Contains One To Four Carbon Atoms Patents (Class 528/496)
  • Patent number: 11814453
    Abstract: Disclosed are a process for operating a flashline heater and a flashline separation system. In the process and system, heat is supplied to the flashline heater by a first steam stage followed by a second steam stage. The steam pressure is controlled by a steam control system such that the pressure in the first steam stage is not equal to the pressure in the second steam stage. Also disclosed is a process for retrofitting a steam control system in a flashline separation system of an olefin polymerization system at least by changing the number of steam stages in the flashline separation system to include a first steam stage followed by a second steam stage, and changing the stream pressure control scheme such that the pressure in the first steam stage is independently controlled to be not equal to the pressure in the second steam stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: Hetian Li
  • Patent number: 9975297
    Abstract: A polyamide powder is disclosed for use in a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying layers of the polyamide powder at the locations corresponding to the cross-section of the object in the respective layer by application of electromagnetic radiation. The polyamide powder of the invention is reclaimed after manufacturing of an object and, then is treated with water or water vapor and subsequently dried. After treatment, the powder preferably can have a molar weight Mn (numeric average) of more than about 20,000 g/mol and a Mw (weight average) of more than about 40,000 g/mol. Also, the powder preferably has an excess of carboxylic end groups relative to amino end groups of at least 4:1 up to at most 200:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Mandy Gersch
  • Patent number: 8969488
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method of substantially homogeneously mixing ingredients comprising solid thermoplastic particulates and a viscous material in a container and apparatus useful therein. The invention also generally relates to a non-clogging device and mixing apparatus comprising same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Equipolymers GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Eckert, Guenter Kleis, Uwe Pfannmoller, Volkmar Voerckel, Jens-Peter Wiegner
  • Patent number: 8952126
    Abstract: A method of making a pure block copolymer includes forming a crude block copolymer; heating a solution of the crude block copolymer and alcohol; and cooling the solution to promote precipitation of a purified block copolymer, wherein an amount of impurities remaining in the purified block copolymer is from about 0 to about 5 wt % based on a total weight of the purified block copolymer; a ratio of a polydispersity index of the crude block copolymer to a polydispersity index of the purified block copolymer is from about 1.02 to about 1.25; a ratio of a molecular weight of the crude block copolymer to a molecular weight of the purified block copolymer is from about 0.75 to about 1.0; and a ratio of a number average molecular weight of the crude block copolymer to a number average molecular weight of the purified block copolymer is from about 0.65 to about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Xerox Corporation, National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Andrew J. Myles, Karen A. Moffat, Jordan H. Wosnick, Valerie M. Farrugia
  • Patent number: 8946377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing high-functionality polyetherols by reacting at least one trifunctional or higher-functionality alcohol and if appropriate further di- and/or monofunctional alcohols and/or modifying reagents, with the aid of acidic catalysts, where the trifunctional or higher-functionality alcohol is not glycerol. The present invention further relates to high-functionality polyetherols obtainable by such a process and to the use of these high-functionality polyetherols as adhesion promoters, thixotropic agents, rheology modifiers of polymers, phase transfer reagents, micro- or nanocontainers for biologically active compounds, for example for active medical ingredients, biocides, herbicides or fungicides, as pigment dispersants, an additive in printing inks or as structural units for preparing polyaddition or polycondensation polymers or for treatment of seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Rolf Muelhaupt, Anne Fiedler, Fabian Schueler, Bernd Bruchmann, Markus Schuette, Daniel Schoenfelder
  • Patent number: 8859646
    Abstract: A method of purifying a poly(phenylene ether) is described. The method includes mixing a poly(phenylene ether) solution comprising a poly(phenylene ether) and a poly(phenylene ether) solvent with first washing solvents including a C1-C4 alkanol and water to form a first liquid phase including poly(phenylene ether) and poly(phenylene ether) solvent, and a second liquid phase comprising C1-C4 alkanol and water, and separating the first liquid phase from the second liquid phase. The first and second liquid phases combined comprise about 60 to about 95 weight percent poly(phenylene ether) solvent, about 4 to about 32 weight percent C1-C4 alkanol, and about 1 to about 36 weight percent water. When optionally combined with evaporative removal of the poly(phenylene ether) solvent, the method reduces C1-C4 alkanol usage compared to the antisolvent precipitation method, and it produces poly(phenylene ether) having reduced catalyst metal ion residue and reduced color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sabic Global Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Gary Mell Bates, Nitin Vilas Tople, Scott Michael Fisher, Hua Guo
  • Patent number: 8779081
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing poly(arylene) ethers with improved particle size characteristics. The improved particle size characteristics of the polyphenylene ether include one or both of: (i) up to about 50 weight percent of particles smaller than 38 micrometers; and a (ii) mean particle size greater than 100 or more micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Nitin Vilas Tople, Gerardo Rocha-Galicia, Hua Guo
  • Patent number: 8691919
    Abstract: A simple procedure is provided by which the hydroxyl termini of poly(ethylene oxide) can be appended with functional groups to a useful extent by reaction and precipitation. The polymer is dissolved in warmed toluene, treated with an excess of organic base and somewhat less of an excess of a reactive acylating reagent, reacted for several hours, then precipitated in isopropanol so that the product can be isolated as a solid, and salt byproducts are washed away. This procedure enables functionalization of the polymer while not requiring laborious purification steps such as solvent-solvent extraction or dialysis to remove undesirable side products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seeo, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Clayton Pratt
  • Patent number: 8680229
    Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide a method for producing a polyester with reduced CD content and elution amount, in which even after the production method, a reduction in physical properties of the polyester is small, and furthermore, a polyester having good moldability can be produced, and the present invention is concerned with a method for producing a polyester including an esterification reaction step of allowing an aliphatic diol and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid to react with each other; a step of pelletizing a polyester obtained through the esterification reaction step; and a contact treatment step of bringing the obtained polyester pellets into contact with a mixed solution containing ethanol and water, wherein the mixed solution contains water in an amount of 10% by mass or more and not more than 99% by mass relative to the whole of the mixed solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Maeda, Shinichiro Matsuzono, Takayuki Suzuki, Hiromichi Matsui
  • Patent number: 8609808
    Abstract: A method for forming a biodegradable aliphatic polyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, an aliphatic polyester is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a polyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and polymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic polyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic polyester Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Aimin He, James H. Wang
  • Patent number: 8466253
    Abstract: A method of purifying a capped poly(phenylene ether) includes mixing a poly(phenylene ether) capping reaction mixture comprising a capped poly(phenylene ether), a capping agent, a capping byproduct, a capping catalyst, and a poly(phenylene ether) solvent, and first washing solvents comprising a C1-C4 alkanol and water to form a first liquid phase comprising the capped poly(phenylene ether) and poly(phenylene ether) solvent, and a second liquid phase comprising C1-C4 alkanol and water; and separating the first liquid phase from the second liquid phase. Capped poly(phenylene ether) having reduced levels of residual capping agent, capping byproduct, and capping catalyst is produced from poly(phenylene ether) capping reaction mixtures by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Prashant Kumar, Alvaro Carrillo, Scott Michael Fisher, Nitin Vilas Tople
  • Patent number: 8420703
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for collecting effective components from polyester fiber waste containing polyalkylene telephthalate as the main component, more specifically to provide a method for separating and removing foreign matters (mainly cotton) contained in polyester fiber waste. The purpose of the invention can be achieved by a method for separating and removing foreign matters from polyester waste, which includes throwing polyester fiber waste that contains polyalkylene telephthalate as the main component and foreign matters other than the polyalkylene telephthalate into a depolymerization reaction tank, subjecting a part or all of the polyester fiber to a depolymerization reaction with alkylene glycol to give a depolymerization reaction liquid, and then continuously or intermittently feeding the liquid to a foreign matter-separating and removing apparatus having specified characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Teijin Fibers Limited
    Inventors: Kouji Mukai, Minoru Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8288506
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a conductive coating film having superior chemical resistance or solvent resistance and durability by chemically bonding a resin having an amine group (—NH2) with carbon nanotubes having a carboxyl group (—COOH). The conductive material having high bondability with carbon nanotubes and superior electrical properties includes carbon nanotubes uniformly contained therein, and thus has appropriate surface resistivity, and thereby can be used for antistatic, electrostatic dissipation and electromagnetic shielding purposes and in transparent or opaque electrodes depending on the resistivity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kolon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeong Han Kim, Ji Sung Kim, Ki Nam Kwak, Sang Min Song, Chung Seock Kang
  • Patent number: 8242235
    Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a purification process that enables Pd and P to be removed effectively, and to provide an electroluminescent material and an electroluminescent device obtained by employing the process. The present invention relates to a process for purifying an electroluminescent material, the process involving treating, with an oxidizing agent and then with a column, an electroluminescent material that contains Pd and/or P as impurities so as to remove the Pd and/or P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., Maxdem Incorporated
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Tsuda, Yoshii Morishita, Satoyuki Nomura, Seiji Tai, Yousuke Hoshi, Shigeaki Funyuu, Matthew L. Marrocco, III, Farshad J. Motamedi, Li-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8198354
    Abstract: Methods of preparing elastomeric gasket materials for use in metered dose inhalers that include contacting an elastomeric gasket material to be used in a metered dose inhaler, which gasket material comprises one or more extractable compounds, with a solution comprising an organic solvent under conditions sufficient to extract at least a portion of at least one of the one or more extractable compounds from the elastomeric gasket material are described. Sealing gaskets made by such methods as well as metering valves, metered dose inhalers, and drug products that include such gaskets are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventors: John Francis Miller, Mark Lee Sommerville
  • Patent number: 8163869
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a purification method of separating impurities from a carboxyl group-containing polyoxyethylene derivative having a molecular weight of 2,000 to 100,000. The purification method according to the invention includes the following steps. The polyoxyethylene derivative is dissolved to form a solution using toluene, xylene, benzene, ethyl acetate, or butyl acetate in an amount 5 times by mass or more the amount of the polyoxyethylene derivative. A slurry is formed by adding to the solution an inorganic adsorbent containing at least one of an oxide and a hydroxide of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of magnesium, silicon, and aluminum in an amount 0.5 to 10 times by mass the amount of the polyoxyethylene derivative. The slurry is stirred at a temperature of 25° C. or higher. Toluene, xylene, benzene, ethyl acetate, or butyl acetate is added to a filtration cake obtained by filtration of the slurry, and further filtration is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: NOF Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Yoshimura, Ken-ichiro Nakamoto, Satoshi Matsuo, Takashi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8163847
    Abstract: A thermoset composition exhibiting reduced water absorption in the cured state includes an olefinically unsaturated monomer and a capped poly(arylene ether) prepared by the reaction of an uncapped poly(arylene ether) with an anhydride capping agent. The capped poly(arylene ether) is isolated and/or purified by methods that reduce the concentrations of polar impurities that contribute to water absorption by the cured composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Kenneth Paul Zarnoch, John Robert Campbell, Amy Rene Freshour, Hua Guo, John Austin Rude, Prameela Susarla, Michael Alan Vallance, Gary William Yeager
  • Patent number: 8058359
    Abstract: A process for preparing a redistributed poly(phenylene ether), comprising reacting a poly(phenylene ether) in a reactive diluent monomer with a polyhydric phenol in the presence of a redistribution catalyst to form a composition comprising a redistributed poly(phenylene ether) in the reactive monomer diluent. The redistributed poly(phenylene ether) exhibits an intrinsic viscosity in the range of about 0.06 deciliters per gram to about 0.25 deciliters per gram, measured in chloroform at 25° C. The redistributed poly(phenylene ether) can be functionalized and admixed with unsaturated resin such as an unsaturated polyester resin or vinyl ester resin to obtain a varnish composition that, when cured, can form an electrically insulative thermoset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Patricia Chapman Irwin, Qiwei Lu, Michael J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8039558
    Abstract: It is depicted a polymer composition with elastomeric properties at wide temperature ranges of the type comprising polymers and/copolymers resulting from substituted or unsubstituted vinyl aromatic monomers and from dienic monomers, which is homogeneous and compatible in nature, with such composition being based on stereoregular polymers and without requiring the additional use of compatibilizing agents. Likewise, it is depicted the process to obtain the same, as well as to hydrogenise them, without requiring the use of additional catalyzers or processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: Dyansol Elastomeros, S.A. de C.V., Centro de Investigacion en Quimica Aplicada (CIQA)
    Inventors: Sergei Kniajanski, Maricela Garcia-Zamora, Sergio Corona-Galvan, Rodolfo Flores-Flores, Marcela Garcia-Ramirez, Gregorio Cadena-Pliego
  • Patent number: 7964217
    Abstract: This invention relates to hydrolytically degradable gels of crosslinked poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) structures. Addition of water causes these crosslinked structures to swell and become hydrogels. The hydrogels can be prepared by reacting two different PEG derivatives containing functional moieties at the chain ends that react with each other to form new covalent linkages between polymer chains. The PEG derivatives are chosen to provide covalent linkages within the crosslinked structure that are hydrolytically degradable. Hydrolytic degradation can provide for dissolution of the gel components and for controlled release of trapped molecules, including drugs. Reagents other than PEG can be avoided. The hydrolysis rates can be controlled by varying atoms adjacent to the hydrolytically degradable functional groups to provide substantially precise control for drug delivery in vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Nektar Therapeutics
    Inventor: J. Milton Harris
  • Patent number: 7951416
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a polyamide powder, which includes polyamide particles having a median grain size d 50 of from 20 to 90 ?m, a content of fines <5 ?m of below 1% by weight, and at least 75% by weight of spherical particles in which all three spatial axes x, y and z of the individual particles have the same dimensions to within ±10%. Other embodiments of the invention provide a process for making and using the powder, and articles coated articles obtained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Heinrich, Heinz Scholten
  • Patent number: 7902325
    Abstract: Polymerization processes are described herein. The polymerization processes generally include introducing a catalyst system to a reaction zone, introducing an olefin monomer to the reaction zone, contacting the olefin monomer with the catalyst system to form a polyolefin and contacting the polyolefin with a quench agent, wherein the quench agent is at least partially soluble in the olefin monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Blackmon, Mark C. Douglass, Kevin P. McGovern, Mark Miller, Joseph D. Thorman
  • Patent number: 7879958
    Abstract: A method for quenching an active polymerization mixture, the method comprising introducing a polyhydroxy compound to an active polymerization mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Luo, Timothy L. Tartamella, Mark W. Smale, Kevin M. McCauley, Zhong-Ren Chen
  • Publication number: 20110021743
    Abstract: A method for the extraction, separation, fractionation and purification of biopolymers from plant materials using supercritical and/or subcritical solvent extractions is disclosed. Specifically, the process can be used for the separation of resins and rubber from guayule shrub (Parthenium argentatum), and other rubber and/or resin containing plant materials, using supercritical solvent extraction, for example supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Additionally, polar and/or non-polar co-solvents can be used with supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance the selective extraction of resins and rubbers from the shrub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: YULEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katrina Cornish, Jeffrey A. Martin, Rodger T. Marentis
  • Patent number: 7858736
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process comprising contacting an polymerization reactor effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon and thereafter recovering olefin polymer, where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 5 volume % to 99 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon, and where the polymerization is a continuous polymerization of at least 75 mole % of hydrocarbon monomers, based upon the total moles of monomer present in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Peijun Jiang, Robert Olds Hagerty, John Richard Shutt, Charles Stanley Speed, Randall B. Laird, Kevin B. Stavens, Larry L. Iaccino
  • Publication number: 20100311943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method enabling the ambient-temperature spinning of ligning originating from Alcell- and Organosolv-type extraction processes. The invention also relates to a method and device for the ambient-temperature production of lignin fibres of micro- and nanometric diameter, by means of electrospinning and co-electrospinning. The resulting fibres can be single strand (electrospinning) and hollow or coaxial (co-electrospinning) fibres. The lignin fibres are transformed into carbon nanofibres after a suitable heat treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Manuel Lallave Rivas, Thomas Cordero Alcantara, Jose Rodriquez Mirasol, Ignacio Gonzales Loscertales, Antonio Barrero Ripoll
  • Patent number: 7820728
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to carpet and methods of making and recycling carpet. In one aspect, the carpet includes: a primary backing which has a face and a back surface; a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing and extending from the face of the primary backing and exposed at the back surface of the primary backing; an adhesive composition backing; and an optional secondary backing adjacent to the adhesive backing. The method of making carpet includes extrusion coating the adhesive composition onto the back surface of a primary backing to form the adhesive composition backing. The method of recycling carpet can recover one or more polymeric carpet components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wright, Kellie Ballew
  • Patent number: 7687601
    Abstract: Conductive polymers are purified using a solid scavenger. The solid scavengers include metal-scavenging functional groups linked to the surface of a particle support material. To improve the functionalization of the support material, the support materials are first treated with sulfuric acid or nitric acid before attaching the molecules containing the metal-scavenging functional groups. The solid scavengers used in the purification methods are more efficient at removing impurities in conductive polymers than existing scavengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Headwaters Technology Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Changkun Liu, Bing Zhou
  • Patent number: 7638597
    Abstract: A process to remove metal contaminants from a hydrocarbon solution of polyethylene is disclosed. The process comprises adding a primary alcohol and a ?-diketone to a solution of polyethylene at a temperature within the range of 120° C. to 300° C. and contacting the solution with basic alumina. The process removes metal contaminants and minimizes degradation and condensation products, which can have a detrimental effect on polyethylene properties. The process provides polyethylene with low metal residues and good properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Bradley P. Etherton, Marvin R. Appel
  • Patent number: 7569658
    Abstract: Process for the solvent treatment of a plastic, by dissolving the plastic with a solvent and with at least one phase separation agent compatible with the solvent to form a solution, precipitating the plastic by contacting the solution with at least one non-solvent so as to obtain a solvent/non solvent mixture containing precipitated plastic particles, and substantially eliminating the solvent from the mixture and recovering solid plastic particles. After dissolution but before substantially eliminating the solvent a stripping takes place during which at least a substantial portion of the PSA is removed from the solution or from the mixture using a stripping composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Bernard Vandenhende, Eric Fassiau
  • Patent number: 7550556
    Abstract: The present invention is to prevent the rapid viscosity rise generated at the time of dissolving or dispersing in a solvent a polymer obtained by reacting a material polymer having an acidic functional group and a hydroxyl group in the principal chain part with an isocyanate compound, in particular, a photo-curing polymer obtained by reaction with a radical polymerizable group-containing isocyanate compound. A highly stable polymer can be obtained by reacting a material polymer having a principal chain including at least a component unit having an acidic functional group and a component unit having a hydroxyl group with an isocyanate compound, and further reacting the same with an alcohol. Moreover, by producing a material polymer using a non-nitrile azo-based or peroxide-based polymerization initiator and/or introducing an isocyanate compound using a polymerization inhibitor selected from the compounds represented by the above-mentioned formulae (10) and (16), the transparency can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Nakamura, Shunsuke Sega
  • Patent number: 7527751
    Abstract: An electroactive sensing or actuating material comprises a composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electromechanical operation of the composite when such composite is affected by an external stimulus. In another embodiment, the composite comprises a third component of micro-sized to nano-sized particles of an electroactive ceramic that is also incorporated in the polymer matrix. The method for making the three-phase composite comprises either incorporating the carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix before incorporation of the particles of ceramic or mixing the carbon nanotubes and particles of ceramic together in a solution before incorporation in the polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Zoubeida Ounaies, Cheol Park, Joycelyn S. Harrison, Nancy M. Holloway, Gregory K. Draughon
  • Patent number: 7402264
    Abstract: An electroactive sensing or actuating material comprises a composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electomechanical operation of the composite when such composite is affected by an external stimulus. In another embodiment, the composite comprises a third component of micro-sized to nano-sized particles of an electroactive ceramic that is also incorporated in the polymer matrix. The method for making the three-phase composite comprises either incorporating the carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix before incorporation of the particles of ceramic or mixing the carbon nanotubes and particles of ceramic together in a solution before incorporation in the polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Zoubeida Ounaies, Cheol Park, Joycelyn S. Harrison, Nancy M. Holloway, Gregory K. Draughon
  • Patent number: 7342088
    Abstract: Method for precipitating polyphenylene ether which decreases fine particles therein and reduces periodic fluctuations in particle size. Method provides homogeneous polyphenylene ether particles. Polyphenylene ether particles are precipitated using mixed solution comprising good solvent for polyphenylene ether and poor solvent for polyphenylene ether. Method employs precipitation tank equipped with draft tube, stirring blade, baffle(s), solution supply port, poor solvent supply port, and exhaust port. Polyphenylene ether particles and poor solvent are added to mixed solution comprising good solvent and circularly flowed by rotation of stirring blade, polyphenylene ether solution for solution supply port, and poor solvent for poor solvent supply port, thereby precipitating polyphenylene ether particles having desired properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignees: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigero Yamamoto, Mutsumi Maeda, Yuji Takeda
  • Patent number: 7259231
    Abstract: A method for the extraction, separation, fractionation and purification of biopolymers from plant materials using supercritical and/or subcritical solvent extractions is disclosed. Specifically, the process can be used for the separation of resins and rubber from guayule shrub (Parthenium argentatum), and other rubber and/or resin containing plant materials, using supercritical solvent extraction, for example supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. Additionally, polar and/or non-polar co-solvents can be used with supercritical carbon dioxide to enhance the selective extraction of resins and rubbers from the shrub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Yulex Corporation
    Inventors: Katrina Cornish, Jeffrey A. Martin, Rodger T. Marentis, Sebastian Plamthottam
  • Patent number: 7223471
    Abstract: A composition comprising Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) with a reduced emission of acrolein is obtained by contacting Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) resin with an effective amount of a melt stable, organic stabilizing compound. Such PTT resin has an acrolein formation rate at 280° C. of less than 15 ppm/minute. Preferably the residual acrolein content of the PTT resin is less than 10 ppm. The additive organic stabilizing compounds are free from nitrogen atoms. Preferred additive compounds include polyfunctional alkohols, alcoholates, aromatic carboxylic acid anhydrides, carboxylic acids and salts of carboxylic acids. The additive compounds are added to the polymer in molten state and/or to the resin, which is then processed to fibers, filaments, non-wovens, films and/or mouldings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmer AG
    Inventors: Eckhard Seidel, Bernd Gemmel, Karl-Heinz Heldmann
  • Patent number: 7148296
    Abstract: A thermoset composition exhibiting reduced water absorption in the cured state includes an olefinically unsaturated monomer and a capped poly(arylene ether) prepared by the reaction of an uncapped poly(arylene ether) with an anhydride capping agent. The capped poly(arylene ether) is isolated and/or purified by methods that reduce the concentrations of polar impurities that contribute to water absorption by the cured composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Paul Zarnoch, John Robert Campbell, Amy Rene Freshour, Hua Guo, John Austin Rude, Prameela Susarla, Michael Alan Vallance, Gary William Yeager
  • Patent number: 7138485
    Abstract: The invention relates to a simple, economical and reliable method for removing catalytic residues from polymer solutions. According to the inventive method, the copper content is reduced to a non-disturbing concentration level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Röhm GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Goerlitzer, Dorothea Staschik
  • Patent number: 7112652
    Abstract: This invention relates to solvents which may be used to extract polymers that are made of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Ford, Azaam Alli, Ture Kindt-Larsen
  • Patent number: 7078440
    Abstract: A dimethyl terephthalate composition includes 0.001 to 200 ppm of methyl 4-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)benzoate and 0 to 1 ppm of dimethyl hydroxyterephthalate contained in dimethyl terephthalate, and exhibits improved properties as a material for producing polyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Kenichi Ishihara, Kazumasa Mizuno, Minoru Nakashima, Kazuhiro Sato, Masanori Miyamoto, Taizo Mori
  • Patent number: 7049394
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a free flowing and/or non clumping resin that includes prior to drying, shrinking the resin under agitation. In one variant of the invention, the is a resin used in solid phase synthesis of peptides. In another aspect the invention provides a process of making a peptide using the free flowing resin described herein, and a polypeptide made using the process. Various therapeutics are then be made using the polypepdite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: John Joseph Maikner, Marlin Kenneth Kinzey, James Charles Bohling
  • Patent number: 6939943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for deactivating and recovering boron trifluoride when producing polyisobutenes by means of cationic polymerization of isobutene or hydrocarbon streams containing isobutene in the liquid phase in the presence of boron trifluoride or in the form of a boron trifluoride catalyst complex. The catalyst complex is separated, essentially in the liquid phase, from the reactor discharge. The method comprises the following steps: a) removing from the polymerization reactor at ?60 to 020 C., methanol, ethanol or a mixture of methanol and ethanol in such a quantity that an alcohol phase rich in boron trifluoride is formed; b) separating the alcohol phase according to (a) and, (c) optionally recycling the boron trifluoride of the alcohol phase obtained from (b) to the method in a suitable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Wettling, Dirk Borchers, Wim Verrelst, Hans Peter Rath
  • Patent number: 6894145
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods to remove impurities in polymeric materials in order to improve the opto-electronic characteristics of devices fabricated from these polymers. The polymers include but not limited to polyarylenes, polyarylenevinylenes, polyaryleneethylnylene, polyfluorenes, polyanilines, polythiophenes, polypyrroles, and any conjugated co-polymers. The methods involve the selection of a scavenger or chelating agent and use it to remove metallic impurities from the polymers. The methods involve dissolving the polymer in a suitable solvent, adding a scavenger, mixing to form a scavenger, containing phase, and finally separating the scavenger containing phase from the polymer phase. According to this invention, it is preferable for the selected scavengers to have functional groups which can chemically react with metallic species and form a coordination compound that is not soluble in a selected solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Organic Vision Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Shuyong Xiao, Chunong Qiu, Cindy Xing Qiu
  • Patent number: 6867322
    Abstract: An ester-forming monomer obtained by depolymerization of polytrimethylene terephthalate and having an acrolein content of no greater than 0.5 wt %. Polymers obtained using the monomer and fibers, films and molded articles comprising the polymers. The ester-forming monomer is obtained by reacting polytrimethylene terephthalate with at least one compound selected from among monoalcohols, 1,3-propanediol and water in the presence of a basic substance. When the recovered ester-forming monomer is used as the starting material for production of a polymer, it is possible to produce a molding polymer for fibers, films and the like with quality equivalent to or higher than that obtained using virgin monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jinichiro Kato, Katsuhiro Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6787611
    Abstract: Polymers derived from 4-acyloxystyrene are purified by fractionalization plus heating and cooling of the polymers in alcoholic solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Chemfirst Electronic Materials L.P.
    Inventor: Michael T. Sheehan
  • Patent number: 6765083
    Abstract: This invention relates to solvents which may be used to extract polymers that are made of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Ford, Azaam Alli, Ture Kindt-Larsen
  • Patent number: 6759507
    Abstract: At the time of preparing polyphenylene ether resin, there can be separated and recovered efficiently an aromatic compound solvent, amines making an azeotrope with water (hereafter, referred to as ‘the amines’ for short.) and methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yoshida, Naoto Ohsaki, Hiroya Fujii
  • Patent number: 6627727
    Abstract: Polyphenylene ether particles which contain fine powder in a small amount and are easy to handle at the time of molding, are obtained. A method for precipitating polyphenylene ether, which comprises adding a non-solvent for polyphenylene ether to a solution of polyphenylene ether in a good solvent for polyphenylene ether to precipitate polyphenylene ether continuously in a stirring vessel with a reciprocating stirrer, wherein the polyphenylene ether solution is dropped outside the working range of a stirring blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yoshida, Naoto Ohsaki, Hiroya Fujii
  • Patent number: 6599969
    Abstract: A process for preparing stabilized olefin polymers which have a low cold heptane extractables content by polymerization of olefins with Ziegler or Phillips catalysts, wherein the polymer is, immediately after leaving the polymerization reactor, brought into contact with an involatile phenol derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rohde, Guido Funk, Hans-Helmut Görtz, Rolf Osterloh
  • Patent number: 6593451
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method of processing polyacrylonitrile into a predetermined form. The first step in this method includes preparing a solution of a room temperature solvent that will dissolve polyacrylonitrile at room temperature and, a room temperature non-solvent that will not dissolve polyacrylonitrile at room temperature. The solution is prepared with sufficient non-solvent to render the room temperature solvent inoperable such that it will not dissolve polyacrylonitrile at room temperature and such that it will be operable at temperatures above 65° C. to dissolve polyacrylonitrile therein. The second step in the present invention method involves combining polyacrylonitrile with the solution to form a mixture, in an amount of at least 20%, by weight, of polyacrylonitrile, based on the total weight of the mixture. Preferred is about 20% to about 50% by weight of the polyacrylonitrile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: PragTech, Inc.
    Inventor: George P. Stoy