Patents by Inventor Michael D. Grah
Michael D. Grah 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: 8568808Abstract: An intercalated layered silicate comprises a layered silicate and an intercalating agent sorbed between the silicate layers of the layered silicate. The amount of intercalating agent is effective to provide an average interlayer spacing between the silicate layers of at least about 20 ?. The intercalating agent has a formula selected from formulas I through VII described herein. The intercalated layered silicate may be exfoliated by mixing it with a matrix medium and adding sufficient energy to form a dispersed-particle composition. A packaging film, such as a food packaging film, may comprise the dispersed-particle composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Michael L. Becraft, Drew V. Speer, Gary W. Beall, Jeremy Bartels
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Patent number: 8362134Abstract: A packaging film comprises a dispersed-particle composition, which comprises a plurality of particles dispersed in a matrix medium of thermoplastic polymer. The particles comprise silicate platelets. Intercalating agent of one or more phospholipids is sorbed to the silicate platelets.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Gary W. Beall
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Publication number: 20120164025Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a package and methods for disinfecting a wide variety of microbiologically contaminated products. Particularly, the disclosed package comprises a package to house the product to be disinfected and a disinfecting gas generator positioned within the interior of the package. The materials used to construct the package and/or the gas generator comprises an active agent that neutralizes the disinfecting gas from the interior of the package. The reactivity of the active agent is balanced such that the rate of neutralizing is lower than the rate of disinfecting gas release. As a result, the disinfecting gas has time to function fully before it is neutralized. Thus, when a user opens the package at the end of the disinfecting period, exposure to the disinfecting gas is minimized or eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: Sealed Air Corporation (US)Inventors: H. Walker Stockley, III, Michael D. Grah, Elizabeth R. Gooden, Denning R. Saum, Charles E. Marshall, III, William P. Roberts, Stephen F. Compton
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Publication number: 20100300905Abstract: An article, such as a polymeric film, sachet, purge control pad, or label, includes a sulfur scavenger. In some embodiments, an oxygen scavenger is also included. A method includes providing an article, including a sulfur scavenger and an oxygen scavenger; and subjecting the article to a dosage of actinic radiation effective to trigger the oxygen scavenger. A method of reducing the sulfur content of a package containing a food product includes either (1) providing a film including a layer including a zinc ionomer, and a layer including an oxygen scavenger; packaging the food product in the film; and storing the package for at least 24 hours; or (2) providing the food product at a temperature of 40° F.; providing a film including a layer including a sulfur scavenger; packaging the food product in the film; and storing the package for at least 24 hours.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.Inventors: Drew V. Speer, Cynthia L. Ebner, Michael D. Grah
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Patent number: 7678841Abstract: A method of increasing the gas transmission rate of a packaging film comprises providing a packaging film that comprises at least about 0.001 weight % of fullerene material selected from spherical fullerenes, bowl-shaped fullerenes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanocones, and carbon nano-onions. The packaging film is exposed to an amount of radiation energy effective to increase the oxygen transmission rate of the packaging film by at least about 100 cc (STP)/m2. day (1 atm, 0% RH, 23° C.).Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Grah
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Publication number: 20100040653Abstract: An intercalated layered silicate comprises a layered silicate and an intercalating agent sorbed between the silicate layers of the layered silicate. The amount of intercalating agent is effective to provide an average interlayer spacing between the silicate layers of at least about 20 ?. The intercalating agent has a formula selected from formulas I through VII described herein. The intercalated layered silicate may be exfoliated by mixing it with a matrix medium and adding sufficient energy to form a dispersed-particle composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2005Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Michael L. Becraft, Drew V. Speer, Gary W. Beall, Jeremy Bartels
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Publication number: 20090297675Abstract: A packaging film comprises a dispersed-particle composition, which comprises a plurality of particles dispersed in a matrix medium of thermoplastic polymer. The particles comprise silicate platelets. Intercalating agent of one or more phospholipids is sorbed to the silicate platelets.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2006Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Gary W. Beall
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Publication number: 20090297568Abstract: An intercalated layered silicate comprises a layered silicate and an intercalating agent sorbed between the silicate layers of the layered silicate. The amount of intercalating agent is effective to provide an average interlayer spacing between the silicate layers of at least about 20 ?. The intercalating agent comprises one or more of fatty acid esters of sorbitan, ethoxylated fatty esters of sorbitan, fatty acid esters of glycerol, fatty acid esters of polyglycerol, fatty acid amide waxes, variants of amide waxes, and variants of amides. The intercalated layered silicate may be exfoliated by mixing it with a matrix medium and adding sufficient energy to form a dispersed-particle composition. A packaging film, such as a food packaging film, may comprise the dispersed-particle composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2006Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Michael L. Becraft, Drew V. Speer, Gary W. Beall
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Patent number: 7335327Abstract: A method of shrinking a film comprises the steps of providing a shrink film and exposing the film to an amount of radiation energy effective to activate the shrink characteristic of the film. The film comprises one or more thermoplastic polymers and at least about 0.001 weight % of single-walled carbon nanotube material based on the weight of the film.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Marvin R. Havens
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Patent number: 7241481Abstract: An article, such as a polymeric film, sachet, purge control pad, or label, includes a sulfur scavenger. In some embodiments, an oxygen scavenger is also included. A method includes providing an article, including a sulfur scavenger and an oxygen scavenger; and subjecting the article to a dosage of actinic radiation effective to trigger the oxygen scavenger. A method of reducing the sulfur content of a package containing a food product includes either (1) providing a film including a layer including a zinc ionomer, and a layer including an oxygen scavenger; packaging the food product in the film; and storing the package for at least 24 hours; or (2) providing the food product at a temperature of ?40° F.; providing a film including a layer including a sulfur scavenger; packaging the food product in the film; and storing the package for at least 24 hours.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Drew V. Speer, Cynthia L. Ebner, Michael D. Grah
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Patent number: 7163967Abstract: A method of increasing the gas transmission rate of a packaging film comprises providing a packaging film that comprises at least about 0.001 weight % of single-walled carbon nanotube material based on the weight of the film. The packaging film is exposed to an amount of radiation energy effective to increase the oxygen transmission rate of the packaging film by at least about 100 cc (STP)/m2. day (1 atm, 0% RH, 23° C.).Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Marvin R. Havens
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Patent number: 7066225Abstract: The invention is a runflat insert comprising an outer contacting portion for contacting the interior surface of the tire during deflated operation; a reinforced annular band disposed radially inward of the outer contacting portion comprising an elastomeric shear layer, a membrane adhered to the radially inward extent of the elastomeric shear layer and a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the elastomeric shear layer; a sidewall portion extending radially inward from the contacting portion for connecting the annular band to a base member fitted around the wheel rim for securing the insert to the rim; and a carcass layer adhered to the annular band and extending radially inward from the annular band and anchored in the base member. The elastomeric shear comprises a dienic composition that includes a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and a peroxide curative agent.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Timothy B. Rhyne, Steven M. Cron, Kenneth W. Demino, Michael D. Grah
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Patent number: 6994134Abstract: The invention comprises an improved non-pneumatic tire, and particularly a shear layer for a non-pneumatic tire wherein the shear layer comprises an elastomeric composition that includes a metal salt of a carboxylic acid. The shear layer preferably comprises a dienic elastomeric composition that includes a metal salt of a carboxylic acid. In one embodiment of the invention, the metal salt of the carboxylic acid is zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. In one embodiment of the invention, the metal salt of the carboxylic acid is zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate, and a peroxide curative agent is employed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: Michael D. Grah
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Publication number: 20040241482Abstract: A film comprises first, second, and third layers. The first layer comprises vinylidene chloride polymer. The second layer comprises a dispersion of tie polymer and nanoparticles. The third layer comprises thermoplastic polymer. The second layer is between and directly adhered to both the first and third layers. The film provides an enhanced interlayer bond strength between the layers at the elevated temperatures associated with cook-in, retort, and/or pasteurization thermoprocessing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Kelly R. Ahlgren
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Publication number: 20040194863Abstract: The present invention is a pneumatic tire comprising an inner liner, where the inner liner comprises a mixture of a vinyl-based polymer having a polar functionality and organoclay. In a preferred embodiment, the vinyl-based polymer comprises a mixture of a co-polymer of isobutylene and para-methyl styrene. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the co-polymer is halogenated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2002Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventor: Michael D. Grah
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Publication number: 20040187996Abstract: The invention comprises an improved non-pneumatic tire, and particularly a shear layer for a non-pneumatic tire wherein the shear layer comprises an elastomeric composition that includes a metal salt of a carboxylic acid. The shear layer preferably comprises a dienic elastomeric composition that includes a metal salt of a carboxylic acid. In one embodiment of the invention, the metal salt of the carboxylic acid is zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. In one embodiment of the invention, the metal salt of the carboxylic acid is zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate, and a peroxide curative agent is employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventor: Michael D. Grah
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Publication number: 20040112491Abstract: A support according to the invention comprises a rubber article.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventor: Michael D. Grah
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Patent number: 6232389Abstract: Applications of barrier coating mixtures containing in a carrier liquid, (a) an elastomeric (preferably butyl-containing) polymer; (b) a dispersed exfoliated layered filler having an aspect ratio greater than 25; and (c) at least one surfactant, wherein the solids content of the mixture is less than 30% and the ratio of polymer (a) to filler (b) is between 20:1 and 1:1 include coated articles, which are elastomeric, e.g., sports balls and inflatable articles. Methods of manufacturing such coated products are also encompassed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignees: InMat, LLC, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Carrie A. Feeney, Michele Farrell, Klaus Tannert, Harris A. Goldberg, Mengshi Lu, Michael D. Grah, William G. Steiner, Paul B. Winston
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Patent number: 6087016Abstract: Barrier coating mixtures contain in a carrier liquid, (a) an elastomeric (preferably butyl-containing) polymer; (b) a dispersed exfoliated layered filler having an aspect ratio greater than 25; and (c) at least one surfactant, wherein the solids content of the mixture is less than 30% and the ratio of polymer (a) to filler (b) is between 20:1 and 1:1. Coated articles, which are rigid or flexible and elastomeric, and free-standing films and membranes, which are flexible and elastomeric, are produced using the barrier coating mixtures.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignees: InMat, LLC, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Carrie A. Feeney, Michele Farrell, Klaus Tannert, Harris A. Goldberg, Mengshi Lu, Michael D. Grah, William G. Steiner, Paul B. Winston