Patents by Inventor Michael F. Cunningham

Michael F. Cunningham 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: 11236250
    Abstract: The present application provides switchable, homogeneous paint composition and methods of painting and/or forming films or coatings using the composition. The composition includes a liquid having an aqueous solution and dissolved acid gas (e.g., carbonated water), and a switchable polymer. The switchable polymer converts from a protonated, water-soluble form in the liquid to a water-insoluble unprotonated form following removal or substantial removal of the liquid and acid gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Rui Resendes, Philip G. Jessop, Michael F. Cunningham, Bhanu Prakash Mudraboyina, Adam Michael Ozvald, Timothy James Clark, Brian Mariampillai, Yun Yang, Amy Marie Holland, Charles Howard Honeyman
  • Publication number: 20180142117
    Abstract: The present application provides switchable, homogeneous paint composition and methods of painting and/or forming films or coatings using the composition. The composition includes a liquid having an aqueous solution and dissolved acid gas (e.g., carbonated water), and a switchable polymer. The switchable polymer converts from a protonated, water-soluble form in the liquid to a water-insoluble unprotonated form following removal or substantial removal of the liquid and acid gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicants: GREENCENTRE CANADA, QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON
    Inventors: Rui RESENDES, Philip G. JESSOP, Michael F. CUNNINGHAM, Bhanu Prakash MUDRABOYINA, Adam Michael OZVALD, Timothy James CLARK, Brian MARIAMPILLAI, Yun YANG, Amy Marie HOLLAND, Charles Howard HONEYMAN
  • Publication number: 20160244548
    Abstract: The present application provides a composite material that comprises a solid and solid-supported non-polymeric switchable moiety, wherein the switchable moiety comprises a functional group that is switchable between a first form and a second form, said first form being neutral and hydrophobic, and said second form being ionized and hydrophilic. The composite material converts to, or is maintained in, said second form when the switchable moiety is exposed to CO2 at amounts sufficient to maintain the ionized form. The composite material converts to, or is maintained in, said first form when CO2 is removed or reduced to an amount insufficient to maintain the ionized form. CO2 is removed or reduced by exposing the composite material to heat and/or a flushing inert gas such as N2, Ar, or air. Envisioned uses of these composite materials includes removing water from non-aqueous solvents, removing water vapour from gaseous mixtures, and cleaning industrial reaction vessels and/or pipelines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicants: Queen's University at Kingston, GreenCentre Canada
    Inventors: Kyle J. Boniface, Timothy James Clark, Michael F. Cunningham, Philip G. Jessop, Brian Ernest Mariampillai, Sean M. Mercer, Rui Resendes, Tobias Robert
  • Publication number: 20150190772
    Abstract: The present application provides a micellar composition having switchable viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON
    Inventors: Philip G. Jessop, Michael F. Cunningham, Xin Su
  • Patent number: 6322946
    Abstract: Toner particles may be produced using a semisuspension polymerization process, which includes: (a) providing a mixture of a partially polymerized monomer or comonomers near the onset of the gel-effect; (b) forming a suspension of the partially polymerized monomer or comonomers; and (c) suspension polymerizing the partially polymerized monomer or comonomers while slowly adding a second monomer or comonomers in a starved feed manner. The process may be used to produce toner particles having varied particle properties, and having a morphology ranging from core-shell and inverted core-shell microcapsules to pseudo core-shell microcapsules and to polyblend composites having a low molecular weight phase dispersed in a high molecular weight matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Hadi K. Mahabadi, Michael F. Cunningham, Heather M. Wright
  • Patent number: 6268100
    Abstract: A carrier comprised of a carrier core, optional polymer coating, and fluorosilanated pigment coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cunningham, Richard P. N. Veregin, Carl P. Tripp, Thomas E. Enright, Maria V. McDougall, John A. Creatura
  • Patent number: 6180311
    Abstract: A carrier comprised of a carrier core, optional polymer coating, and fluorosilanated pigment coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cunningham, Richard P. N. Veregin, Carl P. Tripp, Thomas E. Enright, Maria V. McDougall, John A. Creatura
  • Patent number: 6057409
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of carrier powder polymer coatings which comprises the supercritical polymerization of two monomers and surfactant in a supercritical medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cunningham, Hadi K. Mahabadi
  • Patent number: 5958302
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of conductive polymers which comprises (a) mixing at least one monomer with at least one conductive component, solvent, at least one polymerization initiator, and an optional chain transfer component; (b) effecting solution polymerization by heating; (c) removing said solvent by azeotropic distillation in an aqueous phase to generate a mixture of polymer and conductive component; (d) drying and grinding the resulting mixture; thereafter dissolving the product resulting in at least one monomer, at least one initiator, and at least one crosslinking component, and an optional chain transfer agent to form an organic phase; (e) mixing said organic phase with a second aqueous phase comprised of water, stabilizer, and an alkali halide; (f) polymerizing the resulting suspension by heating; and (g) subsequently optionally washing and drying the polymeric product, and which product is comprised of polymer and conductive component dispersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cunningham, George Liebermann, Hadi K. Mahabadi, Daniel M. McNeil, Michael S. Hawkins, Thomas E. Enright, Aron J. Cogswell
  • Patent number: 5883176
    Abstract: Conductive polymeric particles can be formed by mixing a monomer, carbon black and a block copolymer, wherein the block copolymer contains an A block that is miscible with said monomer and a B block that anchors to the surface of the carbon black, such as polystyrene or a derivative of polystyrene. A polymerization initiator is added to the mixture and bulk polymerization is effected until about 5 to about 30 weight percent of the monomer has been polymerized. This partially polymerized product is then dispersed in water and further polymerized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Gerroir, Nancy Ann Listigovers, Michael F. Cunningham, Thomas E. Enright, John A. Creatura
  • Patent number: 5807506
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of conductive polymers which comprises (a) mixing at least one monomer with at least one conductive component, solvent, at least one polymerization initiator, and an optional chain transfer component; (b) effecting solution polymerization by heating; (c) removing said solvent by azeotropic distillation in an aqueous phase to generate a mixture of polymer and conductive component; (d) drying and grinding the resulting mixture; thereafter dissolving the product resulting in at least one monomer, at least one initiator, and at least one crosslinking component, and an optional chain transfer agent to form an organic phase; (e) mixing said organic phase with a second aqueous phase comprised of water, stabilizer, and an alkali halide; (f) polymerizing the resulting suspension by heating; and (g) subsequently optionally washing and drying the polymeric product, and which product is comprised of polymer and conductive component dispersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cunningham, George Liebermann, Hadi K. Mahabadi, Daniel M. McNeil, Michael S. Hawkins, Thomas E. Enright, Aron J. Cogswell
  • Patent number: 5747577
    Abstract: Conductive polymeric particles can be formed by mixing a monomer, carbon black and a block copolymer, wherein the block copolymer contains an A block that is miscible with said monomer and a B block that anchors to the surface of the carbon black, such as polystyrene or a derivative of polystyrene. A polymerization initiator is added to the mixture and bulk polymerization is effected until about 5 to about 30 weight percent of the monomer has been polymerized. This partially polymerized product is then dispersed in water and further polymerized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Gerroir, Nancy Ann Listigovers, Michael F. Cunningham, Thomas E. Enright, John A. Creatura
  • Patent number: 5595851
    Abstract: A conductive carrier composition comprised of a core with a coating thereover comprised of a mixture of first and second polymers, and wherein the first polymer contains a conductive component, and the second polymer contains a metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Creatura, Catherine A. McKnight, Michael J. Duggan, Aron J. Cogswell, Michael F. Cunningham, Thomas C. Dombroski
  • Patent number: 5575954
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of conductive polymeric particles with linear and crosslinked portions, which comprises mixing a monomer with at least one conductive filler, solvent, at least one polymerization initiator, and a chain transfer component; effecting solution polymerization by heating until from about 80 to about 100 weight percent of the monomer has been polymerized; drying the mixture by removing the solvent to yield an intimate blend of polymer with conductive filler; dispersing the aforementioned blend of polymer and conductive filler in at least one monomer with at least one polymerization initiator, a crosslinking agent and a chain transfer agent to form an organic phase; dispersing the resulting organic phase mixture in water containing a stabilizing component to obtain a suspension of particles with an average volume diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5 microns in water; polymerizing the resulting suspension by heating; and subsequently optionally washing and drying the polymeric product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Hadi K. Mahabadi, Denise Y. Wright, Michael F. Cunningham, John A. Creatura
  • Patent number: 5567562
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of conductive carrier particles which comprises mixing carrier core with a first polymer pair and a second polymer pair, heating the mixture, and cooling the mixture; and wherein the first and second polymer pair each contain an insulating polymer and a conductive polymer and wherein the carrier conductivity thereof is from about 10.sup.-6 to about 10.sup.-14 (ohm-cm).sup.-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Creatura, Catherine A. McKnight, Michael J. Duggan, Thomas C. Dombroski, Bernard A. Kelly, Hadi K. Mahabadi, Michael F. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 5529719
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer which comprises effecting a bulk polymerization of a mixture containing at least one monomer, a chain transfer agent, a crosslinking agent, a free radical redox polymerization initiator pair, and at least one additional free radical initiator until from about 4 to about 50 weight percent of the monomer has been polymerized and one or both components in the redox initiator pair has been consumed; dispersing with a high shear mixer the aforementioned partially polymerized mixture in water containing a stabilizing component selected from the group consisting of nonionic and ionic water soluble polymeric stabilizers to obtain a suspension of particles; polymerizing the resulting suspension; and optionally subsequently insulating, washing and drying the polymer product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cunningham, Thomas E. Enright, Hadi K. Mahabadi
  • Patent number: 5518855
    Abstract: A process for preparation of conductive carrier particles which comprises mixing carrier core with a first polymer pair and a second polymer pair, heating the mixture, and cooling the mixture; and wherein the first and second polymer pair each contain an insulating polymer and a conductive polymer and wherein the carrier conductivity thereof is from about 10.sup.-6 to about 10.sup.-14 (ohm-cm).sup.-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Creatura, Catherine A. McKnight, Michael J. Duggan, Thomas C. Dombroski, Bernard A. Kelly, Hadi K. Mahabadi, Michael F. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 5516619
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of conductive submicron polymeric particles which comprises mixing at least one monomer with a polymerization initiator, a crosslinking component, and a chain transfer component; adding thereto an AB type block copolymer; effecting bulk polymerization until from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of the monomer has been polymerized; terminating polymerization by cooling the partially polymerized monomer; adding thereto from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of a conductive filler, or conductive fillers, followed by mixing thereof; dispersing the aforementioned mixture of conductive filler or fillers, and partially polymerized product in water containing a stabilizing component to obtain a suspension of particles with an average diameter of from about 0.05 to about 1 micron in water; polymerizing the resulting suspension by heating; and subsequently optionally washing and drying the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cunningham, Hadi K. Mahabadi, Thomas W. Smith, John A. Creatura
  • Patent number: 5516618
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of carrier powder polymer coatings which comprises the supercritical polymerization of a monomer and surfactant in a supercritical medium to form a porous polymer, and thereafter adding thereto a conductive filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cunningham, Hadi K. Mahabadi
  • Patent number: 5514514
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of carrier powder polymer coatings which comprises the supercritical polymerization of a monomer and surfactant in a supercritical medium to form a porous polymer, and thereafter adding thereto a second polymer, and which second polymer is incorporated into the porous polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Cunningham, Hadi K. Mahabadi