Patents by Inventor Neal S. Berke

Neal S. Berke 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: 6816791
    Abstract: A novel methodology for rapid, cost-efficient discovery, identification, or improvement of additives and/or admixtures for hydratable cementitious compositions. Multiple formulations comprising hydratable cementitious compositions are deposited into a plurality of receptacles. A first assay output is obtained, such as through x-ray diffraction, which is then correlated to provide a second assay output value corresponding to physical or chemical properties of the cementitious compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: David F. Myers, Felek Jachimowicz, Joanna D. Blanchard, Neal S. Berke, Josephine H. Cheung, Paul J. Sandberg, Frank G. Serafin, Peter V. Coveney
  • Patent number: 6773646
    Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers. Further exemplary fibers and methods involve mechanically-flattening intertwined or braided fibers or fiber bundles, thereby providing fibers having physical impressions thereon of the intertwinement or braidingand, optionally though preferably of micro-diastrophic surface deformities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Stephen J. Fyler, Michael Macklin
  • Patent number: 6758897
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20040064265
    Abstract: A novel methodology for rapid, cost-efficient discovery, identification, or improvement of additives and/or admixtures for hydratable cementitious compositions. Multiple formulations comprising hydratable cementitious compositions are deposited into a plurality of receptacles. A first assay output is obtained, such as through Raman spectroscopy, which is then correlated to provide a second assay output value corresponding to physical or chemical properties of the cementitious compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: David F. Myers, Felek Jachimowicz, Joanna D. Blanchard, Neal S. Berke, Josephine H. Cheung, Paul J. Sandberg, Frank G. Serafin, Peter V. Coveney
  • Publication number: 20040031223
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a concrete floor slab using subgrade waterproofing in a manner that favors the use of water-based adhesives for affixing floor covering materials. The method comprises casting a hydratable cementitious composition onto a flooring membrane, the composition having a shrinkage reduction admixture and a water:cementitious binder ratio sufficiently low that substantially all of the water moisture is retained in the hydration reaction, and achieving a fully adhered bond with the flooring membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy A. Durning, Lawrence R. Roberts, Neal S. Berke
  • Publication number: 20040018358
    Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers. Further exemplary fibers and methods involve mechanically-flattening intertwined or braided fibers or fiber bundles, thereby providing fibers having physical impressions thereon of the intertwinement or braiding and, optionally though preferably of micro-diastrophic surface deformities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: W.R. GRACE & CO.-CONN.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Stephen J. Fyler, Michael Macklin
  • Patent number: 6648962
    Abstract: Substantially hydrated cementitious particulates useful for delivering admixtures and additives into adhesives, coatings, paints, and other matrix compositions such as cement, concrete, masonry, mortar, fireproofing, shotcrete, and others. Preferred embodiments include intermixing at least one admixture, water, and hydratable cementitious binder to provide a substantially hydrated hardened mass and comminuting the hardened mass into particulates. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more admixtures may be coated onto the external surface area of the particulates, which are microscopically granulosic, to provide accurate and high level loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Neal S. Berke, Antonio J. Aldykiewicz, Jr., Noah D. Budiansky, Arnon Bentur
  • Publication number: 20030157320
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths. Preferred fibers and matrix materials having such fibers demonstrate excellent finishability in addition to dispersion and toughness properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan, Saleh Altoubat
  • Patent number: 6596210
    Abstract: Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers involve subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Stephen J. Fyler, Michael Macklin
  • Patent number: 6592790
    Abstract: Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers involve subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Stephen J. Fyler
  • Patent number: 6569526
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths. Preferred fibers and matrix materials having such fibers demonstrate excellent finishability in addition to dispersion and toughness properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan, Salah Altoubat
  • Patent number: 6569525
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20030089281
    Abstract: Substantially hydrated cementitious particulates useful for delivering admixtures and additives into adhesives, coatings, paints, and other matrix compositions such as cement, concrete, masonry, mortar, fireproofing, shotcrete, and others. Preferred embodiments include intermixing at least one admixture, water, and hydratable cementitious binder to provide a substantially hydrated hardened mass and comminuting the hardened mass into particulates. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more admixtures may be coated onto the external surface area of the particulates, which are microscopically granulosic, to provide accurate and high level loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Neal S. Berke, Antonio J. Aldykiewicz, Noah D. Budiansky, Arnon Bentur
  • Publication number: 20030082378
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: W.R. GRACE & CO.-CONN.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20030082376
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: W.R. GRACE & CO.-CONN.
    Inventors: Klaus Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 6503625
    Abstract: Exemplary mechanically-flattened fibers of the invention comprise generally elongate bodies having varied width or thickness dimensions and micro-diastrophic surface deformities. Preferred fibers are elongate synthetic polymer or multipolymer blend fibers for reinforcing matrix materials such as concrete, shotcrete, gypsum-containing materials, asphalt, plastic, rubber, and other matrix materials. Preferred methods for manufacturing such fibers comprise subjecting synthetic polymer fibers to compressive forces sufficient to achieve flattening and surface micro-diastrophism without substantially shredding and abrading the fibers. Further exemplary fibers and methods involve mechanically-flattening intertwined or braided fibers or fiber bundles, thereby providing fibers having physical impressions thereon of the intertwinement or braidingand, optionally though preferably of micro-diastrophic surface deformities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co. - Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Stephen J. Fyler, Michael Macklin
  • Patent number: 6500520
    Abstract: Coated articles, methods for making such articles, and waterproofing systems incorporating these. An exemplary coated article comprises a body with surface coating of inorganic particles reactive with hydroxide generated from hydration of concrete or mortar to form hydration products. The articles are designed to be used with cast concrete or masonry. The inorganic particles comprise at least one of (a) aluminum oxide trihydrate; (b) silica dioxide; (c) fly ash; (d) blast furnace slag, (e) silica fume; (f) an alkali or alkaline earth metal salts; or mixture thereof. The particles improve bonding with hydratable cementitious compositions that are cast against the coated surface and allowed to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co. -Conn.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wiercinski, Jyoti Seth, Neal S. Berke, Paul J. Sandberg
  • Publication number: 20020182406
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20020182408
    Abstract: Synthetic polymer reinforcing fibers provide dispersability and strength in matrix materials such as concrete, masonry, shotcrete, and asphalt. The individual fiber bodies, substantially free of stress fractures and substantially non-fibrillatable, have generally quadrilateral cross-sectional profiles along their elongated lengths. Preferred fibers and matrix materials having such fibers demonstrate excellent finishability in addition to dispersion and toughness properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Klaus-Alexander Rieder, Neal S. Berke, Michael B. Macklin, Anandakumar Ranganathan, Salah Altoubat
  • Patent number: 6358310
    Abstract: Additive for cementitious compositions, comprising: at least one admixture, such a shrinkage reducing admixture, an air entraining admixture, a water reducing admixture, an inorganic salt, a corrosion inhibitor, an accelerator, a retarder, or mixture thereof; and a triblock polyoxyalkene copolymer surfactant having the formula R1O—(A1O)x—(A2O)y—(A1O)x—R2 wherein R1 and R2 individually represent hydrogen, a C1-C7 alkyl group, a C5-C6 cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group; A1 represents a C2 alkyl group, A2 represents a branched or linear C3 alkyl group; “x” represents an integer of 42-133; and “y” represents an integer of 21 to 68.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Neal S. Berke, Maria C. Hicks, James J. Malone