Patents by Inventor Robert C. Bening
Robert C. Bening 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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Patent number: 11692048Abstract: A gel composition is herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, the composition comprises a (i) a styrenic block copolymer, (ii) an oil; and (iii) optional additives; wherein the styrenic block copolymer has a structure ABi or iAB, wherein A is a monoalkenyl arene block, B is a conjugated diene block, and i is an isoprene attachment. The isoprene attachment i is substantially unsaturated and the conjugated diene block B is substantially saturated. The gel composition before curing exhibits thixotropic behavior, with a viscosity ranging from about 5000 mPa·s to about 30000 mPa·s. at 25° C. and a shear rate of 20 s?1.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: KRATON CORPORATIONInventors: Catherine A. L. Maris, Erin B. Murphy, Robert C. Bening, Xiangyun Wei, Xavier D. Muyldermans
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Patent number: 11384273Abstract: A drilling fluid composition having a controlled viscosity with the addition of a polyamide as a rheology modifier. The polyamide having has an acid value from 10 mg KOH/g to 200 mg KOH/g is obtained from a reactant mixture comprising: one or more polycarboxylic acids and one or more polyamines. The polycarboxylic acid is selected from the group of polycarboxylic acids having a carboxylic acid functionality of two or more, an average number of carboxylic acid functionalities of from 2 to 4, and having from 2 to 60 carbon atoms, wherein at least one of the polycarboxylic acids is derived from a dimer fatty acid. The polyamine is selected from the group of polyamines having an amine functionality of two or more selected from the group of primary and secondary amino groups, an average number of amine functionalities of from 2 to 4, and having from 2 to 36 carbon atoms.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: KRATON POLYMERS LLCInventors: Robert C Bening, Harry Jerrold Miller, Jos H. M. Lange
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Patent number: 11370957Abstract: Disclosed herein is a copolymer concentrate in a bio-solvent that can be further diluted into a slurry composition. The bio-solvent facilitates the formation of a viscosified base fluid with the mixing being carried out in a short period of time and at ambient, providing a free flowing, pumpable, and dispersible slurry. The slurry is characterized as having excellent stability, maintaining suspension over a wide range of temperatures. In embodiments, the bio-solvent is selected from terpene and terpene-derivative-containing solvents, fatty acid alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof. The bio-solvent can be first mixed with a styrenic diblock copolymer to form a concentrate prior mixing with a hydrocarbon solvent, forming a viscosified base fluid for subsequent mixing with a water-soluble polymer to form the slurry. The bio-solvent can also be used to dilute the hydrocarbon solvent, prior to mixing with the styrenic diblock copolymer to form the viscosified base fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: KRATON POLYMERS LLCInventor: Robert C Bening
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Patent number: 11345774Abstract: A block copolymer composition is disclosed. The composition contains an elastomeric block copolymer and a hydrophilic fumed silica with a surface area (BET, measured by nitrogen gas adsorption) of at least 200 m2/g, and a pH of 3 to 5, a tamped density of <=75 g/L. The block copolymer composition forms free-flowing composition, requiring less than 400 lbs/ft2 to break in a blocking test. The free-flowing composition does not negatively impact haze, transparency, and yellowness of transparent compounds, suitable for use in transparent formulations for medical, toys, and overmolds, viscosified oils, and oil gels applications.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: KRATON POLYMERS LLCInventors: John G. Tunnell, Aaron Brothers, Kathryn J Wright, Robert C Bening
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Patent number: 11292958Abstract: An oil-based slurry composition comprising hydratable (water-soluble) materials with improved settling properties is disclosed with the addition of a suspending agent to the slurry mixture. The suspending agent is a styrenic diblock copolymer of formula A-B. The styrenic diblock copolymer is a hydrogenated styrene-(ethylene/propylene) (S-EP) block copolymer having a molecular weight of 175-225 kg/mole and a polystyrene (PSC) content of 30-50%. The block copolymer maintains the water-soluble materials in suspension in the mixture with less than 3 wt. % free hydrocarbon solvent separation after at least 1 day standing.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2021Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: KRATON POLYMERS LLCInventors: Robert C Bening, Steven Huynh, David Sam Germack
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Publication number: 20210301193Abstract: Disclosed herein is a copolymer concentrate in a bio-solvent that can be further diluted into a slurry composition. The bio-solvent facilitates the formation of a viscosified base fluid with the mixing being carried out in a short period of time and at ambient, providing a free flowing, pumpable, and dispersible slurry. The slurry is characterized as having excellent stability, maintaining suspension over a wide range of temperatures. In embodiments, the bio-solvent is selected from terpene and terpene-derivative-containing solvents, fatty acid alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof. The bio-solvent can be first mixed with a styrenic diblock copolymer to form a concentrate prior mixing with a hydrocarbon solvent, forming a viscosified base fluid for subsequent mixing with a water-soluble polymer to form the slurry. The bio-solvent can also be used to dilute the hydrocarbon solvent, prior to mixing with the styrenic diblock copolymer to form the viscosified base fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Applicant: Kraton Polymers LLCInventor: Robert C Bening
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Publication number: 20210222046Abstract: A drilling fluid composition having a controlled viscosity with the addition of a polyamide as a rheology modifier. The polyamide having has an acid value from 10 mg KOH/g to 200 mg KOH/g is obtained from a reactant mixture comprising: one or more polycarboxylic acids and one or more polyamines. The polycarboxylic acid is selected from the group of polycarboxylic acids having a carboxylic acid functionality of two or more, an average number of carboxylic acid functionalities of from 2 to 4, and having from 2 to 60 carbon atoms, wherein at least one of the polycarboxylic acids is derived from a dimer fatty acid. The polyamine is selected from the group of polyamines having an amine functionality of two or more selected from the group of primary and secondary amino groups, an average number of amine functionalities of from 2 to 4, and having from 2 to 36 carbon atoms.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Kraton Polymers LLCInventors: Robert C. Bening, Harry Jerrold Miller, Jos H. M. Lange
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Publication number: 20210214603Abstract: An oil-based slurry composition comprising hydratable (water-soluble) materials with improved settling properties is disclosed with the addition of a suspending agent to the slurry mixture. The suspending agent is a styrenic diblock copolymer of formula A-B. The styrenic diblock copolymer is a hydrogenated styrene-(ethylene/propylene) (S-EP) block copolymer having a molecular weight of 175-225 kg/mole and a polystyrene (PSC) content of 30-50%. The block copolymer maintains the water-soluble materials in suspension in the mixture with less than 3 wt. % free hydrocarbon solvent separation after at least 1 day standing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: Kraton Polymers LLCInventor: Robert C Bening
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Publication number: 20200399408Abstract: A gel composition is herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, the composition comprises a (i) a styrenic block copolymer, (ii) an oil; and (iii) optional additives; wherein the styrenic block copolymer has a structure ABi or iAB, wherein A is a monoalkenyl arene block, B is a conjugated diene block, and i is an isoprene attachment. The isoprene attachment i is substantially unsaturated and the conjugated diene block B is substantially saturated. The gel composition before curing exhibits thixotropic behavior, with a viscosity ranging from about 5000 mPa.s to about 30000 mPa.s. at 25° C. and a shear rate of 20 s?1.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLCInventors: Catherine A.L. Maris, Erin B. Murphy, Robert C. Bening, Xiangyun Wei, Xavier D. Muyldermans
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Patent number: 10633465Abstract: Selectively hydrogenated block copolymers having semi-crystalline blocks hard blocks and copolymer soft blocks having a combination of excellent physical properties and solvent resistance have been discovered. The block copolymer comprises at least one A block of hydrogenated, polymerized 1,3-butadiene and at least one B block which is a random copolymer or a controlled distribution copolymer of conjugated diene and mono vinyl aromatic monomers in which the conjugated diene monomer units are selectively hydrogenated. Polar functionalized block embodiments of the block copolymers are also disclosed. Compositions comprising the block copolymer and articles made from the block copolymer have also been discovered. A method is disclosed which provides highly isotropic, high strength melt cast films of block copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: John E. Flood, Carl L. Willis, Robert C. Bening, Hendrik De Groot, Xavier D. D. J. Muyldermans, David T. Williamson, Dale L. Handlin, Jr., Robert Dossett
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Publication number: 20200079891Abstract: A block copolymer composition is disclosed. The composition contains an elastomeric block copolymer and a hydrophilic fumed silica with a surface area (BET, measured by nitrogen gas adsorption) of at least 200 m2/g, and a pH of 3 to 5, a tamped density of <=75 g/L. The block copolymer composition forms free-flowing composition, requiring less than 400 lbs/ft2 to break in a blocking test. The free-flowing composition does not negatively impact haze, transparency, and yellowness of transparent compounds, suitable for use in transparent formulations for medical, toys, and overmolds, viscosified oils, and oil gels applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS LLCInventors: John G. Tunnell, Aaron Brothers, Kathryn J. Wright, Robert C. Bening
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Patent number: 10287428Abstract: Provided herein is a composition containing a hydrogenated blend of a semi-crystalline, selectively hydrogenated block copolymer, a selectively diblock copolymers lacking semi-crystalline blocks, and a low polarity fluid for cable filling applications. The block copolymer comprises blocks of semi-crystalline hydrogenated polybutadiene, blocks of poly(mono alkenyl arenes), and blocks of hydrogenated, non-crystalline conjugated dienes. The diblock copolymer comprises blocks of poly(mono alkenyl arenes) and blocks of non-crystalline poly(conjugated diene(s)). The compositions can be converted to non-flowable gels and find application as fillers for cables such as fiber optic cables.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Robert C. Bening, Erin Murphy, Carl L. Willis
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Publication number: 20180258277Abstract: A gel composition is herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, the composition comprises a (i) a styrenic block copolymer, (ii) an oil; and (iii) optional additives; wherein the styrenic block copolymer comprises: a diblock polymer having a monoalkenyl arene block, designated A, a conjugated diene block, designated B, an isoprene attachment, designated i, and wherein the styrenic block copolymer can have structure ABi or iAB; the isoprene attachment i is substantially unsaturated and the conjugated diene block B is substantially saturated. The gel composition before curing exhibits thixotropic behavior, and the gel composition after curing is either solid or has a viscosity at 25° C. at a shear rate of 20 s?1 of at least 30000 mPa·s.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLCInventors: Catherine A.L. Maris, Erin B. Murphy, Robert C. Bening, Xiangyun Wei, Xavier D. Muyldermans
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Patent number: 10053609Abstract: Provided herein is a dispersion composition comprising a blend of a semi-crystalline, selectively hydrogenated block copolymer and a low polarity fluid for oilfield applications. The block copolymer comprises blocks of semi-crystalline hydrogenated polybutadiene, blocks of poly(mono alkenyl arenes), and blocks of hydrogenated, non-crystalline conjugated dienes. The dispersions can be converted to thixotropic fluids or cohesive gels and find application as insulating packer fluids, fluid loss pills, drilling fluids and completion fluids.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Robert C. Bening, Erin Murphy, Carl L. Willis
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Publication number: 20170275392Abstract: Selectively hydrogenated block copolymers having semi-crystalline blocks hard blocks and copolymer soft blocks having a combination of excellent physical properties and solvent resistance have been discovered. The block copolymer comprises at least one A block of hydrogenated, polymerized 1,3-butadiene and at least one B block which is a random copolymer or a controlled distribution copolymer of conjugated diene and mono vinyl aromatic monomers in which the conjugated diene monomer units are selectively hydrogenated. Polar functionalized block embodiments of the block copolymers are also disclosed. Compositions comprising the block copolymer and articles made from the block copolymer have also been discovered. A method is disclosed which provides highly isotropic, high strength melt cast films of block copolymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLCInventors: John E. Flood, Carl L. WILLIS, Robert C. Bening, Hendrik De Groot, Xavier D.D.J. Muyldermans, David T. Williamson, Dale L. Handlin, Jr., Robert Dossett
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Patent number: 9657213Abstract: The invention relates to a curable sealant composition broadly comprising a resealable, swellable, reactive sealant and free radical initiator; said resealable, swellable reactive sealant comprises monofunctional monomer(s), multifunctional monomer(s), reactive polymer such as unsaturated styrenic block copolymer, swellable additive, and optional components. The monofunctional monomer is a vinyl ester derivative of versatic acid with C9-C12 carbon atoms, or monoacrylate, monomethacrylate, monoacrylamide, or monomethacrylamide. The multifunctional monomer are di-, tri-, tetra-, and/or penta-functional monomers with vinyl, acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, or methacrylamide functionality, such as tricyclodecane dimethanol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate or a mixture thereof. The reactive unsaturated polymer is a styrenic block copolymer such as SBS, SIS, S-I/B-S, I-SEBS-I, and mixtures of two or more of these.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Erin B. Murphy, Duc V. Nguyen, Robert C. Bening
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Publication number: 20160362545Abstract: Provided herein is a composition containing a hydrogenated blend of a semi-crystalline, selectively hydrogenated block copolymer, a selectively diblock copolymers lacking semi-crystalline blocks, and a low polarity fluid for cable filling applications. The block copolymer comprises blocks of semi-crystalline hydrogenated polybutadiene, blocks of poly(mono alkenyl arenes), and blocks of hydrogenated, non-crystalline conjugated dienes. The diblock copolymer comprises blocks of poly(mono alkenyl arenes) and blocks of non-crystalline poly(conjugated diene(s)). The compositions can be converted to non-flowable gels and find application as fillers for cables such as fiber optic cables.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLCInventors: Robert C. BENING, Erin MURPHY, Carl L. WILLIS
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Publication number: 20160362593Abstract: Provided herein is a dispersion composition comprising a blend of a semi-crystalline, selectively hydrogenated block copolymer and a low polarity fluid for oilfield applications. The block copolymer comprises blocks of semi-crystalline hydrogenated polybutadiene, blocks of poly(mono alkenyl arenes), and blocks of hydrogenated, non-crystalline conjugated dienes. The dispersions can be converted to thixotropic fluids or cohesive gels and find application as insulating packer fluids, fluid loss pills, drilling fluids and completion fluids.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Applicant: KRATON POLYMERS U.S. LLCInventors: Robert C. BENING, Erin MURPHY, Carl L. WILLIS
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Publication number: 20160108305Abstract: The invention relates to a curable sealant composition broadly comprising a resealable, swellable, reactive sealant and free radical initiator; said resealable, swellable reactive sealant comprises monofunctional monomer(s), multifunctional monomer(s), reactive polymer such as unsaturated styrenic block copolymer, swellable additive, and optional components. The monofunctional monomer is a vinyl ester derivative of versatic acid with C9-C12 carbon atoms, or monoacrylate, monomethacrylate, monoacrylamide, or monomethacrylamide. The multifunctional monomer are di-, tri-, tetra-, and/or penta-functional monomers with vinyl, acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, or methacrylamide functionality, such as tricyclodecane dimethanol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate or a mixture thereof. The reactive unsaturated polymer is a styrenic block copolymer such as SBS, SIS, S-I/B-S, I-SEBS-I, and mixtures of two or more of these.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Erin B. Murphy, Duc V. Nguyen, Robert C. Bening
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Patent number: 8552114Abstract: The present invention provides a block copolymer composition and method of making the same having the structures (A2-B)n-X-(A1) or (A2-B2)n-X-(B1A1), where A1 and A2 are each a polymer block of a monoalkenyl arene and B, B1, and B2 are each a polymer block of one or more conjugated dienes or a hydrogenated diene polymer, n is an integer from 2 to 30 and X is the residue of a coupling agent.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLCInventors: Dale Lee Handlin, Jr., Peter Pasman, Glenn H. Fredrickson, Carl L. Willis, Robert C. Bening