Patents by Inventor Alex Berlin

Alex Berlin 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).

  • Publication number: 20130210100
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an organosolv process. The present process comprises treating a lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of a solvent and under certain conditions to separate at least a part of the lignin from the biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Alex BERLIN, Mikhail Y. Balakshin, Raymond Ma, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz
  • Patent number: 8445562
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to lignin derivatives having an aliphatic hydroxyl content of 2.35 mmol/g lignin or less, and the preparation method thereof. The lignin derivatives have a desired antioxidant activity characterized by the normalized radical scavenging index (RSI). Another aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising the lignin derivative. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of the lignin derivatives comprising incorporating the lignin derivatives into polymer compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Lignol Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Yurevich Balakshin, Alex Berlin, Humbert Thomas Dellicolli, Chadrick Adam Nathaniel Jordan Grunert, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz, Edward Kendall Pye
  • Patent number: 8431635
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to softwood lignin derivatives having an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 2.5 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g lignin, and the preparation method thereof. The lignin derivatives have a desired antioxidant activity characterized by radical scavenging index (RSI). Another aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising the softwood lignin derivative. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of the softwood lignin derivatives comprising incorporating the softwood lignin derivatives into polymer compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Lignol Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Yurevich Balakshin, Alex Berlin, Humbert Thomas Dellicolli, Chadrick Adam Nathaniel Jordan Grunert, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz, Edward Kendall Pye
  • Patent number: 8426502
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to annual fiber lignin derivatives having an aliphatic hydroxyl content of about 3.75 mmol/g lignin or less, or about 1.5 mmol/g lignin or more, and the preparation method thereof. The lignin derivatives have a desired antioxidant activity characterized by radical scavenging index (RSI). Another aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising the annual fiber lignin derivative. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of the annual fiber lignin derivatives comprising incorporating the annual fiber lignin derivatives into polymer compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Lignol Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Yurevich Balakshin, Alex Berlin, Humbert Thomas Dellicolli, Chadrick Adam Nathaniel Jordan Grunert, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz, Edward Kendall Pye
  • Patent number: 8378020
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for recovery of derivatives of native lignin from lignocellulosic feedstocks wherein the derivatives have a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that stable and predictable antioxidant activity is provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lignol Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Yurevich Balakshin, Alex Berlin, Humbert Thomas Dellicolli, Chadrick Adam Nathaniel Jordan Grunert, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz, Edward Kendall Pye
  • Publication number: 20120289685
    Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LIGNOL INNOVATIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Christer HALLBERG, Donald O'CONNOR, Michael RUSHTON, Edward Kendall PYE, Gordon GJENNESTAD, Alex BERLIN, John Ross MACLACHLAN
  • Patent number: 8288460
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to hardwood lignin derivatives having an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 5.2 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g lignin, and the preparation method thereof. The lignin derivatives have a desired antioxidant activity characterized by the normalized radical scavenging index (RSI). Another aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising the hardwood lignin derivative. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of the hardwood lignin derivatives comprising incorporating the hardwood lignin derivatives into polymer compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Lignol Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Yurevich Balakshin, Alex Berlin, Humbert Thomas Dellicolli, Chadrick Adam Nathaniel Jordan Grunert, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz, Edward Kendall Pye
  • Publication number: 20120247617
    Abstract: A wax composition comprising a lignin derivative wherein the derivative has a total hydroxyl content of from about 0.1 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Alex Berlin, Paul Mulyk
  • Publication number: 20120237980
    Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into one or more of a de-lignified cellulose stream, a sugar stream, small-chain alcohol streams and four structurally distinct classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for recovering small-chain alcohols and optionally a first class of lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for recovering from the liquid fraction at least one of a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives or mixtures thereof, and waste stream comprising a fourth class of lignin derivatives. The fourth processing module may optionally recover the fourth class of lignin derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: LIGNOL INNOVATIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Christer HALLBERG, Donald O'CONNOR, Michael RUSHTON, Edward Kendall PYE, Gordon GJENNSTAD, Alex BERLIN, John Ross MCLACHLAN, Raymond MA
  • Patent number: 8227004
    Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process includes a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lignol Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Christer Hallberg, Donald O'Connor, Michael Rushton, Edward Kendall Pye, Gordon Gjennestad, Alex Berlin, John Ross MacLachlan
  • Patent number: 8193324
    Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into one or more of a de-lignified cellulose stream, a sugar stream, small-chain alcohol streams and four structurally distinct classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for recovering small-chain alcohols and optionally a first class of lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for recovering from the liquid fraction at least one of a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives or mixtures thereof, and waste stream comprising a fourth class of lignin derivatives. The fourth processing module may optionally recover the fourth class of lignin derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Lignol Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Christer Hallberg, Donald O'Connor, Michael Rushton, Edward Kendall Pye, Gordon Gjennstad, Alex Berlin, John Ross MacLachlan, Raymond Ma
  • Publication number: 20120136097
    Abstract: The present invention provides derivatives of native lignin having an ethoxy content of 0.45 mmol/g or greater. Surprisingly, it has been found that phenolic resins comprising derivatives of native lignin having ethoxy contents have acceptable performance characteristics such as bondstrength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Alex Berlin
  • Patent number: 8058041
    Abstract: A process for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of a cellulosic solids fraction extracted from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The viscosity of the cellulosic solids fraction is reduced by intermixing with a liquid carbohydrate stream. A suitable liquid carbohydrate stream is a de-lignified liquids fraction that was previously separated from the solids fraction during processing of the lignocellulosic feedstock. Alternatively, the viscosity of the solids fraction may be reduced by commingling with a liquid carbohydrate stream comprising one or more monosaccharides. The reduced-viscosity cellulosic solids fraction is then commingled with a fermentative microbial inoculant and a cellulosic biomass-degrading enzyme composition. The commingled mixture is maintained in a pressurized reaction vessel under elevated temperatures to enable simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulosic solids to monosaccharides and fermentation of the monosaccharides to produce an ethanolic beer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventors: Alex Berlin, Edward Kendall Pye, Donald O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20100305242
    Abstract: The present invention provides hardwood derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that consistent and predictable antioxidant activity may be provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Mikhail Yurevich Balakshin, Alex Berlin, Humbert Thomas Dellicolli, Chadrick Adam Nathaniel Jordan Grunert, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz, Edward Kendall Pye
  • Publication number: 20100305241
    Abstract: The present invention provides derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that consistent and predictable antioxidant activity may be provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Mikhail Yurevich Balakshin, Alex Berlin, Humbert Thomas Dellicolli, Chadrick Adam Nathaniel Jordan Grunert, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz, Edward Kendall Pye
  • Publication number: 20100305244
    Abstract: The present invention provides derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that consistent and predictable antioxidant activity may be provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Mikhail Yurevich Balakshin, Alex Berlin, Humbert Thomas Dellicolli, Chadrick Adam Nathaniel Jordan Grunert, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz, Edward Kendall Pye
  • Publication number: 20100305243
    Abstract: The present invention provides softwood derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that consistent and predictable antioxidant activity may be provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Mikhail Yurevich Balakshin, Alex Berlin, Humbert Thomas Dellicolli, Chadrick Adam Nathaniel Jordan Grunert, Vera Maximenko Gutman, Darwin Ortiz, Edward Kendall Pye
  • Publication number: 20090117226
    Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: LIGNOL INNOVATIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Christer HALLBERG, Donald O'CONNOR, Michael RUSHTON, Edward Kendall PYE, Gordon GJENNESTAD, Alex BERLIN, John Ross MACLACHLAN
  • Publication number: 20090118477
    Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into one or more of a de-lignified cellulose stream, a sugar stream, small-chain alcohol streams and four structurally distinct classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for recovering small-chain alcohols and optionally a first class of lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for recovering from the liquid fraction at least one of a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives or mixtures thereof, and waste stream comprising a fourth class of lignin derivatives. The fourth processing module may optionally recover the fourth class of lignin derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: LIGNOL INNOVATIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Christer HALLBERG, Donald O'CONNOR, Michael RUSHTON, Edward Kendall PYE, Gordon GJENNSTAD, Alex BERLIN, John Ross MACLACHLAN, Raymond MA
  • Publication number: 20090011484
    Abstract: A process for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of a cellulosic solids fraction extracted from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The viscosity of the cellulosic solids fraction is reduced by intermixing with a liquid carbohydrate stream. A suitable liquid carbohydrate stream is a de-lignified liquids fraction that was previously separated from the solids fraction during processing of the lignocellulosic feedstock. Alternatively, the viscosity of the solids fraction may be reduced by commingling with a liquid carbohydrate stream comprising one or more monosaccharides. The reduced-viscosity cellulosic solids fraction is then commingled with a fermentative microbial inoculant and a cellulosic biomass-degrading enzyme composition. The commingled mixture is maintained in a pressurized reaction vessel under elevated temperatures to enable simultaneous enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulosic solids to monosaccharides and fermentation of the monosaccharides to produce an ethanolic beer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: LIGNOL INNOVATIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Alex BERLIN, Edward Kendall Pye, Donald O'Connor