Patents by Inventor Duane A. Boothe

Duane A. Boothe 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).

  • Patent number: 12281846
    Abstract: A centrifugal dryer that has improved throughput capacity resulting from the combination of a high angle agglomerate catcher with optional overflow, increased dewatering capacity, a cylindrical dewatering feed chute, a modified rotor design with positionally and structurally modified lifters in the feed and dewatering section, the drying and propagating section, as well as the pellet discharge section, and an efficient circumferential foraminous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: MAAG GALA, INC.
    Inventors: Charles E. Aaron, Duane A. Boothe, John M. Linkenhoker, Kerry P. Morris, Samuel F. Hannah, Wayne L. Smith, Thomas C. Wenrich
  • Publication number: 20190072328
    Abstract: A centrifugal dryer that has improved throughput capacity resulting from the combination of a high angle agglomerate catcher with optional overflow, increased dewatering capacity, a cylindrical dewatering feed chute, a modified rotor design with positionally and structurally modified lifters in the feed and dewatering section, the drying and propagating section, as well as the pellet discharge section, and an efficient circumferential foraminous membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Charles E. Aaron, Duane A. Boothe, John M. Linkenhoker, Kerry P. Morris, Samuel F. Hannah, Wayne L. Smith, Thomas C. Wenrich
  • Patent number: 10119762
    Abstract: A centrifugal dryer that has improved throughput capacity resulting from the combination of a high angle agglomerate catcher with optional overflow, increased dewatering capacity, a cylindrical dewatering feed chute, a modified rotor design with positionally and structurally modified lifters in the feed and dewatering section, the drying and propagating section, as well as the pellet discharge section, and an efficient circumferential foraminous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Aaron, Duane A. Boothe, John M. Linkenhoker, Kerry P. Morris, Samuel F. Hannah, Wayne L. Smith, Thomas C. Wenrich
  • Publication number: 20170239843
    Abstract: An apparatus and process to maintain control of the temperature of low-melting compounds, high melt flow polymers, and thermally sensitive materials for the pelletization of such materials. The addition of a cooling extruder, and a second melt cooler if desired, in advance of the die plate provides for regulation of the thermal, shear, and rheological characteristics of narrow melting-range materials and polymeric mixtures, formulations, dispersions or solutions. The apparatus and process can then be highly regulated to produce consistent, uniform pellets of low moisture content for these otherwise difficult materials to pelletize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane A. BOOTHE, J. Wayne MARTIN, Roger B. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20150021807
    Abstract: An apparatus and process to maintain control of the temperature of low-melting compounds, high melt flow polymers, and thermally sensitive materials for the pelletization of such materials. The addition of a cooling extruder, and a second melt cooler if desired, in advance of the die plate provides for regulation of the thermal, shear, and rheological characteristics of narrow melting-range materials and polymeric mixtures, formulations, dispersions or solutions. The apparatus and process can then be highly regulated to produce consistent, uniform pellets of low moisture content for these otherwise difficult materials to pelletize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane A. BOOTHE, J. Wayne MARTIN, Roger B. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20140001669
    Abstract: An apparatus and process to maintain control of the temperature of low-melting compounds, high melt flow polymers, and thermally sensitive materials for the pelletization of such materials. The addition of a cooling extruder, and a second melt cooler if desired, in advance of the die plate provides for regulation of the thermal, shear, and rheological characteristics of narrow melting-range materials and polymeric mixtures, formulations, dispersions or solutions. The apparatus and process can then be highly regulated to produce consistent, uniform pellets of low moisture content for these otherwise difficult materials to pelletize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane A. BOOTHE, J. Wayne MARTIN, Roger B. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 8303871
    Abstract: An apparatus and process maintain control of the temperature of low-melting compounds, high melt flow polymers, and thermally sensitive materials for the pelletization of such materials. The addition of a cooling extruder, and a second melt cooler if desired, in advance of the die plate provides for regulation of the thermal, shear, and rheological characteristics of narrow melting-range materials and polymeric mixtures, formulations, dispersions or solutions. The apparatus and process can then be highly regulated to produce consistent, uniform pellets of low moisture content for these otherwise difficult materials to pelletize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Duane A. Boothe, Wayne J. Martin, Roger B. Wright
  • Publication number: 20120266482
    Abstract: A centrifugal dryer that has improved throughput capacity resulting from the combination of a high angle agglomerate catcher with optional overflow, increased dewatering capacity, a cylindrical dewatering feed chute, a modified rotor design with positionally and structurally modified lifters in the feed and dewatering section, the drying and propagating section, as well as the pellet discharge section, and an efficient circumferential foraminous membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Aaron, Duane A. Boothe, John M. Linkenhoker, Kerry P. Morris, Samuel F. Hannah, Wayne L. Smith, Thomas C. Wenrich
  • Patent number: 8205350
    Abstract: A centrifugal dryer that has improved throughput capacity resulting from the combination of a high angle agglomerate catcher with optional overflow, increased dewatering capacity, a cylindrical dewatering feed chute, a modified rotor design with positionally and structurally modified lifters in the feed and dewatering section, the drying and propagating section, as well as the pellet discharge section, and an efficient circumferential foraminous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Aaron, Duane A. Boothe, John M. Linkenhoker, Kerry P. Morris, Samuel F. Hannah, Wayne L. Smith, Thomas C. Wenrich
  • Patent number: 7771635
    Abstract: A melt cooler and valving system for an underwater pelletizer has a diverter valve that facilitates multiple modes of melt processing. The cooler has a cooler inlet line that conveys the melt to the cooler, and a cooler outlet line that conveys the cooled melt from the cooler. The diverter valve is configured to convey the melt to and from the cooler during a cooling mode of operation, to convey the melt around the cooler during a bypass mode of operation, and to drain the melt from the cooler and the diverter valve during a drain mode of operation. The diverter valve is compact and therefore contains a minimum of product inventory. The valve is streamlined and direct in its bypass mode, and includes a drain capability to allow for faster, easier cleaning of the process line, which in turn provides a fast changeover time with less lost product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane A. Boothe, J. Wayne Martin
  • Publication number: 20100050458
    Abstract: A centrifugal dryer that has improved throughput capacity resulting from the combination of a high angle agglomerate catcher with optional overflow, increased dewatering capacity, a cylindrical dewatering feed chute, a modified rotor design with positionally and structurally modified lifters in the feed and dewatering section, the drying and propagating section, as well as the pellet discharge section, and an efficient circumferential foraminous membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Aaron, Duane A. Boothe, John M. Linkenhoker, Kerry P. Morris, Samuel F. Hannah, Wayne L. Smith, Tomas C. Wenrich
  • Publication number: 20090273112
    Abstract: An apparatus and process maintain control of the temperature of low-melting compounds, high melt flow polymers, and thermally sensitive materials for the pelletization of such materials. The addition of a cooling extruder, and a second melt cooler if desired, in advance of the die plate provides for regulation of the thermal, shear, and rheological characteristics of narrow melting-range materials and polymeric mixtures, formulations, dispersions or solutions. The apparatus and process can then be highly regulated to produce consistent, uniform pellets of low moisture content for these otherwise difficult materials to pelletize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Duane A. Boothe, Wayne J. Martin, Roger B. Wright
  • Patent number: RE45113
    Abstract: A melt cooler and valving system for an underwater pelletizer has a diverter valve that facilitates multiple modes of melt processing. The cooler has a cooler inlet line that conveys the melt to the cooler, and a cooler outlet line that conveys the cooled melt from the cooler. The diverter valve is configured to convey the melt to and from the cooler during a cooling mode of operation, to convey the melt around the cooler during a bypass mode of operation, and to drain the melt from the cooler and the diverter valve during a drain mode of operation. The diverter valve is compact and therefore contains a minimum of product inventory. The valve is streamlined and direct in its bypass mode, and includes a drain capability to allow for faster, easier cleaning of the process line, which in turn provides a fast changeover time with less lost product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane A. Boothe, J. Wayne Martin