Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Staples

Thomas L. Staples 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: 6362266
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cross-linked polyallylamine polymer composition having reduced cohesiveness, a process for producing a cross-linked polyallylamine polymer having reduced cohesiveness from an aqueous solution of a washed cross-linked polyallylamine polymer treated with a surfactant and to cross-linked polyallylamine polymer compositions produced thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Fredric L. Buchholz, Thomas L. Staples, Christopher M. Chappelow
  • Patent number: 6323252
    Abstract: A composition comprising aqueous fluid absorbent polymer particles which have been heat-treated at temperatures greater than 170° C. for more than 10 minutes, wherein the composition has been remoisturized, after the heat-treatment, with an aqueous additive solution, in the absence of an organic solvent or water-insoluble, non-swellable powder, and comprises 1 to 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, water and wherein the composition is characterized by the ability to absorb at least 20 grams of a 0.9 weight percent aqueous saline solution under a pressure of 0.3 psi (21,000 dynes/cm2), that is, a 60 minute 0.3 psi (21,000 dynes/cm2) AUL greater than 20 grams/gram. A process for preparing such a composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Herbert A. Gartner, Thomas L. Staples, Michael A. Fialkowski
  • Patent number: 6090875
    Abstract: The subject invention provides water-swellable polymer compositions having reduced dusting tendencies, i.e., reduced amounts of unassociated dust having a maximum diameter less than or equal to 10 microns and/or the tendency to generate reduced amounts of unassociated dust having a maximum diameter less than or equal to 10 microns upon attrition and a process for preparing such compositions. Hydrophobic dedusting agents are used to achieve the above while substantially maintaining or increasing the surface tension of an aqueous fluid in equilibrium with the polymer and air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Staples, Jerry D. DeVrieze
  • Patent number: 6071580
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent, extruded, open cell thermoplastic foam. The foam has an open cell content of about 50 percent or more and an average cell size of up to about 1.5 millimeters. The foam is capable of absorbing a liquid at about 50 percent or more of its theoretical volume capacity when absorbing a liquid. The foam preferably has an average equivalent pore size of about 5 micrometers or more. The foam preferably has a structure substantially of cell walls and cell struts. Further disclosed is a method for absorbing a liquid employing the foam by elongation of the extrudate of the extrusion die. Further disclosed is a method of enhancing absorbency of an open cell foam by applying a surfactant to an exposed surface of the foam such that it remains at the surface and does not infiltrate a substantial distance into the foam. Further disclosed is a meat tray and a diaper containing the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: David G. Bland, William G. Stobby, Gene D. Rose, Steve W. Mork, Thomas L. Staples, Gordon D. McCann
  • Patent number: 5994440
    Abstract: The invention provides water-swellable polymer compositions having reduced dusting tendencies, i.e, reduced amounts of unassoiated dust having a maximum diameter less than or equal to 10 microns and/or the tendency to generate reduced amounts of unassociatcd dust having a maximum diameter less than or equal to 10 microns upon attrition, and a process for preparing such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Staples, Warren L. Treptow, Stewart P. Wood
  • Patent number: 5728742
    Abstract: The subject invention provides water-swellable polymer compositions having reduced caking tendencies. Such polymer compositions can be produced by employing quaternary ammonium salts. In addition to having reduced caking tendencies such polymers have reduced dust and substantially maintain or increase the surface tension of an aqueous fluid in equilibrium with the polymer and air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Staples, David E. Henton, Gene D. Rose, Michael A. Fialkowski
  • Patent number: 5080171
    Abstract: Nitrogen containing free radical sources such as diazenes are useful as breakers in fracturing fluids used in the recovery of oil and gas from subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Wolf, Thomas L. Staples
  • Patent number: 4535098
    Abstract: Water absorbent compositions comprise a water swellable polymer which contains polymerized water-soluble monomers, water-insoluble monomers having a pendant hydrophobic moiety, and optionally, a crosslinking monomer. The polymer can be blended with a colloidal support such as colloidal silica. The compositions exhibit good water absorbency rates and high gel strengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Syamalarao Evani, James H. Oswald, Thomas L. Staples, Brent T. Polak
  • Patent number: 4136048
    Abstract: A fluid having an improved viscosity/temperature relationship results from a blend of that fluid and a block copolymer having an AB configuration wherein the A portion is a polymeric structure that is insoluble in said oil below a characteristic temperature and soluble above that temperature and the B portion is a polymeric structure that is soluble in said fluid over the complete range of temperature for which the liquid composition will be used and wherein the chain length of said B portion is small relative to that of said A portion. Fluid compositions having a relatively constant viscosity over an extended temperature range result when two or more such block polymers are blended with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Staples
  • Patent number: D326913
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Long River, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Staples