Patents by Inventor Richard T. Chou

Richard T. Chou 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: 7767760
    Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition comprising: (a) a functional copolymer obtained from copolymerization of ethylene and a comonomer selected from maleic anhydride, citraconic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, maleic acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, the corresponding salts, monoesters and diesters of these acids, and mixtures of any of these, wherein the functional copolymer is present in an amount from about 5 to about 95 weight % of the combined total amount of (a) and (b); and (b) at least one ethylene copolymer obtained from copolymerization of ethylene with a polar monomer wherein said polar comonomer is present in the copolymer in an amount of from 8 to 40 weight %, wherein said ethylene copolymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymers and ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate/carbon monoxide terpolymers, in an amount from about 5 to about 95 weight % of the combined
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Richard T. Chou
  • Patent number: 7767311
    Abstract: Disclosed are adhesive compositions comprising nonfunctionalized base resins and functionalized ethylene copolymers such as ethylene/maleic anhydride (E/MAH) or ethylene/ethyl hydrogen maleate (E/MAME) copolymer, which are synthesized directly in a high pressure autoclave. These adhesive compositions can be applied as self-supporting films or can be co-extruded or extrusion coated onto a substrate. Also disclosed are multilayer structures, films, pipe coatings and building panels comprising these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Richard T. Chou
  • Publication number: 20100126557
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell module comprising a polymeric encapsulant sheet, wherein the polymeric encapsulant sheet comprises a blend composition of an ethylene copolymer A and an ethylene copolymer B, the blend composition having a melt flow rate of less than 100 g/10 min, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg, and wherein the ethylene copolymerA comprises copolymerized units of ethylene and about 3 to about 20 wt % of an ester or anhydride of a C4-C8 unsaturated acid having two carboxylic acid groups and the ethylene copolymer B comprises copolymerized units of ethylene and about 6 to about 40 wt % of a polar monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, alkyl (meth)acrylates, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: RICHARD T. CHOU
  • Publication number: 20100129665
    Abstract: Disclosed laminates particularly useful as safety glazings comprising a polymeric interlayer sheet, wherein the polymeric interlayer sheet comprises a blend composition of an ethylene copolymer A and an ethylene copolymer B, which has a melt flow rate of less than 100 g/10 min, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg, and wherein the ethylene copolymer A comprises copolymerized units of ethylene and about 3 to about 20 wt % of an ester or anhydride of a C4-C8 unsaturated acid having two carboxylic acid groups and the ethylene copolymer B comprises copolymerized units of ethylene and about 6 to about 40 wt % of a polar monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, alkyl (meth)acrylates, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Richard T. Chou
  • Publication number: 20090298372
    Abstract: A multilayer structure comprises a surface layer, a substrate, and optionally additional layers wherein the surface layer comprises or is produced from a blend comprising an ionomer and a polyamide; the ionomer is or must be derived from at least three repeat units derived from ethylene, an ?,?-unsaturated C3-C8 carboxylic acid, and a dicarboxylic acid or its derivative; and the dicarboxylic acid or its derivative is maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric anhydride, itaconic anhydride, maleic acid monoester, fumaric acid monoester, itaconic acid monoester, or combinations of two or more thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: RICHARD T. CHOU, KARLHEINZ HAUSMANN
  • Publication number: 20090274856
    Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising an ethylene acid copolymer and a functional ethylene copolymer. The ethylene acid copolymer comprises in-chain polymerized units derived from ethylene and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid or derivative thereof. The functional ethylene copolymer comprises in-chain polymerized units derived from ethylene and at least one ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof. Optionally, the ethylene acid copolymer or the functional ethylene copolymer further comprises one or more copolymerized alkyl(meth)acrylates. The carboxylic acid functionalities of the ethylene acid copolymer and the functional ethylene copolymer may be at least partially neutralized to form carboxylate anions. Preferred counterions include one or more alkali metal, transition metal, or alkaline earth metal cations. The compositions are useful for fabricating films, sheets and other shaped articles, such as packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Richard T. Chou
  • Publication number: 20090227739
    Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful as an impact modifier for polyamide compositions. In one embodiment, impact modifiers of the present invention are ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers having at least 3% maleic anhydride functionality. Compositions comprising copolymers of ethylene and maleic anhydride or its functional equivalents and ethylene copolymers with polar comonomers are disclosed. The compositions provide miscible blends and exhibit improved properties, such as increased temperature resistance and mechanical strength, compared to pure ethylene copolymers with polar comonomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventor: RICHARD T. CHOU
  • Publication number: 20090215928
    Abstract: A nanofiller masterbatch comprising a nanofiller and an ethylene/ester copolymer having copolymerized units of ethylene and a comonomer selected from monoesters of C4-C8 unsaturated acids having at least two carboxylic acid groups, diesters of C4-C8 unsaturated acids having at least two carboxylic acid groups, and mixtures of two or more thereof; and a nanocomposite comprising a polyolefin and the nanofiller masterbatch are disclosed. Processes for preparing the nanofiller masterbatch and the nanocomposite are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: RICHARD T. CHOU, Jingjing Xu
  • Publication number: 20080276497
    Abstract: A method of improving the adhesion of primers and adhesives to the surface of a polymeric material is provided. In this method, the adhesion is improved by modifying the polymeric material with a filler. Preferably, the filler comprises hollow microspheres or nanoparticles. Silica is a preferred filler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Richard T. Chou, Kye Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20080255303
    Abstract: Polymer compositions having excellent physical properties, adhesion to metals and high temperature resistance consist essentially of 1) a polyolefin such as polypropylene, 2) a first ethylene copolymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl acrylate copolymers, and ethylene/alkyl methacrylate copolymers and 3) a second ethylene copolymer comprising copolymerized units of a) ethylene and b) a monomer selected from the group consisting of i) cyclic anhydrides of C4-C8 unsaturated acids, ii) C4-C8 unsaturated acids having at least two carboxylic acid groups, and iii) mono- and diesters of C4-C8 unsaturated acids having at least two carboxylic acid groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Richard T. Chou
  • Publication number: 20080161503
    Abstract: A composition and an article therewith are disclosed wherein the composition comprises or is a blend that comprises, consists essentially of, consists of, or is produced from, about 1 to about 40, or about 5 to about 35, about 10 to about 30, or about 10 to about 20 or 25% of a polyamide and about 60 to about 99, about 65 to about 95, about 70 to about 90, or about 75 or 80 to about 90% of an ionomer, all based on the weight of the blend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard T. Chou, Karlheinz Hausmann
  • Patent number: 7279520
    Abstract: A flame retardant, halogen-free polymer composition that is a blend of: (1) a polyolefin selected from (a) EVA containing 25-90% by weight ethylene and 10-75% by weight vinyl acetate, (b) LLDPE, (c) LDPE, (d) VLDPE, (e) HDPE, or mixtures thereof; (2) a coupling agent made from (f) about 10 to about 50% by weight of a copolymer of ethylene and about 1% by weight to about 15% by weight functional comonomer and (g) about 50% by weight to about 90% by weight of an ethylene-based polymer; and (3) an inorganic flame retardant filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Karlheinz Hausmann, Richard T. Chou, Richard J. Arhart
  • Patent number: 7267884
    Abstract: Disclosed are films, tapes, and melt-spun fibers comprising or prepared from a composition comprising (a) at least one polyamide polymer; and (b) from about 0.1 to 20 weight % of at least one ethylene copolymer such as ethylene/vinyl acetate dipolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate terpolymers, ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate dipolymers, ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate terpolymers, functionalized ethylene copolymers, ethylene/acid copolymers, and salts thereof. The films, tapes and fibers exhibit improved tensile properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break compared to nonmodified polyamide compositions. Also disclosed are nonwoven textiles comprising or prepared from the oriented melt-spun fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Richard T. Chou, Loic Pierre Rolland, Sam Louis Samuels, David J. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20070155904
    Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition comprising: (a) a functional copolymer obtained from copolymerization of ethylene and a comonomer selected from maleic anhydride, citraconic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, maleic acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, the corresponding salts, monoesters and diesters of these acids, and mixtures of any of these, wherein the functional copolymer is present in an amount from about 5 to about 95 weight % of the combined total amount of (a) and (b); and (b) at least one ethylene copolymer obtained from copolymerization of ethylene with a polar monomer wherein said polar comonomer is present in the copolymer in an amount of from 8 to 40 weight %, wherein said ethylene copolymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymers and ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate/carbon monoxide terpolymers, in an amount from about 5 to about 95 weight % of the combined
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventor: Richard T. Chou
  • Patent number: 7199188
    Abstract: The present invention is a composition useful as an impact modifier for polyamide compositions. In one embodiment, impact modifiers of the present invention are ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers having at least 3% maleic anhydride functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Richard T. Chou
  • Patent number: 6953830
    Abstract: The present invention is a fluorine containing ethylene copolymer obtained by the copolymerization of ethylene with suitable fluorine-containing comonomer compounds, wherein the fluorine-containing comonomer compound is present at a concentration of up to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the ethylene copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Richard T. Chou
  • Patent number: 6903163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high melt swell partially neutralized alpha olefin acid copolymers. It also relates to a process for making such high melt swell polymers as well as for covalently crosslinking other polar copolymers including non-neutralized acid copolymers and non-polar alpha olefin polymers by using a minor amount of metal acrylate, particularly sodium or zinc acrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Richard James Powell, Richard T. Chou, George W. Prejean
  • Patent number: 6797737
    Abstract: This invention relates to crosslinked polymer foam compositions of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, an acid copolymer or ionomer, and a crosslinking agent. Such compositions exhibit enhanced melt strength, as well as lower density and compression set. They are especially useful as midsoles or insoles for footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Chin-Fu Hsu, Richard T. Chou, Wayne C. Whelchel, Yun-Tong Ou
  • Publication number: 20040077811
    Abstract: The present invention is a fluorine containing ethylene copolymer obtained by the copolymerization of ethylene with suitable fluorine-containing comonomer compounds, wherein the fluorine-containing comonomer compound is present at a concentration of up to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the ethylene copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Richard T Chou
  • Publication number: 20030060570
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high melt swell partially neutralized alpha olefin acid copolymers. It also relates to a process for making such high melt swell polymers as well as for covalently crosslinking other polar copolymers including non-neutralized acid copolymers and non-polar alpha olefin polymers by using a minor amount of metal acrylate, particularly sodium or zinc acrylate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Richard James Powell, Richard T. Chou, George Wyatt Prejean