Patents by Inventor Michael Kember
Michael Kember 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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Publication number: 20260297250Abstract: The invention concerns a surface-active agent comprising a polycarbonate block polyether of the formula I wherein PC represents a carbonate block with P repeat units of formula wherein Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 are independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, with the proviso that when one of Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, the remaining Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 are H; PE represents a polyether block with Q repeat units of formula wherein Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? are independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate groups, with the proviso that when one of Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, the remaining Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? are H; Z1 is R, R—O, R—C(O)—O— or R—O—C(O)—O; R is an optionally substituted straight or branched chain C1-C11 alkyl group; Z2 is H, R, R—(O) C or R—OType: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2024Publication date: October 1, 2026Inventors: Michael KEMBER, Anthea BLACKBURN, Charlotte WILLIAMS
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Publication number: 20260218055Abstract: A surface-active agent comprising a polycarbonate block polyether of the formula I: wherein: A is derived from a polyfunctional starter compound; PC represents a carbonate block with P repeat units of formula: wherein: Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 are all H; or one of Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, and the remaining three of Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 are all H; PE represents a polyether block with Q repeat units of formula: wherein: Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? are all H; or one of Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, and the remaining three of Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? are all H; Z is OH, O—R, O—C(O)—R or O—C(O)—O—R; wherein each R is independently an optionally substituted (including with heteroatoms) straight or branched chain or cyclic alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkenyl, alkenaryl, or aralkenyl group; wherein the value of each P and the value of each QType: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2024Publication date: July 30, 2026Inventors: Michael KEMBER, Anthea BLACKBURN
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Publication number: 20260008886Abstract: A process for producing a polyol block copolymer in a multiple reactor system including a first and second reactor in which a first reaction takes place in the first reactor and a second reaction takes place in the second reactor. The first reaction is the reaction of a carbonate catalyst with CO2 and epoxide, in the presence of starter and/or solvent to produce polycarbonate polyol copolymer and the second reaction is the reaction of DMC catalyst with the polycarbonate polyol compound of the first reaction and epoxide to produce polyol block copolymer. The product of the first reaction is fed into the second as crude reaction mixture, the epoxide and the polycarbonate polyol compound of the first reaction are fed in a continuous or semi-batch manner, and/or the product of the first reaction has neutral or alkaline pH on addition to the second. The invention further relates to the copolymers and products incorporating such copolymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2025Publication date: January 8, 2026Inventors: James Leeland, Rakibul Kabir, Kerry Riley, Michael Kember
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Publication number: 20250304746Abstract: A polyol block copolymer including a polycarbonate block, A(—A?—Z?—Z—(Z?—A?)n—), and polyethercarbonate blocks, B. The polyol block copolymer has the polyblock structure: wherein n=t?1 and wherein t=the number of terminal OH group residues on the block A; and wherein each A? is independently a polycarbonate chain having at least 70% carbonate linkages, and wherein each B is independently a polyethercarbonate chain having 50-99% ether linkages and at least 1% carbonate linkages; and wherein Z?—Z—(Z?)n is a starter residue. The process of producing a polyol block copolymer from a two step process carried out in two reactors, and products and compositions incorporating such copolymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2025Publication date: October 2, 2025Inventors: James Leeland, Rakibul Kabir, Kerry Riley, Michael Kember
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Patent number: 12415787Abstract: A process for preparing a tetra-substituted aminobiphenol macrocyclic ligand having the structure (I), including the step of treating a precursor compound having the structure (II) with a compound having the structure R6-L where L is a leaving group (hereafter compound (III)) in the presence of a base.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2024Date of Patent: September 16, 2025Assignee: ECONIC TECHNOLOGIES LTD.Inventors: Michael Kember, Anthony Chartoire, Anthea Blackburn, Samuel Drane
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Publication number: 20250263516Abstract: A rigid foam comprising the reaction product of an (poly)isocyanate, and a polyethercarbonate polyol copolymer is described. The polyethercarbonate polyol copolymer is derived from the copolymerisation of one or more epoxides with CO2, wherein the total —CO2— content of the polyethercarbonate polyol copolymer is between 1 and 40 wt %, the carbonate linkages are <95% of the total linkages from the copolymerisation, and the molecular weight is between 100 to 5000 g/mol. The foam is a polyurethane foam, more typically, a polyisocyanurate or a mixed polyisocyanurate/polyurethane foam. Methods, polyols and compositions for producing the foams are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2025Publication date: August 21, 2025Inventors: Michael Kember, Rakibul Kabir, Mark Andrews
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Patent number: 12384880Abstract: A process for producing a polyol block copolymer in a multiple reactor system including a first and second reactor in which a first reaction takes place in the first reactor and a second reaction takes place in the second reactor. The first reaction is the reaction of a carbonate catalyst with CO2 and epoxide, in the presence of starter and/or solvent to produce polycarbonate polyol copolymer and the second reaction is the reaction of DMC catalyst with the polycarbonate polyol compound of the first reaction and epoxide to produce polyol block copolymer. The product of the first reaction is fed into the second as crude reaction mixture, the epoxide and the polycarbonate polyol compound of the first reaction are fed in a continuous or semi-batch manner, and/or the product of the first reaction has neutral or alkaline pH on addition to the second. The invention further relates to the copolymers and products incorporating such copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2020Date of Patent: August 12, 2025Assignee: ECONIC TECHNOLOGIES LTD.Inventors: James Leeland, Rakibul Kabir, Kerry Riley, Michael Kember
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Publication number: 20250230383Abstract: The invention concerns a composition comprising a polycarbonate block polyether of the formula I Z1-(PC)P-(PE)Q-Z2??(I) wherein PC represents a carbonate block with P repeat units of formula ?wherein Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 are independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, with the proviso that when one of Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, the remaining Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 are H; PE represents a polyether block with Q repeat units of formula ?wherein Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? are independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate groups, with the proviso that when one of Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, the remaining Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? are H; Z1 is R, R—O, R—C(O)—O— or R—O—C(O)—O; R is an optionally substituted straight or branched chain C1-C11 alkyl group; ZType: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2022Publication date: July 17, 2025Applicant: Conopco Inc., d/b/a UNILEVERInventors: Anthea BLACKBURN, Martin Charles CROSSMAN, Michael KEMBER, Charlotte Williams, Jeremy Nicholas Winter
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Patent number: 12351681Abstract: A polyol block copolymer comprising a polycarbonate block, A (-A?-Z?—Z—(Z?-A?)n-), and polyethercarbonate blocks, B. The polyol block copolymer has the polyblock structure: B-A?-Z?—Z—(Z?-A?-B)n wherein n=t?1 and wherein t=the number of terminal OH group residues on the block A; and wherein each A? is independently a polycarbonate chain having at least 70% carbonate linkages, and wherein each B is independently a polyethercarbonate chain having 50-99% ether linkages and at least 1% carbonate linkages; and wherein Z?—Z—(Z?)n is a starter residue. A process of producing a polyol block copolymer from a two step process carried out in two reactors, and products and compositions incorporating such copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2020Date of Patent: July 8, 2025Assignee: Econic Technologies, Ltd.Inventors: James Leeland, Rakibul Kabir, Kerry Riley, Michael Kember
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Publication number: 20250002810Abstract: The invention concerns a surface-active agent comprising a polycarbonate block polyether of the formula I Z1—(PC)P—(PE)Q-Z2??(I) wherein PC represents a carbonate block with P repeat units of formula ?wherein Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 are independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, with the proviso that when one of Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, the remaining Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 are H; PE represents a polyether block with Q repeat units of formula ?wherein Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? are independently selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate groups, with the proviso that when one of Re1, Re2, Re3, and Re4 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or an ether, ester or carbonate group, the remaining Re1?, Re2?, Re3?, and Re4? are H; Z1 is R, R—O, R—C(O)—O— or R—O—C(O)—O; R is an optionally substituted straight or branched chain C1-C11 alkylType: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2022Publication date: January 2, 2025Inventors: Michael KEMBER, Anthea BLACKBURN, Charlotte WILLIAMS
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Publication number: 20240336732Abstract: Catayltic methods for preparing surfactant molecules, surfactant molecules obtainable by the method, compositions comprising the surfactant molecules, and to the use of surfactant molecules so prepared in cleaning products.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2022Publication date: October 10, 2024Inventors: James LEELAND, Michael Kember
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Publication number: 20240182432Abstract: A process for preparing a tetra-substituted aminobiphenol macrocyclic ligand having the structure (I), including the step of treating a precursor compound having the structure (II) with a compound having the structure R6-L where L is a leaving group (hereafter compound (III)) in the presence of a base.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Michael Kember, Anthony Chartoire, Anthea Blackburn, Samuel Drane
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Patent number: 11965062Abstract: The method of preparing the polycarbonate ether polyol or high molecular weight polyether carbonate using controlled addition of materials during polymerisation includes the steps of: mixing catalyst of formula(I), double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst and optionally carbon dioxide and/or solvent with epoxide and optionally starter compound and/or carbon dioxide; or mixing DMC catalyst and optionally starter compound, carbon dioxide and/or solvent with epoxide and optionally carbon dioxide and/or solvent; or mixing epoxide, catalyst of formula(I), starter compound and carbon dioxide and optionally solvent; or mixing catalyst of formula (I), DMC catalyst and optionally starter compound, epoxide, carbon dioxide and/or solvent to form in each case a mixture (?); and adding one or more of starter compound, epoxide, carbon dioxide, catalyst of formula(I), DMC catalyst and/or solvent to mixture (?) to form mixture (?) comprising starter compound, epoxide, carbon dioxide, catalyst of formula(I), DMC catalyst and optioType: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Econic Technologies LTD.Inventors: Michael Kember, James Leeland, Rakibul Kabir, Emmalina Hollis
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Publication number: 20240067776Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a high molecular weight polyether carbonate, by reacting an epoxide and carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst of formula (I), and a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Michael Kember, Carly Anderson, Emma Hollis
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Patent number: 11912673Abstract: A process for preparing a tetra-substituted aminobiphenol macrocyclic ligand having the structure (I), including the step of treating a precursor compound having the structure (II) with a compound having the structure R6-L where L is a leaving group (hereafter compound (III)) in the presence of a base.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Econic Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Michael Kember, Anthony Chartoire, Anthea Blackburn, Samuel Drane
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Publication number: 20240002608Abstract: (Poly)ol block copolymers having a polycarbonate or polyether carbonate, polyester and polyether or ethercarbonate blocks of structure C—B-A?-Z?—Z—(Z?-A?-B—C)n wherein n=t?1 and wherein t=the number of terminal OH group residues on the block A; and wherein each A? is independently a polycarbonate chain having at least 70% carbonate linkages, or a polyethercarbonate chain having at least 30% ether linkages, wherein each B is a (poly)ester block formed by epoxide and cyclic anhydride reaction/copolymerisation and/or cyclic ester ring-opening reaction % polymerisation, and each C is independently a (poly)ethercarbonate or (poly)ether block having 50-100% ether linkages; and wherein Z?—Z—(Z?)n is a starter residue. Block B may have one of the following structures wherein n2 is 1 or more and n3/n4 is 1 or more, which extends to higher polymers such as polyurethanes produced from copolymers, compositions and processes of production of such polyols.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Michael KEMBER, James LEELAND, Kerry RILEY
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Patent number: 11851525Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a high molecular weight polyether carbonate, by reacting an epoxide and carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst of formula (I), and a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: ECONIC TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: Michael Kember, Carly Anderson, Emma Hollis
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Publication number: 20230147677Abstract: A processfor producing a (poly)ol block copolymer comprising the reaction of a DMC catalyst with a polycarbonate or polyester (poly)ol (co)polymer and ethylene oxide, and optionally one or more other alkylene oxides, to produce a (poly)ol block copolymer wherein > 70% of the copolymer chain ends are terminated by primary hydroxyl groups, and the copolymers and products incorporating such copolymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventor: Michael Kember
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Publication number: 20230100282Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a high molecular weight polyether carbonate, by reacting an epoxide and carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst of formula (1), and a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Michael Kember, Carly Anderson, Emma Hollis
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Patent number: 11613606Abstract: A method for quenching a polymerisation process is described. The reaction of carbon dioxide with an epoxide in the presence of a bimetallic metal complex catalyst to produce a polymer comprises the quenching step of deactivation of the catalyst by contacting the catalyst with an acid effective to deactivate the catalyst. The deactivated catalyst may be removed from the polymer product by contacting the catalyst and polymer product with a solid phase and/or by precipitation; and the catalyst may also be optionally reactivated by contacting the deactivated catalyst with an anion. The acid may contain an anion effective to initiate the polymerisation process and effective to deactivate the catalyst and the molar ratio of acid to catalyst in the deactivation step may be less than or equal to 20:1 of the acid to catalyst mole ratio for the reaction.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Econic Technologies LTDInventors: Michael Kember, David Muir, Anthony Chartoire, James Leeland, Fernando Valera, Andrew Carruthers, Rakibul Kabir