Patents by Inventor Mark K. Hemphill

Mark K. Hemphill 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: 12686149
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture gypsum board that directs an aqueous gypsum slurry to a second cover sheet, and passes the second cover sheet over a roller spaced above a first cover sheet so that a majority of the aqueous gypsum slurry of falls off the second cover sheet to deposit over the first cover sheet. Another aqueous gypsum slurry of a different density than the deposited slurry is applied over the first cover sheet before and/or after the deposited slurry. A gypsum board having layers of different densities is made by the method and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: KNAUF GIPS KG
    Inventors: Mark K. Hemphill, Annamaria Vilinska, Yijun Sang, Sooraj Kumar Ambadi Omanakuttan Nair
  • Patent number: 12649692
    Abstract: A plurality of set stabilizer particles including: a particle core including 50 to 98 wt. %, preferably 70 to 98 wt. % or 70 to 95 wt. %, calcium sulfate dihydrate and 0.05 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.5 to 5 wt. %, hydrophobic material selected from wax and/or siloxane, and a coating on the particle core, the coating including a dehydration-preventing substance selected from sugars, dextrins, and polyhydroxy alcohols, such as glycerol or polyglycols, at a ratio of about 5 to 25 parts by weight of dehydration-preventing substance per 100 parts by weight of calcium sulfate dihydrate. Methods of making and using the set stabilizer particles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: KNAUF GIPS KG
    Inventors: Mark K. Hemphill, Naser Aldabeibeh, Mark Antosh
  • Publication number: 20260151933
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture gypsum board that directs a first portion of aqueous gypsum slurry to a front cover sheet, directs a second portion of aqueous gypsum slurry to a back cover sheet, passes the back cover sheet over a roller spaced above the front cover sheet so that a majority of the second aqueous gypsum slurry falls off the back cover sheet onto the first portion of aqueous gypsum slurry on the front cover sheet. A gypsum board made by the method or apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Applicant: KNAUF GIPS KG
    Inventors: Sooraj Kumar AMBADI OMANAKUTTAN NAIR, Mark K. HEMPHILL, Yijun SANG, Annamaria VILINSKA
  • Patent number: 12558811
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture gypsum board that directs a first portion of aqueous gypsum slurry to a front cover sheet, directs a second portion of aqueous gypsum slurry to a back cover sheet, passes the back cover sheet over a roller spaced above the front cover sheet so that a majority of the second aqueous gypsum slurry falls off the back cover sheet onto the first portion of aqueous gypsum slurry on the front cover sheet. A gypsum board made by the method or apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: KNAUF GIPS KG
    Inventors: Sooraj Kumar Ambadi Omanakuttan Nair, Mark K. Hemphill, Yijun Sang, Annamaria Vilinska
  • Patent number: 12448334
    Abstract: A fire-resistant gypsum panel comprises: a gypsum core layer comprising set gypsum and a high temperature sag-resistant material including mineral wool in an amount between 0.2% and 3.0% by weight of gypsum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: KNAUF GIPS KG
    Inventors: Mark K. Hemphill, Qinghua Li, Aaron D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12415765
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composite gypsum board comprising a set gypsum core disposed between face (e.g., Manila) and back (e.g., Newsline) cover sheets. The set gypsum core is formed from a core slurry comprising stucco, water, and optional additives, such as foaming agent, migrating starch, accelerator, retarder, dispersant, etc. A dense layer formed from a dense layer slurry comprising stucco, water, fiber (e.g., paper fiber), and optionally, strength-enhancing starch, is disposed between the core and the face paper. The dense layer slurry contains a greater concentration of fiber, and optionally, strength-enhancing starch, than the core slurry, but the concentration of one or more other additives (e.g., accelerator, retarder, dispersant, or combinations thereof) is lower or the same in the dense slurry as compared with the core slurry. Also disclosed is a method of making board using one board mixer. In embodiments, paper fiber is added to water to form a suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2025
    Assignee: Knauf Gips KG
    Inventors: Annamaria Vilinska, Mark K. Hemphill, Yijun Sang, Nicholas S. Jones, Kevern O. Fraser, Jon Cross, Te Hua Lau
  • Publication number: 20250018601
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture gypsum board that directs an aqueous gypsum slurry to a second cover sheet, and passes the second cover sheet over a roller spaced above a first cover sheet so that a majority of the aqueous gypsum slurry of falls off the second cover sheet to deposit over the first cover sheet. Another aqueous gypsum slurry of a different density than the deposited slurry is applied over the first cover sheet before and/or after the deposited slurry. A gypsum board having layers of different densities is made by the method and apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark K. HEMPHILL, Annamaria VILINSKA, Yijun SANG, Sooraj Kumar AMBADI OMANAKUTTAN NAIR
  • Publication number: 20240182363
    Abstract: A plurality of set stabilizer particles including: a particle core including 50 to 98 wt. %, preferably 70 to 98 wt. % or 70 to 95 wt. %, calcium sulfate dihydrate and 0.05 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.5 to 5 wt. %, hydrophobic material selected from wax and/or siloxane, and a coating on the particle core, the coating including a dehydration-preventing substance selected from sugars, dextrins, and polyhydroxy alcohols, such as glycerol or polyglycols, at a ratio of about 5 to 25 parts by weight of dehydration-preventing substance per 100 parts by weight of calcium sulfate dihydrate. Methods of making and using the set stabilizer particles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Mark K. Hemphill, Naser Aldabeibeh, Mark Antosh
  • Patent number: 11993054
    Abstract: Disclosed are a composite gypsum board and a method of preparing composite gypsum board. The board contains set gypsum layers sandwiched between two cover sheets. The set gypsum layers are formed from at least stucco and water. The set gypsum layers include a board core and one or more skim coat layers. The set gypsum core makes up a substantial thickness (e.g., at least about 90%, at least about 92%, at least about 95%, or at least about 97%) of the total thickness of all the gypsum layers. A first skim coat layer is included on one side of the core, facing a first (face) cover sheet. A second skim coat layer is included on the other side of the core, facing a second (back) cover sheet. At least the second skim layer is formed from a slurry that contains starch. The stucco material generally includes a high salt impurity content, for example, when the stucco is calcined from certain sources of low-quality synthetic gypsum. For example, in some embodiments, the salts are chloride salts, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Qinghua Li, Mark K. Hemphill
  • Patent number: 11891336
    Abstract: Disclosed are a composite gypsum board and a method of preparing composite gypsum board. The board contains at least one set gypsum layer sandwiched between two cover sheets. The set gypsum layer is formed from at least stucco and water. The stucco material generally includes a high salt impurity content, for example, when the stucco is calcined from certain sources of low-quality synthetic gypsum. For example, in some embodiments, the salts are chloride salts, e.g., sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and/or calcium chloride (CaCl2)). At least one of the cover sheets is composed of high absorption paper, which enhances the bond between the set gypsum layer and the cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Qinghua Li, Mark K. Hemphill
  • Publication number: 20240033972
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to manufacture gypsum board that directs a first portion of aqueous gypsum slurry to a front cover sheet, directs a second portion of aqueous gypsum slurry to a back cover sheet, passes the back cover sheet over a roller spaced above the front cover sheet so that a majority of the second aqueous gypsum slurry falls off the back cover sheet onto the first portion of aqueous gypsum slurry on the front cover sheet. A gypsum board made by the method or apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Sooraj Kumar AMBADI OMANAKUTTAN NAIR, Mark K. HEMPHILL, Yijun Sang, Annamaria Vilinska
  • Patent number: 11834375
    Abstract: Disclosed are a composite gypsum board and a method of preparing composite gypsum board. The board contains a set gypsum core sandwiched between two cover sheets. The core is formed from a slurry containing stucco, water, and optional ingredients such as foaming agent, accelerator, retarder, polyphosphate, starch, and dispersant, and core intumescent material. The board also contains at least one skim coat and/or hard edges. A face skim coat layer can be included on one side of the core, facing a face cover sheet. A back skim coat layer can be included on the other side of the core, facing a back cover sheet. Hard edges are known in the art and can be formed, e.g., continuously from a stucco slurry for forming the face and/or back skim coats. Preferably, the back skim coat layer and/or the hard edges are formed from a slurry containing stucco, water, skim coat or edge intumescent material (which have the same desired characteristics), and other optional additives as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Qinghua Li, Mark K. Hemphill, Naveen Punati
  • Patent number: 11834374
    Abstract: An accelerator for accelerating the rate of hydration of calcined gypsum is disclosed. The accelerator comprises calcium sulfate dihydrate particles and a starch. The starch has a cold water solubility of at least about 25% (e.g., at least about 35%) and a viscosity of about 25 Brabender Units (BU) or less when the starch is in a 30% aqueous slurry at 92° C. Also disclosed are a method of preparing an accelerator, method of hydrating stucco to form set gypsum, slurry, and method of making gypsum board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY
    Inventors: Yijun Sang, Mark K. Hemphill, Yongman Kim, James W. Barber
  • Publication number: 20230045576
    Abstract: A fire-resistant gypsum panel comprises: a gypsum core layer comprising set gypsum and a high temperature sag-resistant material including mineral wool in an amount between 0.2% and 3.0% by weight of gypsum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Mark K. HEMPHILL, Qinghua LI, Aaron D. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20230021340
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composite gypsum board comprising a set gypsum core disposed between face (e.g., Manila) and back (e.g., Newsline) cover sheets. The set gypsum core is formed from a core slurry comprising stucco, water, and optional additives, such as foaming agent, migrating starch, accelerator, retarder, dispersant, etc. A dense layer formed from a dense layer slurry comprising stucco, water, fiber (e.g., paper fiber), and optionally, strength-enhancing starch, is disposed between the core and the face paper. The dense layer slurry contains a greater concentration of fiber, and optionally, strength-enhancing starch, than the core slurry, but the concentration of one or more other additives (e.g., accelerator, retarder, dispersant, or combinations thereof) is lower or the same in the dense slurry as compared with the core slurry. Also disclosed is a method of making board using one board mixer. In embodiments, paper fiber is added to water to form a suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Annamaria VILINSKA, Mark K. HEMPHILL, Yijun SANG, Nicholas S. JONES, Kevern O. FRASER, Jon CROSS, Te Hua LAU
  • Publication number: 20230002974
    Abstract: A gypsum wallboard panel comprises: a gypsum core; and a paper cover sheet disposed on the gypsum core, the paper cover sheet comprising pulp fiber and an uncooked starch in an amount of at least 2% by weight of the pulp fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Mark K. HEMPHILL, Gregory K. YUM, Yijun SANG
  • Publication number: 20210238096
    Abstract: Disclosed are a composite gypsum board and a method of preparing composite gypsum board. The board contains a set gypsum core sandwiched between two cover sheets. The core is formed from a slurry containing stucco, water, and optional ingredients such as foaming agent, accelerator, retarder, polyphosphate, starch, and dispersant, and core intumescent material. The board also contains at least one skim coat and/or hard edges. A face skim coat layer can be included on one side of the core, facing a face cover sheet. A back skim coat layer can be included on the other side of the core, facing a back cover sheet. Hard edges are known in the art and can be formed, e.g., continuously from a stucco slurry for forming the face and/or back skim coats. Preferably, the back skim coat layer and/or the hard edges are formed from a slurry containing stucco, water, skim coat or edge intumescent material (which have the same desired characteristics), and other optional additives as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Qinghua LI, Mark K. HEMPHILL, Naveen PUNATI
  • Publication number: 20210198148
    Abstract: Disclosed are a composite gypsum board and a method of preparing gypsum board. The board contains at least one set gypsum layer sandwiched between face and back cover sheets. The set gypsum layer is formed from at least stucco and water. The stucco material generally includes a high salt impurity content, for example, when the stucco is calcined from certain sources of low-quality synthetic gypsum. For example, in some embodiments, the salts are chloride salts, e.g., sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and/or calcium chloride (CaCl2). The board and methods improve the bond between the gypsum layer(s) and at least one of the cover sheets (e.g., the back cover sheet). Also provided are methods and systems relating to drying gypsum board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Qinghua Li, Mark K. Hemphill, Brian J. Christ, Curtis B. Loring
  • Publication number: 20210155545
    Abstract: Disclosed are a composite gypsum board and a method of preparing composite gypsum board. The board contains at least one set gypsum layer sandwiched between two cover sheets. The set gypsum layer is formed from at least stucco and water. The stucco material generally includes a high salt impurity content, for example, when the stucco is calcined from certain sources of low-quality synthetic gypsum. For example, in some embodiments, the salts are chloride salts, e.g., sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and/or calcium chloride (CaCl2)). At least one of the cover sheets is composed of high absorption paper, which enhances the bond between the set gypsum layer and the cover sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Qinghua Li, Mark K. Hemphill
  • Publication number: 20210129490
    Abstract: Disclosed are a composite gypsum board and a method of preparing composite gypsum board. The board contains set gypsum layers sandwiched between two cover sheets. The set gypsum layers are formed from at least stucco and water. The set gypsum layers include a board core and one or more skim coat layers. The set gypsum core makes up a substantial thickness (e.g., at least about 90%, at least about 92%, at least about 95%, or at least about 97%) of the total thickness of all the gypsum layers. A first skim coat layer is included on one side of the core, facing a first (face) cover sheet. A second skim coat layer is included on the other side of the core, facing a second (back) cover sheet. At least the second skim layer is formed from a slurry that contains starch. The stucco material generally includes a high salt impurity content, for example, when the stucco is calcined from certain sources of low-quality synthetic gypsum. For example, in some embodiments, the salts are chloride salts, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Qinghua Li, Mark K. Hemphill