Douglas Warren Howie

US Patent:

20040089533, May 13, 2004

Filed:

Aug 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/635289

Inventors:

David Hoagland - Granby MA, US
Douglas Howie - Parkersburg WV, US

International Classification:

B05D001/40
B05D003/02

US Classification:

204/192110, 427/331000

Abstract:

A method to attach hydrophilic and/or ionogenic coatings to metallic surfaces robustly. Important applications for the invention extend to sensor types, various biomedical devices, and additional technologies requiring metal coatings with specified properties, such as sensors that employ the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) principle. This is a method to produce an adherent hydrogel against a metal surface by gelling a liquid mixture of components. The implementation of the invention for QCM ion sensors employs poly(allylamine) (PAH) hydrogels. The reaction of PAH with N-Acetylhomocysteine thiolactone (AHTL) (Fluda) in water under basic conditions produces thiol groups. This reaction removes ion exchange functionality and permits robust attachment of the hydrogel to the QCM's gold electrode. The PAH concentration in the aqueous starting mixture is between 12 and 25 weight percent, the AHTL concentration is between 5 and 25 mole percent of PAH repeat units, and the DadMac concentration is between 10 and 15 mole percent of PAH repeat units. Also, between 1 and 2 equivalents of base (sodium, hydroxide, NaOH) are present per equivalent of PAH repeat units.

US Patent:

20050196532, Sep 8, 2005

Filed:

Jan 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/037674

Inventors:

Alex Waldrop - South Portland ME, US
David Hoagland - Granby MA, US
Douglas Howie - Parkersburg WV, US

International Classification:

B05D003/12

US Classification:

427240000

Abstract:

A method to attach hydrophilic and/or ionogenic coatings to metallic surfaces robustly. Important applications for the invention extend to sensor types, various biomedical devices, and additional technologies requiring metal coatings with specified properties, such as sensors that employ the Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) principle. This is a method to produce an adherent hydrogel against a metal surface by gelling a liquid mixture of components. The implementation of the invention for QCM ion sensors employs poly(allylamine) (PAH) hydrogels. The reaction of PAH with N-Acetylhomocysteine thiolactone (AHTL) (Fluka) in water under basic conditions produces thiol groups. This reaction removes ion exchange functionality and permits robust attachment of the hydrogel to the QCM's gold electrode. The PAH concentration in the aqueous starting mixture is between 12 and 25 weight percent, the AHTL concentration is between 5 and 25 mole percent of PAH repeat units, and the DadMac concentration is between 10 and 15 mole percent of PAH repeat units. Also, between 0.1 and 0.8 equivalents of base (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) are present per equivalent of PAH repeat units.

US Patent:

20050245645, Nov 3, 2005

Filed:

May 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/837865

Inventors:

Douglas Howie - Parkersburg WV, US

International Classification:

C08K003/00
C08L051/00

US Classification:

524001000, 525063000

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a composition comprising rubber modified thermoplastic resins which show special visual effects such as a metallic sparkle effect and/or retroreflective effect from the surface of thermoplastic articles comprising the composition. In a particular embodiment the present invention relates to a composition comprising: (i) a rubber modified thermoplastic resin comprising a discontinuous elastomeric phase dispersed in a rigid thermoplastic phase, wherein at least a portion of the rigid thermoplastic phase is grafted to the elastomeric phase, and (ii) a plurality of microsphere beads having a diameter in a range of about 1 to about 1300 microns and having an index of refraction ranging from about 1.4 to about 2.5. In other embodiments the present invention relates to articles made from the composition and to methods for providing a special visual effect and also for enhancing the image texture from the surface of the article.

US Patent:

20050282000, Dec 22, 2005

Filed:

Jun 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/869134

Inventors:

Douglas Howie - Parkersburg WV, US

International Classification:

B32B005/16
B32B027/08

US Classification:

428323000, 428522000

Abstract:

The present invention relates to multilayer composites which show special visual effects while maintaining other beneficial properties such as melt strength and impact strength. In one embodiment the present invention relates to a multilayer composite comprising, in sequence, (i) optionally, an outer layer comprising an acrylic resin which is substantially transparent to visible light, (ii) a second layer comprising a first rubber modified thermoplastic resin which is substantially transparent to visible light, and at least one additive to provide a special visual effect; (iii) a third layer comprising a light-blocking layer; (iv) a fourth layer comprising a second rubber modified thermoplastic resin different from said first rubber modified thermoplastic resin; (v) optionally, a fifth layer comprising a tielayer; and (vi) optionally, a substrate layer. In other embodiments the present invention relates to articles made from the composite.

US Patent:

20060237122, Oct 26, 2006

Filed:

Apr 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/111560

Inventors:

Sandeep Dhawan - Vienna WV, US
Douglas Howie - Parkersburg WV, US

International Classification:

B29C 47/00

US Classification:

156244110, 156327000

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a method for making a multilayer article, wherein said multilayer article comprises: (i) a first layer comprising an acrylic resin; (ii) at least one translucent second layer comprising (a) an acrylic resin, optionally further comprising an impact modifier; (b) a rubber modified thermoplastic resin composition; (c) optionally a rheology modifier; and (d) a visual effects additive; (iii) a third layer comprising an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin; and (iv) an optional backing layer comprising either a thermosetting polymer substrate, optionally fiber-reinforced, or glass filled ABS resin; and wherein said method comprises the steps of: (I) drying the components of the second layer, either individually or in combination, to a volatiles content of less than 0.06 weight % prior to processing a mixture comprising said components to form said second layer; and (II) coextruding the second and third layers, and optionally the first layer to form the multilayer article. In other embodiments the present invention relates to articles made by the method.

US Patent:

20070231565, Oct 4, 2007

Filed:

Jun 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/761753

Inventors:

Douglas Howie - Parkersburg WV, US

International Classification:

B32B 5/16
B32B 27/08

US Classification:

428323000, 428522000

Abstract:

The present invention relates to multilayer composites which show special visual effects while maintaining other beneficial properties such as melt strength and impact strength. In one embodiment the present invention relates to a multilayer composite comprising, in sequence, (i) optionally, an outer layer comprising an acrylic resin which is substantially transparent to visible light, (ii) a second layer comprising a first rubber modified thermoplastic resin which is substantially transparent to visible light, and at least one additive to provide a special visual effect; (iii) a third layer comprising a light-blocking layer; (iv) a fourth layer comprising a second rubber modified thermoplastic resin different from said first rubber modified thermoplastic resin; (v) optionally, a fifth layer comprising a tielayer; and (vi) optionally, a substrate layer. In other embodiments the present invention relates to articles made from the composite.

US Patent:

20070249742, Oct 25, 2007

Filed:

Apr 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/379283

Inventors:

Douglas Howie - Parkersburg WV, US
Satish Gaggar - Parkersburg WV, US

International Classification:

C08J 9/00

US Classification:

521085000

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method for substantially diminishing or essentially eliminating a visible knitline in an article derived from a resinous composition comprising at least one thermoplastic resin and at least one special visual effect additive, which comprises the steps of (i) including in the composition an effective amount of at least one chemical foaming agent, and (ii) forming the article in a process that produces a knitline, wherein the article exhibits a substantially diminished or essentially no visible knitline compared to a similar article prepared without chemical foaming agent. Also disclosed are resinous compositions related thereto. Articles made from the compositions are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20070287790, Dec 13, 2007

Filed:

Jun 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/423039

Inventors:

Douglas Warren Howie - Parkersburg WV, US
Patrick Rodgers - Vienna WV, US

International Classification:

C09B 67/00

US Classification:

524502, 524522, 524523, 524533, 524495, 524497, 524847, 428357, 428363, 428557, 106 3133, 106 3165, 106636, 106784, 106814

Abstract:

The present invention relates to formed resinous articles derived from compositions comprising an ASA resin and a special visual effect additive.