Patents Represented by Attorney Michael W. Ferrell
  • Patent number: 7608744
    Abstract: A process for the selective production of ethanol by vapor phase reaction of acetic acid over a hydrogenating catalyst composition to form ethanol is disclosed and claimed. In an embodiment of this invention reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen over either cobalt and palladium supported on graphite or cobalt and platinum supported on silica selectively produces ethanol in a vapor phase at a temperature of about 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Victor J. Johnston, Josefina T. Chapman, Laiyuan Chen, Barbara F. Kimmich, James H. Zink, Jan Cornelis van der Waal, Virginie Zuzaniuk
  • Patent number: 7608164
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing absorbent sheet is directed to a wet-press/fabric-crepe process wherein add-on of adhesive to the Yankee surface is at relatively low levels, yet sheet transfer is maintained and production increased. Materials are selected and process parameters are controlled such that a paper machine can be operated for at least 4 hours before the Yankee coating needs to be stripped. Preferably, average increase in Yankee hood temperature is less than 1° F./minute during a production interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Hung Liang Chou, Mark S. Hunter, Kang Chang Yeh
  • Patent number: 7598329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing ultra high molecular weight polymers by means of polymerization and co-polymerization of olefins using novel bridged metallocene catalysts as well as their catalyst systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Ticona GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Panitzky, Jens Ehlers, Tim Dickner, Jorg Schottek
  • Patent number: 7588661
    Abstract: A process for making absorbent cellulosic paper products such as sheet for towel, tissue and the like, includes compactively dewatering a nascent web followed by wet belt creping the web at an intermediate consistency of anywhere from about 30 to about 60 percent under conditions operative to redistribute the fiber on the belt, which is preferably a fabric. In preferred embodiments, the web is thereafter adhesively applied to a Yankee dryer using a creping adhesive operative to enable high speed transfer of the web of intermediate consistency such as a poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyamide adhesive. An absorbent sheet so prepared from a papermaking furnish exhibits an absorbency of at least about 5 g/g, a CD stretch of at least about 4 percent, and an MD/CD tensile ratio of less than about 1.1, and also exhibits a maximum CD modulus at a CD strain of less than 1 percent and sustains a CD modulus of at least 50 percent of its maximum CD modulus to a CD strain of at least about 4 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Guy H. Super, Stephen J. McCullough, Dean J. Baumgartner, Richard W. Eggen, David P. Duggan, Jeffrey E. Krueger, David W. Lomax, Colin A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7588660
    Abstract: An absorbent sheet of cellulosic fibers includes a mixture of hardwood fibers and softwood fibers arranged in a reticulum having: (i) a plurality of pileated fiber enriched regions of relatively high local basis weight interconnected by way of (ii) a plurality of lower local basis weight linking regions whose fiber orientation is biased along the machine direction between pileated regions interconnected thereby, wherein the sheet exhibits a % CD stretch which is at least about 2.75 times the dry tensile ratio of the sheet. Tensile ratios of from about 0.4 to about 4 are readily achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Stephen J. McCullough
  • Patent number: 7585392
    Abstract: A method of making absorbent cellulosic sheet with increased wet/dry CD tensile ratio includes treating the fiber at high consistency with debonder in a pulper, for example. The process enables the use of large amounts of debonder in a wet-press process in order to achieve wet/dry CD tensile ratios of greater than 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Bruce J. Kokko, Steven L. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7585389
    Abstract: Fabric-creped absorbent sheet has an MD bending length of about 3.5 cm or more as well as an absorbency of about 3 g/g or more. The sheet is preferably produced without through drying or dry creping and is a low-dust product especially suitable for automatic towel dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Kang C. Yeh, Stephen J. McCullough, Hung Liang Chou, Mark S. Hunter, Thomas E. Lyse, Ronald R. Reeb
  • Patent number: 7585388
    Abstract: Fabric-creped absorbent sheet has an MD bending length of about 3.5 cm or more as well as an absorbency of about 3 g/g or more. The sheet is preferably produced without through drying or dry creping and is a low-dust product especially suitable for automatic towel dispensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Kang C. Yeh, Stephen J. McCullough, Hung Liang Chou, Mark S. Hunter, Thomas E. Lyse, Ronald R. Reeb
  • Patent number: 7584589
    Abstract: A case packing system concurrently accumulates a plurality of different product ensembles and sequentially packs cases thereof, generally by way of (a) concurrently accumulating a plurality of different product ensembles utilizing a plurality of product conveyer lines, each of which is adapted to separately convey distinct products to one or more transfer points; (b) sequentially transferring different accumulated product ensembles from the conveyer lines to a case-packer, the case-packer including a packing section as well as multiple magazines for receiving different case-blanks; (c) controlling transfer of the product ensembles to the case-packer and selection of the appropriate case-blank. Preferably, substantially continuous operation of the case-packer at a production rate higher than an accumulation rate of any individual product conveyer is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Thomas I. Stafford, III, Benjamin C. Fordham, Richard S. Schneider
  • Patent number: 7582699
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fibrous substrate made of chemically bonded fibers, where the fibers are bound with a polymeric binder in an amount which is sufficient to bind the fibers together to form a self-sustaining web, and where the binder is characterized as having a wet tensile strength of greater than 4500 grams per inch (g/in) when measured at a 20 percent add-on on Whatman #4 CHR chromatography paper which is drum dried for 90 seconds at 210 to 215° F. and cured for 2 minutes at 300 to 325° F. Preferably the level of free formaldehyde in the fibrous substrate is less than 15 ppm. The emulsion binders of the invention may be used to bind fibers together in a substrate; may be used to bind pigment, colors or other substances to a substrate; may be used as a backing material; or may be used to finish or surface-treat a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Walker, Pavneet Mumick, John C. Parsons, David R. Nass, Christopher Barcomb
  • Patent number: 7576236
    Abstract: Integrated processes and systems for producing acetic acid and vinyl acetate are provided. In the processes and systems, a portion of the heat produced during the production of the acetic acid is transferred to the vinyl acetate production and/or purification process and system to facilitate production and/or purification of the vinyl acetate product. The process and systems described herein are useful in conjunction with any of the various known processes for the production of acetic acid and vinyl acetate. The heat of the acetic acid production reaction may be transferred to the vinyl acetate production system by any suitable heat transfer processes and systems. The heat may be provided to the purification section at a variety of locations in the vinyl acetate production and purification systems, depending on the specific configuration of the system to which the processes and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Subramanian Bhaskaran, Angadu Krishnamoorthy (A. K.) Sekar
  • Patent number: 7531688
    Abstract: A method for making fatty acid esters by reacting triglycerides with an excess of alcohol in a pressurized environment, where the unreacted alcohol component is separated from the reaction product by a flash purification techniques. In this manner, the pressure of the product stream is significantly reduced to vaporize unreacted alcohol, which is then condensed for later reuse. The invention provides a cost-effective and convenient mechanism to simultaneously recycle excess alcohol and to purify ester product and/or glycerol product streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Orbitek, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian A. Fleisher
  • Patent number: 7531062
    Abstract: A method of embossing an absorbent web with a machine direction undulatory structure is described. The web has a plurality of ridges extending in its machine direction occurring at a frequency, F, across the web and the method includes providing the web to an embossing station where the web is embossed between a first and second embossing roll, each of which rolls may be provided with a plurality of embossing elements configured to define a plurality of embossing nips. At least a portion of the embossing nips are substantially oriented in a cross-machine direction with respect to the web and have a cross direction length, L. The product F×L is from about 0.1 to about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Thomas N. Kershaw, Dale Gracyalny, Paul Ruthven, Galyn Schulz
  • Patent number: 7521404
    Abstract: An antimicrobial liquid hand soap composition includes: (a) water; (b) a primary hand soap composition; (c) a biocide; and (d) a glutinous surfactant having a relative contact angle value with water of at least about +10° with respect to the primary hand soap composition. The glutinous surfactant is present in an amount effective to alter the tactile properties of the primary soap composition to promote longer and more thorough hand washing by eliciting a response to the soap's feel on the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Phuong V. Luu, Kurt K. Konietzki, David W. White
  • Patent number: 7513386
    Abstract: A container comprising a sidewall and an inner liner. The inner liner includes an intermediate portion affixed to the sidewall about a periphery of the intermediate portion. The sidewall includes a vent disposed within the periphery of the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion is adapted to separate from the sidewall such that ambient air flows through the vent to form an air pocket between the intermediate portion of the inner liner and the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hartjes, Michael A. Breining, Gerald J. Van Handel, David C. Brown, Walter Malakhow
  • Patent number: 7510098
    Abstract: The present invention provides a container suitable for providing insulation wherein the container has an inner shrink film liner. The sidewalls of the container, which can be made from paperboard or other suitable material, are vented to allow ambient air to freely flow through the sidewall of the container during activation of the shrink film with hot liquid or other suitable material. When the container is filled with material having a temperature of from about 130° F. to up to about 212° F., the shrink film is activated and the container provides excellent insulation, thereby allowing the container to be held in a consumer's hand for an extended period without causing burns or excessive discomfort. Methods of making this container are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hartjes, Michael A. Breining, Gerald J. Van Handel, David C. Brown, Walter Malakhow
  • Patent number: 7503998
    Abstract: A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet is provided which includes dewatering a papermaking furnish and partially drying the web without wet-pressing before applying it to a translating transfer surface moving at a first speed. The process further includes fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric, the creping step occurring under pressure in a creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric wherein the fabric is traveling at a second speed slower than the speed of said transfer surface, the fabric pattern, nip parameters, velocity delta and web consistency being selected such that the web is creped from the surface and redistributed on the creping fabric. After creping, the web is dried, preferably with a plurality of can dryers to a consistency of at least about 90 percent while it is held in the creping fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Frank C. Murray, Greg A. Wendt
  • Patent number: 7494563
    Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet having variable local basis weight includes a papermaking-fiber reticulum provided with (i) a plurality of cross-machine direction (CD) extending, fiber-enriched pileated regions of relatively high local basis weight interconnected by (ii) a plurality of elongated densified regions of compressed papermaking fibers. The elongated densified regions have relatively low local basis weight and are generally oriented along the machine direction (MD) of the sheet and have an MD/CD aspect ratio of at least 1.5. The products are most preferably prepared by way of a compactive dewatering/wet crepe process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Guy H. Super, Stephen J. McCullough, Ronald R. Reeb, Hung Liang Chou, Kang Chang Yeh, John H. Dwiggins, Frank D. Harper
  • Patent number: 7473729
    Abstract: Barrier coating mixtures contain in a carrier liquid, (a) a non-elastomeric substantially polymerized acrylic polymer; (b) an exfoliated layered platelet-like silicate filler which has been acid treated and having an aspect ratio greater than 25; and (c) at least one additive, wherein the total solids content is less than 30% and the amount of filler is between 5% to about 60% of the total solids content. Coated articles and containers, freestanding films and packaging films are produced using the barrier coating mixtures. Methods of manufacturing such coated products and coating mixtures are also encompassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: InMat Inc.
    Inventors: Carrie A. Feeney, Harris A. Goldberg, Michele Farrell, Douglas P. Karim
  • Patent number: 7465823
    Abstract: Integrated processes and systems for producing acetic acid and vinyl acetate are provided. In the processes and systems, a portion of the heat produced during the production of the acetic acid is transferred to the vinyl acetate production and/or purification process and system to facilitate production and/or purification of the vinyl acetate product. The process and systems described herein are useful in conjunction with any of the various known processes for the production of acetic acid and vinyl acetate. The heat of the acetic acid production reaction may be transferred to the vinyl acetate production system by any suitable heat transfer processes and systems. The heat may be provided to the purification section at a variety of locations in the vinyl acetate production and purification systems, depending on the specific configuration of the system to which the processes and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Subramanian Bhaskaran, Angadu Krishnamoorthy (A. K.) Sekar