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).
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Patent number: 5718967Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 1996Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Ing-Feng Hu, Paul J. O'Connor, James C. Tou, James H. Sedon, Stephen E. Bales, Donald J. Perettie
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Patent number: 5681531Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 3, 1995Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Mark A. LaPack, James C. Tou, Terry J. Nestrick
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Patent number: 5518831Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 7, 1995Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: James C. Tou, Ing-Feng Hu
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Patent number: 5494712Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 17, 1994Date of Patent: February 27, 1996Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Ing-Feng Hu, James C. Tou
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Patent number: 5482862Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 10, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Mark A. LaPack, Terry J. Nestrick, James C. Tou
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Patent number: 5433786Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 1993Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Ing-Feng Hu, James C. Tou
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Patent number: 5320875Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 1993Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Ing-Feng Hu, James C. Tou
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Patent number: 5298587Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 1992Date of Patent: March 29, 1994Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Ing-Feng Hu, James C. Tou
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Patent number: 5233876Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 1991Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Mark A. LaPack, James C. Tou, Joanna L. Shih, William E. Martin, Renne Y. Keith, Terry J. Nestrick
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Patent number: 5196103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 12, 1991Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: James C. Tou, Paul H. Townsend, III
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Patent number: 5131261Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 1990Date of Patent: July 21, 1992Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: James C. Tou, Donald C. Rulf
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Patent number: 5019139Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 1989Date of Patent: May 28, 1991Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Mark A. LaPack, James C. Tou
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Patent number: 4944180Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 1988Date of Patent: July 31, 1990Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: James C. Tou, Donald C. Rulf
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Patent number: 4791292Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 1986Date of Patent: December 13, 1988Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert G. Cooks, Mark E. Bier, Jennifer S. Brodbelt, James C. Tou, Lemoyne B. Westover
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Patent number: 4791291Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 1986Date of Patent: December 13, 1988Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventor: James C. Tou
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Patent number: 4727115Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 2, 1982Date of Patent: February 23, 1988Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventor: James C. Tou