Patents by Inventor Steven P. Bitler

Steven P. Bitler 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: 20160223409
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for indicating a temperature outside of a chosen range and the duration of time the temperature was outside that range. More specifically, it relates to the application of material to a label wherein temperatures above the material's melting point cause it to migrate on that label and indicate such temperatures were exceeded and, by the distance of that migration, the duration of time such temperatures were exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Parker, Julian E. Shafer, Steven P Bitler
  • Patent number: 9259598
    Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of crystalline polymers based on hydrophobic monomers, preferably on a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers which contains a crosslinking monomer, particularly side chain crystalline (SCC) polymers. The dispersions are useful for providing coatings on substrates, particularly on seeds (whose dormancy is thus extended) and on fibrous substrates, particularly human hair (which thus becomes heat-settable).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Landec, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray F. Stewart, Natarajan Balachander, Steven P. Bitler, Loc Phan, Valentine Y. Yoon
  • Publication number: 20150219505
    Abstract: A thermochromic indicator includes a coating on the substrate. The coating comprising a solid crystalline particles having a melting point of 0-130° C. At temperatures below the melting point, the coating is opaque. At temperatures above the melting point, the coating becomes translucent. The change in opacity can be reversible or irreversible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Parker, Julian E. Shafer, Steven P. Bitler
  • Patent number: 8911861
    Abstract: A thermochromic indicator includes a coating on the substrate. The coating comprising a solid crystalline particles having a melting point of 0-130° C. At temperatures below the melting point, the coating is opaque. At temperatures above the melting point, the coating becomes translucent. The change in opacity can be reversible or irreversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Parker, Julian E. Schafer, Steven P. Bitler
  • Publication number: 20140262262
    Abstract: This invention discloses articles, in the form of particles to small granules to macro sized objects, capable of the controlled release of active ingredients (AI) from a mixture as a solid solution, a matrix or an encapsulated system containing AI and one or more of polymers, additives and/or carriers. The invention also covers additional surface coatings on those articles to further reduce the rate of release of AI. Finally, methods for producing these articles and treating the oil field well and other segments of the oil industry, for example piping, storage tank, and refinery locations, are introduced. The claimed articles can be used as is or mixed with other oil filed components or system, for example proppant fluid, in oil field applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: Qiang Zheng, Damian Hajduk, Steven P. Bitler
  • Publication number: 20100247900
    Abstract: A thermochromic indicator includes a coating on the substrate. The coating comprising a solid crystalline particles having a melting point of 0-130° C. At temperatures below the melting point, the coating is opaque. At temperatures above the melting point, the coating becomes translucent. The change in opacity can be reversible or irreversible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Parker, Julian E. Schafer, Steven P. Bitler
  • Publication number: 20090246155
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering personal care materials. Crystalline polymeric systems, referred to as CYC carriers, are associated with the cosmetic materials, through chemical bonding or through physical association. The crystallinity of the CYC carriers results from the presence of crystallizable side chains, for example long chain n-alkyl moieties, which results in relatively low and sharp melting temperatures. One class of CYC carriers, referred to as CYSC polymers, have a majority of the crystallizable side chains pendant from the polymer backbone. Another class of CYC carriers, referred to as ECC polymers, have a majority of the crystallizable side chains attached to terminal units of the polymer backbone. The ECC polymers can for example be obtained by modification of PLGA polymers. The CYC carriers in another class are non-polymeric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Steven P. Bitler, Qiang Zheng, David Taft
  • Patent number: 7449511
    Abstract: Thickeners for oil-containing compositions, particularly cosmetic and personal care compositions, are side chain crystalline polymers which are uniformly dispersed as a crystallized solid in the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Landec Corp.
    Inventors: Steven P. Bitler, David D. Taft
  • Patent number: 7291389
    Abstract: Articles, particularly fibers, whose shape is dependent on temperature. The articles have a first component composed of a sharply-melting crystalline polymer and an overlapping second component. As the crystalline polymer is cooled through its melting range, the volume of the first component increases much more rapidly than the volume of the second component. As a result, the shape of the article changes. Such fibers can be incorporated into fibrous articles having temperature-dependent thermal insulation properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: Steven P. Bitler, Edward E. Schmitt, Quiang Zheng
  • Patent number: 7175832
    Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of crystalline polymers based on hydrophobic monomers, preferably on a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers which contains a crosslinking monomer, particularly side chain crystalline (SCC) polymers. The dispersions are useful for providing coatings on substrates, particularly on seeds (whose dormancy is thus extended) and on fibrous substrates, particularly human hair (which thus becomes heat-settable).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: Ray F. Stewart, Natarajan Balachander, Steven P. Bitler, Loc Phan, Valentine Y. Yoon
  • Patent number: 7101928
    Abstract: Novel thickeners for oil-containing compositions are crystalline polymers, preferably side chain crystalline polymers, which (a) have a crystalline melting point, Tp, and an onset of melting temperature, To, such that Tp?To is less than Tp0.7; (b) are soluble in the oil at temperatures above Tp, and (c) have been dispersed in the oil by a process which comprises (i)dissolving the polymer in the oil at a temperature above Tp, and (ii) cooling the solution from step (i) to crystallize the polymer in the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Landec Corporation
    Inventor: Steven P. Bitler
  • Patent number: 6989417
    Abstract: Thickeners for oil-containing compositions, particularly cosmetic and personal care compositions, are side chain crystalline polymers which are uniformly dispersed as a crystallized solid in the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: Steven P. Bitler, David D. Taft
  • Patent number: 6831116
    Abstract: Novel modifying agents contain a sharply-melting crystalline polymer ingredient, preferably a side chain crystalline (SCC) ingredient, and an active chemical ingredient. Such modifying agents, especially when in the form of particles, can be placed in contact with a matrix, will not modify the matrix below the crystalline melting point Tp, but will rapidly modify the matrix above Tp. The active chemical ingredient can react with the matrix, catalyze a reaction of the matrix, or inhibit a reaction of the matrix. Particularly useful compositions are polymer precursors which are storage-stable at low temperatures but which are rapidly converted to crosslinked resins when heated to temperatures above Tp, optionally in the presence of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: Steven P. Bitler, Ray F. Stewart, Mark A. Wanthal, David A. Kamp, Paul A. Meyers, David D. Taft, Donald A. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20030147946
    Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of crystalline polymers based on hydrophobic monomers, preferably on a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers which contains a crosslinking monomer, particularly side chain crystalline (SCC) polymers. The dispersions are useful for providing coatings on substrates, particularly on seeds (whose dormancy is thus extended) and on fibrous substrates, particularly human hair (which thus becomes heat-settable).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Ray F. Stewart, Natarajan Balachander, Steven P. Bitler, Loc Phan, Valentine Y. Yoon
  • Patent number: 6544453
    Abstract: Shrinkage of cured resins is reduced by mixing the crosslinkable resin with a low profile additive (LPA). The LPA is in the form of particles which comprise an SCC polymer (or a similar crystalline polymer which melts over a narrow temperature range). The system is cured at a temperature above the melting point of the crystalline polymer (Tp), and the system and the LPA are such that at least part of the LPA remains as a separate phase in the curable resin at temperatures below Tp. It is believed that at least part of the crystalline polymer remains as a separate phase in the resin as it cures. Preferably at least part of the crystalline polymer forms a separate phase in the cured polymer after it has cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Taft, Steven P. Bitler
  • Patent number: 6540984
    Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of crystalline polymers based on hydrophobic monomers, preferably on a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers which contains a crosslinking monomer, particularly side chain crystalline (SCC) polymers. The dispersions are useful for providing coatings on substrates, particularly on seeds (whose dormancy is thus extended) and on fibrous substrates, particularly human hair (which thus becomes heat-settable).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: Ray F. Stewart, Natarajan Balachander, Steven P. Bitler, Loc Phan, Valentine Y. Yoon
  • Patent number: 6492462
    Abstract: The rheological properties of a crosslinkable resin system are modified by the presence of a side chain crystalline (SCC) polymer (or a similar crystalline polymer which melts over a narrow temperature range). The polymer dissolves in the curable system at temperatures above the melting point of the crystalline polymer (Tp), but when the system is then cooled to a temperature below Tp, at least partially forms a separate phase in the curable system. Below Tp, this separate phase substantially increases the viscosity of the curable system (i.e. makes it thicker than the same system without the crystalline polymer). This is particularly valuable for sheet molding composites (SMCs) in which the increase in viscosity makes the composites less tacky, and for dry film resists (DFRs). Above Tp, the curable system containing the dissolved crystalline polymer has a viscosity which is substantially less than its viscosity below Tp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Landec Corporation
    Inventors: Steven P. Bitler, David D. Taft, Ray F. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20020038922
    Abstract: Shrinkage of cured resins is reduced by mixing the crosslinkable resin with a low profile additive (LPA). The LPA is in the form of particles which comprise an SCC polymer (or a similar crystalline polymer which melts over a narrow temperature range). The system is cured at a temperature above the melting point of the crystalline polymer (Tp), and the system and the LPA are such that at least part of the LPA remains as a separate phase in the curable resin at temperatures below Tp. It is believed that at least part of the crystalline polymer remains as a separate phase in the resin as it cures. Preferably at least part of the crystalline polymer forms a separate phase in the cured polymer after it has cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: David D. Taft, Steven P. Bitler
  • Publication number: 20010018484
    Abstract: Thickeners for oil-containing compositions, particularly cosmetic and personal care compositions, are side chain crystalline polymers which are uniformly dispersed as a crystallized solid in the oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Steven P. Bitler, David D. taft
  • Publication number: 20010014310
    Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of crystalline polymers based on hydrophobic monomers, preferably on a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers which contains a crosslinking monomer, particularly side chain crystalline (SCC) polymers. The dispersions are useful for providing coatings on substrates, particularly on seeds (whose dormancy is thus extended) and on fibrous substrates, particularly human hair (which thus becomes heat-settable).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Ray F. Stewart, Natarajan Balachander, Steven P. Bitler, Loc Phan, Valentine Y. Yoon