Patents by Inventor Hurdon Hooper
Hurdon Hooper 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).
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Patent number: 11377524Abstract: Vents and micro-structures of rubber molds may become clogged with rubber that is difficult to remove. These vents and micro-structures can be cleaned of rubber, even if heat aged, by subjecting the mold to high temperatures in the presence of a solvent to devulcanize any rubber present. If the rubber used with the mold being cleaned includes carbon black, a solvent may be used to dissolve the devulcanized polymer, leaving the carbon black which can be removed by water jets or other cleaning means.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Rubreco, Inc.Inventors: Brian H. Harrison, Hurdon A. Hooper, Mathew Ness
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Publication number: 20210087343Abstract: Vents and micro-structures of rubber molds may become clogged with rubber that is difficult to remove. These vents and micro-structures can be cleaned of rubber, even if heat aged, by subjecting the mold to high temperatures in the presence of a solvent to devulcanize any rubber present. If the rubber used with the mold being cleaned includes carbon black, a solvent may be used to dissolve the devulcanized polymer, leaving the carbon black which can be removed by water jets or other cleaning means.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2018Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Brian H. Harrison, Hurdon A. Hooper, Mathew Ness
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Patent number: 10087301Abstract: A method for the controlled removal of water from devulcanized rubber, comprising steps of contacting the devulcanized rubber with a solvent, dissolving the water out of the devulcanized rubber and into solution without removing other components in the rubber such as polymer, separating the devulcanized rubber from the solvent, and drying the devulcanized rubber. By controlling the amount of water that is in the solvent-solution, and/or the amount of time the devulcanized rubber is in contact with the solvent solution the amount of water that is removed can be controlled. By controlling the amount of water that is removed the rheology/viscosity (e.g. G? and G?) of the devulcanized rubber can be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: RUBRECO INC.Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon A. Hooper, Matthew Ness
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Patent number: 9901890Abstract: A dual vessel reactor and a method of carrying out a reaction using a dual vessel reactor are provided using a non-condensable gas to substantially isolate the inner vessel from the outer vessel during the reaction and limit the heating of the outer vessel when steam from the inner vessel condenses on the interior surface of the outer vessel. By limiting the heating of the outer vessel through the condensation of the steam or other vapor from the inner vessel, the operating temperature of the outer vessel is kept below an upper threshold of the operating temperature of a seal used to seal the door in the outer vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: RUBRECO INC.Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon Hooper
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Patent number: 9649612Abstract: A dual vessel reactor and a method of carrying out a reaction using a dual vessel reactor are provided using a non-condensable gas to substantially isolate the inner vessel from the outer vessel during the reaction and limit the heating of the outer vessel when steam from the inner vessel condenses on the interior surface of the outer vessel. By limiting the heating of the outer vessel through the condensation of the steam or other vapour from the inner vessel, the operating temperature of the outer vessel is kept below an upper threshold of the operating temperature of a seal used to seal the door in the outer vessel.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: RUBRECO INC.Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon Hooper
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Publication number: 20170009042Abstract: A method for the controlled removal of water from devulcanized rubber, comprising steps of contacting the devulcanized rubber with a solvent, dissolving the water out of the devulcanized rubber and into solution without removing other components in the rubber such as polymer, separating the devulcanized rubber from the solvent, and drying the devulcanized rubber. By controlling the amount of water that is in the solvent-solution, and/or the amount of time the devulcanized rubber is in contact with the solvent solution the amount of water that is removed can be controlled. By controlling the amount of water that is removed the rheology/viscosity (e.g. G? and G?) of the devulcanized rubber can be controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: BRIAN HARRISON, HURDON A. HOOPER, MATTHEW NESS
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Publication number: 20160325251Abstract: A dual vessel reactor and a method of carrying out a reaction using a dual vessel reactor are provided using a non-condensable gas to substantially isolate the inner vessel from the outer vessel during the reaction and limit the heating of the outer vessel when steam from the inner vessel condenses on the interior surface of the outer vessel. By limiting the heating of the outer vessel through the condensation of the steam or other vapour from the inner vessel, the operating temperature of the outer vessel is kept below an upper threshold of the operating temperature of a seal used to seal the door in the outer vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: BRIAN HARRISON, HURDON HOOPER
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Patent number: 9458304Abstract: Vulcanized rubber, for example from used tires, can be devulcanized to provide a reaction product that has similar rheological properties to the original un-vulcanized rubber. The vulcanized rubber is processed at a temperature that is less than a critical temperature of a solvent, such as water or water and alcohol. The process is carried out at a pressure that is higher than the vapor pressure of the solvent.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon Hooper
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Patent number: 9403136Abstract: A dual vessel reactor and a method of carrying out a reaction using a dual vessel reactor are provided using a non-condensable gas to substantially isolate the inner vessel from the outer vessel during the reaction and limit the heating of the outer vessel when steam from the inner vessel condenses on the interior surface of the outer vessel. By limiting the heating of the outer vessel through the condensation of the steam or other vapor from the inner vessel, the operating temperature of the outer vessel is kept below an upper threshold of the operating temperature of a seal used to seal the door in the outer vessel.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: RUBRECO INC.Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon Hooper
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Patent number: 9278324Abstract: A reactor and a reactor system for carrying out high temperature and high pressure reactions is disclosed herein. The reactor has an isolatable inner vessel for allowing for heat energy efficient cooling and heating of the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: RUBRECO INC.Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon A. Hooper
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Publication number: 20140148522Abstract: Vulcanized rubber, for example from used tires, can be devulcanized to provide a reaction product that has similar rheological properties to the original un-vulcanized rubber. The vulcanized rubber is processed at a temperature that is less than a critical temperature of a solvent, such as water or water and alcohol. The process is carried out at a pressure that is higher than the vapour pressure of the solvent.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Inventors: BRIAN HARRISON, HURDON HOOPER
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Publication number: 20140086809Abstract: A dual vessel reactor and a method of carrying out a reaction using a dual vessel reactor are provided using a non-condensable gas to substantially isolate the inner vessel from the outer vessel during the reaction and limit the heating of the outer vessel when steam from the inner vessel condenses on the interior surface of the outer vessel. By limiting the heating of the outer vessel through the condensation of the steam or other vapour from the inner vessel, the operating temperature of the outer vessel is kept below an upper threshold of the operating temperature of a seal used to seal the door in the outer vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventors: BRIAN HARRISON, HURDON HOOPER
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Patent number: 8415402Abstract: A method for separating a polymer from carbon black in devulcanized rubber, the method comprising steps of inserting devulcanized rubber into a bath of a solvent, dissolving a polymer out of the devulcanized rubber and into a solution of the solvent and the polymer, removing the solution from the bath without disturbing an un-dissolved residue comprising carbon black, and recovering the un-dissolved residue.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Rubreco Inc.Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon Hooper, Ross Gilders, Leo Cheung, Matthew Ness
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Publication number: 20110212003Abstract: A reactor and a reactor system for carrying out high temperature and high pressure reactions is disclosed herein. The reactor has an isolatable inner vessel for allowing for heat energy efficient cooling and heating of the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2007Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: RUBRECO INC.Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon A. Hooper
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Publication number: 20100137462Abstract: A method for separating a polymer from carbon black in devulcanized rubber, the method comprising steps of inserting devulcanized rubber into a bath of a solvent, dissolving a polymer out of the devulcanized rubber and into a solution of the solvent and the polymer, removing the solution from the bath without disturbing an un-dissolved residue comprising carbon black, and recovering the un-dissolved residue.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon Hooper, Ross Gilders, Leo Cheung, Matthew Ness
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Publication number: 20100113705Abstract: A dual vessel reactor and a method of carrying out a reaction using a dual vessel reactor are provided using a non-condensable gas to substantially isolate the inner vessel from the outer vessel during the reaction and limit the heating of the outer vessel when steam from the inner vessel condenses on the interior surface of the outer vessel. By limiting the heating of the outer vessel through the condensation of the steam or other vapour from the inner vessel, the operating temperature of the outer vessel is kept below an upper threshold of the operating temperature of a seal used to seal the door in the outer vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: BRIAN HARRISON, HURDON HOOPER
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Patent number: 7166658Abstract: A method of reducing vulcanized rubber is provided. The method comprises the steps of heating the rubber, wherein the rubber includes synthetic rubber, in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent includes water to a temperature below a critical temperature of the solvent, providing a pressure that is at least equal to a saturated vapour pressure of the solvent at the temperature and maintaining the temperature and the pressure for a time sufficient to devulcanize the rubber and produce a reaction product that is primarily a solid phase and includes rubber hydrocarbon.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignees: Sorbecon Consultants Inc., OPW Enterprises Inc.Inventors: Brian H. Harrison, Hurdon Hooper
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Publication number: 20040214906Abstract: A method of reducing vulcanized rubber is provided. The method comprises the steps of heating the rubber, wherein the rubber includes synthetic rubber, in the presence of a solvent, wherein the solvent includes water to a temperature below a critical temperature of the solvent, providing a pressure that is at least equal to a saturated vapour pressure of the solvent at the temperature and maintaining the temperature and the pressure for a time sufficient to devulcanize the rubber and produce a reaction product that is primarily a solid phase and includes rubber hydrocarbon.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: Brian H. Harrison, Hurdon Hooper