Patents by Inventor Duane Boothe
Duane 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: 11383496Abstract: A bagging film includes two resins blended with a modifying agent. The first resin, making up about 60%-85% of the formulation, is a copolymer, polymer, elastomer, or combination thereof. The second resin, making up about 14%-39% of the formulation, is a different copolymer, polymer, elastomer, or combination thereof that is physically softer than the first resin. The modifying agent, making up about 0.25%-3.5% of the formulation, is compounded with the resin formulation such that the modifying agent creates a lubricant between the successive layers of the film.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Maag Gala, Inc.Inventors: Keith Colls, Duane Boothe
-
Patent number: 10987616Abstract: A tumbler may be used as defluidizer, dryer, coater, classifier, or dynamic filter. The tumbler includes a rotatable drum that receives a solid/fluid slurry through an inlet chute. As the slurry travels through the drum, fluid exits the drum through a plurality of apertures in screens attached to the sides of the drum, while the solids continue along the drum's length until they reach one or more openings and exit the drum into an outlet chute. The outlet chute includes ridges that wrap around rings extending from the openings of the drum to prevent solids from escaping the outlet chute. To further dry the solids before they exit the drum, an air tube at least partially disposed within the drum is configured to introduce a flow of air into the drum.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Gala Industies, Inc.Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
-
Publication number: 20190299131Abstract: A tumbler may be used as defluidizer, dryer, coater, classifier, or dynamic filter. The tumbler includes a rotatable drum that receives a solid/fluid slurry through an inlet chute. As the slurry travels through the drum, fluid exits the drum through a plurality of apertures in screens attached to the sides of the drum, while the solids continue along the drum's length until they reach one or more openings and exit the drum into an outlet chute. The outlet chute includes ridges that wrap around rings extending from the openings of the drum to prevent solids from escaping the outlet chute. To further dry the solids before they exit the drum, an air tube at least partially disposed within the drum is configured to introduce a flow of air into the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
-
Patent number: 10363499Abstract: A tumbler may be used as defluidizer, dryer, coater, classifier, or dynamic filter. The tumbler includes a rotatable drum that receives a solid/fluid slurry through an inlet chute. As the slurry travels through the drum, fluid exits the drum through a plurality of apertures in screens attached to the sides of the drum, while the solids continue along the drum's length until they reach one or more openings and exit the drum into an outlet chute. The outlet chute includes ridges that wrap around rings extending from the openings of the drum to prevent solids from escaping the outlet chute. To further dry the solids before they exit the drum, an air tube at least partially disposed within the drum is configured to introduce a flow of air into the drum.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
-
Publication number: 20190072328Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Charles E. Aaron, Duane A. Boothe, John M. Linkenhoker, Kerry P. Morris, Samuel F. Hannah, Wayne L. Smith, Thomas C. Wenrich
-
Patent number: 10119762Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: 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: 9925694Abstract: Methods and systems for continuously bagging pellets formed from a tacky and/or polymer containing formulation include improved drying systems and techniques. The methods and systems may include directing a flow of air to help contain moisture within a dryer, transport pellets out of the dryer, and/or dry pellets as they move away from the dryer. The methods and systems may include conditioning (e.g., drying, coating, classifying) the pellets using a conditioning unit prior to bagging the pellets.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: GALA INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Keith “Kipp” Colls, Duane Boothe
-
Publication number: 20180028948Abstract: A tumbler may be used as defluidizer, dryer, coater, classifier, or dynamic filter. The tumbler includes a rotatable drum that receives a solid/fluid slurry through an inlet chute. As the slurry travels through the drum, fluid exits the drum through a plurality of apertures in screens attached to the sides of the drum, while the solids continue along the drum's length until they reach one or more openings and exit the drum into an outlet chute. The outlet chute includes ridges that wrap around rings extending from the openings of the drum to prevent solids from escaping the outlet chute. To further dry the solids before they exit the drum, an air tube at least partially disposed within the drum is configured to introduce a flow of air into the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
-
Patent number: 9782705Abstract: A tumbler may be used as defluidizer, dryer, coater, classifier, or dynamic filter. The tumbler includes a housing for rotatably supporting a removable screened drum on a plurality of rollers. The drum receives a solid/fluid slurry through an inlet chute. As the slurry travels through the drum, fluid exits the drum through a plurality of apertures in screens attached to the sides of the drum, while the solids continue along the drum's length until they reach one or more openings and exit the drum into an outlet chute. The outlet chute includes ridges that wrap around rings extending from the openings of the drum to prevent solids from escaping the outlet chute. To further dry the solids before they exit the drum, an air tube disposed within the drum is configured to direct air through the screens to an air blower intake positioned outside of the drum.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: GALA INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
-
Publication number: 20170239843Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2014Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.Inventors: Duane A. BOOTHE, J. Wayne MARTIN, Roger B. WRIGHT
-
Publication number: 20160256803Abstract: A tumbler may be used as defluidizer, dryer, coater, classifier, or dynamic filter. The tumbler includes a housing for rotatably supporting a removable screened drum on a plurality of rollers. The drum receives a solid/fluid slurry through an inlet chute. As the slurry travels through the drum, fluid exits the drum through a plurality of apertures in screens attached to the sides of the drum, while the solids continue along the drum's length until they reach one or more openings and exit the drum into an outlet chute. The outlet chute includes ridges that wrap around rings extending from the openings of the drum to prevent solids from escaping the outlet chute. To further dry the solids before they exit the drum, an air tube disposed within the drum is configured to direct air through the screens to an air blower intake positioned outside of the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
-
Publication number: 20160136932Abstract: A bagging film includes two resins blended with a modifying agent. The first resin, making up about 60%-85% of the formulation, is a copolymer, polymer, elastomer, or combination thereof. The second resin, making up about 14%-39% of the formulation, is a different copolymer, polymer, elastomer, or combination thereof that is physically softer than the first resin. The modifying agent, making up about 0.25%-3.5% of the formulation, is compounded with the resin formulation such that the modifying agent creates a lubricant between the successive layers of the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Keith Colls, Duane Boothe
-
Publication number: 20150135645Abstract: Methods and systems for continuously bagging pellets formed from a tacky and/or polymer containing formulation include improved drying systems and techniques. The methods and systems may include directing a flow of air to help contain moisture within a dryer, transport pellets out of the dryer, and/or dry pellets as they move away from the dryer. The methods and systems may include conditioning (e.g., drying, coating, classifying) the pellets using a conditioning unit prior to bagging the pellets.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Keith "Kipp" Colls, Duane Boothe
-
Patent number: 8955294Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for continuously bagging pellets. The pellets can be formed from a tacky and/or polymer-containing formulation. Other embodiments relate to systems for continuously bagging pellets. Still other embodiments related the individual components of the processes and systems for continuously bagging pellets.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.Inventors: Dwayne Free, Duane Boothe, Melinda Kay, Jeff Rose, Ed Beckner
-
Publication number: 20150021807Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.Inventors: Duane A. BOOTHE, J. Wayne MARTIN, Roger B. WRIGHT
-
Publication number: 20140130458Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved processes and systems for continuously bagging materials. In particular, the improved processes and systems can be used to bag tacky materials with improved throughput. The systems generally include at least one of a feeding section, mixing section, pelletizing section, transport piping, agglomerate catcher, defluidizing section, drying section, pellet diverter valve, and/or bagging assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.Inventors: Duane Boothe, Dwayne Free, John Bolton
-
Patent number: 8671647Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved processes and systems for continuously bagging materials. In particular, the improved processes and systems can be used to bag tacky materials with improved throughput. The systems generally include at least one of a feeding section, mixing section, pelletizing section, transport piping, agglomerate catcher, defluidizing section, drying section, pellet diverter valve, and/or bagging assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.Inventors: Duane Boothe, Dwayne Free, John Bolton
-
Publication number: 20140001669Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.Inventors: Duane A. BOOTHE, J. Wayne MARTIN, Roger B. WRIGHT
-
Patent number: 8303871Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Gala Industries, IncInventors: Duane A. Boothe, Wayne J. Martin, Roger B. Wright
-
Patent number: RE45113Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.Inventors: Duane A. Boothe, J. Wayne Martin