Patents by Inventor Kelly D. Branham

Kelly D. Branham 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: 11905364
    Abstract: A process for preparing particles of polyphenylene sulfide polymer (PPS), based on the use of a polyester polymer (PE) comprising units from a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component, wherein at least 2 mol. % of the diol component is a poly(alkylene glycol). The process comprises the melt-blending of the PPS with the PE, the cooling the blend and the recovery of the particles by dissolution of the PE into water. The present invention relates to PPS particles obtained therefrom and to the use of these particles in SLS 3D printing, coatings and toughening of thermoset resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC
    Inventors: Stéphane Jeol, Kelly D. Branham, David Blake Roller
  • Publication number: 20240017219
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for the manufacturing of a porous article, notably a membrane, which comprises a poly(arylene sulphide) and at least one water-soluble salt. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said porous article and to its use for purifying fluid(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly D. Branham, Sarah Howard, Nancy J. Singletary, Dario Aurilia, Emanuele Di Nicolo'
  • Publication number: 20230416486
    Abstract: This invention relates to certain microporous articles comprising certain PEDEK-PEEK copolymers, to a method for making said microporous articles, in particular to a method of making microporous articles from a blend comprising said PEDEK-PEEK copolymer and at least one additional polymer, comprising processing said blend into a film and treating the film with a solvent for obtaining the microporous article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC
    Inventors: Emanuele Di Nicolo', Dario Aurilia, Jason Rich, Kelly D. Branham
  • Patent number: 11840606
    Abstract: Described here are blocky PEEK copolymers and corresponding synthesis methods. It was surprisingly found that synthesis of blocky PEEK copolymers in a non-solvent environment with respect to PEEK produced blocky PEEK copolymers with high degrees of functionalization and crystallinity. The blocky PEEK copolymers had an increased blocky structure, relative to corresponding PEEK copolymer synthesized with other known methods. Moreover, membranes formed from the blocky PEEK polymers are particularly desirable in fuel cell applications. For example, the membranes formed from the blocky PEEK polymers had surprisingly large ion conductivities as well as significantly improved chemical and thermal resistance, at least in part, to the improved functionalization and crystallinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS ITALY S.P.A., VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kelly D. Branham, David B. Roller, Stéphane Jeol, Marco Apostolo, Robert B. Moore, Lindsey Anderson, Samantha Talley, Xijing Yuan
  • Publication number: 20230312915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing fine particles of an aromatic copolyester, the process comprising the melt-blending of the aromatic copolyester with a polyester polymer (PE), the cooling the blend and the recovery of the particles by dissolution of the PE into water. The present invention also relates to aromatic copolyester particles obtained therefrom and to the use of these particles in to make coatings or films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC
    Inventors: Stéphane Jeol, Kelly D. Branham, Benjamin Trotter, Joel Flores, Joel Pollino, Mattia Bassi
  • Patent number: 11708490
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composition (C) comprising at least one polyamide (P1), and from 1 to 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of (C), of at least one functionalized polymer (P2), wherein P2 is a poly(aryl ether sulfone) (PAES) having at least one functional group (SO3?), (Mp+)1/p in which Mp+ is a metal cation of p valence. The present invention also relates to articles incorporating the polymer composition (C) and the use of functionalized polymer (P2) as a compatibilizer in the polymer composition (C) comprising two immiscible polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC
    Inventors: Stéphane Jeol, Narmandakh Taylor, Kelly D. Branham
  • Patent number: 11685829
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polymeric particles, based on the use of a polyester polymer (PE) comprising units from a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component, wherein at least 2 mol. % of the diol component is a poly(alkylene glycol). The process comprises the melt-blending of the aromatic polymer (P) with the PE, the cooling the blend and the recovery of the particles by dissolution of the PE into water. The present invention relates to polymeric particles obtained therefrom and to the use of these particles in SLS 3D printing, coatings and toughening of thermoset resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC
    Inventors: Stéphane Jeol, Kelly D. Branham, David Blake Roller
  • Publication number: 20230174720
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a poly(arylene sulfide) (PAS) copolymer (P) comprising: at least one block of poly(arylene sulfide) (PAS) having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 40,000 g/mol as determined by gel permeation chromatography, and at least one block of polyorganosiloxane (POS) having a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of at most 5,000 g/mol as determined by gel permeation chromatography, wherein the weight ratio of PAS:POS is from 95:5 to 99.5:0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly D. Branham, Ryan Mondschein, Joel Pollino, Stéphane Jeol, Lee Carvell, William E. Sattich
  • Publication number: 20220362718
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer compositions (C) for the preparation of porous article, notably microporous membranes or hollow fibers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process of preparing a porous article from at least one polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) polymer with an additive and at least one reinforcing filler followed by a step of shaping the article and contacting the article with water to dissolve the additive and create an interconnected pore network within the shaped article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Kelly D. BRANHAM, Vida KOMER, Benjamin TROTTER
  • Publication number: 20220267587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for the manufacturing of a porous article, notably a membrane, which comprises a semi-crystalline polymer, an amorphous polymer and at least one water-soluble salt. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said porous article and to its use for purifying fluid(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Dario AURILIA, Emanuele DI NICOLO', Kelly D. BRANHAM, Vida KOMER
  • Publication number: 20220127419
    Abstract: Described here are blocky PEEK copolymers and corresponding synthesis methods. It was surprisingly found that synthesis of blocky PEEK copolymers in a non-solvent environment with respect to PEEK produced blocky PEEK copolymers with high degrees of functionalization and crystallinity. The blocky PEEK copolymers had an increased blocky structure, relative to corresponding PEEK copolymer synthesized with other known methods. Moreover, membranes formed from the blocky PEEK polymers are particularly desirable in fuel cell applications. For example, the membranes formed from the blocky PEEK polymers had surprisingly large ion conductivities as well as significantly improved chemical and thermal resistance, at least in part, to the improved functionalization and crystallinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicants: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS ITALY S.P.A., VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kelly D. Branham, David B. Roller, Stéphane Jeol, Marco Apostolo, Robert B. Moore, Lindsey Anderson, Samantha Talley, Xijing Yuan
  • Publication number: 20210139650
    Abstract: Described herein are end-capped poly(aryl ether sulfone) (“PAES”) polymers and corresponding synthesis methods. The end-capped PAES polymers are end-capped by functionalizing a PAES polymer with a halophthalic diialkyl ester end-capping agent. It was surprisingly discovered that the resulting dialkyl phthalate end-capped PAES polymers could be synthesized with significantly improved end-capping conversion rates, relative to end-capped PAES polymers directly functionalized with traditional phthalic anhydride end-capping agents. It was also surprisingly found that by heating the isopropyl phthalate end-capped PAES polymers, the polymers could be converted to the corresponding phthalic anhydride end-capped PAES polymers, yielding a more efficient synthetic route to phthalic anhydride end-capped PAES polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Joel POLLINO, Stéphane JEOL, Kelly D. BRANHAM, Matthew BOOHER
  • Publication number: 20210070996
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composition (C) comprising at least one polyamide (P1), and from 1 to 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of (C), of at least one functionalized polymer (P2), wherein P2 is a poly(aryl ether sulfone) (PAES) having at least one functional group (SO3?), (Mp+)1/p in which Mp+ is a metal cation of p valence. The present invention also relates to articles incorporating the polymer composition (C) and the use of functionalized polymer (P2) as a compatibilizer in the polymer composition (C) comprising two immiscible polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Stéphane JEOL, Narmandakh TAYLOR, Kelly D. BRANHAM
  • Publication number: 20200148880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polymeric particles, based on the use of a polyester polymer (PE) comprising units from a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component, wherein at least 2 mol. % of the diol component is a poly(alkylene glycol). The process comprises the melt-blending of the aromatic polymer (P) with the PE, the cooling the blend and the recovery of the particles by dissolution of the PE into water. The present invention relates to polymeric particles obtained therefrom and to the use of these particles in SLS 3D printing, coatings and toughening of thermoset resins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Stéphane JEOL, Kelly D. BRANHAM, David Blake ROLLER
  • Publication number: 20200123316
    Abstract: A process for preparing particles of polyphenylene sulfide polymer (PPS), based on the use of a polyester polymer (PE) comprising units from a dicarboxylic acid component and a diol component, wherein at least 2 mol. % of the diol component is a poly(alkylene glycol). The process comprises the melt-blending of the PPS with the PE, the cooling the blend and the recovery of the particles by dissolution of the PE into water. The present invention relates to PPS particles obtained therefrom and to the use of these particles in SLS 3D printing, coatings and toughening of thermoset resins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Stéphane JEOL, Kelly D. BRANHAM, David Blake ROLLER
  • Publication number: 20190315919
    Abstract: Described here are blocky PEEK copolymers and corresponding synthesis methods. It was surprisingly found that synthesis of blocky PEEK copolymers in a non-solvent environment with respect to PEEK produced blocky PEEK copolymers with high degrees of functionalization and crystallinity. The blocky PEEK copolymers had an increased blocky structure, relative to corresponding PEEK copolymer synthesized with other known methods. Moreover, membranes formed from the blocky PEEK polymers are particularly desirable in fuel cell applications. For example, the membranes formed from the blocky PEEK polymers had surprisingly large ion conductivities as well as significantly improved chemical and thermal resistance, at least in part, to the improved functionalization and crystallinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Kelly D. BRANHAM, David B. ROLLER, Stéphane JEOL, Marco APOSTOLO, Robert B. MOORE, Lindsey ANDERSON, Samantha TALLEY, Yuan XIJING
  • Publication number: 20190241712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer compositions (C) for the preparation of porous article, notably microporous membranes or hollow fibers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process of preparing a porous article from a blend of at least one semi-crystalline or amorphous polymer (P) with an additive followed by a step of shaping the article and contacting the article with water to dissolve the additive and create an interconnected pore network within the shaped article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: David B. ROLLER, Kelly D. BRANHAM, Emanuele DI NICOLO', Pasquale CAMPANELLI, Stéphane JEOL
  • Publication number: 20120003893
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to, in one embodiment, a composite nanofiber having a plurality of nanoparticles retained on the surface of the nanofiber, and a process for forming such composite nanofibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Kelly D. Branham
  • Patent number: 7772138
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Lostocco, W. Clayton Bunyard, Kelly D. Branham
  • Publication number: 20100144228
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to, in one embodiment, a composite electrospun nanofiber being formed of a nanofiber and a particle at least partially embedded within the nanofiber, the particle having a width that is greater than the diameter of the fiber so that at least a portion of the particle is not covered by the nanofiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Kelly D. Branham, Joel Brostin, Jennifer A. Kaminski