Patents Examined by Anthony Calandra
  • Patent number: 12781431
    Abstract: A system and method for producing cellulose insulation fiberizes the input cellulose material and removes cellulose dust before the resulting cellulose fibers and matrices of cellulose fibers are sprayed with a liquid fire-retardant chemical. A cellulose material metering bin supplies cellulose material to one or more fiberizers. A dryer operates to dry the liquid fire-retardant chemical to produce cellulose insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2026
    Assignee: NTIP LLC
    Inventors: William Sellars, Thomas C. Shutt
  • Patent number: 12781432
    Abstract: A system for processing lignocellulosic materials includes: a pressurization vessel configured to perform hydrothermal treatment of the lignocellulosic materials using saturated or superheated steam; a pressure sealing screw configured to continuously discharge hydrothermally treated lignocellulosic material from the pressurization vessel to a discharge chamber; a control valve configured to add steam to the discharge chamber for pressure control; and a discharge nozzle configured to discharge the lignocellulosic material and steam from the discharge chamber with expansion of steam. The control valve is configured to add the steam to the discharge chamber so as to control a pressure in the discharge chamber to different levels at varying flow rates of the lignocellulosic material and to thereby control a ratio of an amount of steam that escapes through the discharge nozzle to an amount of the lignocellulosic material discharged through the discharge nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2026
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: Olof Melander, Peter Björklund
  • Patent number: 12781434
    Abstract: A clothing or seamed felt for use in a pressing part of a machine for producing a fibrous web includes at least one base structure and at least one staple fiber layer on the base structure. The at least one staple fiber layer is disposed on a side facing the fibrous web. At least one seam zone has seam loops connected to one another by at least one pintle to make the clothing endless. The at least one staple fiber layer is divided in the region of the seam zone by at least one cut, forming a seam flap and a seam wedge. The staple fiber layer has in the region of the seam zone, in both the seam flap and the seam wedge, a quantity of connecting fibers connected to one or more additional staple fibers by welded connections. A method for producing a clothing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2026
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 12774566
    Abstract: A composition, and related method, adapted for making a tissue product with antiviral and antibacterial properties includes water-soluble copper metal ions with an oxidation state of +2 (II), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2026
    Inventor: Massimo Carrara
  • Patent number: 12774558
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for minimizing fouling and/or reducing the viscosity of black liquor in a Kraft pulping process are provided. An exemplary composition includes an anionic sulfate or sulfonate surfactant; an anionic sulfate or sulfonate dispersant; and a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2026
    Assignee: SOLENIS TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventor: Daniel Joseph Nicholson
  • Patent number: 12760471
    Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to a process for manufacturing a fiber based cellulose web for dry forming comprising. The process comprises providing a wet cellulose pulp; free drying said wet cellulose pulp to a free dried cellulose pulp, wherein said free drying provides a curl to fibres of said free dried cellulose pulp; separating said free dried cellulose pulp into individual free dried cellulose pulp fibres; and forming said individual free dried cellulose pulp fibres into a cellulose web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2026
    Assignee: SÖDRA SKOGSÄGARNA EKONOMISK FÖRENING
    Inventors: Katrin Börjesson, Linda Echardt
  • Patent number: 12760469
    Abstract: A method for digesting lignocellulosic material includes combining a lignocellulosic material comprising lignocellulosic biomass, a polymerized naphthalene sulfonate, a sodium xylene sulfonate, and a white liquor comprising sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide to form a mixture. Further, the method includes heating the mixture to digest at least a portion of the lignocellulosic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2026
    Assignee: SOLENIS TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Schnelle, Daniel Joseph Nicholson, Erin A.S. Doherty
  • Patent number: 12753551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fractionation of a highly refined cellulose pulp into a fine fraction and coarse fraction, said method comprising: a) providing a highly refined cellulose pulp suspension comprising highly refined cellulose pulp having a Schopper-Riegler (SR) number in the range of 40-98 as determined by standard ISO 5267-1 and a content of fibers having a length >0.2 mm of at least 7 million fibers per gram based on dry weight; b) subjecting the highly refined cellulose pulp suspension to dewatering in a belt filter; c) collecting the dewatered retentate as the coarse fraction; and d) collecting the filtrate as the fine fraction; wherein the collected fine fraction contains 2-50 wt % of the solids of the highly refined cellulose pulp suspension provided in step a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2026
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Kaj Backfolk, Jukka Kankkunen, Anna Kauppi
  • Patent number: 12723350
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining and applying a distribution of oxidizing agents in delignification of a pulp bleaching cycle. The method obtains an incoming kappa value of an unbleached pulp slurry and a target kappa value expected for a bleached pulp slurry. A model generates a sequence kappa factor based on these values, and a total equivalent chlorine (TEC) factor from the sequence kappa factor and the incoming kappa value. Scenarios are simulated using the TEC factor, each scenario specifying a unique distribution of dosage targets for oxidizing agents and having a total consumption score for the oxidizing agents that is determined based on the dosage targets for the oxidizing agents. A scenario with the lowest total consumption score is selected, and the model applies the dosage targets of oxidizing agents for the selected scenario during the pulp bleaching cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2026
    Assignee: Andritz Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Van Fleet, Ilpo Märkjärvi
  • Patent number: 12716175
    Abstract: Provided is a toilet paper roll which is fit for a longer toilet paper suitable for use for toilets with washing function. The toilet paper roll including a paper core and 2-ply toilet paper wound thereon, the 2-ply toilet paper having two plies adhered together by way of recesses formed by embossing, wherein the toilet paper roll has a roll diameter of 120 mm or smaller, and a degree of compaction of 0.66 to 1.50, and wherein the toilet paper has first and second plies laminated together, the first ply having first and second recesses of different depths formed by embossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2026
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshimi Amano
  • Patent number: 12698596
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention overcome the shortcomings of prior technologies by infusing nanocellulose in a fibrillated form to enhance the properties of cellulose pulp. These properties may include, for example, the mechanical and barrier properties, i.e., tensile strength, liquid, and gas impermeability such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and oil, may be improved substantially. Another embodiment of the invention further provide a fibrillated cellulose composite material that include properties of being a strength-enhancing agent, an oligomer, carboxylic acid, plasticizer, an antimicrobial agent, water repellant, and/or a transparent composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: ECOINNO (H.K.) LIMITED
    Inventors: Yiu Wen Chang, George Dah Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 12698590
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods delignifying and depolymerizing lignocellulosic biomass into an aromatic species-rich fraction and a carbohydrate-rich fraction. The resultant fractions can be used as raw materials to produce value-added goods from biogenic carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
    Inventors: James Dennis Pierog-Sheehan, Jason E. Bara
  • Patent number: 12698589
    Abstract: In one example, a process includes providing a system with a first vessel and a second vessel; providing a biomass comprising lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose fibers into said first vessel; providing an aqueous acidic composition comprising an acid; providing a modifier component; providing a peroxide component; exposing said biomass to said sulfuric acid, modifier and peroxide components, creating a reaction mass; mixing said reaction mass; and allowing said sulfuric acid component and peroxide component to come into contact with said biomass for a period of time sufficient to a delignification reaction to occur and remove a pre-determined amount of said lignin from said biomass. The pre-determined amount may be assessed by determining a first remaining peroxide concentration in the reaction mass, with a suitable apparatus, when said first remaining peroxide concentration is reached, the biomass is transferred to said second vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: SixRing Inc.
    Inventors: Tenzin Leksmon, Leah Fraiberg, Emhemmed Youssef, Markus Weissenberger
  • Patent number: 12692654
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method and composition for enhancing the efficiency of starch adsorption (i.e., starch trapping) from starch-containing furnishes comprising high content of recycled fibers for use in paper making processes such as pulp, paper, or board production. A novel polymer coagulation system is disclosed in which two quick inversion cationic emulsion polymers (starch trapping polymers A and B) are co-mixed at optimal blend ratios to meet specific recycled fiber and process water requirements for different recycled fiber plants and added to furnishes prior to formation of paper or board in a paper machine. Co-mixed solutions of starch trapping polymers A and B provide synergistic enhancements in (i) starch trapping efficiency and (ii) starch retention in the produced paper or board over equivalent dosage levels of singly administered polymer A, polymer B, or conventional starch trapping products, without over-flocculation or formation of stickies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Yuping Luo, Jennifer Riser
  • Patent number: 12692655
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a defibrating unit that defibrates a material to turn it into fibers; a fiber piling-up unit that piles up the fibers to form a second web; a pressing portion that presses the second web to turn it into a sheet; and a humidifying mechanism that supplies humidified air to the fiber piling-up unit. The fiber piling-up unit includes a rotating portion that stirs the fibers supplied from the defibrating unit, a case in which the rotating portion is housed, and a mesh belt that is provided under the case and transports the second web in a transportation direction. The second web is formed on the mesh belt by piling up the fibers on the mesh belt. The humidifying mechanism includes a downstream-side nozzle that is provided downstream of the fiber piling-up unit in the transportation direction and supplies the humidified air to the fiber piling-up unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Goshiro Isozaki, Toshizo Nishi
  • Patent number: 12686970
    Abstract: A process for recycling lignocellulosic fibers from a fiberboard (100) comprising compressed lignocellulosic fibers bonded together by a binding agent. The process comprises the steps of: —disintegrating (101) the fiberboard (100) to provide fiberboard pieces (110); —steaming (111) the fiberboard pieces (110) to decompress and release the lignocellulosic fibers by hydrating them, as well as hydrolyzing the binding agent; —releasing the overpressure; —removing excess water vapor to provide portions (120) comprising released lignocellulosic fibers; and —separating (121) the lignocellulosic fibers in the portions (120) comprising released lignocellulosic fibers to provide recycled lignocellulosic fibers (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: Inter IKEA Systems B.V.
    Inventors: Jan-Olof Fechter, Michael Germann, Pontus Håkansson, Martin Siewert
  • Patent number: 12686969
    Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a quantitative feeder unit 15 that measures a predetermined amount of a raw material C and feeds the measured raw material C, a defibration unit 31 that defibrates the raw material C fed from the quantitative feeder unit 15 into fibers, a third unit group 103 that deposits and compresses the fibers and forms the fibers into a sheet, a first frame F1 to which the quantitative feeder unit 15 is fixed, and a second frame F2 that is separated from the first frame F1 and to which the defibration unit 31 is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Horiko
  • Patent number: 12680232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a barrier film, wherein the method comprises: —providing an aqueous suspension comprising at least 70 weight-% highly refined cellulose pulp having an SR value of 70-95 and having a content of fibers having a length>0.2 mm of at least 10 million fibers per gram based on dry weight: —forming a wet web; —dewatering and/or drying to form a substrate; —calendering said substrate in at least a first calender nip and a second calender nip; —providing said substrate with at least one first layer of a barrier chemical to form a coated substrate, wherein each first layer has a coat weight of 0.5-5 gsm, and wherein a total coat weight on of the first layers is ?8 gsm, and—drying to form said barrier film having a thickness of <50 ?m. The invention relates also to a barrier film, a barrier film laminate with a polymer layer and a packaging material comprising the barrier film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Isto Heiskanen, Matthias Krätschell, Cecilia Land Hensdal
  • Patent number: 12680228
    Abstract: The present application relates to a system and a method for the removal of non-process elements, such as K+ or Cl?, from electrostatic precipitator ashes in a kraft pulp process comprising the addition of a strong acid containing sulfur and CO2 in separate steps in the ash treatment step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Oliveira Araujo, Philippe Campo, Bruno Alban, Bruno Veiga
  • Patent number: 12655582
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hygromorphic composite material comprising a moisture-active pollen paper substrate formed from a plurality of pollen microgel particles, and at least one moisture-inactive layer applied onto the top and/or bottom surface of the moisture-active pollen paper substrate with a pattern that causes the hygromorphic composite material to change its shape in a pre-determined manner due to a change in relative humidity of its ambient environment. Also disclosed herein is a method of forming the hygromorphic composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Nam-Joon Cho, Ze Zhao, Subra Suresh