Scott Russell Trenor, Brian Douglas Mather
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Publication number: 20110263763Abstract: A method for varying the transport properties of a film cast from a polymer having at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation, and wherein said A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. The method includes casting the polymer using a solvent mixture having two or more solvents selected from the group consisting of polar solvents and non-polar solvents.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Dale Lee Handlin, JR., Scott Russell Trenor, Brian Douglas Mather
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Patent number: 8003733Abstract: A process for preparing sulfonated block copolymers that are solid in water having at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B involving sulfonating the interior block B until substantially sulfonated. Each A block having one or more segments selected from polymerized (i) para-substituted styrene monomers, (ii) ethylene, (iii) alpha olefins of 3 to 18 carbon atoms; (iv) hydrogenated 1,3-cyclodiene monomers, (v) hydrogenated monomers of conjugated dienes having a vinyl content less than 35 mol percent prior to hydrogenation, (vi) acrylic esters, (vii) methacrylic esters, and (viii) mixtures thereof. Each B block having segments of one or more polymerized vinyl aromatic monomers selected from (i) unsubstituted styrene monomers, (ii) ortho-substituted styrene monomers, (iii) meta-substituted styrene monomers, (iv) alpha-methylstyrene, (v) 1,1-diphenylethylene, (vi) 1,2-diphenylethylene and (vii) mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Kraton Polymers US LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Scott Russell Trenor, Brian Douglas Mather
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Patent number: 7981970Abstract: A sulfonated block copolymer which is solid and non-dispersible in water having at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation, wherein the A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. Each A block having one or more segments selected from (i) acrylic esters, (ii) methacrylic esters, and (viii) mixtures thereof; and each B block comprising segments of one or more polymerized vinyl aromatic monomers selected from (i) unsubstituted styrene monomers, (ii) ortho-substituted styrene monomers, (iii) meta-substituted styrene monomers, (iv) alpha-methylstyrene, (v) 1,1-diphenylethylene, (vi) 1,2-diphenylethylene and (vii) mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Kraton Polymers US LLCInventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Scott Russell Trenor, Brian Douglas Mather
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Patent number: 7977432Abstract: The present invention is a, solid block copolymer comprising at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer block resistant to lithiation and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to lithiation, and wherein said A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. After lithiation, the lithiated polymer is reacted with at least one graftable functional molecule selected from the group consisting of an electrophilic graftable molecule containing a functional group and an electrophile. Preferred are carbon monoxide and ethylene oxide. Also claimed are processes for making such block copolymers, and the various end uses and applications for such block copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Robert C. Bening, Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Scott Russell Trenor, Carl Lesley Willis
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Publication number: 20110086977Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for neutralizing a sulfonated block copolymer with a metal compound, to metal-neutralized block copolymers, and to various articles comprising the metal-neutralized block copolymers, e.g., in form of a water vapor permeable membrane which comprises the metal-neutralized block copolymers. The present disclosure further relates to a means and a method for storing and stabilizing a polar component such as a metal compound in a non-polar liquid phase by immuring the polar component in micelles of the sulfonated block copolymer in the non-polar liquid phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventor: Carl Lesley Willis