Patents Assigned to FPInnovations
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Patent number: 8816007Abstract: The present invention provides methods to functionalize and solubilize WCNT with a phenolic polymer such as a lignin or a PF resin followed by in-situ integration of this functionalized CNT in the presence of formaldehyde and phenol and/or lignin to generate either CNT-reinforced phenol-formaldehyde polymer or CNT-reinforced lignin-phenol-formaldehyde polymer in either liquid or powder form suitable as an adhesive in the manufacture of a lignocellulosic composite material such as OSB and plywood.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignees: FPInnovations, National Research Council of CanadaInventors: Yaolin Zhang, Xiang-Ming Wang, Martin Feng, Gilles Brunette, Fuyong Cheng, Benoit Simard
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Patent number: 8652636Abstract: Dried nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), in particular films of NCC, of controlled water dispersibility and a method to control the dispersibility of dried NCC by controlling electrolyte solution ionic strength and ion valency is described. Neutral M-NCC suspensions containing monovalent counterions (e.g., M=Na+, K+, NH4+, Et4N+) produced by neutralization of acid-form NCC (H-NCC) with the appropriate hydroxide, are readily dispersible in water when fully dried; this is in contrast to H-NCC. The dispersion of dried M-NCC in aqueous media is effectively prevented by a combination of (1) increased electrolyte concentration and ionic strength, and (2) higher valency of the cation component of the dissolved salt. Additionally, pre-treatment of dried M-NCC films with an electrolyte solution having a polyvalent cation, for example a divalent or trivalent cation is sufficient to prevent the subsequent dispersion of the M-NCC film in pure water.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Stephanie Beck, Jean Bouchard, Richard Berry
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Patent number: 8623237Abstract: The present invention describes a composition and a method for producing mesoporous silica materials with a chiral organization. In the method, a polymerizable inorganic monomer is reacted in the presence of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) to give a material of inorganic solid with cellulose nanocrystallites embedded in a chiral nematic organization. The NCC can be removed to give a stable porous structure that retains the chiral organization of the NCC template. The new materials may be obtained as iridescent free-standing films with high surface area. Through control of the reaction conditions, the color of the films can be varied across the entire visible spectrum. These are the first materials to combine mesoporosity with long-range chiral ordering that leads to photonic properties.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignees: University of British Columbia, FPInnovationsInventors: Mark John MacLachlan, Kevin Eric Shopsowitz, Wadood Yasser Hamad, Hao Qi
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Patent number: 8620059Abstract: A system for determining at least one characteristic of wood furnish from an upstream source. The system includes: an inclined panel comprising a transparent window having a top surface for the wood furnish to slide down; a lighting means adjacent the transparent window for lighting the wood furnish visible through a bottom surface of the window; an image capturing means adjacent the transparent window for capturing an image of the wood furnish visible through the bottom surface of the window; and a processing means in communication with the image capturing means for deriving from the captured images the at least one characteristic of the wood furnish.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Conrad Kevin Groves, Chunping Dai
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Patent number: 8608906Abstract: A method to prepare aqueous furnishes useful as feedstock in the manufacture of very high-mineral content products, particularly paper sheets having mineral filler content up to 90% that display the required physical properties for the intended applications; the furnishes comprise fibrillated long fibers/mineral fillers mixed with anionic acrylic binders and co-additives, in presence or absence of cellulose fibrils; the fibrillated long fibers and cellulose fibrils provide high surface area for greater filler fixation and the reinforcement backbone network that ties all of the product components together; the anionic binders allow rapid and strong fixation of filler particles onto the surfaces of fibrils when mixing is conducted at temperatures higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the binder. The aqueous furnish provides excellent filler retention and drainage during product fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Makhlouf Laleg, Xujun Hua
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Patent number: 8591702Abstract: Impregnating or spraying softwood chips in a solution containing an appropriate concentration of alkaline earth metal ions selected from the group consisting of calcium ions, barium ions and strontium, preferably calcium ions, at room temperature before a reductive alkaline pulping process, for example kraft pulping, significantly increases pulp yield. Using an agent that complexes with the metal ions, such as hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid (HEDP) allows this benefit of metal ions to be achieved during the pulping process rather than in a separate impregnation step.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Yujun Sun, Richard McKinnon Berry, Theodore Radiotis
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Patent number: 8470132Abstract: Final chlorine dioxide bleaching of lignocellulosic materials is most effective at a near-neutral pH but present industrial practice typically targets a final pH of between 3.5 and 4.0 because of the difficulty in achieving and maintaining near-neutral pH cost effectively. The in situ formation of bicarbonate before the addition of chlorine dioxide provides a way of maintaining the required near-neutral pH. Near-neutral final chlorine dioxide bleaching also produces a bleached pulp that is in a state that responds more effectively to fluorescent whitening or optical brightening agents.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Zhi-Hua Jiang, Richard McKinnon Berry
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Patent number: 8404084Abstract: A filler treatment process enhances the fixation of anionic latex on filler in a short time. Anionic polymer dispersions (latex) are added to papermaking filler slurries at ambient temperature and then mixed with water of temperature higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the latex used. The anionic latexes applied by this process are totally and irreversibly fixed or bound onto the filler particles and the treated filler particle agglomerate to form an aggregated filler slurry which is stable over time. The latex-treated filler slurry can be added to papermaking furnishes at any point prior to the headbox of the paper machine or stored for later use. The latex-treated filler slurry improves filler retention, only slightly reduces sheet strength and improves sizing performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Makhlouf Laleg, Roderick Collins, Danielle Gagne, Steven Middleton
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Patent number: 8354004Abstract: A novel filler treatment comprising the preparation of swollen starch compositions, prepared in the presence or absence of co-additives, and the addition of the said composition to a filler suspension, has been developed. Use of the treated filler during papermaking improves filler retention and produces filled papers where addition of the filler has only a minimal negative effect on strength properties. The swollen starch compositions can be prepared in a batch or jet cooker, or by mixing with hot water under controlled conditions (i.e., temperature, pH, mixing, mixing time) in order to make the starch granules swell sufficiently to improve their properties as a filler additive but avoiding excess swelling leading to their rupture. The swollen starch composition is then rapidly mixed with the filler slurry, preferably in a static mixer, and added to the papermaking furnish at a point prior to the headbox of the paper machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: FPInnovationsInventor: Makhlouf Laleg
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Patent number: 8349948Abstract: A green approach for the development of nanocomposite materials comprising nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and appropriate vinyl polymers is conceived. The approach deals with the in-situ graft co-polymerization of hydrophobic vinyl monomers, such as vinyl acetate and methyl methacrylate, onto the NCC surface in an aqueous medium. The resulting material is significantly more hydrophobic and thermally stable than the starting NCC. The nanocomposite material can be suspended in appropriate solvents, dried and molded with other materials using conventional polymer processing techniques to develop yet new materials with new characteristics. These nanocomposites have wide ranging applications from industrial to medical use.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Wadood Y. Hamad, Shunxing Su
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Patent number: 8349130Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of pulp mill condensates is described. A hollow fiber contactor, incorporating a hydrophobic membrane, was used to remove several undesirable compounds from pulp mill condensates. For example, TRS compounds and SO2 were efficiently stripped from kraft and sulphite mill evaporator condensates, respectively. Methanol was also removed from kraft mill condensates but at a lower efficiency than TRS. Furthermore, other undesirable compounds found in condensates of pulp mills that contribute to the BOD and COD loading to effluent treatment systems were also removed. These contactors are cost effective since air, vacuum or a suitable solvent or scrubbing solution can be used as the stripping medium to drive off through the membrane several undesirable compounds from the feed solution. The undesirable compounds removed can thus be burned in the recovery boiler, lime kiln or a dedicated boiler.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Naceur Jemaa, Michael Paleologou, Brian O'Connor
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Patent number: 8309708Abstract: A method for producing crystalline sulphated cellulose II materials with relatively low degree of polymerization from spent liquors of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) hydrolysis of cellulose has been discovered. The method involves: 1) separating the spent liquors from the hydrolysed, acid-insoluble, cellulose I materials by dilution from, for example, a 64% H2SO4 hydrolysis medium to a residual sulphuric acid concentration of 10-50% with 0-40% H2SO4, followed by settling (or centrifuging) and decanting; 2) adding the diluted spent liquors to water or heating the diluted spent liquors at 30-80° C. for ?48 h; and 3) recovering the recrystallized sulphated cellulose II materials with relatively low degree of polymerization either by filtration and washing or by washing and freeze drying. The method can be used to concurrently produce both crystalline, sulphated cellulose I and the crystalline, sulphated cellulose II materials.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Raed Hashaikeh, Thomas Qiuxiong Hu, Richard Berry
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Patent number: 8215347Abstract: An apparatus for determining one or more optimal operating parameters for debarking wood is provided. The apparatus has a scraper and an actuator configured to adjust the position of the scraper toward a sample portion of the wood to scrape a surface of the sample portion of the wood with a scraping force. The apparatus also has a force sensor operatively associated with the scraper for detecting the scraping force. A light source impinges light on a scraped surface of the sample portion. A light detector detects a light image defined by light from the light source reflected by the scraped surface. A controller is operatively associated with the force sensor and the light detector. The controller has processing means to determine the one or more optimal operating parameters based on signals relating to the scraping force and signals relating to the light image. The one or more optimal operating parameters are relevant to debarking wood proximal to the sample portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Jan Brdicko, Alexander Ryan Precosky, Mehdi Bahrami
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Patent number: 7875150Abstract: A new class of polymeric additives for papermaking is disclosed as well as a process for their manufacture, a method for their use and a paper sheet containing the addition. The additives can be used in paper manufacture as agents for improving retention, paper machine operation and the strength properties of the product. The additives are manufactured from a microbial biomass. The biomass that contains acetyl amino groups or other amides is chemically modified by hydrolysis of the amides to form primary amino groups. Under neutral or acidic conditions these primary amines become cationic, which assures a good absorption of the additive onto fibres and fines of pulp that is generally of anionic nature.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Miroslav Antal, Peter Volf, Ivan I. Pikulik, Makhlouf Laleg, Jan Martin Strmen, Jarka Matous
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Patent number: 7431799Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacture and application of a polymeric papermaking additive, which can be used in paper manufacture as an agent for improving retention, drainage, product strength and paper machine operation. The additive according to this disclosure is a polymer of epichlorohydrin and contains primary amino groups. Under neutral or acidic conditions these primary amino groups become cationic, which assures good adsorption of the polymer onto anionic fibers and fines of pulps used for production of paper or paperboard. By adsorbing on several fibers or fines, the polymer can increase the retention of fines and fillers. Primary amino groups of this polymer can also form chemical bonds with carbonyl groups of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose, which are especially abundant in the fibers and fines of mechanical pulps. The cross-linking of fibers and fines by chemical bonds can increase the initial strength of wet web and the strength of rewetted paper.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Miroslav Antal, Ivan I. Pikulik, Xujun Hua
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Patent number: 7384504Abstract: A novel method for the production of light-stable and process-stable lignocellulosic materials, in particular, the production of mechanical wood pulps with much improved light and process stability is described, as well as the resulting pulps of improved light and process stability and papers containing such pulps. The novel method involves the reaction of lignocellulosic materials such as bleached chemithermomechanical pulps (BCTMP) with (a) a water-soluble, fibre-reactive yellowing inhibitor possessing two or more secondary amino or ammonium (—NHR? or —HN+HR?), tertiary amino or ammonium (—NR?R? or —HN+R?R?), and/or quaternary ammonium (—N+R?R?R??) functional groups in an aqueous medium, or (b) a water-soluble, fibre-reactive hindered amine light stabilizer possessing said amino or ammonium functional groups in an alkaline peroxide bleaching medium or in an aqueous medium with a subsequent bleaching of the materials in an alkaline peroxide bleaching medium.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Thomas Q. Hu, Ivan I Pikulik, Trevor Williams
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Patent number: 7384503Abstract: A method and system for determining trace oversize contaminant particles in a paper-making pulp employs a screen assembly having a screen housing with a screen mounted therein, and ports for introduction of aqueous pulp and rinsing and flushing fluids, and for withdrawal of screened aqueous pulp, the screen housing has no port designated for the sole purpose of removing accumulated contaminant particles from the screen housing; instead the port employed for introduction of aqueous pulp and which may also be employed for introduction of rinsing fluid to the housing, is employed as the flushing port for removal of contaminant particles.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: John David Hoffmann, James Allen Olson
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Patent number: 7371307Abstract: Oxidized white liquor is heat treated to increase the concentration of polysulphide measured at 285 or 286 nm (PSUV) or measured at 416 nm (PSVIS) and the PSUV/PSGR or PSVIS/PSGR ratio, whereby the content of active polysulphide in the total polysulphide is increased which active polysulphide can be exploited to increase pulp yield in Kraft pulping.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: FPInnovationsInventors: Ronald Peter van Heek, Gilles Marcel Dorris, Victor Charles Uloth, Natalie Page, Thomas Qiuxiong Hu, Denys Francois Leclerc
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Patent number: 7289210Abstract: This invention provides a novel, rapid method and device for determining the relative phase retardation of different layers of a multi-layered specimen, which is related to the thicknesses of its layers and walls, and the orientations of its optical axes. An intact wood pulp fibre is a typical multi-layered birefringent specimen. This new method is based on the change of polarization of polarized light that passes through a specimen composed of birefringent layers with different optical axis orientations, such as directions of cellulosic microfibrils oriented differently in various layers of wood fibres. In particular, a novel solution is found to relate the emerging light intensity from an intact wood fibre to the incident light intensity, the wavelength of the light, and the relative phase retardations of various layers and orientations of their cellulosic microfibrils, such as fibril angle, in a circularly polarized light system.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: FPInnovationsInventor: Ho Fan Jang
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Patent number: 7285181Abstract: A method for the bleaching and brightness stabilization of lignocellulosic materials is described. The method involves the treatment of lignocellulosic materials, in particular, (a) wood pulps such as thermomechanical pulps (TMP) and chemithermomechanical pulps (CTMP), and (b) papers made from wood pulps, with a water-soluble phosphine or a phosphonium compound preferably containing at least one phosphorus hydroxyalkyl bond/linkage, for example a phosphorus hydroxymethyl bond/linkage (P—CH2OH). One example of such a water-soluble phosphine is the commercially available, tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine (THP), P(CH2OH)3. One example of such a phosphonium compound is the commercially available, tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride (THPC), [P(CH2OH)4]Cl.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignees: FPInnovations, University of British ColumbiaInventors: Thomas Qiuxiong Hu, Brian R. James, Dominggus Yawalata, Maria B. Ezhova