Patents by Inventor James E. Douglas

James E. Douglas 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: 8613804
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dry cleaning articles using siloxane solvents are provided. In the systems and methods according to the present invention, the siloxane solvent suspends impurities extracted from the articles being cleaned, and the system filters off the impurities, thereby cleaning the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Greenearth Cleaning, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Douglas, Wolf-Dieter R Berndt
  • Publication number: 20120260435
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dry cleaning articles using siloxane solvents are provided. In the systems and methods according to the present invention, the siloxane solvent suspends impurities extracted from the articles being cleaned, and the system filters off the impurities, thereby cleaning the articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GREENEARTH CLEANING, LLC
    Inventors: James E. DOUGLAS, Wolf-Dieter R. BERNDT
  • Publication number: 20120085634
    Abstract: Described herein is a solution for use in cleaning articles comprising, a dry cleaning agent, wherein the dry cleaning agent comprises a siloxane solvent, a hydrocarbon solvent or a combination thereof, and an enhancer, which raises a KBV value of the solution. The enhancer can be soluble in the dry cleaning agent and water. Also described herein is a dry cleaning system that utilizes the solution, as well as a purification system for purifying the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GREENEARTH CLEANING, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Douglas, Wolf-dieter R. Berndt
  • Patent number: 8123819
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dry cleaning articles using siloxane solvents are provided. In the systems and methods according to the present invention, the siloxane solvent suspends impurities extracted from the articles being cleaned, and the system filters off the impurities, thereby cleaning the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: GreenEarth Cleaning, LLC.
    Inventors: James E. Douglas, Wolf-Dieter R. Berndt
  • Publication number: 20100100967
    Abstract: A secure collaborative environment to facilitate the sharing of confidential information between organizations, which can be used in conjunction with existing infrastructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: JAMES E. DOUGLAS, Charles R. White, Melvin D. Satterwhite, JR.
  • Patent number: 6086635
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for separating water from a solvent during dry cleaning. Included is an inlet capable of receiving a mixture of dry cleaning fluid and water from a basket of a dry cleaning apparatus. The dry cleaning fluid includes a siloxane composition. Also provided is a flow controller for urging a flow of the mixture received from the outlet. Coupled to the flow controller is a coalescent media that receives the mixture urged by the flow controller. A chamber is coupled to the coalescent media for receiving the mixture from the coalescent media to separate the water and the dry cleaning fluid. Also coupled to the chamber is an outlet to remove the dry cleaning fluid from the chamber in the absence of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: GreenEarth Cleaning, LLC
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter R. Berndt, John McLeod Griffiss, James E. Douglas
  • Patent number: 6059845
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for dry cleaning articles utilizing a siloxane solvent. The system includes a cleaning basket for receiving articles therein and a one or more tanks for containing a siloxane solvent. Coupled between the tank and the cleaning basket is a pump for immersing the articles in the cleaning basket with the siloxane solvent. Also included is a still for distilling the dirty siloxane solvent to recover the pure siloxane solvent. A condenser is coupled to the cleaning basket and/or the still for recovering condensed vapors. For decanting any water in the siloxane solvent received from the condenser, a separator is coupled to the condenser. A fan is coupled to the cleaning basket for circulating air past the condenser, then the heater coils and into the cleaning basket for drying and cooling the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: GreenEarth Cleaning, LLC
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter R. Berndt, John McLeod Griffiss, James E. Douglas
  • Patent number: 6056789
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a closed loop dry cleaning system and method, in which dry cleaning machinery is used in conjunction with a specific solvent which is derived from an organic/inorganic hybrid (organo silicone). In this class of organo silicones is a group known as cyclic siloxanes. The cyclic siloxanes present the basis for material composition of the solvent chemistry which allows this dry cleaning system to be highly effective. The cyclic-siloxane-based solvent allows the system to result in an environmentally friendly process which is, also, more effective in cleaning fabrics and the like than any known prior system. The siloxane composition is employed in a dry cleaning machine to carry out the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: GreenEarth Cleaning LLC.
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter R. Berndt, John McLeod Griffiss, James E. Douglas
  • Patent number: 6042618
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a dry cleaning system and method, in which dry cleaning machinery is used in conjunction with a specific solvent which is derived from an organic/inorganic hybrid (organo silicone). In this class of organo silicones is a group known as cyclic siloxanes. The cyclic siloxanes present the basis for material composition of the solvent chemistry which allows this dry cleaning system to be highly effective. The cyclic-siloxane-based solvent allows the system to result in an environmentally friendly process which is, also, more effective in cleaning fabrics and the like than any known prior system. The siloxane composition is employed in a dry cleaning machine to carry out the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: GreenEarth Cleaning LLC
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter R. Berndt, John McLeod Griffiss, James E. Douglas