Patents by Inventor Kathryn J. Wright

Kathryn J. Wright 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: 20230249490
    Abstract: An erasable laminate for marking is disclosed. The laminate comprises a substrate with a marking surface, allowing a user to provide markings on the marking surface using the marking material. The marking surface comprises an outer layer containing a sulfonated block copolymer having an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of >0.5 meq/g. At least 50% of the markings can be erased from the marking surface with a wipe moist with a cleaning fluid (e.g., water, isopropyl alcohol, etc.) after wiping for less than 5 min. The laminate with erasable and reusable marking surface can be used for obtaining writing instruments, e.g., notebooks, artist easels, sketches, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Kraton Corporation
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Bharadwaja Peddinti, Felipe Niada
  • Publication number: 20230242776
    Abstract: A method is provided for removing a residue from a surface. The method includes steps of applying a cleaning medium to the surface containing the residue. The cleaning medium comprises up to 100 wt. % of at least a solvent. Allowing the cleaning medium to be in contact with the residue for at least 5 seconds to swell/dissolve the residue for removing the residue from the surface. At least 50 wt. % of the residue and the cleaning medium are removed from the surface by wiping the surface with a shear force. The residue contains a sulfonated polymer having an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of greater than 0.5 meq/g. The sulfonated polymer can kill >90% of microbes coming in contact with the sulfonated polymer in less than 30 min.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Kraton Corporation
    Inventors: Bert Krutzer, Bharadwaja Peddinti, Jiaqi Yan, Kathryn J. Wright, James Smith
  • Publication number: 20230241003
    Abstract: An antimicrobial wipe is disclosed comprising a substrate and an antimicrobial composition. The antimicrobial composition contains a sulfonated block copolymer having an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of >0.5 meq/g, and (ii) a solvent system. The solvent system contains a mixture of two or more solvents selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, inorganic solvents, terpene-based compounds, and decarboxylated rosin acids. The antimicrobial wipe is in the form of a fabric, a sponge, a toilette, and the like. The sulfonated block copolymer is partially or fully dissolved in the solvent system, such that when the wipe is in contact with a target surface, the sulfonated block copolymer is imparted from the wipe onto the surface forming a coating layer. The coating layer causes a reduction in a microbe concentration by at least 1 log10 CFU (colony forming units) within 120 minutes upon contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Kraton Corporation
    Inventors: Bert Krutzer, Kathryn J. Wright, James Smith, Ali Alwattari
  • Patent number: 11345774
    Abstract: A block copolymer composition is disclosed. The composition contains an elastomeric block copolymer and a hydrophilic fumed silica with a surface area (BET, measured by nitrogen gas adsorption) of at least 200 m2/g, and a pH of 3 to 5, a tamped density of <=75 g/L. The block copolymer composition forms free-flowing composition, requiring less than 400 lbs/ft2 to break in a blocking test. The free-flowing composition does not negatively impact haze, transparency, and yellowness of transparent compounds, suitable for use in transparent formulations for medical, toys, and overmolds, viscosified oils, and oil gels applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: KRATON POLYMERS LLC
    Inventors: John G. Tunnell, Aaron Brothers, Kathryn J Wright, Robert C Bening
  • Publication number: 20200079891
    Abstract: A block copolymer composition is disclosed. The composition contains an elastomeric block copolymer and a hydrophilic fumed silica with a surface area (BET, measured by nitrogen gas adsorption) of at least 200 m2/g, and a pH of 3 to 5, a tamped density of <=75 g/L. The block copolymer composition forms free-flowing composition, requiring less than 400 lbs/ft2 to break in a blocking test. The free-flowing composition does not negatively impact haze, transparency, and yellowness of transparent compounds, suitable for use in transparent formulations for medical, toys, and overmolds, viscosified oils, and oil gels applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS LLC
    Inventors: John G. Tunnell, Aaron Brothers, Kathryn J. Wright, Robert C. Bening
  • Patent number: 10066098
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a block copolymer composition comprising a tetra-branched block copolymer (IV) having a true number average molecular weight of 40,000 to 120,000 represented by the general formula (A-B)4X; a tri-branched block copolymer (III) having a true number average molecular weight of from 30,000 to 90,000 represented by the general formula (A-B)3X; di-branched block copolymer (II) having a true number average molecular weight of from 20,000 to 60,000 represented by the general formula (A-B)2X; and a linear diblock copolymer (I) having a true number average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 30,000 represented by the general formula A-B; where A represents a polymer block of a mono alkenyl arene; B represents a polymer block of a conjugated diene, wherein the B has a true number average molecular weight ranging from 7,000 to 20,000 g/mol; and X represents the residue of an alkoxy silane coupling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC
    Inventors: John E. Flood, Kathryn J. Wright, Xavier D. Muyldermans, Mike Heniff, Carl L. Willis, Yonghua Zhou, Aaron Brothers
  • Patent number: 9862819
    Abstract: A composition is disclosed, comprising a block copolymer, at least one homopolymer or copolymer of butene, and at least one olefin homopolymer or copolymer, wherein said block copolymer has hydrogenated low-vinyl polybutadiene end blocks with a specific gravity>0.85 g/cc, and a controlled distribution midblock of polyalkenyl arene/hydrogenated diene. Although the block copolymer has a preferred linear structure as a triblock copolymer, it may also be branched or radial coupled copolymer that has at least 2 arms or more. The composition is useful for rotational molding, slush molding, injection molding, extrusion or compression molding, or thermoforming or calendering for making articles that are resistant to chemicals such as diesel fuel, for the automotive market, for example. The MFR of the block copolymer is 1 to about 50 g/10 min. at 230° C., with a wt. of 2.16 kg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Kathryn J. Wright
  • Publication number: 20170073513
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a block copolymer composition comprising a tetra-branched block copolymer (IV) having a true number average molecular weight of 40,000 to 120,000 represented by the general formula (A-B)4X; a tri-branched block copolymer (III) having a true number average molecular weight of from 30,000 to 90,000 represented by the general formula (A-B)3X; di-branched block copolymer (II) having a true number average molecular weight of from 20,000 to 60,000 represented by the general formula (A-B)2X; and a linear diblock copolymer (I) having a true number average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 30,000 represented by the general formula A-B; where A represents a polymer block of a mono alkenyl arene; B represents a polymer block of a conjugated diene, wherein the B has a true number average molecular weight ranging from 7,000 to 20,000 g/mol; and X represents the residue of an alkoxy silane coupling agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLC
    Inventors: John E. FLOOD, Kathryn J. WRIGHT, Xavier D. MUYLDERMANS, Mike HENIFF, Carl L. WILLIS, Yonghua ZHOU, Aaron BROTHERS
  • Publication number: 20160362544
    Abstract: A composition is disclosed, comprising a block copolymer, at least one homopolymer or copolymer of butene, and at least one olefin homopolymer or copolymer, wherein said block copolymer has hydrogenated low-vinyl polybutadiene end blocks with a specific gravity>0.85 g/cc, and a controlled distribution midblock of polyalkenyl arene/hydrogenated diene. Although the block copolymer has a preferred linear structure as a triblock copolymer, it may also be branched or radial coupled copolymer that has at least 2 arms or more. The composition is useful for rotational molding, slush molding, injection molding, extrusion or compression molding, or thermoforming or calendering for making articles that are resistant to chemicals such as diesel fuel, for the automotive market, for example. The MFR of the block copolymer is 1 to about 50 g/10 min. at 230° C., with a wt. of 2.16 kg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Kathryn J. Wright
  • Patent number: 8980994
    Abstract: The present invention relates to elastic film formulations that have surprisingly high tensile strengths in addition to good viscosity stability and are based on a blend of two styrene block copolymers, namely, styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene and styrene-butadiene-styrene. The blend of these two styrenic block copolymers in the range set forth and described herein yield high tensile strength that is at least 50% higher than that of the prior art based styrenic block copolymers and have good viscosity stability. Moreover, the present invention relates to a blend of two different styrene block copolymers that can be made by dry blending the block copolymer components. Then the blend can be extruded into uncross-linked film, fiber, or plurality of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Oomman P. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8299177
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition that includes a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer that has at least one block A and at least one block B, and about 10 to about 90 percent by weight of an styrene-isobutylene-styrene block copolymer. Each A is an monoalkenyl arene and each B block is a controlled distribution copolymer of at least one mono alkenyl arene and at least one conjugated diene, having the general formula A-EB/A-A and (A-EB/A)nX. Each B block comprises terminal regions adjacent to the A blocks that are rich in conjugated diene units and one or more regions not adjacent to the A blocks that are rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Oil-free compositions that result in the combination of low gaseous permeability, low thermal conductivity, strong vibration and sound attenuation, and optionally high levels of light transmission with relatively low haze values while maintaining melt flow rates suitable for easy processability are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Kranton Polymers U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Sharman K. McGilbert
  • Publication number: 20120172516
    Abstract: The present invention relates to elastic film formulations that have surprisingly high tensile strengths in addition to good viscosity stability and are based on a blend of two styrene block copolymers, namely, styrene-isoprene/butadiene-styrene and styrene-butadiene-styrene. The blend of these two styrenic block copolymers in the range set forth and described herein yield high tensile strength that is at least 50% higher than that of the prior art based styrenic block copolymers and have good viscosity stability. Moreover, the present invention relates to a blend of two different styrene block copolymers that can be made by dry blending the block copolymer components. Then the blend can be extruded into uncross-linked film, fiber, or plurality of fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC., KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Oomman P. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20110184082
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition that includes a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer that has at least one block A and at least one block B, and about 10 to about 90 percent by weight of an styrene-isobutylene-styrene block copolymer. Each A is an monoalkenyl arene and each B block is a controlled distribution copolymer of at least one mono alkenyl arene and at least one conjugated diene, having the general formula A-EB/A-A and (A-EB/A)nX. Each B block comprises terminal regions adjacent to the A blocks that are rich in conjugated diene units and one or more regions not adjacent to the A blocks that are rich in mono alkenyl arene units. Oil-free compositions that result in the combination of low gaseous permeability, low thermal conductivity, strong vibration and sound attenuation, and optionally high levels of light transmission with relatively low haze values while maintaining melt flow rates suitable for easy processability are preferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Sharman K. McGilbert
  • Patent number: 7858693
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising (a) anionic block copolymers having at least two blocks of a mono alkenyl arene and at least one block of a conjugated diene and mono alkenyl arene having a specific arrangement of the monomers in the copolymer block, and (b) tailored softening modifiers have a particular structure that results in a surprising improvement in properties for the composition. Also included are processes for the manufacturing such novel compositions and various end-uses and applications for such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: KratonPolymers U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Carl L. Willis, Dale L. Handlin, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100190912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition having a durometer hardness (ASTM D2240) of Shore A 30 to 90 comprising: a) 100 parts by weight of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer comprising at least two blocks (A) of a polymer containing 50% wt or more monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon units, and at least one selectively hydrogenated block (B) of a polymer containing 50% wt or more conjugated diene units, wherein the monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon content is in the range of from 10 to 50 wt %, based on the total weight of block copolymer, wherein the vinyl content in the initially prepared poly(conjugated diene) block (B) is in the range of from 30 to 80%, and wherein the hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer has a degree of hydrogenation of at least 30% with respect to the residual olefinic unsaturation in the block (B), which block copolymer optionally may be mixed with a diblock copolymer having one poly(monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon) block and one poly(conjugated diene) block
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Xavier D. Muyldermans, Hendrik DeGroot, Emmanuel Colchen, Jeffrey G. Southwick, Kathryn J. Wright, Emmanuelle Coignoul
  • Patent number: 7592390
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising (a) anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes, and (b) tailored softening modifiers have a particular polydispersity index that results in a surprising improvement in properties for the composition. Also included are processes for the manufacturing such novel compositions and various end-uses and applications for such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Bening, Hendrik de Groot, Dale L. Handlin, Jr., Xavier Muyldermans, Carl L. Willis, Kathryn J. Wright
  • Patent number: 7585916
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising (a) anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes where one of the blocks is a controlled distribution copolymer of a conjugated diene and mono alkenyl arene having a specific arrangement of the monomers in the copolymer block, and (b) tailored softening modifiers have a particular structure that results in a surprising improvement in properties for the composition. Also included are processes for the manufacturing such novel compositions and various end-uses and applications for such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Kraton Polymers US LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Carl L. Willis, Tomomi Nishi, Norio Masuko, Dale L. Handlin, Jr., Robert C. Bening
  • Patent number: 7582702
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising (a) anionic block copolymers of mono alkenyl arenes and conjugated dienes where one of the blocks is a controlled distribution copolymer of a conjugated diene and mono alkenyl arene having a specific arrangement of the monomers in the copolymer block, and (b) tailored softening modifiers have a particular structure that results in a surprising improvement in properties for the composition. Also included are processes for the manufacturing such novel compositions and various end-uses and applications for such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Carl L. Willis, Tomomi Nishi, Norio Masuko, Dale L. Handlin, Jr., Robert C. Bening
  • Patent number: 7262248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to articles prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of mono vinyl aromatics and conjugated dienes, and to blends of such block copolymers with other polymers. The block copolymer may be blended with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of olefin polymers, styrene polymers, amorphous resins and engineering thermoplastic resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Sharman K. McGilbert
  • Patent number: 7048979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to articles prepared from novel anionic block copolymers of mono vinyl aromatics and conjugated dienes, and to blends of such block copolymers with other polymers. The block copolymer may be blended with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of olefin polymers, styrene polymers, amorphous resins and engineering thermoplastic resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: KRATON Polymers U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Kathryn J. Wright, Willem C. Vonk, Cornelis Martinus van Dijk