Patents by Inventor Don S. Wardius

Don S. Wardius 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: 11618814
    Abstract: Disclosed are elastomer compositions. The elastomer compositions include at least 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the elastomer composition, of a polymer matrix; and (b) 0.1 to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the elastomer composition, of a solid isocyanate residue of isocyanate manufacturing, the solid having, prior to its inclusion in the elastomer composition, a D90,3 particle size of no more than 70 microns. Elastomer products made using these elastomer compositions can include, for example, a tire treadstock, a tire sidewall stock, a roofing membrane, a door seal, a window seal, a trunk seal, a hood seal, a hose, such as a hose in a vehicular cooling system circuit, or a hanger element attaching an exhaust system to a vehicle underfloor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Covestro LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Thiel, Don S. Wardius
  • Patent number: 11414544
    Abstract: Disclosed are ethylenically unsaturated macromers produced using a residue of an isocyanate manufacturing process. Also disclosed are preformed stabilizers produced using such macromers, polymer polyols produced using such preformed stabilizers, foam-forming compositions produced using such polymer polyols, and foam produced using such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Covestro LLC
    Inventors: Rick L. Adkins, Don S. Wardius
  • Publication number: 20220177683
    Abstract: Disclosed are elastomer compositions. The elastomer compositions include at least 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the elastomer composition, of a polymer matrix; and (b) 0.1 to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the elastomer composition, of a solid isocyanate residue of isocyanate manufacturing, the solid having, prior to its inclusion in the elastomer composition, a D90,3 particle size of no more than 70 microns. Elastomer products made using these elastomer compositions can include, for example, a tire treadstock, a tire sidewall stock, a roofing membrane, a door seal, a window seal, a trunk seal, a hood seal, a hose, such as a hose in a vehicular cooling system circuit, or a hanger element attaching an exhaust system to a vehicle underfloor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy W. Thiel, Don S. Wardius
  • 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: 20210040316
    Abstract: Disclosed are ethylenically unsaturated macromers produced using a residue of an isocyanate manufacturing process. Also disclosed are preformed stabilizers produced using such macromers, polymer polyols produced using such preformed stabilizers, foam-forming compositions produced using such polymer polyols, and foam produced using such compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Rick L. Adkins, Don S. Wardius
  • Patent number: 10851239
    Abstract: Disclosed are ethylenically unsaturated macromers produced using a residue of an isocyanate manufacturing process. Also disclosed are preformed stabilizers produced using such macromers, polymer polyols produced using such preformed stabilizers, foam-forming compositions produced using such polymer polyols, and foam produced using such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Covestro LLC
    Inventors: Rick L. Adkins, Don S. Wardius
  • Publication number: 20200140684
    Abstract: Disclosed are ethylenically unsaturated macromers produced using a residue of an isocyanate manufacturing process. Also disclosed are preformed stabilizers produced using such macromers, polymer polyols produced using such preformed stabilizers, foam-forming compositions produced using such polymer polyols, and foam produced using such compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Rick L. Adkins, Don S. Wardius
  • Patent number: 10465090
    Abstract: Disclosed are powder coating compositions that include a polymeric aromatic product of an aromatic isocyanate manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: COVESTRO LLC
    Inventors: James Poole, George Pavlovich, Don S. Wardius
  • Patent number: 10400112
    Abstract: Disclosed are powder coating compositions that include a polymeric aromatic product of an aromatic isocyanate manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Covestro LLC
    Inventors: George Pavlovich, Don S. Wardius
  • 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: 20180371287
    Abstract: Disclosed are powder coating compositions that include a polymeric aromatic product of an aromatic isocyanate manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: James Poole, George Pavlovich, Don S. Wardius
  • Publication number: 20180371263
    Abstract: Disclosed are powder coating compositions that include a polymeric aromatic product of an aromatic isocyanate manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: George Pavlovich, Don S. Wardius
  • Patent number: 9834638
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a rigid polyisocyanurate foam involving reacting at an isocyanate index of from about 175 to about 400, a polyisocyanate with at least one natural-oil polyol containing at least about 35 wt. %, based on the weight of the polyol, of natural oil, having a hydroxyl number from about 175 to about 375 and a hydroxyl functionality of about 2.0 to about 2.8, in the presence of a blowing agent and optionally, in the presence of one or more of surfactants, flame retardants, pigments, catalysts and fillers, wherein the resulting foam has a renewable biobased content of at least 8% by weight. The foams provided by the inventive process possess properties similar to foams produced from petroleum-derived materials and may find use in wall or roof insulation systems. The high biobased content (>8%) may allow wall or roof insulation systems containing these foams to be considered for the U.S. Government's preferred procurement program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Covestro LLC
    Inventors: David F. Sounik, Steven L. Schilling, Don S. Wardius, Edward E. Ball
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9493608
    Abstract: This invention relates to a novel process for preparing an aliphatic hybrid ester/ether polyol. This process simultaneously transesterifies and alkoxylates a mixture of at least one ester group containing compound which is free of ether groups, and at least one or more hydroxyl group containing compound which is free of ester groups; with the proviso that the mixture has an overall hydroxyl number of less than or equal to 350; with at least one alkylene oxide; in the presence of a mixture of catalysts. The catalyst mixture comprises at least one DMC catalyst, and at least one non-alkaline transesterification catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Covestro LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G. McDaniel, Rick L. Adkins, Don S. Wardius
  • Patent number: 9284401
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of polyols based on fatty acid esters and starter compounds having Zerewitinoff-active hydrogen atoms and the use thereof for the preparation of polyurethane materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: Bayer MaterialScience LLC, Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Klaus Lorenz, Reinhard Albers, Frank Otto, Ulrich Leyrer, Don S. Wardius, Keith J. Headley
  • Patent number: 8598248
    Abstract: The present invention provides flexible conventional polyurethane foams made from at least one polyisocyanate and at least one vegetable oil alkoxylated in the presence of a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst, optionally at least one non-vegetable oil-based polyol, generally in the presence of a blowing agent and optionally in the presence of a surfactant, pigment, flame retardant, catalyst or filler. The alkoxylated natural oil must have (a) an ethylene oxide content in the alkoxylated segment greater than 20% by weight, (b) a primary hydroxyl group content of at least 10%, with the sum of (a)+(b) being at least 30% but no greater than 60%, The alkoxylated natural oils are environmentally-friendly, bio-based polyols which can be used to increase the “green” content of polyurethane foams without having detrimental effects on foam properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience LLC
    Inventors: Stanley L. Hager, Edward P. Browne, Jack R. Reese, Don S. Wardius, Micah N. Moore