Patents by Inventor Kevin J. MacDonald

Kevin J. MacDonald 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).

  • Publication number: 20200386736
    Abstract: A polymer detection probe is provided that includes a binding module that specifically binds to at least one polymer and a reporter module that is spectroscopically detectable. The binding module can be a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). The reporter module can be a fluorescent protein. A complex is provided that includes a probe specifically bound to a pulp or paper product including at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer. A pulp or paper product is provided that includes at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer and at least one probe bound thereto. Methods are provided that employ a lignocellulosic probe. A method of detecting a lignocellulosic polymer or other type of polymer is provided. A method of determining the effectiveness of an industrial treatment on pulp or a paper product is also provided. A method of determining a physical property of pulp or a paper product is further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicants: Buckman Laboratories International, Inc., Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres
    Inventors: Marc Beauregard, Fatma Meddeb-Mouelhi, Yannick Hebert-Ouellet, Bernard Janse, Kevin J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 10788477
    Abstract: A polymer detection probe is provided that includes a binding module that specifically binds to at least one polymer and a reporter module that is spectroscopically detectable. The binding module can be a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). The reporter module can be a fluorescent protein. A complex is provided that includes a probe specifically bound to a pulp or paper product including at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer. A pulp or paper product is provided that includes at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer and at least one probe bound thereto. Methods are provided that employ a lignocellulosic probe. A method of detecting a lignocellulosic polymer or other type of polymer is provided. A method of determining the effectiveness of an industrial treatment on pulp or a paper product is also provided. A method of determining a physical property of pulp or a paper product is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignees: BUCKMAN LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC., UNIVERSITE DU QUEBEC A TROIS-RIVIERES
    Inventors: Marc Beauregard, Fatma Meddeb-Mouelhi, Yannick Hebert-Ouellet, Bernard Janse, Kevin J. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20170115267
    Abstract: A polymer detection probe is provided that includes a binding module that specifically binds to at least one polymer and a reporter module that is spectroscopically detectable. The binding module can be a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM). The reporter module can be a fluorescent protein. A complex is provided that includes a probe specifically bound to a pulp or paper product including at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer. A pulp or paper product is provided that includes at least one surface available lignocellulosic polymer and at least one probe bound thereto. Methods are provided that employ a lignocellulosic probe. A method of detecting a lignocellulosic polymer or other type of polymer is provided. A method of determining the effectiveness of an industrial treatment on pulp or a paper product is also provided. A method of determining a physical property of pulp or a paper product is further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Beauregard, Fatma Meddeb-Mouelhi, Yannick Hebert-Ouellet, Bernard Janse, Kevin J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8784613
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling organic contaminants, such as xylans, pitch or both, that interfere with bleaching of fibers and/or cause other interference(s) in papermaking systems. The method includes contacting fibers before any bleaching thereof with a composition which contains a hemicellulolytic enzyme and an organic contaminant removal adjuvant to liberate the organic contaminants from the fibers. The treated fibers can then be bleached and further used, for example, in making paper. The present invention also relates to the treatment compositions and to paper products made with fiber materials treated with these compositions. A method of enhancing enzymatic degradation of a substrate as well as formulations and systems for achieving the same are also provided. Various substrates can be degraded or otherwise processed, including biomass, paper mill sludge, and animal hides. Enzymatic degradation can be enhanced by including one or more polymeric surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Bryant, Kevin J. MacDonald, Bernard Janse, Xiangdong Zhou, Philip Hoekstra, Daniel E. Glover
  • Publication number: 20140069599
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling organic contaminants, such as xylans, pitch or both, that interfere with bleaching of fibers and/or cause other interference(s) in papermaking systems. The method includes contacting fibers before any bleaching thereof with a composition which contains a hemicellulolytic enzyme and an organic contaminant removal adjuvant to liberate the organic contaminants from the fibers. The treated fibers can then be bleached and further used, for example, in making paper. The present invention also relates to the treatment compositions and to paper products made with fiber materials treated with these compositions. A method of enhancing enzymatic degradation of a substrate as well as formulations and systems for achieving the same are also provided. Various substrates can be degraded or otherwise processed, including biomass, paper mill sludge, and animal hides. Enzymatic degradation can be enhanced by including one or more polymeric surfactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Bryant, Kevin J. MacDonald, Bernard Janse, Xiangdong Zhou, Philip Hoekstra, Daniel E. Glover
  • Patent number: 8652301
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling organic contaminants, such as xylans, pitch or both, that interfere with bleaching of fibers and/or cause other interference(s) in papermaking systems. The method includes contacting fibers before any bleaching thereof with a composition which contains a hemicellulolytic enzyme and an organic contaminant removal adjuvant to liberate the organic contaminants from the fibers. The treated fibers can then be bleached and further used, for example, in making paper. The present invention also relates to the treatment compositions and to paper products made with fiber materials treated with these compositions. A method of enhancing enzymatic degradation of a substrate as well as formulations and systems for achieving the same are also provided. Various substrates can be degraded or otherwise processed, including biomass, paper mill sludge, and animal hides. Enzymatic degradation can be enhanced by including one or more polymeric surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Bryant, Kevin J. MacDonald, Bernard Janse, Xiangdong Zhou, Philip Hoekstra, Daniel E. Glover