Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Shannon

Thomas G. Shannon 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: 6383336
    Abstract: A relatively soft, strong, opaque paper product and a process for making the same are provided. In particular, a tissue, or other paper product, is formed by incorporating into the product an alkylamide or alkylimide softening agent along with particulate fillers during a non-compressive tissue-formation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 5596049
    Abstract: A novel polyester composition is disclosed comprising a linear polyester resin, a difunctional epoxy compound and a catalyst. The novel polyester compositions have excellent melt viscosity properties including excellent retention of melt viscosity after aging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Gallucci, Linda H. Nelson, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 5453479
    Abstract: Novel polyesterification catalysts comprising a phosphorus component and a titanium component are disclosed which are useful in preparing improved blends of polyester and polycarbonate resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Willem F. H. Borman, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 5264548
    Abstract: A cyclic polycarbonate oligomer having a low melting point useful in the preparation of high molecular weight resins. The cyclic polycarbonate oligomers have structural units with long alkyl chains which may contain ester substituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunelle, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 4994595
    Abstract: Bischloroformate compositions are prepared from spirobiindane bisphenols by phosgenation in a substantially inert organic liquid in a two-step reaction. The pH during the first step is maintained in the range of about 8-14 by addition of aqueous base. In the second step, the pH is in the range of about 2-6. This method produces compositions containing a substantial amount of monomeric bischloroformate and avoids gelling problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunelle, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 4980453
    Abstract: Macrocyclic oligomers, including polycarbonates, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polyetherketones and polyethersulfones, are conveniently prepared from various spiro(bis)indane compounds, especially the 6,6'-difunctional 3,3',3'-tetramethylspiro(bis)indanes. The macrocyclic oligomers may be conveniently converted to linear polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunelle, Thomas L. Guggenheim, James A. Cella, Thomas L. Evans, Luca P. Fontana, Gary R. Faler, James M. Fukuyama, Eugene P. Boden, Jonathan D. Rich, Thomas G. Shannon, Sharon J. McCormick, Philip J. McDermott, Alice M. Colley, Joseph W. Guiles
  • Patent number: 4972039
    Abstract: Polycyclic polycarbonate (or thiol analog) oligomers are prepared from a mixture of at least one bishaloformate with at least one tetraphenol, or thio analogs thereof. Such mixture may also contain at least one dihydroxy or dimercapto compound. The oligomers are formed by the reaction of such mixtures with alkali metal hydroxides and various amines. The polycyclic oligomer mixtures may be converted to crosslinked polycarbonates or their thiol analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Shannon, Daniel J. Brunelle
  • Patent number: 4921975
    Abstract: Cyclic monocarbonate bischloroformates are prepared by the reaction of a carbonyl halide such as phosgene with a bridged substituted resorcinol or hydroquinone such as bis(2,4-dihydroxy-3-methylphenyl)methane or bis(2,5-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethylphenyl)methane in the presence of aqueous alkali metal hydroxide. The cyclic monocarbonate bischloroformates may be used for the preparation of linear or cyclic polycarbonates containing cyclic carbonate structural units, which may in turn be converted to crosslinked polycarbonates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Shannon, Daniel J. Brunelle
  • Patent number: 4904810
    Abstract: Aqueous bischloroformates are prepared by the reaction of a dihydroxyaromatic compound (e.g., bisphenol A) with phosgene in a substantially inert organic liquid (e.g., methylene chloride) and in the presence of an aqueous alkali metal or alkaline earth metal base, at a pH below about 8. After all solid dihydroxyaromatic compound has been consumed, the pH is raised to a higher value in the range of about 7-12, preferably 9-11, and maintained in said range until a major proportion of the unreacted phosgene has been hydrolyzed. At the same time, any monochloroformate in the product may be converted to bischloroformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunelle, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 4888411
    Abstract: Polycyclic polycarbonate (or thiol analog) oligomers are prepared from a mixture of at least one bishaloformate with at least one tetraphenol, or thio analogs thereof. Such mixture may also contain at least one dihydroxy or dimercapto compound. The oligomers are formed by the reaction of such mixtures with alkali metal hydroxides and various amines. The polycyclic oligomer mixtures may be converted to crosslinked polycarbonates or their thiol analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Shannon, Daniel J. Brunelle
  • Patent number: 4829144
    Abstract: Cyclic polyester and especially polyarylate oligomers, typically having degrees of polymerization from 2 to about 7, are prepared by reacting a bisphenol such as bisphenol A or 6,6'-dihydroxy-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylspiro-(bis)indane with a dicarboxylic acid chloride such as isophthaloyl or terephthaloyl chloride in the presence of a catalyst, under conditions of low concentration. The cyclic oligomers may be polymerized to linear polyesters by contact with a transesterification catalyst at a temperature in the range of about 200.degree.-300.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunelle, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 4814428
    Abstract: The thermal stability of cyclic carbonate oligomers may be increased by treating a solution of the oligomers with an effective amount of a hydrogen halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Luca P. Fontana, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 4814420
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the stoichiometric end point of phosgenation reactions which produce polycarbonates and chloroformates, respectively, by monitoring the rate of heat generated by the reaction mixture per unit of phosgene utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunelle, Thomas G. Shannon, Philip G. Kosky, Paul W. Buckley, James M. Silva
  • Patent number: 4794160
    Abstract: Polycyclic polycarbonate (or thiol analog) oligomers are prepared from a mixture of at least one bishaloformate with at least one tetraphenol, or thio analogs thereof. Such mixture may also contain at least one dihydroxy or dimercapto compound. The oligomers are formed by the reaction of such mixtures with alkali metal hydroxides and various amines. The polycyclic oligomer mixtures may be converted to crosslinked polycarbonates or their thiol analogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Shannon, Daniel J. Brunelle
  • Patent number: 4775741
    Abstract: Cyclic polycarbonate mixtures containing units derived from spirobiindane bisphenols, preferably 6,6'-dihydroxy-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylspirobiindane are prepared from the corresponding bischloroformates or mixtures thereof with bisphenols. They may be homopolymeric or copolymeric; cyclic oligomer mixtures are preferred. Such oligomers may be converted to linear polycarbonates having high glass transition temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunelle, Thomas L. Evans, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 4767877
    Abstract: Bisamide and bisurethane bisphenols and bishaloformates are prepared by the reaction of amines with dicarboxylic acid halides or bisphenol bishaloformates. They are useful as intermediates for the preparation of cyclic heterocarbonates, which may in turn be converted to linear copolycarbonates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Shannon, Daniel J. Brunelle
  • Patent number: 4767840
    Abstract: Cyclic monocarbonate bischloroformates are prepared by the reaction of a carbonyl halide such as phosgene with a bridged substituted resorcinol or hydroquinone such as bis(2,4-dihydroxy-3-methylphenyl)methane or bis(2,5-dihydroxy-3,4,6-trimethylphenyl)methane in the presence of aqueous alkali metal hydroxide. The cyclic monocarbonate bischloroformates may be used for the preparation of linear or cyclic polycarbonates containing cyclic carbonate structural units, which may in turn be converted to crosslinked polycarbonates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Shannon, Daniel J. Brunelle
  • Patent number: 4757132
    Abstract: Cyclic polyester and especially polyarylate oligomers, typically having degrees of polymerization from 2 to about 7, are prepared by reacting a bisphenol such as bisphenol A or 6,6'-dihydroxy-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylspiro(bis)indane with a dicarboxylic acid chloride such as isophthaloyl or terephthaloyl chloride in the presence of a catalyst, under conditions of low concentration. The cyclic oligomers may be polymerized to linear polyesters by contact with a transesterification catalyst at a temperature in the range of about 200.degree.-300.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunelle, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 4755586
    Abstract: Polycyclic polycarbonate oligomers are prepared by the reaction of a bishaloformate and a tetrahydroxyaromatic compound (and optionally also a dihydroxy compound) in the presence of an olefinic tertiary amine and an aqueous slurry of an aldaline earth metal base. The proportion of water in the reaction mixture is up to about 15% by volume of the organic phase. The bishaloformate and hydroxy compounds, and most often also the amine, are preferably added gradually to the other materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Shannon, Daniel J. Brunelle
  • Patent number: RE34431
    Abstract: Macrocyclic oligomers, including polycarbonates, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polyetherketones and polyethersulfones, are conveniently prepared from various spiro(bis)indane compounds, especially the 6,6'-difunctional 3,3',3'-tetramethylspiro(bis)indanes. The macrocyclic oligomers may be conveniently converted to linear polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunelle, Thomas L. Guggenheim, James A. Cella, Thomas L. Evans, Luca P. Fontana, Gary R. Faler, James M. Fukuyama, Eugene P. Boden, Jonathan D. Rich, Thomas G. Shannon, Sharon J. McCormick, Philip J. McDermott, Alice M. Colley, Joseph W. Guiles