Patents Assigned to MiCell Technologies
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Patent number: 6536059Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the pumpless transfer of liquid carbon dioxide cleaning medium in a carbon dioxide dry cleaning apparatus having a wash vessel, a working vessel, a vapor vessel, and a compressor. The apparatus is preferably overpressurized with an overpressurization gas such as air.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Michael E. Cole
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Patent number: 6506259Abstract: A separation method includes (a) providing a heterogeneous separation system, the heterogeneous cleaning system comprising CO2 in a first phase and an oil in a separate second phase; (b) entraining a material to be separated in the second phase; (c) wholly or partially solubilizing the second phase in the first phase to produce a separation system in which said material to be separated is insoluble; and then (d) separating the material from the system. The separating step is preferably followed by the step of (e) recovering at least a portion of the oil. The system is useful in a variety of applications, including cleaning (particularly metal cleaning), polymerization, extraction, coating, and particle formation and treatment.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Micell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, James B. McClain, Gina M. Stewart, Ramone D. Givens
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Patent number: 6499322Abstract: A system for the controlled addition of detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus comprises: (a) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) an auxiliary vessel; (c) a drain line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (d) optionally but preferably, a separate vent line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (e) a detergent reservoir; and (f) a detergent supply line connecting the detergent reservoir to the auxiliary vessel. An advantage of this apparatus is that, because the detergent formulation can be pumped into the auxiliary vessel in a predetermined aliquot or amount, which predetermined aliquot or amount can then be transferred into the wash vessel where it combines with the liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, the detergent formulation can be added to the cleaning solution in a more controlled or accurate manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James P. DeYoung, Timothy J. Romack, James B. McClain
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Patent number: 6491730Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide. The article includes a stained portion or region, which is pretreated with a pretreatment composition prior to initiating the cleaning cycle. The pretreatment step is followed by contacting the pretreated article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the article. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The pretreatment composition, in a preferred embodiment, comprises at least one of (a) a surfactant; (b) d-limonene, and (c) a C12-C15 alkane co-solvent. Preferably the pretreatment composition comprises at least two, and in some particularly preferred embodiments, the pretreatment composition comprises all three, of the aforesaid ingredients.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Micell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David F. Cauble, Jr., James P. DeYoung, James B. McClain, Bernadette Storey-Laubach
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Patent number: 6413574Abstract: A separation method includes (a) providing a heterogeneous separation system, the heterogeneous cleaning system comprising CO2 in a first phase and an oil in a separate second phase; (b) entraining a material to be separated in the second phase; (c) wholly or partially solubilizing the second phase in the first phase to produce a separation system in which said material to be separated is insoluble; and then (d) separating the material from the system. The separating step is preferably followed by the step of (e) recovering at least a portion of the oil. The system is useful in a variety of applications, including cleaning (particularly metal cleaning), polymerization, extraction, coating, and particle formation and treatment.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Micell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, James B. McClain, Gina M. Stewart, Ramone D. Givens
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Patent number: 6412312Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Micell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Gary Schrebe, Kenneth Grakauskas, Timothy J. Romack
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Patent number: 6397421Abstract: A method for conserving carbon dioxide vapor in a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system employing a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution to clean articles, where the method includes removing carbon dioxide vapor from a wash tank to a vapor tank, storing the carbon dioxide vapor in the vapor tank; and charging the wash tank with carbon dioxide vapor from the vapor tank. The method may be performed as part of a wash cycle that includes filling the wash tank with cleaning solution, washing articles to be cleaned in the wash tank, and emptying the cleaning solution out of the wash tank.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Micell TechnologiesInventors: David E. Brainard, James B. McClain, Michael E. Cole, Steve L. Worm
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Patent number: 6351973Abstract: A cleaning apparatus adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium comprises a body member, a door connected to the body member and together with the body member forming a pressure vessel, a basket disposed within the body member, a motor contained within the pressure vessel, and a drive mechanism contained within the pressure vessel for rotating the basket with the motor. Because the motor and drive mechanism are both contained within the pressure vessel, the need for a rotating shaft that penetrates the pressure vessel, and which must be sealed at least in part against the high pressure liquid contained therein, is obviated.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Gary C. Schrebe
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Patent number: 6344243Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Micell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6297206Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning garments or fabrics in carbon dioxide comprises contacting a garment or fabric article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the article, said liquid dry-cleaning composition comprising a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, a first surfactant, and a second surfactant, and then separating the article from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The first surfactant comprises a CO2-philic group covalently joined to a hydrophilic group; and the second surfactant comprising a CO2-philic group covalently joined to a lipophilic group. In the alternative, a single surfactant containing all three of a CO2-philic group, a lipophilic group, and a hydrophilic group covalently joined to one another may also be employed. Systems useful for carrying out the foregoing are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6287640Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being one which binds to the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, James P. DeYoung, Timothy J. Romack
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Patent number: 6280481Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide while concurrently applying a sizing agent to the articles comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, a sizing agent. An organic co-solvent is preferably included. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. Preferred sizing agents are low molecular weight hydrocarbon resins. The surfactant is preferably one that does not contain a CO2-philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane and has a flash point above 140° F.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bernadette Storey-Laubach, Karla Litaker, James DeYoung, Gina Stewart
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Patent number: 6270844Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6270531Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, and an end-functional polysiloxane surfactant. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1998Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Micell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James P. DeYoung, Gina M. Stewart, Bernadette Storey-Laubach
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Patent number: 6269507Abstract: A system for the controlled addition of detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus comprises: (a) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) an auxiliary vessel; (c) a drain line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (d) optionally but preferably, a separate vent line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (e) a detergent reservoir; and (f) a detergent supply line connecting the detergent reservoir to the auxiliary vessel. An advantage of this apparatus is that, because the detergent formulation can be pumped into the auxiliary vessel in a predetermined aliquot or amount, which predetermined aliquot or amount can then be transferred into the wash vessel where it combines with the liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, the detergent formulation can be added to the cleaning solution in a more controlled or accurate manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James P. DeYoung, Timothy J. Romack, James B. McClain
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Patent number: 6258766Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. The surfactant is preferably one that does not contain a CO2-philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane and has a flash point above 140° F.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, David F. Cauble, James B. McClain
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Patent number: 6248136Abstract: The present invention provides a dry cleaning process that facilitates distribution of detergent and solvent and (optionally) facilitates recovery of cleaning by-products in conjunction with the cleaning of articles at a dry cleaning facility.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung, R. Bradley Lienhart, Joseph M. DeSimone, Kenneth L. Huggins
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Patent number: 6233772Abstract: A cleaning apparatus adapted for cleaning fabrics, garments and the like with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium comprises a wash vessel having a wall portion; a rotating basket positioned in the wash vessel; a drive shaft penetrating the wash vessel wall portion, the shaft operatively associated with the rotating basket; a double mechanical seal connected to the wall portion with the drive shaft passing therethrough; a seal liquid reservoir; a seal liquid inlet line connected to the seal liquid reservoir and the double mechanical seal and configured to supply seal liquid to the double mechanical seal; and a pump, compressed gas line, or other pressure supply means operatively associated with the seal liquid reservoir for maintaining the pressure of seal liquid in the double mechanical seal sufficient to seal the rotating shaft when the wash vessel contains a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning medium from escape of cleaning medium around the rotating shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Gary Schrebe
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Patent number: 6228826Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, and an end-functional polysiloxane surfactant. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James P. DeYoung, Gina M. Stewart, Bernadette Storey-Laubach
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Patent number: 6218353Abstract: A liquid composition useful for suspending and dispensing a solid particulate comprises carbon dioxide, a surfactant, an organic co-solvent, and the solid particulate to be suspended. The composition may optionally contain water. The composition is useful as a propellant in an aerosol container for spraying the solid particulate from the container.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, David F. Cauble, Jr., James B. McClain