Patents by Inventor John E. Hughes

John E. Hughes 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: 11898049
    Abstract: Described herein is a coating composition suitable for application to a building panel. The coating composition comprises inorganic pigment, liquid carrier, and a humectant comprising a first ester-containing compound. The liquid carrier may be present in an amount ranging from about 10 wt. % to about 30 wt. % based on the total weight of the coating composition. Described herein are also building panels coated with the coating composition and methods of their production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: John E. Hughes, Steven L Masia
  • Publication number: 20240026162
    Abstract: Described herein is a building panel comprising a body having an upper surface opposite a lower surface and a side surface extending there-between, a coating applied to the side surface, the coating comprising a binder, a pigment composition, and an amphoteric surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Linzhu ZHANG, John E. HUGHES, Jessica L. VOIGHT
  • Publication number: 20230383531
    Abstract: Described herein is a flame-retardant building panel comprising a body having a first major surface opposite a second major surface, an inorganic coating atop the first major surface, the inorganic coating being optically transparent and flame retardant and comprising a silicate compound; and wherein the inorganic flame retardant coating is substantially transparent such that the first major surface of the body is visible through the inorganic coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: John E. Hughes, Linzhu Zhang, Michelle X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20230323658
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flame-retardant building panel comprising a body having a first major surface opposite a second major surface, an inorganic coating atop the first major surface, the inorganic coating comprising a flame retardant component that includes a phosphate compound, and a metal complexing agent. In other aspect, the invention is a method of forming a flame-retardant building panel comprising: a) applying an inorganic coating composition to a major surface of a body; and b) drying the inorganic coating composition at an elevated temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: John E. HUGHES, Suzanne M. HUNTZINGER
  • Patent number: 11761200
    Abstract: Described herein is a flame-retardant building panel comprising a body having a first major surface opposite a second major surface, an inorganic coating atop the first major surface, the inorganic coating being optically transparent and flame retardant and comprising a silicate compound; and wherein the inorganic flame retardant coating is substantially transparent such that the first major surface of the body is visible through the inorganic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: AWI LICENSING LLC
    Inventors: John E. Hughes, Linzhu Zhang, Michelle X. Wang
  • Publication number: 20230279257
    Abstract: Described herein is a coating composition suitable for application to a panel. The coating composition exhibits stability upon exposure to various temperatures, such as temperatures which induce freezing and thawing. The coating composition comprises calcium carbonate; titanium dioxide; opacity pigment composite comprising TiO2 encapsulated within a precipitated calcium carbonate shell; calcined diatomaceous earth; calcium chloride, aluminum hydroxide; and vinyl acrylic polymer. Described herein are also building panels coated with the coating composition and methods of their formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: John E. HUGHES, Linzhu ZHANG, Lori Jo L. SHEARER
  • Publication number: 20230279245
    Abstract: Described herein is a building panel comprising a body having a first major surface opposite a second major surface and a side surface extending therebetween, a coating applied to at least one of the first major surface, the second major surface, or the side surface, the coating comprising a binder, and a pigment composition comprising titanium dioxide, an alkali metal silicate, and a clay; wherein the titanium dioxide is present in an amount ranging from about 3.0 wt. % to about 15.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the pigment composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: John E HUGHES, Suzanne M HUNTZINGER
  • Publication number: 20230265652
    Abstract: An acoustical building panel is disclosed that comprises a fibrous panel comprising: a central portion having a first major surface; a perimeter portion surrounding the central portion; a recess press-formed into the perimeter portion, the recess circumscribing the first major surface and comprising a recess floor surface; a second major surface opposite the first major surface; and side edge surfaces that define a perimeter of the fibrous panel and extend from the second major surface to the recess floor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Eric D KRAGNESS, Alexandra G WALTEMYER, Jason T CAVANAUGH, John E HUGHES, Lori Jo L SHEARER, Bartolo J TORRE
  • Publication number: 20230257631
    Abstract: Described herein is a fire-resistant adhesive coating composition which emits water vapor when exposed to fire. Such compositions comprise an ionic polyacrylate dispersant, aluminum hydroxide, silicate, and an alkoxylated alcohol. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a solids content of at least about 44.2%, based on the wet weight of the composition. Also described herein are methods for making and using of such coating compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: John E. HUGHES, Linzhu Zhang, Michelle X. WANG
  • Patent number: 11685837
    Abstract: Described herein is a building panel comprising a body having a first major surface opposite a second major surface and a side surface extending therebetween, a coating applied to at least one of the first major surface, the second major surface, or the side surface, the coating comprising a binder, and a pigment composition comprising titanium dioxide, an alkali metal silicate, and a clay; wherein the titanium dioxide is present in an amount ranging from about 3.0 wt. % to about 15.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the pigment composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: John E Hughes, Suzanne M Huntzinger
  • Publication number: 20230183974
    Abstract: Described herein is a coated building panel having a body and a surface coating atop the body, the surface coating comprising inorganic pigment and a polymeric dispersant comprising a polymer backbone and pendant side chains extending from the polymer backbone; wherein the surface coating comprises a liquid carrier in an amount less than about 1 wt. % based on the total weight of the surface coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Lida LU, Kenneth G. CALDWELL, Michelle X. WANG, John E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11668091
    Abstract: An acoustical building panel is disclosed that comprises a fibrous panel comprising: a central portion having a first major surface; a perimeter portion surrounding the central portion; a recess press-formed into the perimeter portion, the recess circumscribing the first major surface and comprising a recess floor surface; a second major surface opposite the first major surface; and side edge surfaces that define a perimeter of the fibrous panel and extend from the second major surface to the recess floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Eric D Kragness, Alexandra G Waltemyer, Jason T Cavanaugh, John E Hughes, Lori Jo L Shearer, Bartolo J Torre
  • Publication number: 20230130177
    Abstract: Described herein is a coating composition suitable for application to a panel. The coating composition exhibits stability upon exposure to high temperatures. The coating composition comprises calcium carbonate; titanium dioxide; opacity pigment composite comprising TiO2 encapsulated within a precipitated calcium carbonate shell; calcined diatomaceous earth; aluminum hydroxide; and vinyl acrylic polymer. Described herein are also building panels coated with the coating composition and methods of their formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Linzhu ZHANG, John E. HUGHES, Jason T. CAVANAUGH, Lori Jo L. SHEARER
  • Publication number: 20230072469
    Abstract: Described herein is a surface coating composition useful to provide durability and fire resistance to building panels, as well as methods to prepare the same. The coating composition comprises silicate present in an amount from about 65 to about 85 wet wt. %; hectorite clay present in an amount from about 0.15 to about 0.5 wet wt. %; silica present in an amount from about 1 to about 3 wet wt. %; and polysorbate present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 10 wet wt. %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: John E. HUGHES, Linzhu ZHANG, Michelle X. WANG
  • Patent number: 11598095
    Abstract: Described herein is a coated building panel having a body and a surface coating atop the body, the surface coating comprising inorganic pigment and a polymeric dispersant comprising a polymer backbone and pendant side chains extending from the polymer backbone; wherein the surface coating comprises a liquid carrier in an amount less than about 1 wt. % based on the total weight of the surface coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Lida Lu, Kenneth G. Caldwell, Michelle X. Wang, John E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20230008232
    Abstract: Described herein are compositions useful for infusing color into nonwoven polyester containing product and methods to do so. Such compositions and methods comprise use of a color infusion composition comprising an antimigrant polymer; pigment; ammonium polyphosphate; and an anionic surfactant comprising phosphate. In certain embodiments, thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 93.0° C. or less is used to enhance color infusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: John E. HUGHES, Gilbert W. FITZHUGH, Charles G. KRICK, Anthony L. WIKER
  • Publication number: 20220363937
    Abstract: Described herein is a coated building panel comprising: a substrate comprising a first major surface opposite a second major surface; a coating atop at least one of the first major surface or the second major surface, the coating comprising: a binder composition; an antimicrobial composition comprising a cationic compound; a stabilization composition comprising: a silicate compound; and a surfactant having an HLB value between about 10 and about 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventor: John E. HUGHES
  • Publication number: 20220289987
    Abstract: Described herein is a barrier coating composition comprising an organic blend comprising a first component and a second component, the first component comprising latex polymer and the second component being selected from polyurethane emulsion, wax emulsion, and alkyd emulsion, wherein the first component and the second component are present in a weight ratio ranging from about 2:1 to about 20:1, and the latex polymer has a glass transition temperature of less than about 18° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Linzhu ZHANG, John E. HUGHES, Michelle X. WANG, Steven L. MASIA
  • Publication number: 20220290425
    Abstract: Described herein is a coated building panel comprising an acoustical body comprising a first major surface and a side surface that intersects the first major surface, a coating applied to the first major surface, the coating comprising a polymeric binder, a pigment, and a hydrophobic component present in an amount ranging from about 1.0 wt. % to about 8.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the coating; and wherein the pigment and polymeric binder are present in a weight ratio ranging from about 3.5:1 to about 6.5:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: John E. HUGHES, Christian BUSQUE, Linzhu ZHANG
  • Patent number: 11365322
    Abstract: Described herein is a barrier coating composition comprising an organic blend comprising a first component and a second component, the first component comprising latex polymer and the second component being selected from polyurethane emulsion, wax emulsion, and alkyd emulsion, wherein the first component and the second component are present in a weight ratio ranging from about 2:1 to about 20:1, and the latex polymer has a glass transition temperature of less than about 18° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Linzhu Zhang, John E. Hughes, Michelle X. Wang, Steven L. Masia