Patents by Inventor Hazen C. Thomas

Hazen C. Thomas 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: 7074299
    Abstract: A method of processing papermaking fiber includes characterizing the initial color of the pulp and the color of the pulp after treatment with a phloroglucinol stain. The color response of the pulp to the stain has been found to be a better indicator of processing needs for secondary pulps in particular and in any event is selective for untreated groundwood as opposed to conventional groundwood identification methods. The color difference is used to target a suitable product for the pulp, to aid in bleaching/deinking strategy or to enable optimization of fiber blending for particular products. In a preferred embodiment the process includes determining changes in CIE L*, a*, b* and brightness values before and after staining of the pulp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Chou, Hazen C. Thomas, Andrew C. Palm, Terry P. Witkowski, Robert J. Clausing, Stephanie Keen, David J. DiPietro
  • Publication number: 20040079497
    Abstract: A method of processing papermaking fiber includes characterizing the initial color of the pulp and the color of the pulp after treatment with a phloroglucinol stain. The color response of the pulp to the stain has been found to be a better indicator of processing needs for secondary pulps in particular and in any event is selective for untreated groundwood as opposed to conventional groundwood identification methods. The color difference is used to target a suitable product for the pulp, to aid in bleaching/deinking strategy or to enable optimization of fiber blending for particular products. In a preferred embodiment the process includes determining changes in CIE L*, a*, b* and brightness values before and after staining of the pulp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Henry Chou, Hazen C. Thomas, Andrew C. Palm, Terry P. Witkowski, Robert J. Clausing, Stephanie Keen, David J. DiPietro
  • Publication number: 20040000383
    Abstract: This invention relates to a rapid process for determining groundwood pulp derived from waste paper. The process comprises (a) preparing a pulp from recycle furnish to form secondary papermaking fiber; and (b) preparing an absorbent sheet from said secondary papermaking fiber, characterizing the initial color of the absorbent sheet and staining the absorbent sheet with a phloroglucinol stain, characterizing the color of the absorbent sheet and comparing the color of the stained sheet with the initial color and selecting a target paper product based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Henry Chou, Hazen C. Thomas, Andrew C. Palm, Terry P. Witkowski, Robert J. Clausing, Stephanie Keen, David J. DiPietro
  • Patent number: 6458240
    Abstract: An improved process for the separation of cellulosic fiber from difficult to process coated and inked paper products is disclosed and claimed. This process readily separates the paper pulp fraction substantially free of contaminants from such waste paper products as single and two side polymeric coated board having wet strength resin, single and two side polymeric coated board having no wet strength resin, single and two-sided glossy printer trimmings, ultraviolet (UV) cured ink coated stocks, and mixtures thereof. Preferred embodiments include a process in an inclined pressure vessel equipped with agitating and rotating means operative to reflux the waste material with respect to the inclined axis of the vessel in the presence of steam and chemical aids for a sufficient period of time so as to bring about repulping and separation of the paper fiber fraction and formation of a contaminant-collecting polymer phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Bouchette, Wayne F. Winkler, Hazen C. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020096269
    Abstract: An improved process for the separation of cellulosic fiber from difficult to process coated and inked paper products is disclosed and claimed. This process readily separates the paper pulp fraction substantially free of contaminants from such waste paper products as single and two side polymeric coated board having wet strength resin, single and two side polymeric coated board having no wet strength resin, single and two-sided glossy printer trimmings, ultraviolet (UV) cured ink coated stocks, and mixtures thereof. Preferred embodiments include a process in an inclined pressure vessel equipped with agitating and rotating means operative to reflux the waste material with respect to the inclined axis of the vessel in the presence of steam and chemical aids for a sufficient period of time so as to bring about repulping and separation of the paper fiber fraction and formation of a contaminant-collecting polymer phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Bouchette, Wayne F. Winkler, Hazen C. Thomas