Patents by Inventor George Henry Hofmann

George Henry Hofmann 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: 7776944
    Abstract: Disclosed are composite compositions and articles prepared from such composites. The composition comprises or is produced from cellulose material, thermoplastic polymer, and a compatibilizing agent which is the reaction product of polyvinyl butyral, having hydroxyl functionality, and a second polymer which comprises or is produced from polyvinyl butyral and a second polymer wherein the polyvinyl butyral comprises a hydroxyl functionality and the second polymer reacts with at least a portion of the hydroxyl functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Elizabeth R. Griffin, George Henry Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20080207829
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyvinylbutyral (PVB) composition that is useful for blending with other polymers. The PVB composition of the present invention can be stored and used at ambient temperature without the occurrence of blocking by the PVB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: George Henry Hofmann, Win-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: 7261935
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer polymer composition having a polar outer layer and a non-polar second outer layer. The polar outer layer is preferably PVC and the non-polar outer layer, polypropylene. The adhesive tie layer is a unique blend of a copolyester elastomer, a non-polar polymer, and a copolymer that contains functional groups capable of reaction with the functional end groups of the copolyester elastomer and that is totally or partially miscible with the non-polar polymer in the second outer layer. The multi-layer polymer can be advantageously coextruded. The non-polar outer layer can comprise the bulk of a fabricated part, with only a thin layer of polar polymer, providing desired attributes of the polar polymer at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: George Henry Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6992141
    Abstract: Polymers containing ?-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as ?-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from ?-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with ?-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as ?-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Brandenburg, David M. Dean, George Henry Hofmann, Rutger D. Puts, Randal King, Edmund Arthur Flexman
  • Publication number: 20040121172
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer polymer composition having a polar outer layer and a non-polar second outer layer. The polar outer layer is preferably PVC and the non-polar outer layer, polypropylene. The adhesive tie layer is a unique blend of a copolyester elastomer, a non-polar polymer, and a copolymer that contains functional groups capable of reaction with the functional end groups of the copolyester elastomer and that is totally or partially miscible with the non-polar polymer in the second outer layer. The multi-layer polymer can be advantageously coextruded. The non-polar outer layer can comprise the bulk of a fabricated part, with only a thin layer of polar polymer, providing desired attributes of the polar polymer at a lower cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: George Henry Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6723790
    Abstract: Polymers containing &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Brandenburg, David M. Dean, George Henry Hofmann, Rutger D. Puts, Edmund A. Flexman
  • Publication number: 20030212203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyvinylbutyral (PVB) composition that is useful for blending with other polymers. The PVB composition of the present invention can be stored and used at ambient temperature without the occurrence of blocking by the PVB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: George Henry Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6534602
    Abstract: A process for reducing the carbonyl group of a polyketone consisting of a carbon monoxide ethylene-based copolymer, comprising reacting a blend of carbon monoxide ethylene-based polymer with a metal alkoxide in a molten condition in proportions to provide a novel polyalcohol. This chemical modification changes the properties of the carbon monoxide ethylene-based polymers and renders them eligible for uses for which the original polymers were not or not very suitable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: George Henry Hofmann, Sampson Chun Fai Lee
  • Patent number: 6506835
    Abstract: A novel composition is disclosed which comprises polyvinyl chloride, an ethylene-based copolymer as a compatibilizer, inorganic fillers and from about 5 to 95 percent by weight of either virgin or recycled/recovered polyvinyl butyral. A process for preparing this novel composition is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: George Henry Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20020028881
    Abstract: Polymers containing &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Charles J. Brandenburg, David M. Dean, George Henry Hofmann, Rutger D. Puts, Edmund A. Flexman
  • Patent number: 6147170
    Abstract: A novel plasticizer composition is disclosed which comprises an ethylene copolymer combined with a reactive ultraviolet (UV) absorbing agent by reaction. Useful UV absorbing agents include homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl-functionalized monomer of benzotriazole, benzophenone, or benzophenolate. A process for preparing this novel plasticizer composition is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: George Henry Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5981008
    Abstract: Halide polymers such as polyvinyl chloride and polyamides melt blended at a polyamide to halide polymer weight ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 2:1 with an effective amount of a carboxyl and/or CO-functional ethylene polymer to compatibilize the halide polymer and polyamide exhibit superior chemical resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: George Henry Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5856405
    Abstract: Halide polymers such as polyvinyl chloride and polyamides melt blended at a polyamide to halide polymer weight ratio of about 1.5:1 to about 2:1 with an effective amount of a carboxyl and/or CO-functional ethylene polymer to compatibilize the halide polymer and polyamide exhibit superior chemical resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: George Henry Hofmann