Patents by Inventor Bernadette Storey-Laubach

Bernadette Storey-Laubach has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Pre-treatment methods and compositions for carbon dioxide dry cleaning
    Patent number: 6491730
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Micell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Cauble, Jr., James P. DeYoung, James B. McClain, Bernadette Storey-Laubach
  • Sizing methods and compositions for carbon dioxide dry cleaning
    Patent number: 6280481
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernadette Storey-Laubach, Karla Litaker, James DeYoung, Gina Stewart
  • End functionalized polysiloxane surfactants in carbon dioxide formulations
    Patent number: 6270531
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Micell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. DeYoung, Gina M. Stewart, Bernadette Storey-Laubach
  • End functionalized polysiloxane surfactants in carbon dioxide formulations
    Patent number: 6228826
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. DeYoung, Gina M. Stewart, Bernadette Storey-Laubach
  • Methods of dry cleaning with compositions which contain carbon dioxide and end functionalized polysiloxane surfactants
    Patent number: 6001133
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. DeYoung, Gina M. Stewart, Bernadette Storey-Laubach