Patents by Inventor Christopher H. West

Christopher H. West 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).

  • Composite product and a process for producing said product
    Patent number: 11370894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a foamed cellulosic fiber-thermoplastic composite article. The method includes the steps of providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamable article in a molding or extruding operation. The method is characterized in that at least 10% of the cellulosic fibers have been thermally modified prior to being combined with the copolymer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: Stora Enso OYJ, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Duncan Mayes, Janne Pynnonen, Christopher H West, Douglas J Gardner, Yousoo Han
  • Composite material and composite product
    Patent number: 11034838
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite material comprising a cellulosic material, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and styrene maleic anhydride (SMA). The cellulosic material may be thermally modified prior to being incorporated into the composite material. The present invention is also directed to a composite product that comprises the composite material according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: Stora Enso OYJ, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Duncan Mayes, Janne Pynnonen, Christopher H. West, Douglas J. Gardner, Yousoo Han
  • A COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND COMPOSITE PRODUCT
    Publication number: 20200239690
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composite material comprising a cellulosic material, high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and styrene maleic anhydride (SMA). The cellulosic material may be thermally modified prior to being incorporated into the composite material. The present invention is also directed to a composite product that comprises the composite material according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicants: Stora Enso OYJ, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Duncan Mayes, Janne Pynnonen, Christopher H. West, Douglas J. Gardner, Yousoo Han
  • A COMPOSITE PRODUCT AND A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SAID PRODUCT
    Publication number: 20180265665
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a foamed cellulosic fiber-thermoplastic composite article. The method includes the steps of providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamable article in a molding or extruding operation. The method is characterized in that at least 10% of the cellulosic fibers have been thermally modified prior to being combined with the copolymer composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicants: Stora Enso OYJ, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Duncan Mayes, Janne Pynnonen, Christopher H West, Douglas J Gardner, Yousoo Han
  • Method of making cellulosic filled thermoplastic composites of an anhydride containing copolymer
    Patent number: 8221663
    Abstract: A method of making foamed articles that includes providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers mixture to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamed article by placing the foamable mixture in a molding or extruding operation. The copolymer composition includes a copolymer of 51% to 99.9% of primary monomers, 0.1% to 49% of anhydride containing monomers, and 0% to 25% of other monomers and 0% to 30% of elastomeric polymers. This is combined at 30% to 99.99% copolymer composition with 0.01% to 70% by cellulosic fibers such that the copolymer anhydride groups react with the cellulosic fiber hydroxyl groups to produce a blowing agent byproduct to form a foamable mixture. The foamed article has a density of not more than 1.3 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: NOVA Chemicals Inc., University of Maine
    Inventors: Stephen Michalik, Douglas J. Gardner, Christopher H. West, Yousoo Han
  • Thermoplastic composites containing lignocellulosic materials and methods of making same
    Patent number: 7659330
    Abstract: A composite includes raw lignocellulosic materials dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix which includes a blend of different polymers. A composite includes raw lignocellulosic materials and a thermal stabilization agent dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix. A composite includes lignocellulosic nanoparticles dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Douglas J. Gardner, Christopher H. West, Yousoo Han
  • METHOD OF MAKING CELLULOSIC FILLED THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES OF AN ANHYDRIDE CONTAINING COPOLYMER
    Publication number: 20090181207
    Abstract: A method of making foamed articles that includes providing a copolymer composition, combining the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers, applying heat, mixing energy and pressure to the copolymer composition and cellulosic fibers mixture to form a foamable mixture, and forming the foamed article by placing the foamable mixture in a molding or extruding operation. The copolymer composition includes a copolymer of 51% to 99.9% of primary monomers, 0.1% to 49% of anhydride containing monomers, and 0% to 25% of other monomers and 0% to 30% of elastomeric polymers. This is combined at 30% to 99.99% copolymer composition with 0.01% to 70% by cellulosic fibers such that the copolymer anhydride groups react with the cellulosic fiber hydroxyl groups to produce a blowing agent byproduct to form a foamable mixture. The foamed article has a density of not more than 1.3 g/cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicants: NOVA CHEMICALS INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE
    Inventors: Stephen Michalik, Douglas J. Gardner, Christopher H. West, Yousoo Han
  • THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES CONTAINING LIGNOCELLULOSIC MATERIALS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20090036575
    Abstract: A composite includes raw lignocellulosic materials dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix which includes a blend of different polymers. A composite includes raw lignocellulosic materials and a thermal stabilization agent dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix. A composite includes lignocellulosic nanoparticles dispersed in a thermoplastic polymeric matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Douglas J. Gardner, Christopher H. West, Yousoo Han