Patents by Inventor James C. Tou

James C. Tou 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: 5718967
    Abstract: The present invention is a laminate which comprises:a) a plastic substrate having a surface;b) an adhesion promoter layer which is a first plasma polymerized organosilicon compound deposited on the surface of the substrate in the substantial absence of oxygen; andc) a protective coating layer which is a second plasma polymerized organosilicon compound deposited on the surface of the adhesion layer at a power density from about 10.sup.6 J/kg to about 10.sup.8 J/kg, and in the presence of a sufficient stoichiometric excess of oxygen to form a silicon polymer of SiO.sub.1.8-2.4 C.sub.0.3-1.0 and H.sub.0.7-4.0.The coating layer provides abrasion and solvent resistance for the substrate, and the adhesion promoter prevents the coating layer from peeling off the substrate. The coated plastic substrate can be used in liquid crystal display devices as an alternative to glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ing-Feng Hu, Paul J. O'Connor, James C. Tou, James H. Sedon, Stephen E. Bales, Donald J. Perettie
  • Patent number: 5681531
    Abstract: Apparatus for optimizing a treatment for removing organic substances from a chemical process stream wherein known quantities and kinds of organic or other compounds are injected into and dissolved in the stream prior to treatment thereof. Samples of the compounds are extracted from the stream before and after treatment thereof and compared with one another to determine the efficiency of the treatment. The injecting apparatus is one that enables a substance that is at least partially immiscible with the liquid of the stream to be injected into the stream at a velocity sufficiently great to cause adequate dissolution of the substance in the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mark A. LaPack, James C. Tou, Terry J. Nestrick
  • Patent number: 5518831
    Abstract: An electrocatalytic structure is disclosed which comprises a matrix of a SiO.sub.x C.sub.y H.sub.z having dispersed therein discrete particles of a catalytic material. The method of preparation and use in electrochemical reactions is taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: James C. Tou, Ing-Feng Hu
  • Patent number: 5494712
    Abstract: A method of preparing a coated substrate is disclosed. The substrate is coated with a plasma generated polymer containing Si, O, C and H in specific atom ratio wherein the polymer also contains certain functional groups. A power density of about 10.sup.6 to about 10.sup.8 J/Kg is employed in the plasma polymerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ing-Feng Hu, James C. Tou
  • Patent number: 5482862
    Abstract: Method for optimizing a treatment for removing organic substances from a chemical process stream wherein known quantities and kinds of organic or other compounds are injected into and dissolved in the stream prior to treatment thereof. Samples of the compounds are extracted from the stream before and after treatment thereof and compared with one another to determine the efficiency of the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mark A. LaPack, Terry J. Nestrick, James C. Tou
  • Patent number: 5433786
    Abstract: An apparatus useful in preparing a coated substrate is disclosed. The substrate is coated with a plasma generated polymer containing Si, O, C and H in specific atom ratio wherein the polymer also contains certain functional groups. A power density of about 106 to about 108 J/Kg is employed in the plasma polymerization process. The apparatus comprises a plasma generating vacuum reaction vessel utilizing parallel plate electrodes. One of the electrodes comprises a magnetically enhanced shower head. A magnet is positioned in the interior of the shower head in contact with both the inner surfaces of the upper and lower portion thereof to concentrate the magnetic field above the upper surface of the shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ing-Feng Hu, James C. Tou
  • Patent number: 5320875
    Abstract: A method of preparing a coated substrate is disclosed. The substrate is coated with a plasma generated polymer containing Si, Or C and H in specific atom ratio wherein the polymer also contains certain functional groups, A power density of about 10.sup.6 to about 10.sup.8 J/Kg is employed in the plasma polymerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ing-Feng Hu, James C. Tou
  • Patent number: 5298587
    Abstract: A method of preparing a coated substrate is disclosed. The substrate is coated with a plasma generated polymer containing Si, O, C and H in specific atom ratio wherein the polymer also contains certain functional groups. A power density of about 10.sup.6 to about 10.sup.8 J/Kg is employed in the plasma polymerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Ing-Feng Hu, James C. Tou
  • Patent number: 5233876
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for on-line analysis of multiple stream processes wherein each stream has an influent delivered to a treatment zone and an effluent discharged from such zone and wherein both the influent and effluent are analyzed and the analyses compared for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mark A. LaPack, James C. Tou, Joanna L. Shih, William E. Martin, Renne Y. Keith, Terry J. Nestrick
  • Patent number: 5196103
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an electrical interconnection device having conductive metal layers separated by a dielectric cyclobutarene polymer layer. The adhesion of the conductive metal layer to the dielectric cyclobutarene polymer layer is promoted by a carbide-forming metal interface layer. Further disclosed is a method of making such electrical interconnection device by ion sputtering the dielectric cyclobutarene polymer surface, vapor depositing a carbide-forming metal interface layer onto the sputtered polymer surface, and then vapor depositing the superior conductive metal layer onto the carbide-forming metal interface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: James C. Tou, Paul H. Townsend, III
  • Patent number: 5131261
    Abstract: A system for measuring the permeation rate of organic molecules across a polymer film, which includes a membrane chamber, an electron impact mass spectrometer and a flow-through hollow fiber probe for providing an interface between the membrane chamber and the mass spectrometer. The membrane chamber supports the polymer film sample to be tested, and permits one side of the sample to be exposed to a vapor containing a known concentration of organic molecules under substantially atmospheric pressure and controlled environmental conditions on both the upstream and downstream sides of the sample. The membrane chamber features a unique permeation cell and sample holder arrangement which employs a pair of adhesive backed cards to sandwich the sample and maintain a permanent desirable alignment of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: James C. Tou, Donald C. Rulf
  • Patent number: 5019139
    Abstract: A combination of a membrane, such as a silicone rubber membrane, and a valve having a chamber within it, such as a solenoid valve. The present invention is suitable, for example, for use with a mass spectrometer. The membrane partitions the chamber into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion. The valve has at least three passageways into it. The first two passageways lead to the first chamber portion. The third passageway leads to the second chamber portion. A solenoid plunger is used to close off the third passageway when desired. When used with a mass spectrometer, the third passageway is connected to the vacuum inlet of the mass spectrometer and a sample is flowed into and out of the first chamber portion via the first two passaageways. A component of interest in the sample can permeate across the membrane into the second chamber portion and can flow via the third passageway to the mass spectrometer. When desired, the plunger can be used to close the third passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Mark A. LaPack, James C. Tou
  • Patent number: 4944180
    Abstract: A system for measuring the permeation rate of organic molecules across a polymer film, which includes a membrane chamber, an electron impact mass spectrometer and a flow-through hollow fiber probe for providing an interface between the membrane chamber and the mass spectrometer. The membrane chamber supports the polymer film sample to be tested, and permits one side of the sample to be exposed to a vapor containing a known concentration of organic molecules under substantially atmospheric pressure and controlled environmental conditions on both the upstream and downstream sides of the sample. The membrane chamber features a unique permeation cell and sample holder arrangement which employs a pair of adhesive backed cards to sandwich the sample and maintain a permanent desirable alignment of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: James C. Tou, Donald C. Rulf
  • Patent number: 4791292
    Abstract: A device for introducing a sample into a mass spectrometer which generally comprises a probe which is connected to the mass spectrometer and a semipermeable capillary tube connected at the end of the probe. The probe includes conduit passageways for permitting bidirectional fluid flow through the probe, and the capillary tube is connected to the end of the probe so as to permit the flow of a fluid containing the sample to be analyzed through the probe and the capillary tube. This fluid flow through the capillary tube will enable at least a portion of the sample to be transferred into the mass spectrometer via diffusion through the capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Cooks, Mark E. Bier, Jennifer S. Brodbelt, James C. Tou, Lemoyne B. Westover
  • Patent number: 4791291
    Abstract: This invention relates to several improvements in mass spectrometric analysis. In accordance with one aspect of this invention, a mass spectrometer sampling system is provided in which a continuous flowing liquid stream can be sampled into a carrier gas stream where it is heated and vaporized. The gas and vapor mixture is transmitted into a plurality of chambers connected in series which have the effects of diluting the concentration of the vaporized liquid injected into the inert gas streams and also shaping the concentration time profile at the exit of the last chamber to be a symmetric peak. These effects have been found to provide several advantages such as prolonging the instrument operation time, and allowing a faster sample injection rate. Once the mixture has exited the last of the chambers, a molecular leak is provided to reduce the pressure to that necessary for the operation of the mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: James C. Tou
  • Patent number: 4727115
    Abstract: Synthetic resins such as absorption resins which have been cross-linked with a molecule having pendant double bonds which reacted with a reactive molecule such as molecular halogen, to eliminate unreacted pendant double bonds present in the resin. This method renders the resin less susceptible to runaway thermal reactions which can cause the resin to burn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: James C. Tou