Patents Assigned to Imerys
  • Patent number: 12281265
    Abstract: A method for filtering a non aqueous liquid such as a biodiesel to reduce the levels of sterol glucosides and/or saturated monoglycerides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Chih Hu, David Gittins, Neal Williams, Chris Abrams
  • Patent number: 11814296
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to novel particulate composite materials comprising a graphitic core particle associated with SiOx nanoparticles (0.2?X?1.8), and coated by a layer of non-graphitic carbon, e.g., pyrolytic carbon deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Also included are processes for making such particles as well as uses and downstream products for the novel composite material, in particular as an active material in negative electrodes in Li-ion batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Spahr, Michal Gulas, Tatsuo Umeno, Hiroyuki Taki, Pascual Perez
  • Patent number: 11806690
    Abstract: A filter aid composition may include a first acid-treated silica-based filter aid having a first particle size distribution and a second acid-treated silica-based filter aid having a second particle size distribution. A method of making a filter aid composition may include providing a first silica-based filter aid having a first particle size distribution, providing a second silica-based filter aid having a second particle size distribution, and blending the first silica-based filter aid with the second silica-based filter aid to form the filter aid composition. A method of filtering a fluid may include providing a filter aid composition including a first acid-treated silica-based filter aid and a second acid-treated silica-based filter aid and filtering the fluid through the filter aid composition. The filter aid composition may have a multimodal particle size distribution such that the first particle size distribution has a d50 greater than the second particle size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Taniguchi, Larisa Tihomirov
  • Patent number: 11667732
    Abstract: The disclosure describes the preparation and use of reactive carbonates containing a metal carbonate bound to a reactive compound, wherein the reactive compound comprises a mineral binding group and a polymer reactive group connected together by a linking group. Such reactive carbonates are useful as reagents in processes for making mineral-bound elastomeric materials, and in methods for reducing cavitation in elastomer materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Wicks, Kalena Stovall, Sang Jin Park, Virenda Singh
  • Patent number: 11596921
    Abstract: A cationic composite filter aid may include a silicate substrate, a silica precipitated on the silicate substrate, and a cationic surface modification of the precipitated silica. A method for making a cationic composite filter aid may include providing a silicate substrate, precipitating a silica onto the silicate substrate to form a composite filter aid, and cationically modifying the precipitated silica to form a cationic composite filter aid. A method for filtering a liquid may include providing a liquid for filtering and filtering the liquid through a cationically modified composite filter aid. The cationically modified composite filter aid may include a silicate substrate, a precipitated silica, and a cationic surface modification of the precipitated silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Fleming, Li-Chih Hu, David Gittins
  • Patent number: 11535522
    Abstract: Inorganic particulate compositions containing inorganic particles associated with a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer associated with the inorganic particles are provided. The particulate composition satisfies at least one of the following properties: a BET surface area of the inorganic particles is greater than 8 m2/g, a Hegman value of the inorganic particles is 75 microns or less, and a rate of water loss from the composition upon drying from a moisture level greater than 2% wt % is at least 30% greater than a composition having a corresponding content of a polyacrylate polymer associated with the particles. A method to prepare the composition and formulations for inks, paints, coatings and filled polymeric articles containing the inorganic particulate composition are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Virendra Singh, Christopher Paynter, David Gittins, Dickey Shurling, Douglas Wicks, Janet Preston, Andrew Findlay
  • Patent number: 11421531
    Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Wicks, Christopher Paynter, Jean-Andre Alary, Dickey S. Shurling, David Anstine
  • Patent number: 11362324
    Abstract: A precursor composition of a negative electrode of a Li-ion battery, a negative electrode comprising or formed from the precursor composition, a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrode, a device comprising the negative electrode, methods of making the precursor composition, negative electrode and Li-ion battery, and uses of the precursor composition or components thereof for increasing discharge capacity and/or reducing discharge capacity loss and/or improving cycling stability of a Li-ion battery comprising the negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland Ltd.
    Inventors: Pirmin Ulmann, Sergio Pacheco Benito, Simone Zürcher, Marlene Rodlert-Bacilieri, Patrick Lanz, Michael Spahr
  • Patent number: 11350632
    Abstract: A method for killing arthropods may include providing a mineral composition to a substrate that arthropods will contact, wherein the mineral composition is not a carrier for chemical toxin. The mineral composition may include an aluminosilicate particulate, wherein contact between the mineral composition and an arthropod results in death of the arthropod. A composition for killing arthropods may include a mineral composition for associating with a substrate. The mineral composition may include at least one of an aluminosilicate particulate and a diatomaceous earth particulate, wherein the mineral composition is not a carrier for a chemical toxin. The mineral composition may have a median particle size d50 of 10 ?m or less. A system for killing arthropods may include a mineral composition including at least one of an aluminosilicate particulate and a diatomaceous earth particulate. The system may further include a substrate, wherein the mineral composition is associated with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Wang
  • Patent number: 11155474
    Abstract: Methods of treating water to promote the health of aquatic organisms are described. The method may include introducing pulverized kaolin into the water. The pulverized kaolin may have a particle size distribution such that at least 30% by weight of the particles pass through a 60 mesh screen. For example, the pulverized kaolin may be in the form of a dry powder having a d50 diameter less than 300 ?m. The pulverized kaolin may remain dispersed or suspended in the water without dispersants and/or surfactants, e.g., to reduce the amount of at least one pathogenic microorganism present in the water and/or to reduce or prevent exposure of aquatic organisms to the pathogenic microorganism(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Biza, Philip Jones, David Cummings, Anthony Lyons, Christopher Boothby, Marc De Sailly
  • Patent number: 11111786
    Abstract: Compositions and methods of using rock dust are disclosed. A mine rock dust may be capable of being applied in a wet form. A moisture tolerant mine rock dust may include a hydrophobic inorganic particulate material. A moisture tolerant mine rock dust may be capable of being dispersed by a light blast of air. A method may include applying a mine rock dust at a concentration having little or no respirable mine rock dust. A method of applying a mine rock dust may include applying a mine rock dust in a wet form. The mine rock dust may be applied at a concentration having little or no respirable mine rock dust. The mine rock dust may include a hydrophobic inorganic particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paynter, Douglas Wicks, David Anstine
  • Patent number: 11104775
    Abstract: This disclosure describes processes for producing polymer foams, and compositions of matter relating to these processes. A process includes the steps of dispersing an organic nucleating agent in a dispersing medium to obtain an additive dispersion, contacting the additive dispersion with a mineral nucleating agent to obtain a hybrid nucleating agent containing the organic nucleating agent localized on at least a portion of a surface of the mineral nucleating agent, and contacting the hybrid nucleating agent with a polymer in the presence of a foaming agent to obtain a polymer foam. A foamed polymer of the present disclosure includes a cellular matrix containing a polymer material, and a mineral matrix of particles containing a hybrid nucleating agent dispersed in the cellular matrix, in which the hybrid nucleating agent contains an organic nucleating agent localized on at least a portion of a surface of an inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Imerys Talc America, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Treat
  • Patent number: 10994326
    Abstract: Compositions useful for foundry processes such as green sandcasting are discussed. The compositions may include ball clay, bentonite, and a carbonaceous material. The ball clay may include leonardite and/or causticized lignite, e.g., as a portion of the natural ball clay deposit. The composition may further include sand, such that the resulting mixture may be formed into a green sand mold for use in casting molded articles. Incorporation of ball clay materials in the compositions may help to improve the quality of the casted article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Lafay, Jeremy Tibbs
  • Patent number: 10982163
    Abstract: Mineral additive blend compositions and a method for operating a furnace are provided in order to avoid combustion problems such as agglomeration, deposition, corrosion and reducing emissions. A method for operating a furnace, such as a fluidized-bed reactor, pulverized-fuel combustor, and grate combustor, includes introducing fuel and a mineral additive blend including a clay and a functional mineral into the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Landon, James David Osby, Christian Ravagnani, Murielle Perronnet
  • Patent number: 10913049
    Abstract: A filter aid may include acid-washed diatomaceous earth having high purity, and perlite. A method of making a high purity filter aid may include acid washing diatomaceous earth to reduce the h in the diatomaceous earth, and combining the acid-washed diatomaceous earth with high purity perlite to obtain to obtain a high purity filter aid. A method of reducing extractable metals from diatomaceous earth may include washing the diatomaceous earth in a first acid, rinsing the diatomaceous earth, and washing the diatomaceous earth in a second acid. The first acid may include an inorganic acid having a first strength, and the second acid may include an organic acid having a second strength different than the first strength. A method of filtering a beverage may include passing the beverage through a filter including a filter aid including acid-washed diatomaceous earth having high purity, and perlite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Fleming, Nicholas Jose, Jeffrey D. Taniguchi, Bo Wang
  • Patent number: 10907022
    Abstract: A method of producing a polymer foam may include providing a polymer composition, introducing an alkaline earth metal silicate into the polymer composition, and foaming the polymer composition using a gas to form a polymer foam. A method of producing a polymer-matrix may include providing a polymer composition, nucleating the polymer composition with an alkaline earth metal silicate, and using a blowing agent to form a polymer foam from the polymer composition. The alkaline earth metal silicate may facilitate nucleation of the cells in the polymer foam. A polymer foam composition may include a polymer-based foam matrix and an alkaline earth metal silicate within a cell of the polymer-based foam matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Treat, Jie Lu, Caroline Abler
  • Patent number: 10875782
    Abstract: Inorganic particulate compositions containing inorganic particles associated with a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer associated with the inorganic particles are provided. The particulate composition satisfies at least one of the following properties: a BET surface area of the inorganic particles is greater than 8 m2/g, a Hegman value of the inorganic particles is 75 microns or less, and a rate of water loss from the composition upon drying from a moisture level greater than 2% wt % is at least 30% greater than a composition having a corresponding content of a polyacrylate polymer associated with the particles. A method to prepare the composition and formulations for inks, paints, coatings and filled polymeric articles containing the inorganic particulate composition are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Virendra Singh, Christopher Paynter, David Gittins, Dickey Shurling, Douglas Wicks, Janet Preston, Andrew Findlay
  • Patent number: 10864497
    Abstract: A filter aid composition may include a first acid-treated silica-based filter aid having a first particle size distribution and a second acid-treated silica-based filter aid having a second particle size distribution. A method of making a filter aid composition may include providing a first silica-based filter aid having a first particle size distribution, providing a second silica-based filter aid having a second particle size distribution, and blending the first silica-based filter aid with the second silica-based filter aid to form the filter aid composition. A method of filtering a fluid may include providing a filter aid composition including a first acid-treated silica-based filter aid and a second acid-treated silica-based filter aid and filtering the fluid through the filter aid composition. The filter aid composition may have a multimodal particle size distribution such that the first particle size distribution has a d50 greater than the second particle size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Taniguchi, Larisa Tihomirov
  • Patent number: 10721935
    Abstract: A method for killing arthropods may include providing a mineral composition to a substrate that arthropods will contact, wherein the mineral composition is not a carrier for a chemical toxin. The mineral composition may include an aluminosilicate particulate, wherein contact between the mineral composition and an arthropod results in death of the arthropod. A composition for killing arthropods may include a mineral composition for associating with a substrate. The mineral composition may include at least one of an aluminosilicate particulate and a diatomaceous earth particulate, wherein the mineral composition is not a carrier for a chemical toxin. The mineral composition may have a median particle size d50 of 10 ?m or less. A system for killing arthropods may include a mineral composition including at least one of an aluminosilicate particulate and a diatomaceous earth particulate. The system may further include a substrate, wherein the mineral composition is associated with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Wang
  • Patent number: 10707487
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel surface-modified carbonaceous particulate material having a hydrophilic non-graphitic carbon coating. The material can for example be produced by CVD-coating of a carbonaceous particulate material such as graphite followed by an oxidation treatment under defined conditions. The resulting material exhibits a more hydrophilic surface compared to an unmodified CVD-coated carbon material, which is desirable in many applications, such as when used as an active material in the negative electrode of lithium ion batteries or in a polymer composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland Ltd.
    Inventors: Michal Gulas, Pirmin Ulmann, Simone Zürcher, Michael Spahr