Patents by Inventor Teri Anne Walker

Teri Anne Walker 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).

  • Methods of making foamed materials of blended thermoplastic polymers using carbon dioxide
    Patent number: 6790870
    Abstract: A method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a mixture comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a second thermoplastic polymer with a blowing agent, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer has a higher percent crystallinity that the second thermoplastic polymer; and subjecting the mixture to conditions sufficient to create a thermodynamic instability in the blend foam the mixture, wherein the mixture comprising the first and second thermoplastic polymers has a percent crystallinity lower than the first thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Joseph M. DeSimone, Saad A. Khan, Joseph R. Royer, Richard J. Spontak, Teri Anne Walker, Yvon J. Gay, Srinivas Siripurapu
  • Method of making foamed materials using surfactants and carbon dioxide
    Patent number: 6403663
    Abstract: A method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a material with a fluid mixture comprising carbon dioxide and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant facilitates the dissolution of the carbon dioxide into the material and then foam the material in the fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Joseph M. DeSimone, Saad A. Khan, Joseph R. Royer, Richard J. Spontak, Teri Anne Walker