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: 11383496
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Maag Gala, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Colls, Duane Boothe
  • Patent number: 10987616
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Gala Industies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
  • Publication number: 20190299131
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
  • Patent number: 10363499
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9925694
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GALA INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Keith “Kipp” Colls, Duane Boothe
  • Publication number: 20180028948
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
  • Patent number: 9782705
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GALA INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
  • 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: 20160256803
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Thrasher, Duane Boothe, Kerry P. Morris, David Bryan, George N. Benoit
  • Publication number: 20160136932
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Keith Colls, Duane Boothe
  • Publication number: 20150135645
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Keith "Kipp" Colls, Duane Boothe
  • Patent number: 8955294
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwayne Free, Duane Boothe, Melinda Kay, Jeff Rose, Ed Beckner
  • 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: 20140130458
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Boothe, Dwayne Free, John Bolton
  • Patent number: 8671647
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Boothe, Dwayne Free, John Bolton
  • 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
  • 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