Patents by Inventor Paul J. Buras

Paul J. Buras 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: 20110269877
    Abstract: Asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are described herein. The asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are generally adapted to enable open air processing while producing asphalt compositions that exhibit properties capable of meeting SUPERPAVE™ specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William D. Lee, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 7998265
    Abstract: Asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are described herein. The asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are generally adapted to enable open air processing while producing asphalt compositions that exhibit properties capable of meeting SUPERPAVE™ specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William D. Lee, James R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20110015311
    Abstract: Asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are described herein. The asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are generally adapted to enable open air processing while producing asphalt compositions that exhibit properties capable of meeting SUPERPAVE™ specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William D. Lee, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 7824485
    Abstract: Asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are described herein. The asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are generally adapted to enable open air processing while producing asphalt compositions that exhibit properties capable of meeting SUPERPAVE™ specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William Lee, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 7645820
    Abstract: In methods of preparing asphalt and elastomeric polymer compositions crosslinked with phenol aldehyde resins and sulfur, such as polymer modified asphalt (PMA), it has been discovered that the MP1 compatibility may be improved by adding certain ionic metal oxides. Suitable ionic metal salts include, but are not necessarily limited to, zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, and the like. Acceptable elastomeric polymers include, but are not necessarily limited to, styrene-butadiene copolymers. Additional sulfur-containing crosslinkers may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, Joseph R. Bruns, William Lee
  • Publication number: 20090182072
    Abstract: In methods of preparing asphalt and elastomeric polymer compositions crosslinked with phenol aldehyde resins and sulfur, such as polymer modified asphalt (PMA), it has been discovered that the MP1 compatibility may be improved by adding certain ionic metal salts. Suitable ionic metal oxides include, but are not necessarily limited to, zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, and the like. Acceptable elastomeric polymers include, but are not necessarily limited to, styrene-butadiene copolymers. Additional sulfur-containing crosslinkers may also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, Joseph R. Bruns, William Lee
  • Publication number: 20090149577
    Abstract: In methods of preparing asphalt and elastomeric polymer compositions such as polymer modified asphalt (PMA), it has been discovered that the compatibility can be improved by adding excess amounts of certain organic and inorganic metal salts beyond the proportions normally used. Suitable metal salts may be metal oxides that include, but are not necessarily limited to, zinc oxide, calcium oxide, and the like. The method of the invention also permits asphalt modified with other polymers such as ground tire rubber (GTR) to have improved compatibility. Additionally, the use of excess amounts of these metal salts helps control gel formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Paul J. Buras, William Lee
  • Patent number: 7544239
    Abstract: Methods of modifying crude fractions are described herein. The methods generally include blending a crude fraction with an emissions reducing additive to form a modified crude fraction, wherein the modified crude fraction exhibits reduced sulfur emissions. The emissions reducing additive generally includes a dispersion of a metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William D. Lee, James R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20090143504
    Abstract: Asphalt and elastomeric polymer compositions crosslinked with mixed polythiomorpholines or at least one alkyl polysulfide can give polymer modified asphalts (PMAs) with improved properties and/or reduced H2S evolution. When at least one alkyl polysulfide is used to completely or partially replace conventional crosslinkers such as S or MBT, mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) may be optionally used as a co-crosslinker. The use of mixed polythiomorpholines as crosslinkers provide PMAs with better low temperature profiles (BBR m-values). The use of at least one alkyl polysulfide crosslinker gives PMAs with improved PAV-aged DSR results, and reduced H2S evolution. The use of at least one alkyl polysulfide crosslinker together with MBI may give PMAs with improved PAV DSR Fail Temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William Lee, James R. Butler, Wendy Stanley
  • Patent number: 7495045
    Abstract: Asphalt and polymer mixtures treated with an inorganic acid and cross-linked with sulfur and/or other crosslinkers or accelerators gives a polymer modified asphalt with improved high temperature properties. The acid should be added to the asphalt before the crosslinker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William Lee
  • Publication number: 20080141899
    Abstract: Asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are described herein. The asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are generally adapted to enable open air processing while producing asphalt compositions that exhibit properties capable of meeting SUPERPAVE™ specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: FINA TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William D. Lee, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 7365111
    Abstract: In methods of preparing asphalt and elastomeric polymer compositions crosslinked with phenol aldehyde resins and sulfur, such as polymer modified asphalt (PMA), it has been discovered that the MP1 compatibility may be improved by adding certain ionic metal oxides. Suitable ionic metal oxides include, but are not necessarily limited to, zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, and the like. Acceptable elastomeric polymers include, but are not necessarily limited to, styrene-butadiene copolymers. Additional sulfur-containing crosslinkers may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, Joseph R. Bruns, William Lee
  • Patent number: 7341624
    Abstract: Asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are described herein. The asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are generally adapted to enable open air processing while producing asphalt compositions that exhibit properties capable of meeting SUPERPAVE™ specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Buras, William D. Lee, James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 6972047
    Abstract: It has been discovered that a synthetic flux oil can contain and deliver asphaltites, such as gilsonite, more easily and readily to an asphalt to improve its properties. The synthetic flux oil includes the asphaltite and a carrier oil. Depending on the nature of the carrier oil, the synthetic flux oil may or may not need to be heated during mixing and incorporation into the asphalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Kevin P. Kelly, Paul J. Buras, Bill Lee
  • Publication number: 20040152805
    Abstract: In methods of preparing asphalt and elastomeric polymer compositions, it has been discovered that for a given crosslinker or vulcanizing agent there is an optimum crosslinking temperature to give a composition that has top and bottom softening points that are close. That is, rubber/asphalt compatibility is improved, where the crosslinking is performed within the optimum temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Paul J. Buras
  • Publication number: 20040030008
    Abstract: It has been discovered that divalent metal oxides other than zinc oxide (ZnO) perform equivalently as activators in preparing asphalt polymer compositions. Typically, the crosslinker in these compositions is sulfur. Divalent metal oxides such as cupric oxide (CuO), magnesium oxide (MgO), and calcium oxide (CaO) provide alternative activators to give versatility to designing asphalt polymer compositions. In addition, some of these alternative divalent metal oxides are less expensive than the traditionally used ZnO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: James R. Butler, Bill Lee, Paul J. Buras