Patents by Inventor Mark A. Paradis

Mark A. Paradis 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: 11634863
    Abstract: An improved market pulp and process for making the same by adding a composite material are described. The composite material includes cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibers, or another high aspect ratio, high surface area cellulose material (or a starch, or both) and a crosslinking compound that crosslinks a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups to form a 3-D matrix. Adding the composite material to market pulp has been shown to improve the strength of twice-dried paper products, made from such an enhanced market pulp. By crosslinking a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups in the market pulp to form a 3-D matrix, a first drying step may be accomplished without loss of benefits afforded when the market pulp is later re-pulped to make a paper product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20200347549
    Abstract: An improved market pulp and process for making the same by adding a composite material are described. The composite material includes cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibers, or another high aspect ratio, high surface area cellulose material (or a starch, or both) and a crosslinking compound that crosslinks a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups to form a 3-D matrix. Adding the composite material to market pulp has been shown to improve the strength of twice-dried paper products, made from such an enhanced market pulp. By crosslinking a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups in the market pulp to form a 3-D matrix, a first drying step may be accomplished without loss of benefits afforded when the market pulp is later re-pulped to make a paper product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Patent number: 10563352
    Abstract: A scalable, energy efficient process for preparing cellulose nanofibers is disclosed. The process employs a depolymerizing treatment with one or both of: (a) a relatively high charge of ozone under conditions that promote the formation of free radicals to chemically depolymerize the cellulose fiber cell wall and interfiber bonds; or (b) a cellulase enzyme. Depolymerization may be estimated by pulp viscosity changes. The depolymerizing treatment is followed by or concurrent with mechanical comminution of the treated fibers, the comminution being done in any of several mechanical comminuting devices, the amount of energy savings varying depending on the type of comminuting system and the treatment conditions. Comminution may be carried out to any of several endpoint measures such as fiber length, % fines or slurry viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Patent number: 9988762
    Abstract: A scalable, energy efficient process for preparing cellulose nanofibers employs treating the cellulosic material with a first mechanical refiner with plates having a configuration of blades separated by grooves, and subsequently treating the material with a second mechanical refiner with plates having a configuration of blades separated by grooves different than the first refiner. The plate configurations and treatment operations are selected such that the first refiner produces a first specific edge loading (SEL) that is greater than the SEL of the second refiner, by as much as 2-50 fold. An exemplary high first SEL may be in the range of 1.5 to 8 J/m. Paper products made with about 2% to about 30% cellulose nanofibers having a length from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm, preferably from 0.2 mm to about 0.4 mm have improved properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20170073893
    Abstract: A scalable, energy efficient process for preparing cellulose nanofibers is disclosed. The process employs treating the cellulosic material with a first mechanical refiner with plates having a configuration of blades separated by grooves, and subsequently treating the material with a second mechanical refiner with plates having a configuration of blades separated by grooves different than the first refiner. The plate configurations and treatment operations are selected such that the first refiner produces a first SEL that is greater than the SEL of the second refiner, by as much as 2-50 fold. An exemplary high first SEL may be in the range of 1.5 to 8 J/m. Paper products made with about 2% to about 30% cellulose nanofibers having a length from about 0.2 mm to about 0.5 mm, preferably from 0.2 mm to about 0.4 mm have improved properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Patent number: 9458570
    Abstract: A modified filler composition for use in composites, such as paper and paper board, which is produced by reacting a filler material with a binder and a reactant material. Also, a method to produce composites, such as paper and paperboard, produced containing the modified filler composition is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: Cerealus Holdings LLC, University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Anthony Jabar, Jr., Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20150167243
    Abstract: A scalable, energy efficient process for preparing cellulose nanofibers is disclosed. The process employs a depolymerizing treatment with one or both of: (a) a relatively high charge of ozone under conditions that promote the formation of free radicals to chemically depolymerize the cellulose fiber cell wall and interfiber bonds; or (b) a cellulase enzyme. Depolymerization may be estimated by pulp viscosity changes. The depolymerizing treatment is followed by or concurrent with mechanical comminution of the treated fibers, the comminution being done in any of several mechanical comminuting devices, the amount of energy savings varying depending on the type of comminuting system and the treatment conditions. Comminution may be carried out to any of several endpoint measures such as fiber length, % fines or slurry viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20130192778
    Abstract: A modified filler composition for use in composites, such as paper and paper board, which is produced by reacting a filler material with a binder and a reactant material. Also, a method to produce composites, such as paper and paperboard, produced containing the modified filler composition is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES, CEREALUS HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Jabar, JR., Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20120094138
    Abstract: A fire resistant paint includes a film-forming binder, a solvent, and a hydrated mineral that imparts fire resistance to the paint. The paint, when applied to a fibrous composite article which comprises at least about 20 wt % lignocellulosic fibers bound together into a consolidated fibrous article, provides the article with a flame spread index of not greater than about 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Patent number: 8043384
    Abstract: A method for making fire retardant material including fire retardant cellulosic insulation is described. The method includes an arrangement for adding one or more feedstocks and a fire retardancy chemical compound to a common blend tank prior to feedstock drying. The one or more feedstocks may include at least one virgin pulp stock feed and at least one recycled material stock feed. The amount and type of both the virgin feedstock and the recycled material feedstock is selectable. Old newsprint (ONP) may be one type of recycled material feedstock. Another suitable type of recycled material feedstock is old corrugated containers (OCC). The method further includes retaining the fiber feedstock and the chemical compound together for enough time to ensure adherence or impregnations of enough of the chemical to the fibers after the drying process. Fluffing or fiberizing of the treated fibers may be accomplished under less severe conditions than ordinarily employed when making conventional cellulose insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Green Comfort Safe, Inc., University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Gerard A. Gagnon, Richard W. Munson, Daniel Harold Thompson, Jr., Michael Thorne Kelly, Robert A. Hupper, Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20110117354
    Abstract: A method for making fire retardant material including fire retardant cellulosic insulation. The method includes an arrangement for adding one or more feedstocks and a fire retardancy chemical compound to a common blend tank prior to feedstock drying. The one or more feedstocks may include at least one virgin pulp stock feed and at least one recycled material stock feed. The amount and type of both the virgin feedstock and the recycled material feedstock is selectable. Old newsprint (ONP) may be one type of recycled material feedstock. Another suitable type of recycled material feedstock is old corrugated containers (OCC). The method further includes retaining the fiber feedstock and the chemical compound together for enough time to ensure adherence or impregnations of enough of the chemical to the fibers after the drying process. Fluffing or fiberizing of the treated fibers may be accomplished under less severe conditions than ordinarily employed when making conventional cellulose insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicants: GREEN COMFORT SAFE, INC., UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES
    Inventors: Gerard A. Gagnon, Richard W. Munson, Daniel Harold Thompson, JR., Michael Thorne Kelly, Robert A. Hupper, Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20110095245
    Abstract: A method for making fire retardant material including fire retardant cellulosic insulation. The method includes an arrangement for adding one or more feedstocks and a fire retardancy chemical compound to a common blend tank prior to feedstock drying. The one or more feedstocks may include at least one virgin pulp stock feed and at least one recycled material stock feed. The amount and type of both the virgin feedstock and the recycled material feedstock is selectable. Old newsprint (ONP) may be one type of recycled material feedstock. Another suitable type of recycled material feedstock is old corrugated containers (OCC). The method further includes retaining the fiber feedstock and the chemical compound together for enough time to ensure adherence or impregnations of enough of the chemical to the fibers after the drying process. Fluffing or fiberizing of the treated fibers may be accomplished under less severe conditions than ordinarily employed when making conventional cellulose insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicants: Green Comfort Safe, Inc., University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Richard W. Munson, Gerard A. Gagnon, Daniel Harold Thompson, JR., Michael Thorne Kelly, Robert A. Hupper, Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20080250741
    Abstract: A fire resistant fibrous composite article includes fibers bound together into a consolidated fibrous article such as a fiberboard. A first fire retardant composition including a hydrated mineral is in the interior of the article. A second fire retardant composition including a boron-containing compound is in the surface of the article. In another embodiment, a fire resistant fibrous composite article includes fibers, a fire retardant hydrated mineral and a zeolite bound together into a consolidated fibrous article which is resistant to water absorption. Another embodiment provides a lignocellulosic fibrous composite board for use in a roof system in which the board is exposed to bonding energy when it is bonded to another roof system component during construction of the roof. Another embodiment relates to a roof system of which a lignocellulosic fibrous composite board is part. The board or the roof system is in compliance with one or more fire resistance or flame and smoke standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Proserfina D. Bennett, Michael A. Bilodeau, Donna A. Johnson, Mark A. Paradis, Jonathan M. Spender, Patrick S. Chiboroski, Craig D. Christiansen, Mark W. Custer, Marc A. Golden, David A. Hargreaves, Steven S. Healy, Brad W. Johnson, Thomas S. Verrill
  • Publication number: 20040170749
    Abstract: A modified starch composition is made by combining a starch with a polymer and cooking the combined starch and polymer composition under acidic conditions, the cooking producing anionic groups on the polymer. Another modified starch composition is made by cooking a starch and combining the cooked starch with a cooked polymer, the cooking producing anionic groups on the polymer, and the polymer having been cooked separately from the starch. The compositions may be used as clarifying aids for removing solids and other suspended materials from aqueous dispersions, and in particular as retention aids in the manufacture of paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: David J. Neivandt, Joseph M. Genco, Mark A. Paradis
  • Publication number: 20040171719
    Abstract: A starch composition is made by cooking a starch and combining the cooked starch with a polymer, the polymer containing anionic groups or potential anionic groups. Another starch composition is made by combining a starch with a polymer, the polymer containing anionic groups or potential anionic groups, and cooking the combined starch and polymer composition. A dry starch composition, suitable for forming an additive for a paper furnish, includes a starch and a polymer containing anionic groups or potential anionic groups. Methods of making the starch composition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: David J. Neivandt, Joseph M. Genco, Mark A. Paradis