Patents by Inventor Douglas Wicks

Douglas Wicks 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).

  • Publication number: 20230323601
    Abstract: Use of a particulate mineral having a coating of one or more rosin acid(s) and/or one or more derivative(s) thereof as a pitch and/or stickies control agent in a composition comprising cellulosic pulp, a method of reducing dissolved and/or colloidal pitch and/or stickies in cellulosic pulp using said coated particulate minerals, said coated particulate mineral, a method of making said coated particulate mineral, a composition comprising cellulosic pulp and said coated particulate mineral and paper comprising said coated particulate mineral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew FINDLAY, I, João SCALOPPE, Samuel HARDISTY, Douglas WICKS, Janet PRESTON
  • Publication number: 20230257488
    Abstract: This disclosure describes the preparation and use of reactive carbonates containing a metal carbonate bound to a reactive compound, wherein the reactive compound comprises a mineral binding group and a polymer reactive group connected together by a linking group. Such reactive carbonates are useful as reagents in processes for making mineral-bound elastomeric materials, and in methods for reducing cavitation in elastomer materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Douglas WICKS, Kalena STOVALL, Sang Jin PARK, Virendra SINGH
  • Patent number: 11667732
    Abstract: The disclosure describes the preparation and use of reactive carbonates containing a metal carbonate bound to a reactive compound, wherein the reactive compound comprises a mineral binding group and a polymer reactive group connected together by a linking group. Such reactive carbonates are useful as reagents in processes for making mineral-bound elastomeric materials, and in methods for reducing cavitation in elastomer materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Wicks, Kalena Stovall, Sang Jin Park, Virenda Singh
  • Patent number: 11535522
    Abstract: Inorganic particulate compositions containing inorganic particles associated with a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer associated with the inorganic particles are provided. The particulate composition satisfies at least one of the following properties: a BET surface area of the inorganic particles is greater than 8 m2/g, a Hegman value of the inorganic particles is 75 microns or less, and a rate of water loss from the composition upon drying from a moisture level greater than 2% wt % is at least 30% greater than a composition having a corresponding content of a polyacrylate polymer associated with the particles. A method to prepare the composition and formulations for inks, paints, coatings and filled polymeric articles containing the inorganic particulate composition are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Virendra Singh, Christopher Paynter, David Gittins, Dickey Shurling, Douglas Wicks, Janet Preston, Andrew Findlay
  • Patent number: 11421531
    Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Wicks, Christopher Paynter, Jean-Andre Alary, Dickey S. Shurling, David Anstine
  • Patent number: 11111786
    Abstract: Compositions and methods of using rock dust are disclosed. A mine rock dust may be capable of being applied in a wet form. A moisture tolerant mine rock dust may include a hydrophobic inorganic particulate material. A moisture tolerant mine rock dust may be capable of being dispersed by a light blast of air. A method may include applying a mine rock dust at a concentration having little or no respirable mine rock dust. A method of applying a mine rock dust may include applying a mine rock dust in a wet form. The mine rock dust may be applied at a concentration having little or no respirable mine rock dust. The mine rock dust may include a hydrophobic inorganic particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paynter, Douglas Wicks, David Anstine
  • Publication number: 20210101802
    Abstract: Inorganic particulate compositions containing inorganic particles associated with a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer associated with the inorganic particles are provided. The particulate composition satisfies at least one of the following properties: a BET surface area of the inorganic particles is greater than 8 m2/g, a Hegman value of the inorganic particles is 75 microns or less, and a rate of water loss from the composition upon drying from a moisture level greater than 2% wt % is at least 30% greater than a composition having a corresponding content of a polyacrylate polymer associated with the particles. A method to prepare the composition and formulations for inks, paints, coatings and filled polymeric articles containing the inorganic particulate composition are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Virendra SINGH, Christopher PAYNTER, David GITTINS, Dickey SHURLING, Douglas WICKS, Janet PRESTON, Andrew FINDLAY
  • Patent number: 10875782
    Abstract: Inorganic particulate compositions containing inorganic particles associated with a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer associated with the inorganic particles are provided. The particulate composition satisfies at least one of the following properties: a BET surface area of the inorganic particles is greater than 8 m2/g, a Hegman value of the inorganic particles is 75 microns or less, and a rate of water loss from the composition upon drying from a moisture level greater than 2% wt % is at least 30% greater than a composition having a corresponding content of a polyacrylate polymer associated with the particles. A method to prepare the composition and formulations for inks, paints, coatings and filled polymeric articles containing the inorganic particulate composition are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Virendra Singh, Christopher Paynter, David Gittins, Dickey Shurling, Douglas Wicks, Janet Preston, Andrew Findlay
  • Publication number: 20200325344
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a process for producing a surface-modified calcium carbonate, the process comprising contacting a calcium carbonate or precursor thereof with at least one amphiphilic copolymer comprising hydrophilic subunits and hydrophobic subunits, in which the hydrophilic subunits derive from at least one ethylenically-unsaturated compound comprising a carboxylic acid group or salt or derivative thereof; the hydrophobic subunits derive from at least one ethylenically-unsaturated compound comprising a hydrophobic group; and the amphiphilic copolymer has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance ranging from about 1 to about 40. Surface-modified calcium carbonates obtained from the process are also described, as well as compositions containing the surface-modified calcium carbonates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Virendra SINGH, Kalena STOVALL, Parvin GOLBAYANI, Richardo M. PEREZ, David A. TAYLOR, Christopher D. PAYNTER, Douglas WICKS, Petra FRITZEN, Anaelle GIRARD
  • Publication number: 20200308318
    Abstract: The disclosure describes the preparation and use of reactive carbonates containing a metal carbonate bound to a reactive compound, wherein the reactive compound comprises a mineral binding group and a polymer reactive group connected together by a linking group. Such reactive carbonates are useful as reagents in processes for making mineral-bound elastomeric materials, and in methods for reducing cavitation in elastomer materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas WICKS, Kalena STOVALL, Sang Jin PARK, Virenda SINGH
  • Publication number: 20200109629
    Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas WICKS, Christopher PAYNTER, Jean-Andre ALARY, Dickey S. SHURLING, David ANSTINE
  • Patent number: 10533417
    Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Wicks, Christopher Paynter, Jean-Andre Alary, Dickey S. Shurling, David Anstine
  • Publication number: 20190359495
    Abstract: Compositions comprising calcium carbonate, methods of preparation thereof, and methods of use thereof are discussed. The particulate mineral may be prepared by a precipitation process and/or by a grinding process, for example. The composition may comprise a particulate mineral that comprises calcium carbonate and magnesium, wherein the particulate mineral comprises from about 7% to about 80% magnesium by weight, with respect to the total weight of the particulate mineral. The bulk chemical composition of the particulate mineral may have a magnesium content within 5% of the magnesium content of the surface of the particulate mineral, and/or the particulate mineral may have a steepness value ranging from about 20 to about 80.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Virendra SINGH, Claire THERON, David TAYLOR, Christopher PAYNTER, Douglas WICKS
  • Patent number: 10399862
    Abstract: A process for treating a sulfurous fluid to form gypsum and magnesium carbonate, whereby the sulfurous fluid is scrubbed with a sequestrating agent to yield a scrubbed fluid, gypsum and magnesium sulfate. The flue gas desulfurized gypsum is isolated from the magnesium sulfate solution by filtration or centrifugation. The magnesium sulfate is reacted with a carbonate salt to produce a magnesium carbonate whereby the reaction conditions are controlled to control the properties of the magnesium carbonate produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paynter, Kalena Stovall, Douglas Wicks, Gavin Butler-Lee, Parvin Golbayani, Nigel Victor Jarvis, Graham M. Pring, David Taylor, Ricardo M. Perez
  • Publication number: 20190135650
    Abstract: Inorganic particulate compositions containing inorganic particles associated with a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer associated with the inorganic particles are provided. The particulate composition satisfies at least one of the following properties: a BET surface area of the inorganic particles is greater than 8 m2/g, a Hegman value of the inorganic particles is 75 microns or less, and a rate of water loss from the composition upon drying from a moisture level greater than 2% wt % is at least 30% greater than a composition having a corresponding content of a polyacrylate polymer associated with the particles. A method to prepare the composition and formulations for inks, paints, coatings and filled polymeric articles containing the inorganic particulate composition are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Virendra SINGH, Christopher PAYNTER, David GITTINS, Dickey SHURLING, Douglas WICKS, Janet PRESTON, Andrew FINDLAY
  • Publication number: 20190077964
    Abstract: Materials comprising minerals having modified surface properties, related methods, and their use in products. Materials for use in products may comprise a mineral and a carbonate, such as a precipitated calcium carbonate. Decorating the mineral with the precipitated calcium carbonate may modify a surface property of the mineral, such as, for example, absorptivity, reactivity, or fluorescence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Parvin GOLBAYANI, Douglas WICKS, Eric DRIANCOURT, David STEWART
  • Publication number: 20190076340
    Abstract: A cosmetic composition that fluoresces when irradiated with electromagnetic energy is disclosed. The cosmetic composition may comprise a cosmetically accept medium comprising at least one inorganic compound, wherein the inorganic compound is doped with an inorganic fluorescence activator to cause the composition to emit a fluorescent response when irradiated with light, such as UV light. Related products that include such a composition are also disclosed, including a lip stick, an eyeliner, foundation, blush, body paint, a hair gel, or nail polish. There is also a method for imparting a fluorescent response to at least once keratinous surface of a person that comprises applying to the keratinous surface an effective amount of the composition described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Parvin GOLBAYANI, Douglas WICKS
  • Publication number: 20190055406
    Abstract: A composition for use as a construction compound is disclosed. The composition may include an inorganic particulate material treated with at least one surface treatment. The surface treatment may include at least one of a fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, silicone oil, silane, or siloxane. The construction compound may improve the workability and/or surface finish of a construction compound. Methods are also provided, including a method for improving the efficiency of application of a construction compound to a drywall joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: David ANSTINE, Douglas WICKS, Christopher PAYNTER
  • Publication number: 20180265370
    Abstract: A process for converting gypsum into precipitated calcium carbonate including reacting a mixture comprising gypsum and a seed, a mineral acid, or both with at least one carbonate source, whereby precipitated calcium carbonate is produced in the form of calcite and/or aragonite directly without conversion from a vaterite polymorph. Also, a process for converting gypsum into precipitated calcium carbonate including providing a mixture comprising i) gypsum ii) a seed, a mineral acid, or both iii) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, an organic acid, or an iron material, and reacting the mixture with at least one carbonate source to produce precipitated calcium carbonate in the form of vaterite. The precipitated calcium carbonates having desired and unique compositions, polymorph and crystal size characteristics formed by these processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher PAYNTER, Kalena STOVALL, Douglas WICKS, Gavin BUTLER-LEE, Parvin GOLBAYANI, Nigel Victor JARVIS, Graham M. PRING, David TAYLOR, Ricardo M. PEREZ
  • Publication number: 20180265371
    Abstract: A process for converting gypsum into precipitated calcium carbonate including reacting a mixture comprising gypsum and a seed, a mineral acid, or both with at least one carbonate source, whereby precipitated calcium carbonate is produced in the form of calcite and/or aragonite directly without conversion from a vaterite polymorph. Also, a process for converting gypsum into precipitated calcium carbonate including providing a mixture comprising i) gypsum ii) a seed, a mineral acid, or both iii) at least one additive selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, an organic acid, or an iron material, and reacting the mixture with at least one carbonate source to produce precipitated calcium carbonate in the form of vaterite. The precipitated calcium carbonates having desired and unique composition, polymorph and crystal size characteristics formed by these processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher PAYNTER, Kalena STOVALL, Douglas WICKS, Gavin BUTLER-LEE, Parvin GOLBAYANI, Nigel Victor JARVIS, Graham M. PRING, David TAYLOR, Ricardo M. PEREZ