Patents by Inventor Mark R. Stouffer

Mark R. Stouffer 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: 20140305882
    Abstract: Described herein is a liquid filtration device is disclosed comprising a fluid conduit fluidly connecting a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet; and a water filtration medium disposed in the fluid conduit; the water filter medium comprising a metal-containing particulate, wherein the metal-containing particulate comprises a thermolysis product of a metal carboxylate; and methods of removing chloramines from aqueous solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Meredith McMurdo Doyle, Mark R. Stouffer, Thomas E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140209541
    Abstract: Described herein is a filtration medium comprising a carbon substrate having a surface of COxEy, wherein E is selected from at least one of S, Se, and Te; and wherein x is no more than 0.1 and y is 0.005 to 0.3; a filtration device comprising the filtration medium; and methods of removing chloramines from aqueous solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Allen R. Siedle, Mark R. Stouffer
  • Publication number: 20140060727
    Abstract: A porous composite block includes a plurality of primary structures bonded to one to another. Each primary structure comprises adsorptive media particles bonded together by a polymeric binder. A filter assembly including the porous composite block, and a method of making the porous composite block are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Mark R. Stouffer, Eric C. Pemberton
  • Patent number: 8206627
    Abstract: Provided are filtration matrixes formed from adsorptive media, such as activated carbon, and polymeric binder for use in water filtration systems. A first aspect of the invention provides methods of making a filtration matrix comprising: mixing an adsorptive media with a polymeric binder to form a mixture; impulse filling a mold with the mixture; and processing the mixture to form the filtration matrix. Filtration matrixes formed from this method are also provided. Another aspect includes methods of making a filtration matrix comprising: mixing adsorptive media with a polymeric binder to form a mixture; filling a mold with the mixture; and applying heat and pressure the mixture to form the filtration matrix, wherein the step of applying pressure to the mixture comprises compressing the mixture until a desired final shape of the filtration matrix is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Stouffer, Richard A. Prince, Robert E. Astle
  • Patent number: 8205755
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide composite carbon blocks with improved capacity for the removal of contaminants such as THMs (trihalomethanes) and trace VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in water. In one aspect, a filtration matrix comprises a polymeric binder and an adsorptive media comprising activated carbon having a bulk density of 0.54 (0.57, or even 0.60) g/cc or greater. The carbon BET surface area can be 1100 (950, or even 550) m2/g or less. The polymeric binder can be ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. Also provided are methods of making filtration matrixes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Stouffer, Richard A. Prince, Robert E. Astle, William J. Feil, III
  • Publication number: 20110042298
    Abstract: A filter medium comprises: a) 55 to 80 percent by weight of activated carbon particles having a D50 of 70 to 130 micrometers and a D10 of 25 to 50 micrometers; b) 5 to 20 percent by weight of first catalytic activated carbon particles having a D50 in a range of 20 to 40 micrometers and a D10 of 2 to 20 micrometers; and c) 10 to 30 percent by weight of a thermoplastic binder that binds at least the activated carbon particles and the catalytic activated carbon particles into a porous unitary body, wherein the percent by weight of components a)-c) is based upon a total weight of components a)-c). A water filtration system including the filter medium is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Mark R. Stouffer, Eric C. Pemberton
  • Patent number: 7854848
    Abstract: Herein are disclosed apparatus and methods that can be used to receive a volume of potable water from a source and to treat the volume of water so as to improve the perceived or actual aesthetic quality of the water, and to thereafter contain the treated water such that it can be used or consumed. In general, the apparatus comprises a container capable of receiving a volume of water, and a capture element within the container that is capable of removing at least a portion of such substances in the water as may be perceived as impacting water quality. The capture element comprises sorbent media that is capable of removing at least some portion of such undesirable substances, and that may comprise, for example, activated carbon and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Judd D. Olson, Robert J. Reuter, Mark R. Stouffer, Benjamin P. Williams
  • Publication number: 20100243572
    Abstract: Provided are plasma-treated binders for use in filtration media comprising sorbent media. Plasma treatment can use silane, oxygen, or both. Plasma-treated binders can be charge-modified with the addition of an anti-microbial agent. The filtration media can be used to make matrixes and systems. Methods of making and using the same are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Mark R. Stouffer, Moses M. David
  • Publication number: 20100065503
    Abstract: Herein are disclosed apparatus and methods that can be used to receive a volume of potable water from a source and to treat the volume of water so as to improve the perceived or actual aesthetic quality of the water, and to thereafter contain the treated water such that it can be used or consumed. In general, the apparatus comprises a container capable of receiving a volume of water, and a capture element within the container that is capable of removing at least a portion of such substances in the water as may be perceived as impacting water quality. The capture element comprises sorbent media that is capable of removing at least some portion of such undesirable substances, and that may comprise, for example, activated carbon and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Judd D. Olson, Robert J. Reuter, Mark R. Stouffer, Benjamin P. Williams
  • Publication number: 20070221569
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide composite carbon blocks with improved capacity for the removal of contaminants such as THMs (trihalomethanes) and trace VOCs (volatile organic compounds) found in water. In one aspect, a filtration matrix comprises a polymeric binder and an adsorptive media comprising activated carbon having a bulk density of 0.54 (0.57, or even 0.60) g/cc or greater. The carbon BET surface area can be 1100 (950, or even 550) m2/g or less. The polymeric binder can be ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. Also provided are methods of making filtration matrixes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Mark R. Stouffer, Richard A. Prince, Robert E. Astle, William J. Feil
  • Publication number: 20070222101
    Abstract: Provided are filtration matrixes formed from adsorptive media, such as activated carbon, and polymeric binder for use in water filtration systems. A first aspect of the invention provides methods of making a filtration matrix comprising: mixing an adsorptive media with a polymeric binder to form a mixture; impulse filling a mold with the mixture; and processing the mixture to form the filtration matrix. Filtration matrixes formed from this method are also provided. Another aspect includes methods of making a filtration matrix comprising: mixing adsorptive media with a polymeric binder to form a mixture; filling a mold with the mixture; and applying heat and pressure the mixture to form the filtration matrix, wherein the step of applying pressure to the mixture comprises compressing the mixture until a desired final shape of the filtration matrix is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Mark R. Stouffer, Richard A. Prince, Robert E. Astle