Patents by Inventor Thoi H. Ho
Thoi H. Ho 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).
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Patent number: 6552129Abstract: The invention includes a process of reacting a poly(sulfonyl azide) with a polymer comprising steps (a) forming a first admixture of a first amount of a first polymer or in a liquid which does not require removal from the polymer and a poly(sulfonyl azide); (b) then forming a second admixture of the first admixture with a second amount of at least one second polymer; and (c) heating the second admixture at least to the decomposition temperature of the coupling agent for a time sufficient to result in coupling of polymer chains. The invention further includes all compositions obtainable by processes of the invention as well as blends of those compositions with one or more polymers of compositions different from the first or second polymer or the product of a process of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.Inventors: David A. Babb, Che-I Kao, Wendy D. Hoenig, Michael E. Rowland, Clark H. Cummins, H. Craig Silvis, Michael J. Mullins, Thoi H. Ho
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Publication number: 20030060529Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a heat-resistant elastic article and a heat-resistant elastic article. The invention especially relates to a method of making elastic fibers and polymeric elastic fibers wherein the elastic fibers are capable of withstanding dyeing and heat-setting processes that typically are conducted at elevated temperatures (such as 110-230° C. and especially at greater than or equal to 130° C. for minutes). The inventive method comprises radiation crosslinking an article (or plurality of articles) under an inert or oxygen limited atmosphere (for example, in N2, argon, helium, carbon dioxide, xenon and/or a vacuum) wherein the article (or articles) comprises at least one amine stabilizer and preferably another optional stabilizer additive. More preferably, the radiation crosslinking is performed at a low temperature (−50 to 40° C.).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Thoi H. Ho, Selim Bensason, Rajen M. Patel, Kimberly S. Houchens, Rona L. Reid, Pak-Wing S. Chum, Leonie K. Walsh
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Publication number: 20030055162Abstract: Fibers having improved resistance to moisture at elevated temperatures comprise at least two elastic polymers, one polymer heat-settable and the other polymer heat-resistant, the heat-resistant polymer comprising at least a portion of the exterior surface of the fiber. The fibers typically have a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent core/sheath morphology. Typically, the core comprises an elastic thermoplastic urethane, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Ashish Sen, John Klier, Rajen M. Patel, Hongyu Chen, Thoi H. Ho
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Patent number: 6528136Abstract: The invention includes a process of preparing a coupled polymer comprising heating an admixture containing (1) at least one polyolefin comprising ethylene and optionally at least one comonomer which is selected from alpha olefins having at least 3 carbon atoms, dienes and combinations thereof said polyolefin having a molecular weight distribution of less than or equal to about 3 and (2) a coupling amount at least one poly(sulfonyl azide) to at least the decomposition temperature of the poly(sulfonyl azide) for a period sufficient for decomposition of at least about 80 weight percent of the poly(sulfonyl azide) and sufficient to result in a coupled polymer; particularly where the polyolefin is the product of polymerization of ethylene and optionally at least one other alpha-olefin in the presence of a single site catalyst (transition metal like Va or Cr, metallocene or constrained geometry). The amount of poly(sulfonyl azide) is preferably from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent of the polyolefin.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.Inventors: Thoi H. Ho, Wendy D. Hoenig, Che-I Kao, Michael E. Rowland, Clark H. Cummins, Michael J. Mullins, H. Craig Silvis
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Patent number: 6521696Abstract: The subject invention pertains to pressure sensitive adhesive formulations comprising an aqueous dispersion of at least one homogeneous ethylene/&agr;-olefin interpolymer or substantially random interpolymer of ethylene and at least one vinylidene aromatic or hindered aliphatic comonomer and at least one surfactant.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1998Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.Inventors: John D. Oates, Thoi H. Ho, Wendy D. Hoenig, David J. Calvert
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Patent number: 6521306Abstract: The invention includes a process of preparing a coupled polymer characterized by heating an admixture containing (1) at least one ethylene polymer or blend of ethylene polymers having a density of at least about 0.89 g/mL and less than about 0.935 g/mL and a comonomer content between about 0.5 and 50 weight percent of an alpha olefin having greater than 2 and less than 20 carbon atoms per molecule and (2) a coupling amount of at least one poly(sulfonyl azide) to at least the decomposition temperature of the poly(sulfonyl azide) for a period sufficient for decomposition of at least about 80 weight percent of the poly(sulfonyl azide) and sufficient to result in a coupled polymer. The amount of poly(sulfonyl azide) is preferably from about 0.01 to about 5 weight percent of polymers in the admixture. The invention also includes any composition which is the product of any of the processes of the invention and articles made from those compositions, particularly any film of any composition of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1998Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.Inventors: Wendy D. Hoenig, Teresa Karjala, Li-Min Tau, Clark H. Cummins, Michael J. Mullins, H. Craig Silvis, Thoi H. Ho
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Patent number: 6512049Abstract: Sulfonated substantially random interpolymers made from monomer components comprise from 1 to 65 mole percent of (a) at least one vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer, or (b) at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomer, or (c) a combination of at least one vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer and at lest one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomer, and from 35 to 99 mole percent of at least one aliphatic &agr;-olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; and optionally, from 0 to 20 mole percent of a diene containing from 4 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the sulfonated interpolymer contains at least one mer (or moiety) of a group represented by the formula —SO3M where M is hydrogen or a group 1, 7 or 12 metal in ionic form or combination thereof. Blends of these polymers with polyamides and polyolefins are made.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.Inventors: Yunwa W. Cheung, Stephen F. Hahn, James C. Stevens, Francis J. Timmers, Gregory F. Schmidt, Robert H. Terbrueggen, Thoi H. Ho
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Patent number: 6506848Abstract: The present invention includes a process of preparing a coupled polymer comprising heating an admixture containing (1) at least one elastomer comprising ethylene and at least one comonomer which is selected from alpha olefins having at least 3 carbon atoms, dienes and combinations thereof and (2) a coupling amount at least one poly(sulfonyl azide) to at least the decomposition temperature of the poly(sulfonyl azide) for a period sufficient for decomposition of at least 80 weight percent of the poly(sulfonyl azide) and sufficient to result in a coupled polymer having a gel content of less than 2 weight percent. The invention includes compositions comprising the reaction product formed by the inventive process. The invention additionally includes articles which comprise a composition of the invention particularly when the article is formed from a melt of the composition.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Wendy D. Hoenig, Teresa Karjala, Che-I Kao, Clark H. Cummins, Michael J. Mullins, H. Craig Silvis, Thoi H. Ho
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Patent number: 6500540Abstract: The present invention relates to elastic articles comprising a crosslinked or crosslinkable ethylene polymer and a method for making the same. In particular, the invention relates to a shaped article (e.g. film or fiber) characterized by improved elasticity at elevated temperatures and comprising a substantially cured, irradiated, or crosslinked (or curable, irradiated or crosslinkable) homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. The improved elastic article of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in applications where good elasticity must be maintained at elevated temperatures such as, for example, personal hygiene items and disposable infection-control garments at body temperatures of about 100° F. (38° C.).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Michael F. Langohr, Selim Bensason, Rajen M. Patel, Jill M. Martin, Thoi H. Ho, Nancy J. Schrock
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Patent number: 6479594Abstract: Sulfonated substantially random interpolymers made from monomer components comprise from 1 to 65 mole percent of (a) at least one vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer, or (b) at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomer, or (c) a combination of at least one vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer and at least one hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinylidene monomer, and from 35 to 99 mole percent of at least one aliphatic &agr;-olefin having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; and optionally, from 0 to 20 mole percent of a diene containing from 4 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the sulfonated interpolymer contains at least one mer (or moiety) of a group represented by the formula —SO3−M where M is hydrogen or a group 1, 7 or 12 metal in ionic form or combination thereof. Blends of these polymers with polyamides and polyolefins are made.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Yunwa W. Cheung, Stephen F. Hahn, James C. Stevens, Francis J. Timmers, Gregory F. Schmidt, Thoi H. Ho, Robert H. Terbrueggen
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Publication number: 20020151609Abstract: This invention describes grafted blend compositions, processes for their preparation and fabricated articles, especially foams therefrom. The blends exhibit enhanced melt strength, melt elongation greater than or equal to about 20 mm/s, increased upper service temperature, increased modulus, and increased hardness. The grafted blend compositions have little or no high shear viscosity increase over a corresponding polymer of the same chemical composition absent the coupling agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: Bharat I. Chaudhary, Thoi H. Ho, Thomas Oswald, Jennifer DellaMea
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Publication number: 20020147273Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber produced form a composition comprising at least one hydrogenated block copolymer and, optionally, at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of a reactive tailored liquid polyurethane, an elastomeric or sulfonated ethylene/vinyl aromatic interpolymer, an elastomeric ethylene/C3-C20 &agr;-olefin interpolymer, an C3-C20 &agr;-olefin/conjugated diene interpolymer, an elastic polypropylene polymer, an enhanced polypropylene polymer, an elastomeric thermoplastic polyurethane, an elastic copolyester, a partially hydrogenated block copolymer, an elastic polyamide, a hydroxyl functionalized polyether (or polyetheramine), a styrene/conjugated diene interpolymer, and an elastomeric metallocene-catalyzed synthetic polymer or a blend or formulated system thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventors: Rajen M. Patel, Pak-Wing S. Chum, Stephen F. Hahn, Leonie K. Walsh, Rexford A. Maugans, Selim Bensason, Thoi H. Ho, Calvin P. Esneault
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Publication number: 20020132923Abstract: The present invention relates to elastic articles comprising a crosslinked or crosslinkable ethylene polymer and a method for making the same. In particular, the invention relates to a shaped article (e.g. film or fiber) characterized by improved elasticity at elevated temperatures and comprising a substantially cured, irradiated, or crosslinked (or curable, irradiated or crosslinkable) homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. The improved elastic article of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in applications where good elasticity must be maintained at elevated temperatures such as, for example, personal hygiene items and disposable infection-control garments at body temperatures of about 100° F. (38° C.).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Applicant: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Michael F. Langohr, Rajen M. Patel, Selim Bensason, Jill M. Martin, Thoi H. Ho, Nancy J. Schrock
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Publication number: 20020123573Abstract: Polymers coupled by reaction with coupling agents according to the practice of the invention advantageously have at least one of these desirable properties and preferably have desirable combinations of these properties. The present invention includes a process of preparing a coupled polymer comprising heating an admixture containing (1) at least one elastomer comprising ethylene and at least one comonomer which is selected from alpha olefins having at least 3 carbon atoms, dienes and combinations thereof and (2) a coupling amount at least one poly(sulfonyl azide) to at least the decomposition temperature of the poly(sulfonyl azide) for a period sufficient for decomposition of at least about 80 weight percent of the poly(sulfonyl azide) and sufficient to result in a coupled polymer having a gel content of less than about 2 weight percent.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventors: Wendy D. Hoenig, Teresa Karjala, Che-I Kao, Clark H. Cummins, Michael J. Mullins, H. Craig Silvis, Thoi H. Ho
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Patent number: 6437014Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a heat-resistant elastic article and a heat-resistant elastic article. The invention especially relates to a method of making elastic fibers and polymeric elastic fibers wherein the elastic fibers are capable of withstanding dyeing and heat-setting processes that typically are conducted at elevated temperatures (such as 110-230° C. and especially at greater than or equal to 130° C. for minutes). The inventive method comprises radiation crosslinking an article (or plurality of articles) under an inert or oxygen limited atmosphere (for example, in N2, argon, helium, carbon dioxide, xenon and/or a vacuum) wherein the article (or articles) comprises at least one amine stabilizer and preferably another optional stabilizer additive. More preferably, the radiation crosslinking is performed at a low temperature (−50 to 40° C.).Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Thoi H. Ho, Selim Bensason, Rajen M. Patel, Kimberly S. Houchens, Rona L. Reid, Pak-Wing S. Chum, Leonie K. Walsh
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Publication number: 20020107315Abstract: The compositions of the present invention comprise at least one substantially random interpolymer (or blends with other thermoplastics), one or more flame retardant compounds and, optionally one or more flame-retardant synergists. For levels of flame retardants which yield a halogen content of about 0.05 to about 50 parts-per-hundred resin (phr), depending on whether the structure is foamed or not, which in turn result in LOI levels greater than or equal to about 23% oxygen, the compositions of the present invention unexpectedly still retain desirable mechanical properties such as compressive strength, toughness, and elasticity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2000Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Bharat I. Chaudhary, Russell P. Barry, Yunwa W. Cheung, Thoi H. Ho, Martin J. Guest, William G. Stobby
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Publication number: 20020091199Abstract: The invention includes a process of reacting a poly(sulfonyl azide) with a polymer comprising steps (a) forming a first admixture, hereinafter referred to as a concentrate, of a first amount of a first polymer or in a liquid which does not require removal from the polymer, hereinafter diluent, and a poly(sulfonyl azide); (b) then forming a second admixture of the first admixture with a second amount of at least one second polymer, hereinafter second polymer composition; and (c) heating the second admixture at least to the decomposition temperature of the coupling agent for a time sufficient to result in coupling of polymer chains. The diluent is preferably a non-volatile, non-polar compound such as mineral oil in which the poly(sulfonyl azide) is sufficiently miscible to disperse the poly(sulfonyl azide) in the second polymer, more preferably a liquid at room temperature or low melting solid at room temperature, that is has a melting point below about 50° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: David A. Babb, Che-I Kao, Wendy D. Hoenig, Michael E. Rowland, Clark H. Cummins, H. Craig Silvis, Michael J. Mullins, Thoi H. Ho
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Patent number: 6403710Abstract: The present invention is at least a two-component thermoplastic elastomeric composition comprising at least one block copolymer wherein the composition has essentially the same comparative elasticity, high temperature serviceability and hardness as the unmodified, undiluted (neat) block copolymer portion of the composition. The composition also shows enhanced thermal stability and processibility and is well suited for fabricating elastic moldings, films and fibers as well as for formulating with asphalts, adhesives and sealants. The novel thermoplastic elastomeric composition comprises (a) from about 50 to about 99 percent by weight of at least one block copolymer and (b) about 1 to about 50 percent by weight of at least one ethylene interpolymer having a density from about 0.855 g/cc to about 0.905 g/cc, wherein the ethylene interpolymer in the amount employed is a substantially inert extender of the block copolymer and the composition is further characterized as having: i.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Wasif K. Ahmed, Stephen R. Betso, Antonio Batistini, Martin J. Guest, Thoi H. Ho, Deepak R. Parikh, George W. Knight, Rajen M. Patel
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Patent number: 6395791Abstract: This invention describes grafted blend compositions, processes for their preparation and fabricated articles, especially foams therefrom. The blends exhibit enhanced melt strength, melt elongation greater than or equal to about 20 mm/s, increased upper service temperature, increased modulus, and increased hardness. The grafted blend compositions have little or no high shear viscosity increase over a corresponding polymer of the same chemical composition absent the coupling agent.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Bharat I. Chaudhary, Thoi H. Ho, Thomas Oswald, Jennifer DellaMea
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Publication number: 20020061945Abstract: The subject invention pertains to pressure sensitive adhesive formulations comprising an aqueous dispersion of at least one homogeneous ethylene/&agr;-olefin interpolymer or substantially random interpolymer of ethylene and at least one vinylidene aromatic or hindered aliphatic comonomer and at least one surfactant.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 1998Publication date: May 23, 2002Inventors: JOHN D. OATES, THOI H. HO, WENDY D. HOENIG, DAVID J. CALVERT