Patents by Inventor Robert David Allen

Robert David Allen 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: 20240132678
    Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods that utilize complementary polymerization reactions to simultaneously generate one or more polymeric materials, including crosslinked polymer matrices, tethered inter-penetrating network, heterogenous polymer blends, or homogeneous polymer blends. The provided compositions and methods utilize the combination of an energy demanding step-growth reaction with a highly exothermic reaction to drive the energy demanding reaction by chemical heating and avoid issues associated with thermal runaway, such as solution boiling or unwanted biproducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Robert David ALLEN, Nicholas A. RORRER, Michael McGRAW
  • Publication number: 20240121240
    Abstract: Computing platforms, methods, and storage media for providing multi-channel authentication are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: receive, from a plurality of system access channels, authentication data related to a plurality of data transfers and to a plurality of users; consolidate the authentication data from the plurality of access channels to generate a set of consolidated authentication data; and generate a user interface, based on the set of consolidated authentication data, to enable execution of a centrally-provided authentication function at a selected system access channel for a selected user initiating a data transfer. An authentication hub according to an implementation may provide a common authentication experience and improved authentication for the plurality of access channels, which may include a telephone contact center, an in-person or branch location, and online services such as web-based or app-based.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jacquelyn LIDDY, Robert Dean ALLEN, Joel David HAMMOND, Vamshidhar PONNAMANENI, Ryan James TEVLIN, Sara Sabrina Albuen SANTOS, Richard JONES, Bijoy NAICK, Blerina HOXHA, Merad KESTAY, Catharine Eugenie BOUCHARD, Aniruddha Prakash KUNDLEY, Meredith Katharine Carter GREENFIELD
  • Publication number: 20240043651
    Abstract: Pre-treating a waste polyester material with dichloromethane (DCM) produce purified polyester for reuse. The purified polyester can be recycled via any chemical or mechanical recycling process. Where the waste polyester material includes non-polyester contaminants, the DCM-treated polyester material produces a slurry that includes the DCM, a solid component that includes a polyester monomer product for reuse, and a waste liquid component where the non-polyester contaminants can be filtered from the top of the liquid component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen
  • Publication number: 20240026115
    Abstract: A waste polyester material is prepared for recycling by dissolving the material in a solution comprising hexafluoroisopropyl (HFIPA) and a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as dichloromethane (DCM) and/or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene or xylene, to form a dissolved polyester sample. The dissolved polyester may be prepared for recycling by evaporation, spray drying, and/or precipitation, which produces a purified solid polyester product. The dissolution solution, which is separated from the purified solid polyester product, is also recycled through distillation with purification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen, Nitin Shashikant Parekh
  • Publication number: 20240002629
    Abstract: Polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components are obtained from a multicomponent polyester device by reacting the multicomponent polyester device with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction recovers (i) the polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components as solid inert by-products of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) unreacted alcohol for reuse, and (iv) a polyester monomer product. Where the multicomponent device includes a non-polyester material, such as polystyrene, the polystyrene is fully recovered from the reaction. Where the multicomponent polyester device includes recording media, the reaction process sanitizes the inert byproducts of the recording media, thus scrubbing any personal data from the reacted recording media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen
  • Publication number: 20230416492
    Abstract: Polyester-free cotton is obtained from a fabric and/or fibers containing polyester and cotton by reacting the fabric and/or fibers with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction, which may be run in batches or as a continuous flow process, recovers (i) polyester-free cotton as a solid inert by-product of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) a polyester monomer product, and (iv) unreacted alcohol. The reaction works on any polyester-cotton fabric and/or fibers, including those that have at least one additional material, such as polyethers polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, rayon, acetate, viscose, modal, acrylic, wool, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen
  • Patent number: 11814487
    Abstract: Pre-treating a waste polyester material with dichloromethane (DCM) produces a purified polyester for reuse. The purified polyester can be recycled via any chemical or mechanical recycling process. Where the waste polyester material includes non-polyester contaminants, the DCM-treated polyester material produces a slurry that includes the DCM, a solid component that includes a polyester monomer product for reuse, and a waste liquid component where the non-polyester contaminants can be filtered from the top of the liquid component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen
  • Patent number: 11807725
    Abstract: A waste polyester material is prepared for recycling by dissolving the material in a solution comprising hexafluoroisopropyl (HFIPA) and a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as dichloromethane (DCM) and/or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene or xylene, to form a dissolved polyester sample. The dissolved polyester may be prepared for recycling by evaporation, spray drying, and/or precipitation, which produces a purified solid polyester product. The dissolution solution, which is separated from the purified solid polyester product, is also recycled through distillation with purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen, Nitin Shashikant Parekh
  • Patent number: 11795292
    Abstract: Polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components are obtained from a multicomponent polyester device by reacting the multicomponent polyester device with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction recovers (i) the polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components as solid inert by-products of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) unreacted alcohol for reuse, and (iv) a polyester monomer product. Where the multicomponent device includes a non-polyester material, such as polystyrene, the polystyrene is fully recovered from the reaction. Where the multicomponent polyester device includes recording media, the reaction process sanitizes the inert byproducts of the recording media, thus scrubbing any personal data from the reacted recording media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen
  • Patent number: 11787917
    Abstract: Polyester-free cotton is obtained from a fabric and/or fibers containing polyester and cotton by reacting the fabric and/or fibers with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction, which may be run in batches or as a continuous flow process, recovers (i) polyester-free cotton as a solid inert by-product of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) a polyester monomer product, and (iv) unreacted alcohol. The reaction works on any polyester-cotton fabric and/or fibers, including those that have at least one additional material, such as polyethers polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, rayon, acetate, viscose, modal, acrylic, wool, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen
  • Publication number: 20230250251
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the recycling of polymer materials that utilize recoverable solvents to efficiently produce high quality valuable polymer while removing contaminants such as metals, dyes or fibers present in the product to be recycled. The described methods may reduce temperature requirements, both reducing the energy requirements as well as providing higher quality recycled feedstocks by, for example, reducing discoloration due to high temperature processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Robert David ALLEN, Nicholas A. RORRER, Gregg Tyler BECKHAM, Katrina Marie KNAUER, Minjung LEE
  • Publication number: 20230128213
    Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for the conversion of chlorophyll-derived phytol into useful and economically viable surfactants. The provided compositions utilize the hydrophobic phytol structure and added functional groups to increase hydrophilicity at one end of the molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Tao DONG, Robert David ALLEN, Lieve LAURENS
  • Publication number: 20220231295
    Abstract: A battery includes an anode, an electrolyte including a solvent and at least one ion conducting salt, and a cathode including a metal halide salt incorporated into an electrically conductive material. The electrolyte is in contact with the anode, the cathode, and an oxidizing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Jangwoo Kim, Young-hye Na, Robert David Allen
  • Patent number: 11367863
    Abstract: A battery includes a cathode with a metal halide and an electrically conductive material, wherein the metal halide acts as an active cathode material; a porous silicon anode with a surface having pores with a depth of about 0.5 microns to about 500 microns, and a metal on the surface and in at least some of the pores thereof; and an electrolyte contacting the anode and the cathode, wherein the electrolyte includes a nitrile moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jangwoo Kim, Young-Hye Na, Robert David Allen, Joel P. de Souza, John Collins, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Publication number: 20220169824
    Abstract: Polyester-free cotton is obtained from a fabric and/or fibers containing polyester and cotton by reacting the fabric and/or fibers with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction, which may be run in batches or as a continuous flow process, recovers (i) polyester-free cotton as a solid inert by-product of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) a polyester monomer product, and (iv) unreacted alcohol. The reaction works on any polyester-cotton fabric and/or fibers, including those that have at least one additional material, such as polyethers polyolefins, polyurethanes, nylon, rayon, acetate, viscose, modal, acrylic, wool, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen
  • Publication number: 20220169825
    Abstract: Polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components are obtained from a multicomponent polyester device by reacting the multicomponent polyester device with an amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same and an alcohol solvent. The reaction recovers (i) the polyester-free magnetic and/or metallic components as solid inert by-products of the reaction, (ii) the amine organocatalyst and/or carboxylic acid salt of same for reuse, (iii) unreacted alcohol for reuse, and (iv) a polyester monomer product. Where the multicomponent device includes a non-polyester material, such as polystyrene, the polystyrene is fully recovered from the reaction. Where the multicomponent polyester device includes recording media, the reaction process sanitizes the inert byproducts of the recording media, thus scrubbing any personal data from the reacted recording media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen
  • Publication number: 20220169823
    Abstract: A waste polyester material is prepared for recycling by dissolving the material in a solution comprising hexafluoroisopropyl (HFIPA) and a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as dichloromethane (DCM) and/or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene or xylene, to form a dissolved polyester sample. The dissolved polyester may be prepared for recycling by evaporation, spray drying, and/or precipitation, which produces a purified solid polyester product. The dissolution solution, which is separated from the purified solid polyester product, is also recycled through distillation with purification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen, Nitin Shashikant Parekh
  • Publication number: 20220169822
    Abstract: Pre-treating a waste polyester material with dichloromethane (DCM) produce purified polyester for reuse. The purified polyester can be recycled via any chemical or mechanical recycling process. Where the waste polyester material includes non-polyester contaminants, the DCM-treated polyester material produces a slurry that includes the DCM, a solid component that includes a polyester monomer product for reuse, and a waste liquid component where the non-polyester contaminants can be filtered from the top of the liquid component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Robert David Allen
  • Publication number: 20220119689
    Abstract: A thermally reworkable adhesive includes at least one di-epoxide, at least one diamine that is reactive with the at least one di-epoxide, at least one additive that is miscible, but not reactive, with the at least one di-epoxide and/or the at least one diamine. Reaction of the at least one di-epoxide and the at least one diamine forms a crosslinked polymer network and the at least one additive offsets the stoichiometry of the crosslinked polymer network by 5-50%. The offset crosslinked polymer network forms the thermally reworkable adhesive that once cured, at a temperature in the range of 20-200° C., can be de-bonded from a device to which it is attached at a temperature in the range of 50-200° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Dennis, Andy Theodora Tek, Robert David Allen
  • Publication number: 20210151743
    Abstract: A battery includes a cathode with a metal halide and an electrically conductive material, wherein the metal halide acts as an active cathode material; a porous silicon anode with a surface having pores with a depth of about 0.5 microns to about 500 microns, and a metal on the surface and in at least some of the pores thereof; and an electrolyte contacting the anode and the cathode, wherein the electrolyte includes a nitrile moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Jangwoo Kim, Young-Hye Na, Robert David Allen, Joel P. de Souza, John Collins, Devendra K. Sadana