Patents by Inventor Brian Wester
Brian Wester 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).
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Patent number: 10710930Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite material which finds widespread applicability in a variety of construction and related applications. The composite comprises cellulosic fibrous material in order to provide the composite with the desired performance characteristics. Notably, at least a portion of the cellulosic fibrous material comprises surfaced enhanced pulp fiber, which desirably enhances the processing characteristics of the material, as well enhancing the characteristics of the finished composite product. The method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite comprising the steps of providing a cementitious composition, and providing cellulosic fibrous material. The present method further includes blending the cementitious composition and the cellulosic fibrous material to form the cementitious composite.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: DOMTAR PAPER COMPANY, LLCInventors: Bruno Marcoccia, Harshad Pande, Brian Wester
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Publication number: 20170226009Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite material which finds widespread applicability in a variety of construction and related applications. The composite comprises cellulosic fibrous material in order to provide the composite with the desired performance characteristics. Notably, at least a portion of the cellulosic fibrous material comprises surfaced enhanced pulp fiber, which desirably enhances the processing characteristics of the material, as well enhancing the characteristics of the finished composite product. The method of making a fiber-reinforced cementitious composite comprising the steps of providing a cementitious composition, and providing cellulosic fibrous material. The present method further includes blending the cementitious composition and the cellulosic fibrous material to form the cementitious composite.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2015Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Bruno Marcoccia, Harshad Pande, Brian Wester
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Patent number: 7290353Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl, and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Michael J. Yancey, Brian Wester, Michael David Vrbanac, Ramon Charles Dezutter
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Patent number: 7226525Abstract: A pulp product that has a low COD is comprised of an unbleached pulp that is soaked and washed in alkaline water for a sufficient time so that the COD after soaking and washing is less than or equal to 3.0 kg/1000 kg of dry pulp. The pulp is produced by repetitively soaking and washing an unbleached pulp in alkaline water that is never allowed to drop below pH 7.0. The pulp is soaked and washed for a total of at least 400 minutes at an elevated temperature to produce the pulp product that has a low COD.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Weyehaeuser CompanyInventors: Michael D. Vrbanac, Brian Wester, Brian E. Dennis, Peter K. Lau, Julie A. Reimer, David W. Bickell
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Patent number: 7090744Abstract: A process for making a composition for conversion to lyocell fiber where the process comprises pulping a raw material in a digester to provide an alkaline pulp, wherein the raw material comprises sawdust in an amount greater than 0 % up to 100 %; and contacting the alkaline pulp comprising cellulose and at least about 7 % hemicellulose under alkaline conditions with an amount of an oxidant sufficient to reduce the average degree of polymerization of the cellulose to within the range of from about 200 to about 1100, without substantially reducing the hemicellulose content of the pulp or substantially increasing the copper number.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: James E. Sealey, II, W. Harvey Persinger, Jr., Mengkui Luo, Brian Wester
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Patent number: 7081184Abstract: A process for making a pulp product that has a low COD is comprised of soaking and washing pulp in alkaline water for a sufficient time so that the COD after soaking and washing is less than or equal to 2.0 kg/1000 kg of dry pulp. The process includes repetitively soaking and washing an unbleached pulp in alkaline water that is never allowed to drop below pH 7.0. In this process, the pulp is soaked and washed for a total of at least 220 minutes at an elevated temperature to produce the pulp product that has a low COD.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2002Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Brian Wester, Michael D. Vrbanac, Julie A. Reimer, Peter K. Lau, Brian E. Dennis, David W. Bickell
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Patent number: 7018508Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Michael J. Yancey, Brian Wester, Michael David Vrbanac, Ramon Charles Dezutter
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Publication number: 20050145355Abstract: A process for making a fiber product from the waste fiber derived from a virgin fiber pulping or paper making facility. The method comprising dewatering the waste fiber, flaking, then drying. The fiber product is useful for many applications, including use as animal bedding.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2003Publication date: July 7, 2005Inventors: Brian Wester, Melissa Johnson, Greg Drinkwater
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Patent number: 6910285Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated and dried fibers. In accordance with the process a feed pulp is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Michael David Vrbanac, Ramon Charles Dezutter, Brian Wester, Michael James Yancey
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Patent number: 6865822Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated and dried fibers. In accordance with the process a feed pulp is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Michael David Vrbanac, Ramon Charles Dezutter, Brian Wester, Michael James Yancey
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Patent number: 6862819Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated and dried fibers. In accordance with the process a feed pulp is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Michael David Vrbanac, Ramon Charles Dezutter, Brian Wester, Michael James Yancey
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Patent number: 6861023Abstract: A process for making lyocell fibers including the steps of pulping raw material in a digester to provide an alkaline pulp, wherein the raw material includes sawdust in an amount greater than 0% up to 100%; contacting the alkaline pulp including cellulose and at least about 7% hemicellulose under alkaline conditions with an amount of an oxidant sufficient to reduce the average degree of polymerization of the cellulose to the range of from about 200 to about 1100 without substantially reducing the hemicellulose content or substantially increasing the copper number of the pulp; and forming fibers from the pulp.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: James E. Sealey, II, W. Harvey Persinger, Jr., Mengkui Luo, Brian Wester
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Publication number: 20050022415Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl, and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2004Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventors: Michael Yancey, Brian Wester, Michael Vrbanac, Ramon Dezutter
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Patent number: 6837452Abstract: A process for making singulated pulp flakes is provided. The process includes dewatering liquid pulp stock to a consistency of about 30 to about 50% solids. The process includes initial flaking to break up the dewatered pulp bundles into semi-uniform flakes having a median size of from about 3 to about 5 mm3 and a consistency of from about 33 to about 55% solids. The process includes drying the flaked pulp to a consistency of from about 85 to about 97% solids. The process includes flaking a second time to separate the flakes that may have bonded during drying. The product “singulated” flakes then go to a baler for packaging. In another embodiment, the process includes blending the liquid pulp stock with at least one adjuvant prior to dewatering.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Ramon C. Dezutter, Brian Wester, Robert A. Veleber, Michael R. Hansen
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Patent number: 6811879Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new form of pulp that is a flake having a specific size, density, and wet dispersibility. The flakes are easy to meter in specified quantities when adding to cementitious products, because bulk quantities of the flakes flow well in conduits and other enclosed containers. The pulp flakes can supply sufficient cellulose fiber to an extrusion process due to the flakes' high fiber density. The pulp flakes have a wet dispersability that is comparable to some pulp sheets that have not been hammermilled. In one embodiment of the invention, a pulp flake is provided that has a wet dispersion of from about 60 to about 240 counts as measured by a standard British disintegrator. Another embodiment of a pulp flake has a density of from about 0.3 to about 0.7 g/cc. In one embodiment, the pulp flake has a size of from about 3 to about 5 mm3.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Ramon C. Dezutter, Brian Wester, Robert A. Veleber, Michael R. Hansen
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Publication number: 20040177936Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated and dried fibers. In accordance with the process a feed pulp is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp is treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Michael David Vrbanac, Ramon Charles Dezutter, Brian Wester, Michael James Yancey
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Patent number: 6782637Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated crosslinked cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated, crosslinked, and dried fibers. In accordance with the process, a feed pulp containing a crosslinker is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be further treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Michael J. Yancey, Brian Wester, Michael David Vrbanac, Ramon Charles Dezutter
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Patent number: 6769199Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated and dried fibers. In accordance with the process a feed pulp is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Michael David Vrbanac, Ramon Charles Dezutter, Brian Wester, Michael James Yancey
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Publication number: 20040123483Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated and dried fibers. In accordance with the process a feed pulp is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Michael David Vrbanac, Raman Charles Dezutter, Brian Wester, Michael James Yancey
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Patent number: 6748671Abstract: This invention provides a dried singulated cellulose pulp fiber product as well as an apparatus and a method for forming singulated and dried fibers. In accordance with the process a feed pulp is delivered to a jet drier. The jet drier singulates and dries the feed pulp. The singulated and dried fibers are collected from the jet drier. The feed pulp may be treated with a treatment substance. The jet drier may be maintained at negative pressure. The product fibers may have low knot count, a low fines count, as well improved kink, curl and twist. The apparatus for carrying out the process may include a pretreatment station for supplying the treatment substance, a pulp feed device designed for pulp, a pulp feed device designed for pulp and foam suspensions, and/or a fiber separation station having a vacuum conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Michael David Vrbanac, Ramon Charles Dezutter, Brian Wester, Michael James Yancey