Patents by Inventor James D. Ulmer

James D. Ulmer 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: 11718698
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polyolefin grafted polydiene polymers, wherein the polyolefin grafted polydiene polymers comprises a polydiene having a polydiene polymer backbone, a polyolefin, and at least one sulfur containing functionalizing agent which grafts the polyolefin onto at least one non-terminal position on the polydiene polymer backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence E. Hogan, Arif O. Gozen, James D. Ulmer
  • Patent number: 11505635
    Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a copolymer comprising a vinyl-aromatic monomer and a heterocyclic monomer. The copolymer is crosslinked with a multifunctional crosslinking agent polymerizable through an addition reaction. A nanoparticle and elastomer composition is disclosed. Several methods of mixing heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic monomer nanoparticles into an elastomer are also disclosed. These methods include mixing in a multi-elements static mixer and an intermeshing mixer with venting, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, Waruna C. B. Kiridena, James H. Pawlow, James D. Ulmer, Christopher G. Robertson, Michael C. Davis, Jeffrey D. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20210230420
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polyolefin grafted polydiene polymers, wherein the polyolefin grafted polydiene polymers comprises a polydiene having a polydiene polymer backbone, a polyolefin, and at least one sulfur containing functionalizing agent which grafts the polyolefin onto at least one non-terminal position on the polydiene polymer backbone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence E. Hogan, Arif O. Gozen, James D. Ulmer
  • Publication number: 20190389992
    Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a copolymer comprising a vinyl-aromatic monomer and a heterocyclic monomer. The copolymer is crosslinked with a multifunctional crosslinking agent polymerizable through an addition reaction. A nanoparticle and elastomer composition is disclosed. Several methods of mixing heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic monomer nanoparticles into an elastomer are also disclosed. These methods include mixing in a multi-elements static mixer and an intermeshing mixer with venting, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, Waruna C.B. Kiridena, James H. Pawlow, James D. Ulmer, Christopher G. Robertson, Michael C. David, Jeffrey D. Quinn
  • Patent number: 10407522
    Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a copolymer comprising a vinyl-aromatic monomer and a heterocyclic monomer. The copolymer is crosslinked with a multifunctional crosslinking agent polymerizable through an addition reaction. A nanoparticle and elastomer composition is disclosed. Several methods of mixing heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic monomer nanoparticles into an elastomer are also disclosed. These methods include mixing in a multi-elements static mixer and an intermeshing mixer with venting, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, Waruna C. B. Kiridena, James H. Pawlow, James D. Ulmer, Christopher G. Robertson, Michael Davis, Jeffrey Quinn
  • Publication number: 20180362695
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polyolefm grafted polydiene polymers, wherein the polyolefin grafted polydiene polymers comprises a polydiene having a polydiene polymer backbone, a polyolefm, and at least one sulfur containing functionalizing agent which grafts the polyolefin onto at least one non-terminal position on the polydiene polymer backbone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence E. Hogan, Arif O. Gozen, James D. Ulmer
  • Patent number: 9849726
    Abstract: A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ulmer, Robert Gibbons Barned, Lisa Marie Dinger, Joseph Lanzarotta
  • Patent number: 9663629
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are rubber compositions suitable for use in tire treads comprising (a) at least one conjugated diene polymer or copolymer; (b) at least one filler; (c) a curative package; and (d) at least one of: (i) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax, or (ii) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one silicone-containing wax comprising a functionalized polyalkylsiloxane, a functionalized polyalkylsilsesquioxane resin, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax is a chlorinated hydrocarbon or a fluorinated hydrocarbon wax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Xiao-Dong Pan, Yaohong Chen, Mindaugas Rackaitis, James D. Ulmer, Nicole Capitos-Davis
  • Patent number: 9428604
    Abstract: A nanoparticle includes a copolymer comprising a vinyl-aromatic monomer and a heterocyclic monomer. The copolymer is crosslinked with a multifunctional crosslinking agent polymerizable through an addition reaction. A nanoparticle and elastomer composition is disclosed. Several methods of mixing heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic monomer nanoparticles into an elastomer are also disclosed. These methods include mixing in a multi-elements static mixer and an intermeshing mixer with venting, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, Waruna C. B. Kiridena, James H. Pawlow, James D. Ulmer, Christopher G. Robertson, Michael Davis
  • Publication number: 20160200900
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are rubber compositions suitable for use in tire treads comprising (a) at least one conjugated diene polymer or copolymer; (b) at least one filler; (c) a curative package; and (d) at least one of: (i) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax, or (ii) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one silicone-containing wax comprising a functionalized polyalkylsiloxane, a functionalized polyalkylsilsesquioxane resin, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax is a chlorinated hydrocarbon or a fluorinated hydrocarbon wax.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Xiao-Dong Pan, Yaohong Chen, Mindaugas Rackaitis, James D. Ulmer, Nicole Capitos-Davis
  • Patent number: 9309372
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are rubber compositions suitable for use in tire treads comprising (a) at least one conjugated diene polymer or copolymer; (b) at least one filler; (c) a curative package; and (d) at least one of: (i) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax, or (ii) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one silicone-containing wax comprising a functionalized polyalkylsiloxane, a functionalized polyalkylsilsesquioxane resin, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax is a chlorinated hydrocarbon or a fluorinated hydrocarbon wax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Xiao-Dong Pan, Yaohong Chen, Mindaugas Rackaitis, James D. Ulmer, Nicole Capitos-Davis
  • Publication number: 20150101726
    Abstract: A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: James D. Ulmer, Robert Gibbons Barned, Lisa Marie Dinger, Joseph Lanzarotta
  • Patent number: 8945447
    Abstract: A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: James D. Ulmer, Robert Gibbons Barned, Lisa Marie Dinger, Joseph Lanzarotta
  • Publication number: 20130231426
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are rubber compositions suitable for use in tire treads comprising (a) at least one conjugated diene polymer or copolymer; (b) at least one filler; (c) a curative package; and (d) at least one of: (i) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax, or (ii) from 0.2 to 10 phr of at least one silicone-containing wax comprising a functionalized polyalkylsiloxane, a functionalized polyalkylsilsesquioxane resin, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the at least one halogenated hydrocarbon wax is a chlorinated hydrocarbon or a fluorinated hydrocarbon wax.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yaohong Chen, 1. Xiao-Dong Pan, Mindaugas Rackaitis, James D. Ulmer, Nicole Capitos-Davis
  • Publication number: 20120174661
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a methodology for determining various rubber composition factors that play a role in the structural and functional attributes of the rubber. The present invention also relates to tire treads that are derived using the methodology for optimizing the same as described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, James D. Ulmer, Christopher G. Robertson
  • Patent number: 7964656
    Abstract: A method for forming a vulcanizable composition of matter, the method comprising providing a polymer cement or latex comprising at least one rubber, adding at least one processing aid to the cement or latex to form a modified rubber cement or latex, isolating the rubber and at least one processing aid to form a premix, and mixing the premix with carbon black.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Georg G. A. Böhm, Anthony J. Ramic, James D. Ulmer, William L. Hergenrother, Christine M. Rademacher, David F. Lawson, Sunil B. Sarkar
  • Publication number: 20100096058
    Abstract: A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: James D. Ulmer, Robert Gibbons Barned, Lisa Marie Dinger, Joseph Lanzarotta
  • Patent number: 7228732
    Abstract: A method of developing a set of input forces used to analyze tire wear includes the steps of characterizing a wear course by driving a vehicle over the wear course and measuring data related to a plurality of forces experienced by the vehicle. A vehicle characterization model for a target vehicle having at least one tire is developed. The vehicle characterization model is used to calculate force data that represents the forces that would be experienced by at least one tire of the characterized vehicle if the characterized vehicle were driven over the characterized wear test course in the first vehicle configuration. The force data is then used to analyze tire wear using a computer prediction technique or by running an indoor wear test on the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Turner, David O. Stalnaker, James D. Ulmer, Erik F. Knuth
  • Patent number: 6713541
    Abstract: A polar surfactant, preferably organic, is disclosed to increase dispersion of reinforcing filler aggregates in rubber compositions. The surfactant acts on binders present in the reinforcing filler aggregates so that the surfactant associates with the water soluble binder on carbon black to increase carbon black dispersion. The polar surfactant has an hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value of about 3 to about 35. Rubber products using the composition and methods of making the composition are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, Anthony J. Ramic, James D. Ulmer
  • Patent number: 6596798
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a functionalized polymer. The method includes the steps of providing a living lithium polymer and terminating the polymer with an oxazoline compound selected from an organic halide oxazoline and a branched or unbranched vinyl oxazoline compound. The present invention also provides a compounded rubber article wherein carbon black is compounded with a terminated rubber that is the reaction product of a living lithium polymer and such oxazoline compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Christine M. Rademacher, William L. Hergenrother, Daniel F. Graves, James D. Ulmer