Patents by Inventor Lawrence L. Kuo

Lawrence L. Kuo 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: 20160362336
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for modifying a hydratable cementitious composition such as concrete or mortar using at least three different, distinct carboxylate polymers, even when clay is present in the concrete or mortar that would otherwise diminish dosage efficiency of polycarboxylate polymer used as dispersant. The three polycarboxylate polymers, designated as Polymer I, Polymer II, and Polymer II, are derived from monomer Components A, B, and C wherein Component A is an unsaturated carboxylic acid, Component B is a polyoxyalkylene, and Component C is an unsaturated carboxylate ester. The component molar ratio ranges for A:B:C are different as between Polymers I and II; while a distinct component molar ratio A:B+C is identified for Polymer III. When treated with these three different polycarboxylate polymers, the hydratable cementitious composition is surprisingly enhanced in terms of initial workability and slump retention, especially if clay is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Keith St Jean, Yohannes K. Lemma, Nathan A. Tregger, Stephen P. Klaus
  • Publication number: 20160340248
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and method for controlling air voids in aqueous systems such as paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives, mastics, cements, mortar, masonry, or concrete, which comprises the reaction product of an oxidizing agent and a compound comprising at least one polyalkoxylated polyalkylene polyamine, at least one polyalkyoxylated polyethyleneimine, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Ying Chen
  • Publication number: 20160090323
    Abstract: Methods for plasticizing cementitious mixtures having relatively high water/cement ratio (at least 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Izabela Goc-Maciejewska, Natalia Jaskula
  • Publication number: 20150197629
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Ying Chen, Hideo Koyata
  • Patent number: 9034968
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Ying Chen, Hideo Koyata
  • Publication number: 20150065614
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates, particularly those used for construction purposes, whereby inclusion of fines is maximized due to minimization of clay washing which tends to remove such fines, and whereby performance of the aggregate-containing construction material is enhanced. Exemplary methods comprise introducing to clay a water-soluble, functionalized polyamine comprising a water-soluble polyamine formed by reacting an amine compound with an epoxy compound, the polyamine thus reacted being functionalized through the use of certain halide, sulfate, or epoxy compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicants: SNF S.A.S., W R GRACE & CO.-CONN.
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Cedrick Favero, Christophe Roux, Nathan A. Tregger
  • Patent number: 8821630
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for modifying cementitious materials such as by reducing setting time. Polymer compositions of the invention are derived by polyetherifying mono-glycerols, optionally with alkylene glycols, to obtain polyglycerol homopolymers or copolymers, and then carboxylating the obtained polyglycerol homopolymers and/or copolymers with an organic acid having at least two carboxylic functionalities. The set retardation effect of the carboxylated-carboxylic polyglycerol polymer compositions in cementitious materials is reduced is compared to polyglycerol polymer not having the carboxylated-carboxylic groups, while its water reducing ability is maintained without loss of early compressive strength. Cementitious compositions and methods involving the carboxylated-carboxylic polyglycerol are also covered by the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Izabela Goc-Maciejewska, Romain Faivre
  • Patent number: 8759423
    Abstract: The present invention discloses additive compositions, cementitious compositions, and methods for controlling air in cementitious compositions in which colloidal nano-particles are used for stabilizing a water-dispersible defoamer within a cement-dispersant-containing aqueous additive formulation for modifying hydratable cementitious compositions such as cement or concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Ying Chen, Lawrence L. Kuo, Ara A. Jeknavorian
  • Patent number: 8598262
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Ying Chen
  • Publication number: 20130281577
    Abstract: The present invention discloses additive compositions, cementitious compositions, and methods for controlling air in cementitious compositions in which colloidal nano-particles are used for stabilizing a water-dispersible defoamer within a cement-dispersant-containing aqueous additive formulation for modifying hydratable cementitious compositions such as cement or concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Ying CHEN, Lawrence L. KUO, Ara A. JEKNAVORIAN
  • Publication number: 20130245162
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 8518176
    Abstract: Method for suppressing antagonistic hydration reactions in Portland fly ash cement involves the use of unponded fly ash that is pre-hydrated, preferably as an aqueous slurry wherein fly ash, preferably having an alkaline earth metal oxide of at least 10% by weight, is soaked, whereby the hydration reaction of the resultant mixed fly ash and cement is accelerated when these components are mixed together with water to hydrate the cement. Blended Portland cement/fly ash compositions of the invention will also have higher early strength as well as shorter set time compared to untreated blends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Denise A. Silva, Josephine Cheung, Paul Sandberg, Lawrence Roberts, Durga V. Subramanian, John L. Gallagher, Lawrence L. Kuo
  • Patent number: 8461245
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Ying Chen
  • Publication number: 20120298011
    Abstract: Method for suppressing antagonistic hydration reactions in Portland fly ash cement involves the use of unponded fly ash that is pre-hydrated, preferably as an aqueous slurry wherein fly ash, preferably having an alkaline earth metal oxide of at least 10% by weight, is soaked, whereby the hydration reaction of the resultant mixed fly ash and cement is accelerated when these components are mixed together with water to hydrate the cement. Blended Portland cement/fly ash compositions of the invention will also have higher early strength as well as shorter set time compared to untreated blends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Denise A. Silva, Josephine Cheung, Paul Sandberg, Lawrence Roberts, Durga V. Subramanian, John L. Gallagher, Lawrence L. Kuo
  • Patent number: 8317918
    Abstract: The present invention discloses additive compositions, cementitious compositions, and methods for controlling air in cementitious compositions, wherein a polyalkoxylated polyalkylene polyamine defoamer is deployed in combination with one or more air-entraining agents, such as higher alkanolamines, water-reducing agents including oxyalkylene-containing superplasticizers, or other air entraining agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Kuo
  • Publication number: 20120291676
    Abstract: The present invention discloses additive compositions, cementitious compositions, and methods for controlling air in cementitious compositions, wherein a polyalkoxylated polyalkylene polyamine defoamer is deployed in combination with one or more air-entraining agents, such as higher alkanolamines, water-reducing agents including oxyalkylene-containing superplasticizers, or other air entraining agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Kuo
  • Publication number: 20120279426
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for modifying cementitious materials such as by reducing setting time. Polymer compositions of the invention are derived by polyetherifying mono-glycerols, optionally with alkylene glycols, to obtain polyglycerol homopolymers or copolymers, and then carboxylating the obtained polyglycerol homopolymers and/or copolymers with an organic acid having at least two carboxylic functionalities. The set retardation effect of the carboxylated-carboxylic polyglycerol polymer compositions in cementitious materials is reduced is compared to polyglycerol polymer not having the carboxylated-carboxylic groups, while its water reducing ability is maintained without loss of early compressive strength. Cementitious compositions and methods involving the carboxylated-carboxylic polyglycerol are also covered by the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Izabela Goc-Maciejewska, Romain Faivre
  • Publication number: 20120252953
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Ying Chen, Hideo Koyata
  • Publication number: 20120208945
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Kuo, Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 8187376
    Abstract: The present invention discloses additive compositions, cementitious compositions, and methods for controlling air in cementitious compositions, wherein a polyalkoxylated polyalkylene polyamine defoamer is deployed in combination with one or more air-entraining agents, such as higher alkanolamines, water-reducing agents including oxyalkylene-containing superplasticizers, or other air entraining agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Kuo