Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Brima

Thomas S. Brima 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: 6979708
    Abstract: Synthetic hydrotalcites of the general formula [M2+1?xM3+x(OH)2]x+[An?x/n.mH2O]x? where M2+ is a divalent cation, M3+ is a trivalent cation and An? is an organic anion selected from straight chain carboxylates of C16-C18 acids, carboxylates of aromatic acids, carboxylates of acrylic acid, unsaturated carboxylates of methacrylic acid and unsaturated carboxylates of vinylacetic acid are disclosed, along with methods of synthesis and uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sunoco, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Masaki Fujii, George R. Gallaher, Jr., Sehyun Kim, Steven J. Monaco, Edwin B. Townsend, IV, Gwendolyn Hawk, Thomas S. Brima
  • Patent number: 6846870
    Abstract: Synthetic hydrotalcites of the general formula [M2+1-xM3+x(OH)2]x+[An?x/n·mH2O]x? where M2+ is a divalent cation, M3+ is a trivalent cation and An? is an organic anion selected from straight chain carboxylates of C16-C18 acids, carboxylates of aromatic acids, carboxylates of acrylic acid, unsaturated carboxylates of methacrylic acid, unsaturated carboxylates of vinylacetic acid and C2 and higher organic acids containing heteroatoms such as nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur and halogens are disclosed, along with methods of synthesis and uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Sunoco, Inc. (R&M)
    Inventors: Gwendolyn Hawk, Masaki Fujii, George R. Gallaher, Jr., Sehyun Kim, Edwin B. Townsend, IV, Thomas S. Brima
  • Publication number: 20040236001
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing inorganic polymer hybrids with improved mechanical properties and even dispersion of the inorganic material in the hybrids. Nanoscale exfoliation of inorganic materials having layered structures is induced, and said inorganic materials are combined with an emulsion comprising one or more molten polymers. The method provides nanoscale dispersion of inorganic material throughout the emulsion of one or more polymers without the use of compatibilizers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas S. Brima, Masaki Fujii, Seyhun Kim, George R. Gallaher, Edwin B. Townsend, Kimberly M. McLoughlin
  • Patent number: 6812273
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing inorganic polymer hybrids with improved mechanical properties and even dispersion of the inorganic material in the hybrids. Nanoscale exfoliation of inorganic materials having layered structures is induced, and said inorganic materials are combined with an emulsion comprising one or more molten polymers. The method provides nanoscale dispersion of inorganic material throughout the emulsion of one or more polymers without the use of compatibilizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sunoco, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Brima, Masaki Fujii, Seyhun Kim, George R. Gallaher, Jr., Edwin B. Townsend, IV, Kimberly M. McLoughlin
  • Publication number: 20030114699
    Abstract: Synthetic hydrotalcites of the general formula
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Aristech Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Brima, Masaki Fujii, George R. Gallaher, Sehyun Kim, Edwin B. Townsend, Gwendolyn Hawk
  • Publication number: 20030078445
    Abstract: Synthetic hydrotalcites of the general formula
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Masaki Fujii, George R. Gallaher, Sehyun Kim, Steven J. Monaco, Edwin B. Townsend, Thomas S. Brima, Gwendolyn Hawk
  • Patent number: 5270411
    Abstract: A process for making a biodegradable aliphatic polyester and the polyester so formed is disclosed. The process comprises copolymerizing a cyclic ketene acetal having the structural formula ##STR1## where R is a bivalent moiety, and an olefin. This copolymerization occurs in a solution of a tertiary alcohol and in the presence of a free radical initiating effective amount of a compound having the structural formula ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are the same or different and are C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 hydrocarbyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 hydrocarbyloxy, cyano, halogen, carboxy, carboalkoxy, carbonyl or formyl. The copolymerization occurs at a temperature in the range of between in excess of ambient temperature and less than 100.degree. C. and at a pressure in excess of about 2,000 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Quantum Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Biau-Hung Chang, Thomas S. Brima
  • Patent number: 5219930
    Abstract: Processes for converting vinyl alcohol polymers to poly(keto-esters) and the novel products obtained therefrom are disclosed. The process involves reacting a vinyl alcohol polymer, such as PVA or EVOH, with an organic peroxyacid oxidizing agent in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. to convert the secondary hydroxyl groups of the vinyl alcohol polymer to carbonyl and oxycarbonyl groups. In another aspect of the invention, the vinyl alcohol copolymer is first reacted with an oxidizing agent capable of converting the secondary hydroxyl groups to carbonyl but not to oxycarbonyl and then subsequently oxidized using a peroxyacid to form oxycarbonyl. The poly(keto-esters) comprised of carbonyl units, oxycarbonyl units, hydroxyl-containing units and units which are primarily hydrocarbons in nature are photodegradable and biodegradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Quantum Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Biau-Hung Chang, Jack Kwiatek, Thomas S. Brima
  • Patent number: 4980513
    Abstract: A process for making a hydrocarbyl vinyl ketone is disclosed. In this process a ketone having the structural formula CH.sub.3 COR, where R is lower alkyl, phenyl or C.sub.7 -C.sub.8 aralkyl, is reacted with methanol in an oxygen-containing atmosphere in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a catalytically effective amount of iron on an inert support. In another preferred embodiment, the catalyst system comprises a catalytically effective amount of a precious metal selected from the group consisting of silver and gold, in addition to iron, supported on an inert material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Quantum Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Brima, Ronnie M. Hanes
  • Patent number: 4968817
    Abstract: A process for preparing a substituted or unsubstituted gamma-crotonolactone is provided which comprises reacting a substituted or unsubstituted glycidol of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: National Distillers and Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas S. Brima
  • Patent number: 4767574
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of esters by reaction of an allylic ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a Group VIII noble metal catalyst and a halide compound to obtain esters. The halide compound is present in an amount sufficient to prevent the catalyst from being converted into a Group VIII metal during the reaction. When the reaction is conducted in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt the ester may be extracted by solvent extraction to minimize catalyst decomposition caused when extractive distillation is used to separate the ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: National Distillers and Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Ronnie M. Hanes, Thomas S. Brima
  • Patent number: 4415475
    Abstract: A process for preparing 2-butenolide, a useful product for the manufacture of gamma-butyrolactone, is disclosed which comprises reacting furan with oxygen in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide containing titanium, boron and molybdenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: National Distillers and Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas S. Brima
  • Patent number: 4400324
    Abstract: A process for preparing anthraquinone is disclosed which comprises reacting 1,3-butadiene with oxygen in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide containing aluminum, molybdenum and titanium values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: National Distillers and Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas S. Brima, Auburn B. Cottingham
  • Patent number: 4358601
    Abstract: A process for preparing 2-butenolide, a useful product for the manufacture of gamma-butyrolactone, is disclosed which comprises reacting furan with oxygen in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide containing titanium, boron and molybdenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: National Distillers & Chemical Corp.
    Inventors: Jack Kwiatek, Thomas S. Brima
  • Patent number: 4356310
    Abstract: A mixture of gamma-butyrolactone and butenolide is obtained by reacting 1,3-butadiene with oxygen in the vapor phase at elevated temperature in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a mixed metal oxide containing boron, molybdenum and titanium values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: National Distillers & Chemical Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas S. Brima
  • Patent number: 4324909
    Abstract: In the process for catalytically reacting olefin and oxygen to provide glycol or a mixture of glycol and glycol ester, higher rates of reaction and/or higher selectivities for the desired product(s) are obtained employing as catalyst, a composition comprising a mixture of molecular iodine and hydrobromic acid; hydriodic acid and hydrobromic acid; or, at least one oxide of antimony, bismuth or tellurium in admixture with at least one member of the group consisting of hydriodic acid; molecular iodine; hydriodic acid and molecular iodine; molecular iodine and hydrobromic acid; and, hydriodic acid and hydrobromic acid in a water or water-carboxylic acid reaction medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: National Distillers & Chemical Corp.
    Inventors: David Horvitz, Thomas S. Brima