Patents Examined by Dennis R. Cordray
  • Patent number: 10876256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making a heat sealable substrate starting from a water repellent substrate. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for making water repellent paper cups. In particular, the present invention discloses a process for applying one or more heat sealable strips on a water repellent substrate, for example paper or paper board. Further, the present invention also relates to a heat sealable substrate obtained by said process for making paper cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Topchim N.V.
    Inventors: Jan-Pieter Luyten, Eric Jönsson, Dirk Stanssens
  • Patent number: 10870528
    Abstract: A pop-up dispenser is provided containing a stack of curved edge cigarette rolling papers. The papers are folded and interleaved within a box having a slot for dispensing one curved edge cigarette rolling paper at a time. A cover hinged to one edge of the box overlies the slot in the closed position. One paper is dispensed with its straight edge exiting the box first followed by a subsequent paper dispensed with its curved edge exiting the box first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: CURVED PAPERS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael O'Malley
  • Patent number: 10870950
    Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, biocompatible porous structural materials made exclusively or almost exclusively from nanocellulose fibers (CNF), CNC, or bacterial cellulose, as well as processes for making and using provided compositions. Provided compositions may possess specifically tailored mechanical strength properties and have a design-controlled porosity that is homogeneous or graded, depending on the application. Provided compositions may be manufactured by the controlled dewatering of suspensions of CNF. In some embodiments, provided compositions may include a solids concentration of about 10% to about 95% by weight. Controlled water removal and pore homo- or heterogeneity may be accomplished by controlling capillary, hydrostatic and evaporative processes in the environment of a porous mold around the CNF slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Michael Darin Mason, David Gregg Holomakoff, Muhammad Radowan Hossen
  • Patent number: 10858782
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for dewatering of sludge from a pulp, paper or board making process, such as deinking sludge, including obtaining of an aqueous sludge including an aqueous phase and a fibre material suspended in the aqueous phase. The sludge is subjected to a pre-thickening step, where a first part of the aqueous phase is removed from the sludge and to a pressing step, where a second part of the aqueous phase is removed from the sludge, thereby obtaining a dry pressed sludge. Before or at the pre-thickening step a polymer composition having a charge density of at the most 1.7 meq/g, preferably at most 1.5 meq/g, more preferably at most 1.1 meq/g, is added to the sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Matti Hietaniemi, Rosa Carceller, Asko Karppi, Joonas Likander, Jyri Välimäki
  • Patent number: 10858784
    Abstract: Paper and paperboard coatings are disclosed using a modified clay which is characterized by an average shape factor less than 60, a sediment void volume greater than 48%, and containing less than 30% by mass of particles less than 1 micron in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: WestRock MWV, LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Fugitt, Steven G. Bushhouse, Scott E. Ginther
  • Patent number: 10851498
    Abstract: A process for the production of paper, board, and cardboard is disclosed. The process results in improved drainage and comprises adding to the wet end of a paper machine (a) microfibrillated cellulose and (b) a coadditive. The coadditive can be one or more of (1) a cationic aqueous dispersion polymer, (2) colloidal silica, (3) bentonite clay and (4) vinylamine-containing polymers or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Solenis Technologies, L.P.
    Inventor: Jonathan M McKay
  • Patent number: 10844545
    Abstract: A method for wet production of a superabsorbent material. The method comprises forming an aqueous saline solution with a concentration of 0.01-4.5 N of ionic salt and a pH from 0 to 6.0 or from 8.0 to 14.0 by the addition of a strong acid or strong base; dispersing in the saline solution a water superabsorbent polymer (SAP); creating a first web by stratification and deposition under vacuum suction onto a mesh screen belt deposition section of the SAP dispersion; washing the web with a basic solution (or with an acidic solution) up to the desired level of neutralization of the acidity (or basicity) for SAP dispersions in acidic (or basic) saline solutions; washing the web with water and suction; and drying the web. The relationship between pH and salt concentration causes a water absorption in the SAP equal to or less than about 30.00 gH2O/gSAP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Gianfranco Palumbo
  • Patent number: 10834960
    Abstract: An oral product includes a body that is wholly receivable in an oral cavity. The body includes a polymer matrix and one or more flavorants and/or active ingredients embedded in the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix can include a copolymer of ethylene and one or more vinyl monomers or zein. For example, the polymer can be ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and/or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. In some cases, the oral product can include tobacco and/or nicotine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Munmaya K. Mishra, Georgios D. Karles
  • Patent number: 10829895
    Abstract: Method of making a substrate comprising cellulosic fibres such as paper comprising at least steps (a) and (b): (a) providing an aqueous suspension comprising cellulosic fibres; (b) adding to the suspension provided in step (a) an acrylate copolymer containing carboxyl groups or a salt thereof and ester groups; wherein the acrylate copolymer is the polymerization product of monomers at least selected from an acrylic acid ester of general formula I CH2?CR1—CO2R2 and an acrylic acid of general formula II CH2?CR3—COOH or a salt thereof, wherein R1 and R3 are independently selected from H, CH3, or C2H5; and R2 is a C1-10 alkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Archroma IP GmbH
    Inventors: John Cowman, Damien Julien Corpet, Paul Dekock, Achim Kohler
  • Patent number: 10829602
    Abstract: A visibly transparent, homogeneous UV-blocking cellulose nanocrystal/lignin nanocomposite film and a method of making the same. The film is made by dispersing cellulose nanocrystals and lignin in an aqueous, alkaline solution to yield a dispersion; casting the dispersion onto a substrate; and evaporating the aqueous, alkaline solution to yield a homogeneous, visibly transparent film that at least partially absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Zhihua Jiang, Mahesh Parit
  • Patent number: 10822462
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel aqueous composition of a structurally modified, water soluble polymer suitable for papermaking and to a method for manufacturing it. The method includes cleaving a backbone of the acrylamide polymer by a degradation agent and cross-linking the acrylamide polymer subjected to cleaving by using a polyfunctional cross-linking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Yuping Luo, Roopa Tellakula, Scott Rosencrance
  • Patent number: 10801163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a multi-ply tissue paper, wherein a first tissue is adhesively bonded to a second tissue using an aqueous, repulpable adhesive composition comprising an alkali soluble acrylic copolymer, The present invention also relates to a multi-ply tissue paper obtained by said manufacturing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: H.B. Fuller Company
    Inventors: Nicolas de Calmes, Frederic Luraud, Thierry Lambert, Rosa-Maria Barbosa
  • Patent number: 10799451
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nicotine-containing mucoadhesive film, by preparing an aqueous solution at a pH of from 9.5 to 13, the solution includes (i) a nicotine salt, (ii) an alkaline pH-regulating agent, and (iii) a film-forming agent including an alginate salt of monovalent cation or a mixture of alginate salts of monovalent cations, the film-forming agent having a mean guluronate (G) content of from 50 to 85% by weight, a mean mannuronate (M) content of from 15 to 50% by weight, a mean molecular weight of from 30,000 g/mol to 90,000 g/mol and being such that a 10% aqueous solution thereof at a temperature of 20° C. has a viscosity of 100-1000 mPas, as measured at a shear rate of 20 rpm by use of a Brookfield viscometer with a spindle No. 2; distributing the solution onto a solid surface; and permitting the solution to dry on said surface. A nicotine-containing mucoadhesive film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: NICOCCINO AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Hubinette
  • Patent number: 10801161
    Abstract: A textured mask comprising a film. The film can have a first substantially continuously flat surface lying in a first plane and a second surface opposite the first surface lying in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The second surface is interrupted by a plurality of cavities, each of the cavities having a first depth defined by a third surface lying in a third plane substantially parallel to the first and second planes. The depth of the cavities can be at a distance of from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm from the second plane. The textured mask is at least partially coated with an opaque masking agent. The textured mask can make a correspondingly structured three-dimensional papermaking belt, which can make correspondingly structured three-dimensional fibrous structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey Eugene Seger, John Allen Manifold, Osman Polat, Andrew Paul Frank Milton, Robert Scadding Moir, Daniel Graham Ward, Richard Bown
  • Patent number: 10794003
    Abstract: A refining member for a pulp refiner comprising a refining body with a refining surface comprising refiner bars separated by refiner grooves and teeth. Each of the refiner bars extend from a radially inward position on the refining surface to a first radially outward position on the refining surface, and the teeth extend to a second radially outward position on the refining surface. The second radially outward position is nearer to an outermost part of the refining body than the first radially outward position. The refiner bars are adapted to refine wood fibers, and the teeth are adapted to break up fiber bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventor: Dwight Edward Anderson
  • Patent number: 10787766
    Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are methods and industrial processes for generating pulp from lignocellulosic feedstocks, comprising directly contacting a lignocellulosic feedstock with a system comprising a super critical or sub-super critical fluid or mixture of fluids, whereby the partial pressure of the system provides for the hydrolysis or a combination thereof of the feedstock at reduced temperatures and pressures, followed by an upgrading step wherein a low-purity cellulosic material generated in the super critical or sub-super critical reaction step is treated with an alkaline solution. In alternative embodiments, provided are systems and methods for producing a cellulose material using reduced amounts of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Inventure Renewables, Inc.
    Inventors: William Rusty Sutterlin, Cory O'Neil Blanchard, Christopher Check
  • Patent number: 10787769
    Abstract: Novel fluorescent whitening agents, compositions or mixtures thereof with known fluorescent whitening agents, their preparation, and their use. The novel fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) contain three structural subunits derived from 4,4?-diamino-2,2?-stilbenedisulfonic acid. The novel compounds and their mixtures with known FWAs show very good effectiveness as fluorescent whitening agents for cellulosic materials, in particular for paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: BLANKOPHOR GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marco Hafermann, Bernd Hauschel, Bernhard Hunke, Theo Lansing, Michael Kraemer, Robert Peekhaus
  • Patent number: 10787768
    Abstract: A method for manufacture of paper, board or the like, comprising the step of dissolving a composition into aqueous solution, whereby an aqueous treatment solution is obtained for adding the obtained treatment solution to the pulp. The composition comprising a copolymer of acrylamide and at least one cationic monomer, the copolymer comprising cationic monomers at least 15 mol-%, calculated from total amount of monomers, and an ionic crosslinker agent comprising at least two carboxyl groups, wherein the equivalent ratio of carboxyl groups:cationic monomer is between 1:20 and 1:0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Kemira Oyj
    Inventors: Matti Hietaniemi, Jaakko Ekman, Asko Karppi, Kimmo Strengell
  • Patent number: 10781554
    Abstract: A processing device, a sheet manufacturing apparatus, a processing method, and a sheet manufacturing method that suppress damage to a substrate when removing color material from the substrate, and are useful for recycling the substrate after color material is removed, are provided. A processing device has a color material removal device including at least one discharge nozzle configured to discharge particles containing cellulose to a substrate holding color material, and remove the color material from the substrate. The color material removal device preferably has a double-walled conduit construction having an internal conduit and an external conduit in which the internal conduit is inserted, at least one of an opening to the internal conduit and an opening to the external conduit functioning as the discharge nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Seki, Hiroki Kurata, Hiroshi Tanaka, Seiichi Taniguchi, Kaneo Yoda
  • Patent number: 10779565
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter manufacturing apparatus comprising: • a feed path adapted to continuously feed a filter material along a longitudinal transport direction; • a forming device connected to a terminating end of the feed path and adapted to form the filter material into a continuous filter body and to deliver the formed continuous filter body, the forming device including: • a tubular element (8) adapted to allow the filter material to pass therethrough to form the filter tow material into the continuous filter body; and • a steam generator (9) adapted to produce steam, the steam generator being in fluid communication with the tubular element to supply steam to the filter material; • a drain channel (10) in fluid communication with the tubular element adapted to drain fluid from the tubular element; • a valve adapted to open and close the drain channel so as to allow or block discharge of fluid from the tubular element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Caprini, Pietro Davide La Porta