Patents by Inventor Robert Dirks

Robert Dirks 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: 20110104676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of fluorescently labeled nucleic acid probes to identify and image analytes in a biological sample. In the preferred embodiments, a probe is provided that comprises a target region able to specifically bind an analyte of interest and an initiator region that is able to initiate polymerization of nucleic acid monomers. After contacting a sample with the probe, labeled monomers are provided that form a tethered polymer. Triggered probes and self-quenching monomers can be used to provide active background suppression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Niles A. Pierce, Robert Dirks, Scott E. Fraser
  • Patent number: 7829632
    Abstract: A composition comprises a polyester-polycarbonate polymer comprising isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units and carbonate units, a poly(C4-alkylene) ester, and a polyester comprising cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination of cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate and ethylene terephthalate. The composition can be extruded into pellets that are clear and colorless. The composition can further be molded into articles having a percent haze value less than or equal to 10 percent, and total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00. Also disclosed is a method for forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Shreyas Chakravarti, Bernardus Antonius Gerardus Schrauwen, Robert Dirk van de Grampel
  • Publication number: 20100168314
    Abstract: Specific thermoplastic compositions containing a polyester or a blend of polyester and polycarbonate, an impact modifier and a block copolyestercarbonate are provided that remain ductile at or below freezing exhibiting an impact energy at or below 0° C. of greater than 25 kjoules/m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
    Inventors: SHREYAS CHAKRAVARTI, BERNARDUS ANTONIUS GERARDUS SCHRAUWEN, ROBERT DIRK VAN DE GRAMPEL, SUNG DUG KIM
  • Publication number: 20100152344
    Abstract: Polycarbonate compositions are disclosed. The compositions comprise an optional polycarbonate polymer (A); a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer (B); a phosphorous-containing flame retardant (C); and a reinforcing agent (D). The resulting compositions have an improved combination of properties, particularly Vicat softening temperature and high flame retardance in thin walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Joshua Arie van den Bogerd, Robert Dirk Van Grampel, Jan-Pleun Lens
  • Patent number: 7727721
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of fluorescently labeled nucleic acid probes to identify and image analytes in a biological sample. In the preferred embodiments, a probe is provided that comprises a target region able to specifically bind an analyte of interest and an initiator region that is able to initiate polymerization of nucleic acid monomers. After contacting a sample with the probe, labeled monomers are provided that form a tethered polymer. Triggered probes and self-quenching monomers can be used to provide active background suppression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Niles A. Pierce, Robert Dirks, Scott E. Fraser
  • Publication number: 20100130700
    Abstract: Disclosed are polyestercarbonate copolymers comprising a carbonate unit of Formula (I), an ITR ester unit of Formula (V), and optionally a different carbonate unit of Formula (VI): wherein Ra, Rb, p, q, A, h, j, k, Rc, r, and R1 are as described herein. The polyestercarbonate copolymers have a combination of scratch resistance, good flow, and good weatherability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
    Inventors: Hans de Brouwer, Robert Dirk van Grampel, James F. Hoover, Adrianus Alphonsus Maria Kusters, Jan-Pleun Lens, Andries Jakobus Petrus van Zyl
  • Publication number: 20100124644
    Abstract: An article and thermoplastic composition including polycarbonate, a polysiloxane-polycarbonate and an x-ray detectable or metal detectable agent having good magnetic permeability and/or electrical conductivity wherein the composition may be used in articles for food preparation. The thermoplastic compositions are useful in forming molds for manufacturing a food product, such as chocolate molds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher Luke Hein, Jan-Pleun Lens, Vandita Pai-Paranjape, Constant Peek, Robert Dirk van de Grampel
  • Patent number: 7700696
    Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises A) 25 to 95 parts by weight of a first polycarbonate consisting essentially of i) 25 to 100 mole percent of a first carbonate unit comprising an alkyl-substituted bisphenol carbonate unit, ii) 0 to 75 mole percent of a second carbonate unit where the first and second carbonate units are not identical, and the sum of the mole percentages of the first and second carbonate units in the first polycarbonate is 100 mole percent; B) 5 to 75 parts by weight of a polyester-polycarbonate where the molar ratio of carbonate unit to arylate ester unit is 95:5 to 10:90; and C) 0 to 65 parts by weight of a second polycarbonate, where the first polycarbonate and second polycarbonate are not identical, and the sum of the parts by weight of the first polycarbonate, the polyester-polycarbonate, and the second polycarbonate is 100 parts by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Robert Dirk van de Grampel, Jan-Pleun Lens, Dake Shen
  • Patent number: 7691950
    Abstract: A composition comprises a polyester-polycarbonate polymer comprising isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units and carbonate units, a first polyester comprising repeating units derived from cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid or a chemical equivalent thereof, and a C2-8 aliphatic diol or a chemical equivalent thereof, and a second polyester comprising units derived from isophthalic and/or terephthalic acid and a chemical equivalent thereof, and a C2-8 aliphatic diol or a chemical equivalent thereof. The composition can be extruded into pellets that are clear and colorless. The composition can further be molded into articles having a percent haze value less than or equal to 10 percent, and total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00. Also disclosed is a method for forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Shreyas Chakravarti, Bernardus Antonius Gerardus Schrauwen, Robert Dirk van de Grampel
  • Patent number: 7687583
    Abstract: A composition comprises a polyester-polycarbonate polymer comprising isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units and carbonate units, a first polyester selected from poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene isophthalate), or a combination thereof, and a second polyester comprising butylene terephthalate units, cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination of cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units and ethylene terephthalate units. The composition can be extruded into pellets that are clear and colorless. The composition can further be molded into articles having a percent haze value less than or equal to 10 percent, and total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00. Also disclosed is a method for forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Shreyas Chakravarti, Bernardus Antonius Gerardus Schrauwen, Robert Dirk van de Grampel
  • Publication number: 20100047926
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid probes to identify analytes in a sample. In the preferred embodiments, metastable nucleic acid monomers are provided that associate in the presence of an initiator nucleic acid. Upon exposure to the initiator, the monomers self-assemble in a hybridization chain reaction. The initiator nucleic acid may be, for example, a portion of an analyte to be detected or may be part of an initiation trigger such that it is made available in the presence of a target analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Robert Dirks, Niles A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7632641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nucleic acid probes to identify analytes in a sample. In the preferred embodiments, metastable nucleic acid monomers are provided that associate in the presence of an initiator nucleic acid. Upon exposure to the initiator, the monomers self-assemble in a hybridization chain reaction. The initiator nucleic acid may be, for example, a portion of an analyte to be detected or may be part of an initiation trigger such that it is made available in the presence of a target analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Robert Dirks, Niles A. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20090099297
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising: (i) 5-45 wt. % of an acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA) graft copolymer or acrylate-modified ASA, (ii) 2-82 wt. % of at least one polyestercarbonate which is a block polyestercarbonate comprising organic carbonate blocks alternating with arylate blocks, said arylate blocks comprising ester structural units derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and having a degree of polymerization of at least about 4; and (iii) 5-60 wt. % of at least one rigid thermoplastic polymer comprising structural units derived from styrene and acrylonitrile; alpha-methylstyrene and acrylonitrile; alpha-methylstyrene, styrene, and acrylonitrile; styrene, acrylonitrile, and methyl methacrylate; alpha-methyl styrene, acrylonitrile, and methyl methacrylate; or alpha-methylstyrene, styrene, acrylonitrile, and methyl methacrylate, or mixtures thereof, wherein wt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Franciscus Maria Huijs, Robert Dirk van de Grampel, Ronald Akkermans
  • Publication number: 20090062438
    Abstract: A fire-resistant copolyestercarbonate composition is provided comprising a salt-based flame retardant; and a copolyestercarbonate comprising a polycarbonate unit and a polyester unit, the polyester unit derived from the reaction of isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and resorcinol, the copolyestercarbonate containing from about 10 mole percent to 99.9 mole percent of the polyester unit. The composition also has improved scratch resistance and may be transparent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Dirk van de Grampel, Theodorus Lambertus Hoeks, Jan-Pleun Lens, Dake Shen, Rajendra Kashinath Singh
  • Publication number: 20090062439
    Abstract: A fire-resistant polyestercarbonate composition comprises a polyestercarbonate polymer, a polycarbonate polymer, and a salt based flame retardant. The polyestercarbonate polymer comprises a polycarbonate unit and a polyester unit, the polyester unit derived from the reaction of isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and resorcinol. The composition can achieve UL94 V0 performance at 0.71 mm thickness. The composition can also maintain physical, mechanical, and processing properties with high loadings of TiO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Dirk van de Grampel, Theodorus Lambertus Hoeks, Jan-Pleun Lens, Dake Shen, Rajendra Kashinath Singh
  • Publication number: 20080269399
    Abstract: A composition comprises a polyester-polycarbonate polymer comprising isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units and carbonate units, a first polyester selected from poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene isophthalate), or a combination thereof, and a second polyester comprising butylene terephthalate units, cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination of cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units and ethylene terephthalate units. The composition can be extruded into pellets that are clear and colorless. The composition can further be molded into articles having a percent haze value less than or equal to 10 percent, and total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00. Also disclosed is a method for forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Shreyas Chakravarti, Bernardus Antonius Gerardus Schrauwen, Robert Dirk van de Grampel
  • Publication number: 20080269386
    Abstract: A composition comprises a polyester-polycarbonate polymer comprising isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units and carbonate units, a first polyester comprising repeating units derived from cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid or a chemical equivalent thereof, and a C2-8 aliphatic diol or a chemical equivalent thereof, and a second polyester comprising units derived from isophthalic and/or terephthalic acid and a chemical equivalent thereof, and a C2-8 aliphatic diol or a chemical equivalent thereof. The composition can be extruded into pellets that are clear and colorless. The composition can further be molded into articles having a percent haze value less than or equal to 10 percent, and total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00. Also disclosed is a method for forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Shreyas Chakravarti, Bernardus Antonius Gerardus Schrauwen, Robert Dirk van de Grampel
  • Publication number: 20080269400
    Abstract: A composition comprises a polyester-polycarbonate polymer comprising isophthalate-terephthalate-resorcinol ester units and carbonate units, a poly(C4-alkylene) ester, and a polyester comprising cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate units, or a combination of cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate and ethylene terephthalate. The composition can be extruded into pellets that are clear and colorless. The composition can further be molded into articles having a percent haze value less than or equal to 10 percent, and total luminous transmittance value of greater than or equal to 70 percent, measured in accordance with ASTM D1003-00. Also disclosed is a method for forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Shreyas Chakravarti, Bernardus Antonius Gerardus Schrauwen, Robert Dirk van de Grampel
  • Publication number: 20080269526
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making the phosphonium sulfonate salt of generic formula (1): wherein each X is independently a halogen or hydrogen, provided that the molar ratio of halogen to hydrogen is greater than about 0.90; p is 0 or 1 and q and r are integers of 0 to about 7 provided that q+r is less than 8 and that if p is 1 then r is greater than zero; and each R is the same or different hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, the method comprising the steps of combining in an aqueous medium, a compound of the generic formula (2): wherein M is K, and X, q, p, and r are as defined above, with a compound of the generic formula (3): (R)4P-Z ??(3) wherein Z is a halogen and R is as defined above; and separating the phosphonium sulfonate of formula (1) from the aqueous medium. Also disclosed is an antistatic composition comprising phosphonium sulfonate (1), and articles prepared therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SAIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS, IP B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Lambertus Hoeks, Chiel Albertus Leenders, Robert Dirk van de Grampel
  • Patent number: 7429628
    Abstract: A method for preparing a thermoplastic composition containing an antistatic agent is described. The antistatic agent is a phosphonium sulfonate salt that is prepared by a method that includes combining in an aqueous medium sodium hydroxide and/or lithium hydroxide, a sulfonyl fluoride compound, and a phosphonium halide compound; and separating the phosphonium sulfonate from the aqueous medium. The phosphonium sulfonate salt is then combined with a thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Lambertus Hoeks, Chiel Albertus Leenders, Robert Dirk van de Grampel