Patents by Inventor Timothy W. Birch

Timothy W. Birch 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: 7026391
    Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer composition comprising (A) from about 55% to about 75% by weight of at least one polyolefin, (B) from about 2% to about 12% by weight of at least one reaction product of an alpha, beta unsaturated carboxylic reagent and a polyolefin, and (C) from 15% to about 35% by weight of filler. In one aspect, the polymer compositions also include (D) at least one copolymer of ethylene and an olefin, (E) at least one polyamide, or (F) a mixture of (D) and (E). These compositions provide articles and films with improved scratch resistance and hardness. These compositions have improved processing character because their low coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer, Deenadayalu Chundury, Gerald W. Drabeck, Timothy W. Birch, Dennis L. Hammond
  • Patent number: 6649681
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive composition for use in bonding a polymeric fitting to an olefin-containing component of an article used in medical applications. The adhesive composition according to the invention includes an adhesive polymer system dissolved in a solvent system. The solvent system includes an organic solvent having a solubility parameter within the range of from about 7.5 to about 10 (cal/cm3)1/2. Subsequent to forming a bond between the polymeric fitting and the olefin-containing component, the adhesive composition can meet the requirements for USP Class VI materials. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive composition includes a low shear mixture of an adhesive polymer system including an atactic polypropylene and a low density polyethylene that is dissolved in a solvent system including a blend of d-limonene and a ketone selected from the group consisting of 4-heptanone and cyclohexanone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew M. Rohn, Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer, James T. Kempthorn, Kenneth D. Zabielski, Deenadayalu Chundury, Timothy W. Birch
  • Publication number: 20030004245
    Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer composition comprising (A) from about 55% to about 75% by weight of at least one polyolefin, (B) from about 2% to about 12% by weight of at least one reaction product of an alpha, beta unsaturated carboxylic reagent and a polyolefin, and (C) from 15% to about 35% by weight of filler. In one aspect, the polymer compositions also include (D) at least one copolymer of ethylene and an olefin, (E) at least one polyamide, or (F) a mixture of (D) and (E). These compositions provide articles and films with improved scratch resistance and hardness. These compositions have improved processing character because their low coefficient of friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer, Deenadayalu Chundury, Gerald W. Drabeck, Timothy W. Birch, Dennis L. Hammond
  • Patent number: 6465558
    Abstract: This invention relates to a solvent based adhesive composition including a major amount of a solvent system and a minor amount of an adhesive polymer system. The solvent system preferably includes a terpene and an aldehyde, ketone, or an aromatic solvent. The adhesive polymer system preferably includes one or a blend of polymers that dissolve, at least in part, in the solvent solution. The components of the solvent adhesive are compatible in that they do not separate upon standing. The solvent based adhesive composition provides good adhesion between polymer articles such as, for example, polyolefin and acrylic films, as well as good adhesion between polymeric articles and wood or metal substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer, Andrew M. Rohn, James T. Kempthorn, Kenneth D. Zabielski, Deenadayalu Chundury, Timothy W. Birch
  • Patent number: 6455171
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multilayer thermoformable structure including: (A) a cap layer including at least 50% by weight of a polymethacrylate ester or polyacrylate ester or their copolymers or blends; (B) a core layer including at least 30% by weight polyolefin; and (C) a tie layer intermediate the cap layer (A) and core layer (B). The multilayer thermoformable structures of the invention are useful in applications requiring the physical properties of an olefin and the gloss, scratch resistance and chemical resistance of an acrylic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer, Timothy W. Birch
  • Patent number: 6420050
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multilayer thermoformable composite structure including: a formulated cap layer (A) including at least about 50% by weight of a polymethacrylate ester, a polyacrylate ester, copolymers, and/or blends thereof; and a core layer (B) including from about 30% to about 100% by weight of a polyolefin. The multilayer thermoformable structures of the invention are useful in applications requiring the physical properties of an olefin and the gloss, scratch resistance and chemical resistance of an acrylic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Birch, Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer
  • Publication number: 20020001730
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multilayer thermoformable structure including: (A) a cap layer including at least 50% by weight of a polymethacrylate ester or polyacrylate ester or their copolymers or blends; (B) a core layer including at least 30% by weight polyolefin; and (C) a tie layer intermediate the cap layer (A) and core layer (B). The multilayer thermoformable structures of the invention are useful in applications requiring the physical properties of an olefin and the gloss, scratch resistance and chemical resistance of an acrylic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony S. Scheibelhoffe, Timothy W Birch
  • Publication number: 20020001729
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multilayer thermoformable composite structure including: a formulated cap layer (A) including at least about 50% by weight of a polymethacrylate ester, a polyacrylate ester, copolymers, and/or blends thereof; and a core layer (B) including from about 30% to about 100% by weight of a polyolefin. The multilayer thermoformable structures of the invention are useful in applications requiring the physical properties of an olefin and the gloss, scratch resistance and chemical resistance of an acrylic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy W. Birch, Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer
  • Publication number: 20010036989
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive composition for use in bonding a polymeric fitting to an olefin-containing component of an article used in medical applications. The adhesive composition according to the invention includes an adhesive polymer system dissolved in a solvent system. The solvent system includes an organic solvent having a solubility parameter within the range of from about 7.5 to about 10 (cal/cm3)½. Subsequent to forming a bond between the polymeric fitting and the olefin-containing component, the adhesive composition can meet the requirements for USP Class VI materials. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive composition includes a low shear mixture of an adhesive polymer system including an atactic polypropylene and a low density polyethylene that is dissolved in a solvent system including a blend of d-limonene and a ketone selected from the group consisting of 4-heptanone and cyclohexanone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Andrew M. Rohn, Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer, James T. Kempthorn, Kenneth D. Zabielski, Deenadayalu Chundury, Timothy W. Birch
  • Publication number: 20010034386
    Abstract: This invention relates to a solvent based adhesive composition including a major amount of a solvent system and a minor amount of an adhesive polymer system. The solvent system preferably includes a terpene and an aldehyde, ketone, or an aromatic solvent. The adhesive polymer system preferably includes one or a blend of polymers that dissolve, at least in part, in the solvent solution. The components of the solvent adhesive are compatible in that they do not separate upon standing. The solvent based adhesive composition provides good adhesion between polymer articles such as, for example, polyolefin and acrylic films, as well as good adhesion between polymeric articles and wood or metal substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer, Andrew M. Rohn, James T. Kempthorn, Kenneth D. Zabielski, Deenadayalu Chundury, Timothy W. Birch
  • Patent number: 5874503
    Abstract: This invention relates to a polyester resin comprising (A) from about 5% to about 50% by weight reactive diluent and (B) from about 50% to about 95% by weight of an unsaturated polyester resin prepared from at least one component selected from the group consisting of (i) from about 0.5% up to about 8% by mole of a polyhydric alcohol, having at least three hydroxyl groups, and at least one transesterification catalyst, (ii) from about 2% up to about 12% by mole of a reaction product of a polyol and a fatty carboxylic acid, and (iii) from about 2% up to about 12% by mole of a fatty reactant selected from the group consisting of a fatty primary alcohol, a fatty epoxide, a fatty monocarboxylic acid and mixtures thereof, wherein each member of the group has up to about 100 carbon atoms. In another aspect, the invention relates to mixtures of the above polyester resins with conventional polyester resins. Methods of reducing volatile organic compound emissions are also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer, Gerald W. Drabeck, Ronald E. Thompson, Dianna B. Dusek, Timothy W. Birch, Jeffrey L. Wilcoxson
  • Patent number: 5688867
    Abstract: This invention relates to a polyester resin comprising (A) from about 5% to about 50% by weight reactive diluent and (B) from about 50% to about 95% by weight of an unsaturated polyester resin prepared from at least one component selected from the group consisting of (i) from about 0.5% up to about 8% by mole of a polyhydric alcohol, having at least three hydroxyl groups, and at least one transesterification catalyst, (ii) from about 2% up to about 12% by mole of a reaction product of a polyol and a fatty carboxylic acid, and (iii) from about 2% up to about 12% by mole of a fatty reactant selected from the group consisting of a fatty primary alcohol, a fatty epoxide, a fatty monocarboxylic acid and mixtures thereof, wherein each member of the group has up to about 100 carbon atoms. In another aspect, the invention relates to mixtures of the above polyester resins with conventional polyester resins. Methods of reducing volatile organic compound emissions are also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony S. Scheibelhoffer, Gerald W. Drabeck, Ronald E. Thompson, Dianna B. Dusek, Timothy W. Birch, Jeffrey L. Wilcoxson