Patents by Inventor Howard C. Berk

Howard C. Berk 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: 20230202961
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for purification, recovery, and conversion of chlorophenol salts (e.g., 2,5-dichlorophenol and salts thereof). In various aspects, the present invention is related to removing one or more impurities from chlorophenol salt-containing process streams and/or recovering chlorophenol salts from process streams for use of the recovered chlorophenol elsewhere in an integrated process. Process streams that may be treated in accordance with the present invention include those incorporating one or more chlorophenol salts in a feed mixture and also those where one or more chlorophenol salts are present in a product or by-product stream of an integrated process. For example, conversion processes of the present invention are suitable as one piece of an integrated process for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) or a salt or ester thereof or a process for producing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or a salt or ester thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, Bruno de Kort, John Joseph Parlow, Amy E. Stroman, Junqiu Yang
  • Patent number: 11629114
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for purification, recovery, and conversion of chlorophenol salts (e.g., 2,5-dichlorophenol and salts thereof). In various aspects, the present invention is related to removing one or more impurities from chlorophenol salt-containing process streams and/or recovering chlorophenol salts from process streams for use of the recovered chlorophenol elsewhere in an integrated process. Process streams that may be treated in accordance with the present invention include those incorporating one or more chlorophenol salts in a feed mixture and also those where one or more chlorophenol salts are present in a product or by-product stream of an integrated process. For example, conversion processes of the present invention are suitable as one piece of an integrated process for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) or a salt or ester thereof or a process for producing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or a salt or ester thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, Bruno de Kort, John Joseph Parlow, Amy E. Stroman, Junqiu Yang
  • Publication number: 20210163395
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for purification, recovery, and conversion of chlorophenol salts (e.g., 2,5-dichlorophenol and salts thereof). In various aspects, the present invention is related to removing one or more impurities from chlorophenol salt-containing process streams and/or recovering chlorophenol salts from process streams for use of the recovered chlorophenol elsewhere in an integrated process. Process streams that may be treated in accordance with the present invention include those incorporating one or more chlorophenol salts in a feed mixture and also those where one or more chlorophenol salts are present in a product or by-product stream of an integrated process. For example, conversion processes of the present invention are suitable as one piece of an integrated process for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) or a salt or ester thereof or a process for producing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or a salt or ester thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, Bruno de Kort, John Joseph Parlow, Amy E. Stroman, Junqiu Yang
  • Patent number: 10913701
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for purification, recovery, and conversion of chlorophenol salts (e.g., 2,5-dichlorophenol and salts thereof). In various aspects, the present invention is related to removing one or more impurities from chlorophenol salt-containing process streams and/or recovering chlorophenol salts from process streams for use of the recovered chlorophenol elsewhere in an integrated process. Process streams that may be treated in accordance with the present invention include those incorporating one or more chlorophenol salts in a feed mixture and also those where one or more chlorophenol salts are present in a product or by-product stream of an integrated process. For example, conversion processes of the present invention are suitable as one piece of an integrated process for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) or a salt or ester thereof or a process for producing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or a salt or ester thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, Bruno de Kort, John Joseph Parlow, Amy E. Stroman, Junqiu Yang
  • Publication number: 20190322612
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for purification, recovery, and conversion of chlorophenol salts (e.g., 2,5-dichlorophenol and salts thereof). In various aspects, the present invention is related to removing one or more impurities from chlorophenol salt-containing process streams and/or recovering chlorophenol salts from process streams for use of the recovered chlorophenol elsewhere in an integrated process. Process streams that may be treated in accordance with the present invention include those incorporating one or more chlorophenol salts in a feed mixture and also those where one or more chlorophenol salts are present in a product or by-product stream of an integrated process. For example, conversion processes of the present invention are suitable as one piece of an integrated process for producing 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) or a salt or ester thereof or a process for producing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or a salt or ester thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, Bruno de Kort, John Joseph Parlow, Amy E. Stroman, Junqiu Yang
  • Patent number: 8450523
    Abstract: This invention is directed a process for preparation of a carboxylic acid salt by dehydrogenation of a primary alcohol. The invention is also directed to a catalyst for dehydrogenating primary alcohols. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cobalt, iron, tin and combinations thereof having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, Howard C. Berk, William L. Moench, Jr., James C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8298985
    Abstract: This invention is directed to catalysts for dehydrogenating primary alcohols. Catalysts comprising a metal support comprising (a) from about 2% to about 30% by weight copper, and (b) at least about 50% by weight non-copper metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, zinc, tin, cobalt, iron and combinations thereof; and a copper-containing coating are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, Howard C. Berk
  • Publication number: 20120190889
    Abstract: This invention is directed a process for preparation of a carboxylic acid salt by dehydrogenation of a primary alcohol. The invention is also directed to a catalyst for dehydrogenating primary alcohols. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cobalt, iron, tin and combinations thereof having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, Howard C. Berk, William L. Moench, JR., James C. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20110071018
    Abstract: This invention is directed a catalyst for dehydrogenating primary alcohols. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cobalt, iron, tin and combinations thereof having a copper-containing coating at the surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, Howard C. Berk, William L. Moench, JR., James C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7329778
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof. The support is resistant to deformation under the conditions of the dehydrogenation reaction. In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal sponge having a copper-containing active phase at the surface thereof and a supporting structure containing at least 10% non-copper metal. This invention is also directed to copper-containing catalysts which may, for example, be used in the above process. This invention is further directed to processes for making such catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, Howard C. Berk, William L. Moench, Jr., James C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7064235
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. The process includes a series of reactions comprising a cyanomethylation, a hydrolysis and a dehydrogenation. In a particular embodiment, the iminodiacetic acid produced is disodium iminodiacetic acid and the monoethanolamine substrate used is 2-aminoethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, Thaddeus S. Franczyk, II, Robert B. Weisenfeld, David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, William L. Moench, Jr., James C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6706662
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for dehydrogenating primary alcohols to make salts of carboxylic acids. The process comprises contacting a catalyst, preferably a metal support coated with copper or silver, with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. The invention further provides for novel copper-containing and silver-containing catalysts which may be used, for example, in the above process as well as processes for making such catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, Howard C. Berk, William L. Moench, Jr., James C. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20030176735
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, Thaddeus S. Franczyk, Robert B. Weisenfeld, David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, William L. Moench, James C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6555706
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine substrate having the formula: wherein R1 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl. The process includes a series of reactions comprising a cyanomethylation, a hydrolysis and a dehydrogenation with the hydrolysis and dehydrogenation steps being carried out either sequentially or concurrently. In a particular embodiment, the iminodiacetic acid produced is disodium iminodiacetic acid and the monoethanolamine substrate used is 2-aminoethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, Thaddeus S. Franczyk, II, Robert B. Weisenfeld, David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, William L. Moench, James C. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20020161259
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for dehydrogenating primary alcohols to make salts of carboxylic acids. The process comprises contacting a catalyst, preferably a metal support coated with copper or silver, with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. The invention further provides for novel copper-containing and silver-containing catalysts which may be used, for example, in the above process as well as processes for making such catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, Howard C. Berk, William L. Moench, James C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6376708
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol. In one embodiment, for example, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) coated with copper. The support comprises at least about 10% (by weight) non-copper metal, and the copper-containing coating comprises from about 0.005 to about 0.5 grams of copper (per gram of said metal support). In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises a metal support (preferably a metal sponge support) coated with silver. The support comprises at least about 10% (by weight) non-silver metal, and the silver-containing coating comprises from about 0.005 to about 0.5 grams of copper (per gram of said metal support). In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises at least about 15% (by weight) non-copper metal, and at least about 10% (by weight) copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, Howard C. Berk, William L. Moench, Jr., James C. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20020019565
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making an iminodiacetic acid compound from a monoethanolamine compound having the following formula: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, Thaddeus S. Franczyk, Robert B. Weisenfeld, David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, William L. Moench, James C. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20020019564
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making a salt of a carboxylic acid. The process comprises contacting a catalyst with an alkaline mixture comprising a primary alcohol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: David A. Morgenstern, Juan P. Arhancet, Howard C. Berk, William L. Moench, James C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5389598
    Abstract: Disclosed are storage-stable aqueous concentrate formulations of pesticides or plant growth modifying agents containing sufficient amounts of an alkoxylated alkylamine surfactant to insure a high degree of pesticidal or plant growth modifying efficacy, wherein irritancy to eyes resulting from the presence of said surfactant is reduced by the presence of an effective amount of a C.sub.6-22 saturated or unsaturated alkyl monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acid or mixture of such acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Howard C. Berk, James W. Kassebaum
  • Patent number: 5317003
    Abstract: A herbicidal composition is provided which is substantially non-irritant to the eyes and which comprises a stable aqueous concentrate solution of one or more agriculturally acceptable salts-of N-phosphonomethylglycine and a surfactant represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group having from about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 is ethyl, propyl, or a mixture of ethyl and propyl, the sum of n and m is between about 5 and about 50, R.sup.2 is an alkyl group with 1-4 carbon atoms, X is an agriculturally acceptable anion, and the weight ratio of surfactant to N-phosphonomethylglycine (expressed as the acid equivalent) is between about 1:5 and about 5:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: James W. Kassebaum, Howard C. Berk