Patents by Inventor Sarah Wolek
Sarah Wolek 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: 20240141225Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing method for recovering oil from a low-temperature subterranean oil formation is disclosed. Before, during, or after inducing hydraulic fracturing within the formation, a particulate, degradable polyester diverting agent is introduced into the formation in an amount effective to improve oil production from the formation. The diverting agent is allowed to degrade, and oil is recovered. The diverting agent has a melting point greater than the average temperature of the formation and is selected from: (i) ethylene glycol succinates; (ii) acid-terminated ethylene glycol succinates; (iii) acid-terminated polyglycolic acids; (iv) acid-terminated polylactic acids; and (v) mixtures of any of (i) through (iv) with a half acid ester.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Douglas Kip Hillshafer, Sarah Wolek
-
Patent number: 11970571Abstract: Noise, vibration, or harshness (NVH) properties of an industrial or consumer product are reduced by incorporating therein an effective amount of a polyether- or polyester-epoxide polymer (PEEP) composition. The PEEP compositions are one-component or two-component reaction products of a polyepoxide compound and a polyol composition. The PEEP compositions have a glass-transition temperature within the range of ?50° C. to 50° C. and a loss factor of at least 0.5 by ASTM D5992 over a temperature range of at least 15 Celsius degrees at one or more frequencies within the range of 0.1 to 10,000 Hz. The PEEP compositions provide NVH damping over a broad temperature range, have improved flexibility compared with conventional epoxy technologies, avoid amine and isocyanate reactants, and can be tailored to meet target specifications.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: STEPAN COMPANYInventors: Michael E. O'Brien, Warren A. Kaplan, Sarah Wolek, Jennifer S. Westfall, Calvin Gang
-
Patent number: 11898096Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing method for recovering oil from a low-temperature subterranean oil formation is disclosed. Before, during, or after inducing hydraulic fracturing within the formation, a particulate, degradable polyester diverting agent is introduced into the formation in an amount effective to improve oil production from the formation. The diverting agent is allowed to degrade, and oil is recovered. The diverting agent has a melting point greater than the average temperature of the formation and is selected from: (i) ethylene glycol succinates; (ii) acid-terminated ethylene glycol succinates; (iii) acid-terminated polyglycolic acids; (iv) acid-terminated polylactic acids; (v) mixtures of any of (i) through (iv) with a half acid ester; and (vi) mixtures of polylactic acids or polyglycolic acids with a half acid ester.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Douglas Kip Hillshafer, Sarah Wolek
-
Publication number: 20230272212Abstract: A rigid PU or PU-PIR foam comprising a reaction product of water, a catalyst, a foam-stabilizing surfactant, a polyisocyanate, a blowing agent and a blend comprising: (a) 90 to 99 wt.% of an aromatic polyester polyol having a hydroxyl number within the range of 150 to 400 mg KOH/g; and (b) 1 to 10 wt.% of a fatty acid derivative selected from the group consisting of C8 to C18 fatty acid esters and C8 to C18 fatty acid amides.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Warren A. KAPLAN, Zhenhua CUI, Sarah WOLEK
-
Patent number: 11584872Abstract: A low-VOC, two-component polyurethane adhesive is provided. The polyurethane adhesive has an A-side that includes an isocyanate and a non-reactive plasticizer, and a B-side that includes an aliphatic polyester polyol, a non-polyester polyol, and a urethane catalyst. The A-side and the B-side are reacted at a volume ratio of 1:1 and formulated at an NCO/OH index within the range of 0.90 to 1.10. The polyurethane adhesive is solvent-free and is particularly suitable for adhering a polymeric membrane to a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Warren A. Kaplan, Sarah Wolek
-
Publication number: 20220251441Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing method for recovering oil from a low-temperature subterranean oil formation is disclosed. Before, during, or after inducing hydraulic fracturing within the formation, a particulate, degradable polyester diverting agent is introduced into the formation in an amount effective to improve oil production from the formation. The diverting agent is allowed to degrade, and oil is recovered. The diverting agent has a melting point greater than the average temperature of the formation and is selected from: (i) ethylene glycol succinates; (ii) acid-terminated ethylene glycol succinates; (iii) acid-terminated polyglycolic acids; (iv) acid-terminated polylactic acids; (v) mixtures of any of (i) through (iv) with a half acid ester; and (vi) mixtures of polylactic acids or polyglycolic acids with a half acid ester.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2020Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Douglas Kip HILLSHAFER, Sarah WOLEK
-
Publication number: 20220041798Abstract: Noise, vibration, or harshness (NVH) properties of an industrial or consumer product are reduced by incorporating therein an effective amount of a polyether- or polyester-epoxide polymer (PEEP) composition. The PEEP compositions are one-component or two-component reaction products of a polyepoxide compound and a polyol composition. The PEEP compositions have a glass-transition temperature within the range of ?50° C. to 50° C. and a loss factor of at least 0.5 by ASTM D5992 over a temperature range of at least 15 Celsius degrees at one or more frequencies within the range of 0.1 to 10,000 Hz. The PEEP compositions provide NVH damping over a broad temperature range, have improved flexibility compared with conventional epoxy technologies, avoid amine and isocyanate reactants, and can be tailored to meet target specifications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Michael E. O'BRIEN, Warren A. KAPLAN, Sarah WOLEK, Jennifer S. WESTFALL, Calvin GANG
-
Publication number: 20220025230Abstract: A low-VOC, two-component polyurethane adhesive is provided. The polyurethane adhesive has an A-side that includes an isocyanate and a non-reactive plasticizer, and a B-side that includes an aliphatic polyester polyol, a non-polyester polyol, and a urethane catalyst. The A-side and the B-side are reacted at a volume ratio of 1:1 and formulated at an NCO/OH index within the range of 0.90 to 1.10. The polyurethane adhesive is solvent-free and is particularly suitable for adhering a polymeric membrane to a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Warren A, Kaplan, Sarah Wolek
-
Patent number: 11168238Abstract: A low-VOC, two-component polyurethane adhesive is provided. The polyurethane adhesive has an A-side that includes an isocyanate and a non-reactive plasticizer, and a B-side that includes an aliphatic polyester polyol, a non-polyester polyol, and a urethane catalyst. The A-side and the B-side are reacted at a volume ratio of 1:1 and formulated at an NCO/OH index within the range of 0.90 to 1.10. The polyurethane adhesive is solvent-free and is particularly suitable for adhering a polymeric membrane to a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: Warren A. Kaplan, Sarah Wolek
-
Patent number: 11111370Abstract: A promoted membrane suitable for use in single-ply roofing applications is disclosed. The membrane comprises EPDM rubber and 0.1 to 10 wt. % of an adhesion promoter. The promoter comprises a polyester resin having a hydroxyl number within the range of 28 to 250 mg KOH/g, a content of terephthalate recurring units within the range of 40 to 65 wt. % based on the amount of polyester resin, and a glass-transition temperature within the range of 40° C. to 80° C. Roofing systems comprising the promoted EPDM membranes are also disclosed. Compared with an unpromoted membrane, the promoted membranes provide a substantial and unexpected boost in peel strength such that the roofing systems resist weather-induced failure of the bond between the roofing membrane and the roof substrate. The invention helps roofers minimize or limit the aggravation and cost of warranty claims from customers whose buildings and contents may otherwise be damaged or destroyed by exposure to wind and/or rain.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignees: STEPAN COMPANY, CARLISLE INTANGIBLE COMPANYInventors: Warren Kaplan, Sarah Wolek, Mike Heishman, William Schneider
-
Publication number: 20210024744Abstract: Blends comprising an aromatic polyester polyol and a 1 to 10 wt. % of a fatty acid derivative are disclosed. The fatty acid derivative is a C8 to C18 fatty acid ester or a C8 to C18 fatty acid amide. Also disclosed are rigid PU or PU-PIR foams that comprise a reaction product of water, a catalyst, a foam-stabilizing surfactant, a polyisocyanate, a blowing agent, and the polyester polyol/fatty acid derivative blends. Surprisingly, low-temperature R-values of rigid foams based on pentane blowing agents can be improved significantly by using blends of aromatic polyester polyols and a minor proportion of readily available fatty acid derivatives. In some aspects, the difference between initial R-values of the foam measured at 75° F. and 40° F. is at least 5% greater than that of a similar foam prepared in the absence of the fatty acid derivative.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Warren A. KAPLAN, Zhenhua CUI, Sarah WOLEK
-
Publication number: 20200377646Abstract: Polyether- or polyester-epoxide polymer (PEEP) compositions are disclosed. The compositions comprise reaction products of a polyepoxide compound and a polyol composition. The polyol composition has a melting point within the range of 20° C. to 100° C. and a hydroxyl number less than 35 mg KOH/g. The PEEP composition is a solid-solid phase-change material. As measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating/cooling rate of 10° C./minute, the PEEP composition has a transition temperature within the range of ?10° C. to 70° C., a latent heat at the transition temperature within the range of 30 to 200 J/g, and little or no detectable hysteresis or supercooling upon thermal cycling over at least five heating/cooling cycles that encompass the transition temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Zhenhua CUI, Warren A. KAPLAN, Sarah WOLEK
-
Publication number: 20200032043Abstract: A promoted membrane suitable for use in single-ply roofing applications is disclosed. The membrane comprises EPDM rubber and 0.1 to 10 wt. % of an adhesion promoter. The promoter comprises a polyester resin having a hydroxyl number within the range of 28 to 250 mg KOH/g, a content of terephthalate recurring units within the range of 40 to 65 wt. % based on the amount of polyester resin, and a glass-transition temperature within the range of 40° C. to 80° C. Roofing systems comprising the promoted EPDM membranes are also disclosed. Compared with an unpromoted membrane, the promoted membranes provide a substantial and unexpected boost in peel strength such that the roofing systems resist weather-induced failure of the bond between the roofing membrane and the roof substrate. The invention helps roofers minimize or limit the aggravation and cost of warranty claims from customers whose buildings and contents may otherwise be damaged or destroyed by exposure to wind and/or rain.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Warren KAPLAN, Sarah WOLEK, Mike HEISHMAN, William SCHNEIDER
-
Publication number: 20200017736Abstract: A low-VOC, two-component polyurethane adhesive is provided. The polyurethane adhesive has an A-side that includes an isocyanate and a non-reactive plasticizer, and a B-side that includes an aliphatic polyester polyol, a non-polyester polyol, and a urethane catalyst. The A-side and the B-side are reacted at a volume ratio of 1:1 and formulated at an NCO/OH index within the range of 0.90 to 1.10. The polyurethane adhesive is solvent-free and is particularly suitable for adhering a polymeric membrane to a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Warren A. Kaplan, Sarah Wolek
-
Publication number: 20190071533Abstract: An aromatic polyester polyol having a nominal functionality of at least about 2 is produced from the esterification reaction of a phthalate-based composition containing less than 50 mol % of ortho-phthalic acid or phthalic anhydride, with a hydroxyl material containing at least 20 mol % of at least one branched aliphatic diol, and optionally transesterified with at least one hydrophobic material. The polyester polyol has improved shelf-life stability as demonstrated by the polyester polyol remaining clear and homogeneous for at least 6 months when stored at room temperature. The polyester polyol, when incorporated into a polyol foam-forming resin composition in an amount of at least 40 wt %, results in polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams that exhibit low smoke and weight loss upon burning conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Sarah Wolek, Warren A. Kaplan, Laura Schreiner, Chunhua Yao, David J. Norberg
-
Publication number: 20180086873Abstract: Alkoxylated natural oils are useful for preparation of water-blown polyurethane foams and can replace polyols and emulsifiers generally used in the art to provide polyol compositions having greater shelf-stability and blend-stability. Methods for preparing polyol compositions useful for preparation of water-blown polyurethane compositions, for preparing the polyurethane compositions using the polyol compositions, and kits comprising the polyol compositions are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Sarah WOLEK, Warren A. KAPLAN, Laura SCHREINER
-
Publication number: 20160002386Abstract: An aromatic polyester polyol having a nominal functionality of at least about 2 is produced from the esterification reaction of a phthalate-based composition containing less than 50 mol % of ortho-phthalic acid or phthalic anhydride, with a hydroxyl material containing at least 20 mol % of at least one branched aliphatic diol, and optionally transesterified with at least one hydrophobic material. The polyester polyol has improved shelf-life stability as demonstrated by the polyester polyol remaining clear and homogeneous for at least 6 months when stored at room temperature. The polyester polyol, when incorporated into a polyol foam-forming resin composition in an amount of at least 40 wt %, results in polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams that exhibit low smoke and weight loss upon burning conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Sarah Wolek, Warren A. Kaplan, Laura Schreiner, Chunhua Yao, David J. Norberg