Patents by Inventor Georges Schäfer

Georges Schäfer 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).

  • Publication number: 20070123622
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having both a pendent ether group and a pendent ester group that are useful as plasticizers for polymer resin and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment of the invention, compounds according to the invention are formed by converting at least one, but not all, of the hydroxyl groups of a polyol having three or more hydroxyl groups (e.g., gylcerol, pentaerythritol or dipentaerythritol) to a pendent ether group to form a partially-etherized intermediate, and then converting at least one of the remaining hydroxyl groups in the partially-etherized intermediate to a pendent ester group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: FERRO CORPORATION
    Inventor: George Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6811722
    Abstract: The present invention provides a phthalate-free plasticizer for polymer resins. The phthalate-free plasticizer according to the invention includes a mixture of different triesters of glycerin, at least one of which meets the formula: CH2(OOR1)CH(OOR2)CH2(OOR3) wherein at least two of R1, R2, and R3 are different alkyl or aryl groups. Phthalate-free plasticizers according to the invention can be made by esterifying glycerin with a mixture of acids in the presence of a catalyst. Preferably, the mixture of acids includes at least two selected from the group consisting of alkyl acids and aryl acids, with each acid in the mixture containing up to about 11 carbon atoms, and more preferably from about 4 to about 9 carbon atoms each. The plasticizer according to the invention can be used to modify the properties of a wide variety of polymers including vinyl polymers, rubbers, polyurethanes, and acrylics, and has superb thermostability and low volatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Zhou, George Schaefer, William W. Knickmeyer, David Paul
  • Publication number: 20040106819
    Abstract: The present invention provides a phthalate-free plasticizer for polymer resins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Zhou, George Schaefer, William W. Knickmeyer, Pamela K. Knickmeyer, David Paul
  • Patent number: 6740254
    Abstract: The present invention provides a phthalate-free plasticizer for polymer resins. The phthalate-free plasticizer according to the invention includes a mixture of different triesters of glycerin, at least one of which meets the formula: CH2(OOR1)CH(OOR2)CH2(OOR3) wherein at least two of R1, R2, and R3 are different alkyl or aryl groups. Phthalate-free plasticizers according to the invention can be made by esterifying glycerin with a mixture of acids in the presence of a catalyst. In the presently most preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixture of acids includes benzoic acid and butanoic acid. The plasticizer according to the invention can be used to modify the properties of a wide variety of polymers including vinyl polymers, rubbers, polyurethanes, and acrylics, and has superb thermostability and low volatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Zhou, George Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6652774
    Abstract: The present invention provides a phthalate-free plasticizer for polymer resins. The phthalate-free plasticizer according to the invention includes a mixture of different triesters of glycerin, at least one of which meets the formula: CH2(OOR1)CH(OOR2)CH2(OOR3) wherein at least two of R1, R2, and R3 are different alkyl or aryl groups. Phthalate-free plasticizers according to the invention can be made by esterifying glycerin with a mixture of acids in the presence of a catalyst. Preferably, the mixture of acids includes at least two selected from the group consisting of alkyl acids and aryl acids, with each acid in the mixture containing up to about 11 carbon atoms, and more preferably from about 4 to about 9 carbon atoms each. The plasticizer according to the invention can be used to modify the properties of a wide variety of polymers including vinyl polymers, rubbers, polyurethanes, and acrylics, and has superb thermostability and low volatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Zhou, George Schaefer, William W. Knickmeyer, David Paul
  • Publication number: 20030120104
    Abstract: The present invention provides a phthalate-free plasticizer for polymer resins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Zhou, George Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20030116750
    Abstract: The present invention provides a phthalate-free plasticizer for polymer resins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Lei Zhou, George Schaefer, William W. Knickmeyer, Pamela K. Knickmeyer, David Paul
  • Patent number: 6203189
    Abstract: The invention concerns a manual control device for a watch including a bolt sliding on the external surface of a watch case, in particular to set a repeater mechanism, said bolt being connected through an opening arranged in said watch case to a sliding block controlling the desired function, said device further including a sealing gasket arranged around said opening and control means associated with said bolt, said control means allowing said device to pass from a first state, called the rest state, in which the bolt is locked with respect to the case and said gasket is compressed, to a second state, called the setting state, in which the bolt is unlocked and said gasket is not compressed, characterised in that said sealing gasket is arranged to be applied around said opening between said bolt and the external surface of the case and in that the control means include an articulated lever provided with an eccentric portion, said lever allowing said device to pass from the setting state to the rest state and v
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Blancpain S.A.
    Inventor: Georges Schäfer