Patents Examined by Joesph Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9216436
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns the production of ZnO (zinc oxide) coated particles for use in rubber as a substitute for bulk ZnO particles. Compared to bulk oxide, oxide coated particles offer the advantage of a higher specific surface per mass unit of ZnO. This implies both ecological and economical benefits. An enhanced process is presented for the synthesis of aggregate particles, comprising a core of CaCO3, which is at least partially coated with ZnO, comprising the steps of: heating a metallic Zn bath, thereby evaporating Zn and forming a Zn-vapor atmosphere; injecting CaCO3 particles as core compound in the Zn-vapor atmosphere; injecting air in the Zn-vapor atmosphere in an amount in excess of the stoechiometric need for the oxidation of the Zn vapor to ZnO. This process is clean and sustainable, producing no unnecessary phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Stijn Kusters, Tjakko Zijlema, Steven Neyens