Patents by Inventor Robert E. Hefner, Jr.

Robert E. Hefner, Jr. 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: 12091377
    Abstract: Organic isocyanates are converted to ureas by heating in the presence of certain cobalt, magnesium, chromium and lanthanide series organometallic catalysts. The process requires no water or other reactants. The process is particularly useful for removing small quantities of monoisocyanates from a solvent stream recovered from a polyisocyanate manufacturing process. The urea compounds in some instances can be recycled back into the polyisocyanate manufacturing process and reacted with polyisocyanate compounds to form biurets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC., Dow Portugal Produtos Quimicos Sociedade Unipessoal, LDA
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Helge Braun, Armenio Costa, Brian Cramm
  • Patent number: 12071394
    Abstract: Monoisocyanate impurities are removed from a process stream obtained when solvent is separated from a polyisocyanate product. The monoisocyanates are reacted with amine compounds at specific molar ratios to produce ureas. The ureas can be discarded by burning, landfilling or otherwise. Alternatively the ureas can be recycled back into the polyisocyanate manufacturing process, where they are formed into biuret compounds that can remain with the polyisocyanate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Dow, Portugal Produtos Quimicos, Sociedade Unipessoal
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Helge Braun, Armenio Costa, Brian Cramm
  • Patent number: 12030836
    Abstract: Phenyl isocyanates are removed from a solvent stream obtained from an MDI and/or PMDI manufacturing process by reaction in the presence of a carbodiimidization catalyst to form the corresponding N,N-diphenylcarbodiimides. The N,N-diphenylcarbodiimides can be recycled into the MDI and/or PMDI manufacturing process where they can react with MDI and/or PMDI to form uretonimines. The uretonimines have at most minimal effect on the properties and usefulness of the MDI and/or PMDI product and so can be left in the MDI and/or PMDI product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Dow Portugal Produtos Quimicos, Sociedade Unipessoal, LDA
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Helge Braun, Armenio Costa, Brian Cramm
  • Publication number: 20220106264
    Abstract: Phenyl isocyanates are removed from a solvent stream obtained from an MDI and/or PMDI manufacturing process by reaction in the presence of a carbodiimidization catalyst to form the corresponding N,N-diphenylcarbodiimides. The N,N-diphenylcarbodiimides can be recycled into the MDI and/or PMDI manufacturing process where they can react with MDI and/or PMDI to form uretonimines. The uretonimines have at most minimal effect on the properties and usefulness of the MDI and/or PMDI product and so can be left in the MDI and/or PMDI product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Helge Braun, Armenio Costa, Brian Cramm
  • Publication number: 20220002237
    Abstract: Organic isocyanates are converted to ureas by heating in the presence of certain cobalt, magnesium, chromium and lanthanide series organometallic catalysts. The process requires no water or other reactants. The process is particularly useful for removing small quantities of monoisocyanates from a solvent stream recovered from a polyisocyanate manufacturing process. The urea compounds in some instances can be recycled back into the polyisocyanate manufacturing process and reacted with polyisocyanate compounds to form biurets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Helge Braun, Armenio Costa, Brian Cramm
  • Publication number: 20210403418
    Abstract: Monoisocyanate impurities are removed from a process stream obtained when solvent is separated from a polyisocyanate product. The monoisocyanates are reacted with amine compounds at specific molar ratios to produce ureas. The ureas can be discarded by burning, landfilling or otherwise. Alternatively the ureas can be recycled back into the polyisocyanate manufacturing process, where they are formed into biuret compounds that can remain with the polyisocyanate product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Helge Braun, Armenio Costa, Brian Cramm
  • Patent number: 11111431
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and use thereof for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir. More particularly, this invention concerns sulfonated epoxy resin polymers comprising an epoxide-containing compound, a primary amino sulfonate, and optionally one or more of a primary monoamine alkylene oxide oligomer, that modify the permeability of subterranean formations and increase the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Hoyles, Sayeed Abbas, Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Shawn J. Maynard, Cesar E. Meza
  • Patent number: 10876032
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and use thereof for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir. More particularly, this invention concerns ?-glycol containing sulfonated epoxy resin composition and method for preparing said composition. The ?-glycol containing sulfonated epoxy resin composition is made by forming a reaction product comprising an epoxide-containing compound, a primary amino sulfonate, and optionally one or more of a primary monoamine alkylene oxide oligomer, followed by converting any unreacted epoxide groups in the reaction product to ?-glycol groups by hydrolysis. Said ?-glycol containing sulfonated epoxy resin compositions demonstrate good solubility in aqueous solutions and are useful for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Hoyles, Robert E. Hefner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10604590
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound which is a di- and/or a tristyrylphenol monoglycidyl ether adduct of the compound of Formula I: where m is from 1 to 60. The compound of the present invention is useful as an open time additive in coatings formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: David J. Brennan, Gregoire Cardoen, Jonathan DeRocher, Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Antony K. Van Dyk, Tianlan Zhang
  • Patent number: 10590239
    Abstract: A polymer comprising a sub-unit represented by Formula I: wherein: L is independently selected from at least one arylene group, and a multi-ring moiety, L? is independently selected from L or is not present, A and A? are not present or are independently selected from an isatin moiety with the proviso that at least one of A and A? is selected from an isatin moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Ian A. Tomlinson, Brian L. Cramm
  • Patent number: 10472467
    Abstract: A polymer comprising a sub-unit or repeating unit including a spirobisindane moiety and Troger's base moiety linked together by way of a linking group (L) wherein the linking group (L) is represented by Formula III: wherein Z and Z? are independently selected from an ether and ester functional group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Hefner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10414854
    Abstract: A process for preparing an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition including the steps of: (I) reacting a mixture of the following components: (a) an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydroxyl-containing material, (b) an epihalohydrin, (c) a stoichiometric excess of a base compound or basic acting substance, (d) a catalyst, and (e) optionally, a solvent; wherein the reacting step (I) is carried out under reaction conditions sufficient to form a crude aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition product in the resultant reaction mixture; (II) neutralizing the resultant reaction mixture of step (I) containing the crude aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition product with a phosphate neutralizing agent sufficient to partially neutralize the base or basic acting substance and to form a neutralized fluid medium containing aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition product; (III) removing at least a portion of unreacted epihalohydrin from the reaction mixture of step (II); and (IV)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Blue Cube IP LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Daryoosh Beigzadeh, David J. Couling, Robert W. Coyle, David A. Carr
  • Patent number: 10414866
    Abstract: A polymer including a sub-unit comprising a Troger's base moiety represented by: Formula (I) wherein L comprises an arylene group including at least one substituent group selected from: i) a crosslinking bond and ii) a functional group selected from at least one of: hydroxyl, phosphonic acid, carboxylic acid and sulfonic acid and their corresponding salt or ester; alkynyl, alkynyl ether, cyanate, epoxide, glycidyl ether or ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Ian A. Tomlinson, Brian L. Cramm
  • Publication number: 20190211151
    Abstract: A polymer comprising a sub-unit or repeating unit including a spirobisindane moiety and Troger's base moiety linked together by way of a linking group (L) wherein the linking group (L) is represented by Formula III: wherein Z and Z? are independently selected from an ether and ester functional group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventor: Robert E. Hefner, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190194394
    Abstract: A polymer comprising a sub-unit represented by Formula I: wherein: L is independently selected from at least one arylene group, and a multi-ring moiety, L? is independently selected from L or is not present, A and A? are not present or are independently selected from an isatin moiety with the proviso that at least one of A and A? is selected from an isatin moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, JR., Ian A. Tomlinson, Brian L. Cramm
  • Patent number: 10239990
    Abstract: A copolymer including a repeating unit represented by Formula I: wherein: L is a divalent hydrocarbon group comprising from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and L? is optional and when present is represented by Formula II: wherein: Y, Y? and Y? if present, are independently selected from: a carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphorous acid and phosphoric acid and their corresponding salt or ester; imino, amide, nitrile, hydrogen, hydroxyl and alkyl comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and A, A? and A? if present, are independently selected from an arylene moiety, with the proviso one or both Y? and A? may not be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Brian L. Cramm
  • Patent number: 10189948
    Abstract: A copolymer including a repeating unit represented by (I) wherein: Y is selected from: a carboxylic acid, sulfonic, phosphorous acid and phosphoric acid and their corresponding salt or ester; imino, amide, nitrile, hydrogen, hydroxyl and alkyl comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from: hydrogen, alkyl groups comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 may collectively form a ketone group or a 9, 9?-fluorene group, and R3 and R4 may collectively form a ketone group or a 9, 9?-fluorene group; R5 and R6 are independently selected from: a bond and an alkylene group comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R7 is selected from: hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl and heteroaryl groups comprising from 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may be unsubstituted or substituted with carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid and phosphoric acid and their corresponding salt or ester, imino and amide; and X and X? are independently selected from: a carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid and phosphoric acid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xiaolian Hu, Zhe Du, Robert E. Hefner, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180319937
    Abstract: A polymer including a sub-unit comprising a Troger's base moiety represented by: Formula (I) wherein L comprises an arylene group including at least one substituent group selected from: i) a crosslinking bond and ii) a functional group selected from at least one of: hydroxyl, phosphonic acid, carboxylic acid and sulfonic acid and their corresponding salt or ester; alkynyl, alkynyl ether, cyanate, epoxide, glycidyl ether or ester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Robert E. HEFNER, JR., Ian A. TOMLINSON, Brian L. CRAMM
  • Publication number: 20180142065
    Abstract: A copolymer including a repeating unit represented by (I) wherein: Y is selected from: a carboxylic acid, sulfonic, phosphorous acid and phosphoric acid and their corresponding salt or ester; imino, amide, nitrile, hydrogen, hydroxyl and alkyl comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from: hydrogen, alkyl groups comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 may collectively form a ketone group or a 9, 9?-fluorene group, and R3 and R4 may collectively form a ketone group or a 9, 9?-fluorene group; R5 and R6 are independently selected from: a bond and an alkylene group comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R7 is selected from: hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl and heteroaryl groups comprising from 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may be unsubstituted or substituted with carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid and phosphoric acid and their corresponding salt or ester, imino and amide; and X and X? are independently selected from: a carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid and phosphoric acid
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xiaolian Hu, Zhe Du, Robert E. Hefner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9920168
    Abstract: A polymer of intrinsic microporosity having a repeating subunit including a spirobisindane imide moiety as illustrated below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Hefner, Jr., Brian L. Cramm, Ian A. Tomlinson, Lauren M. Huffman, Abhishek Roy