Patents by Inventor Mark Paradis
Mark 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).
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Patent number: 11753773Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignees: General Mills, Inc., University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: George Tuszkiewicz, Matthew W Lorence, Mark Paradis, Michael A Bilodeau
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Patent number: 11634863Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20220316140Abstract: Methods of making a paper or board product comprising a top ply slurry comprising microfibrillated cellulose and, optionally, one or more inorganic particulate material, applied to a forming web of paper through an applicator comprising a channel terminating in a slot, wherein the slot is in fluid communication with a flexible blade suitable to form a top ply on top of the forming web of paper at the wet end of the paper machine and applicators for practicing such methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: FIBERLEAN TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: Per SVENDING, Jonathan PHIPPS, Mark PARADIS, Soultana SELINA, David R. SKUSE
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Publication number: 20220081840Abstract: A method of manufacturing a partially-dried sheet comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, microfibrillated cellulose suitable for use as a binder, or a dried sheet comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, a blend of microfibrillated cellulose and a pulp suitable for use as a pulp source, wherein said sheet may be redispersed with a high shear disperser, mixer or refiner operated at energy inputs of about 10 kWh/t to about 2,000 kWh/t, wherein the sheet upon re-dispersion in a aqueous medium maintains, or is not substantially degraded in, tensile index, compared to the dried sheet prior to drying and re-dispersion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: FiberLean Technologies LimitedInventors: Thomas REEVE-LARSON, Mark WINDEBANK, Daniel INGLE, Mark PARADIS, David R. SKUSE
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Publication number: 20200347549Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20200240087Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicants: General Mills, Inc., University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: George Tuszkiewicz, Matthew W. Lorence, Mark Paradis, Michael A. Bilodeau
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Patent number: 10669675Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignees: General Mills, Inc., University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: George Tuszkiewicz, Matthew W Lorence, Mark Paradis, Michael A Bilodeau
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Patent number: 10563352Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20180313039Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicants: General Mills, Inc., University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: George Tuszkiewicz, Matthew W Lorence, Mark Paradis, Michael A Bilodeau
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Patent number: 9988762Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20170073893Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Patent number: 9458570Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignees: Cerealus Holdings LLC, University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Anthony Jabar, Jr., Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20150167243Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20130192778Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES, CEREALUS HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Anthony Jabar, JR., Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20120094138Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEESInventors: Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Patent number: 8043384Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignees: Green Comfort Safe, Inc., University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Gerard A. Gagnon, Richard W. Munson, Daniel Harold Thompson, Jr., Michael Thorne Kelly, Robert A. Hupper, Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20110117354Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2011Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicants: GREEN COMFORT SAFE, INC., UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEESInventors: Gerard A. Gagnon, Richard W. Munson, Daniel Harold Thompson, JR., Michael Thorne Kelly, Robert A. Hupper, Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20110095245Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicants: Green Comfort Safe, Inc., University of Maine System Board of TrusteesInventors: Richard W. Munson, Gerard A. Gagnon, Daniel Harold Thompson, JR., Michael Thorne Kelly, Robert A. Hupper, Michael A. Bilodeau, Mark A. Paradis
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Publication number: 20080250741Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20050236127Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2005Publication date: October 27, 2005Inventors: David Neivandt, Joseph Genco, Mark Paradis