Patents by Inventor Melvin Glenn Mitchell

Melvin Glenn Mitchell 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: 11668050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasonic welding of compositions, and wet laid articles made from the compositions, containing cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers, as well as wet laid processes using the compositions. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wet laid nonwoven comprising cellulose and cellulose ester fibers. The wet laid nonwoven is bonded to itself and/or to other substrates, and this bonding is accomplished at least in part by ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Kenny Randolph Parker, Jeremy Kenneth Steach, Melvin Glenn Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11639579
    Abstract: A recycled cellulose pulp composition is provided which comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. A wet-laid fibrous product is also provided which comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. A bailed article is also provided that comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. In embodiments, the recycled cellulosic fibers are present in an amount of 50 wt % or more, based on the total dry weight of fibers, and the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to increase the Canadian standard freeness (CSF) of the composition by 5% or more compared to a 100 wt % cellulosic fiber pulp composition processed under similar conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kenny Randolph Parker, Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11530516
    Abstract: A composition is contained a blend zone prior to refining containing non-fibrillated virgin cellulose fibers, waste/recycle cellulose fibers or both; cellulose ester fibers, water, and one or more additives comprising fillers, internal sizing agents, biocides, process anti-foaming agents, colorants, optical modifiers, or a combination thereof. An in-line mixer can be used for adding the additives, and the consistency of the composition is lowered relative to a feed of material from a hydropulper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
  • Patent number: 11525215
    Abstract: A film is made from a wet laid product containing cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers and a plasticizer. The film can be made by heat pressing the wet laid sheet to form a film having a continuous phase of cellulose ester resin and a discontinuous phase of cellulose fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker
  • Patent number: 11519132
    Abstract: A composition obtained by combining virgin cellulose fibers, cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers having a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3, and water, and water. The CE staple fibers can also have a short cut length of less than 6 mm and can be crimped. The compositions, when co-refined, are useful to make wet laid products such as paper, cardboard, and filters that have improved water drainage, air permeability, tensile strength, bulk, burst strength, or stiffness, or a combination of these properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Mounir Izallalen, Koushik Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11512433
    Abstract: A wet laid process includes a method for making paper in which a composition containing co-refined cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers made into a thick stock composition in a machine chest, the thick stock is fed to a cleaning/screening zone through a device that regulates the flow rate of thick stock, the consistency of the thick stock fed to the screening/cleaning zone is reduced to form a thin stock composition; the thin stock composition is subjected to a process for cleaning the thin stock and feeding the cleaned thin stock through screens to form a cleaned and screened thin stock composition, and the cleaned and screened thin stock composition is fed to a headbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
  • Patent number: 11492756
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers and wet laid articles made from the compositions, as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. More specifically, the present invention provided compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose acetate fibers and wet laid articles made from these compositions as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. The present invention also relates to developing a composition, process, wet laid product, or articles exhibiting any one of many desired benefits. Specifically, a wet laid process comprising a process that allows the quantity of water removed from a web passed through press rolls is increased relative to a web made from a 100% cellulose comparative composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kenny Randolph Parker, Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
  • Patent number: 11492757
    Abstract: After cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers are co-refined, they are fed to a blend tank continuously feeds a wet laid process. The composition in the blend tank includes co-refined cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers and one or more additives, and the cellulose ester fibers have a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3, a cut length of less than 6 mm, crimped, or non-round with a DPF of less than 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
  • Patent number: 11492755
    Abstract: A recycled cellulose pulp composition is provided which comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. The recycled cellulose pulp containing co-refined re-cycled cellulose fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers can be added to a hydropulper and fed back through a refiner to make wet laid products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Kenny Randolph Parker, Melvin Glenn Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11479919
    Abstract: Contoured articles formed in a mold from a fiber slurry are provided. The articles comprise a blend of cellulose fibers and cellulose ester, such as cellulose ester staple fibers. The articles are suitable in a wide array of end uses, including as cups, lids, boxes or pouches, storage containers, trays, plates, food trays, cutlery, coffee cups, coffee cup lid, packaging, bowls, clam shells, bottle caps, straws, covers, and packaging inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kenny Randolph Parker, Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
  • Patent number: 11466408
    Abstract: Absorbent wet laid products are made containing cellulose fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers that are co-refined to obtain products and articles that have improved water absorbency and tensile strength or burst strength or both. The absorbent wet laid products can now be made with a synthetic fiber in the wet laid operation since cellulose ester can be subjected to a refining operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
  • Patent number: 11441267
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers and wet laid articles made from the compositions, as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. More specifically, the present invention provided compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose acetate fibers and wet laid articles made from these compositions as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. The present invention also relates to developing a composition, process, wet laid product, or articles exhibiting any one of many desired benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Charles Stuart Everett, Kenny Randolph Parker, Koushik Ghosh, Mounir Izallalen
  • Patent number: 11421385
    Abstract: A soft wipe article is provided comprising a wet-laid sheet which comprises cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers, wherein the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to provide the wet laid-sheet with a lower density and higher thickness at a given basis weight compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions. The cellulose ester staple fibers can also provide the wet laid-sheet with a higher softness, while maintaining or increasing tear strength, compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Mounir Izallalen, Koushik Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11421387
    Abstract: A tissue product is provided comprising a wet-laid sheet which comprises cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers, wherein the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to provide the wet laid-sheet with a lower density and higher thickness at a given basis weight compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions. The cellulose ester staple fibers can also provide the wet laid-sheet with a higher softness and/or higher water absorbance, compared to a 100% Cellulose Comparative composition, when processed under similar conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Mounir Izallalen, Koushik Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11420784
    Abstract: Containers and lids made from cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers are provided that have enhanced air permeability, stiffness, R-heat insulation values, or thickness at equivalent grammage basis weights are provided, or alternatively, maintaining one or more of these properties while lowering the basis weight of the containers or lids. The container and lids with this synthetic fiber can be biodegradable when made with cellulose ester fibers having a degree of substitution of not more than 2.5. Examples of such containers are food packaging such as hot or cold delivery boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kenny Randolph Parker, Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Mounir Izallalen, Koushik Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11414791
    Abstract: A wet-laid fibrous product is provided that comprises recycled cellulosic fibers, cellulose ester staple fibers, and residual recycled ink, where the fibrous product has less ink content compared to the ink content for a 100% cellulose comparative fiber wet-laid product, when processed under similar conditions. The wet-laid fibrous product can be formed from a deinked recycled paper pulp slurry, the pulp slurry comprising recycled cellulosic fibers, cellulose ester staple fibers, and ink. A deinking process for the slurry is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Charles Stuart Everett, Kenny Randolph Parker
  • Patent number: 11414818
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose ester fibers and wet laid articles made from the compositions, as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. More specifically, the present invention provided compositions comprising cellulose fibers and cellulose acetate fibers and wet laid articles made from these compositions as well as wet laid processes to produce these compositions. The present invention also relates to developing a composition, process, wet laid product, or articles exhibiting any one of many desired benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Charles Stuart Everett, Kenny Randolph Parker, Mounir Izallalen, Koushik Ghosh
  • Publication number: 20220251373
    Abstract: The present invention provides an extrudable polymer composition comprising a base polymer and a bicomponent fiber comprising a low melt temperature component and a high melt temperature component. The base polymer may be a polymer such as acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate cellulose propionate, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, polyether ether ketone, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyetherimide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide-imide, polyarylate, polytetrafluoroethane, polysulfonic poly (p-phenyleneoxide), polyvinyl chloride and mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Jason Wolfe, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, James Etson Brandenburg
  • Patent number: 11408128
    Abstract: A process is provided for applying sizing to a wet laid fibrous sheet that comprises providing an aqueous slurry that comprises cellulose fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers; forming the wet laid fibrous sheet from the slurry; and applying an aqueous sizing composition that comprises one or more sizing agents to the wet laid fibrous sheet. In embodiments, the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to permit the sheet to have a higher sizing composition uptake and to impart higher sizing properties to the sheet, compared to a sheet formed from a 100% cellulose fiber slurry, when processed under similar conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Charles Stuart Everett, Kenny Randolph Parker
  • Patent number: 11401660
    Abstract: Broke pulp in a paper making process is obtained by pulping broke, and the broke pulp is made of fibrillated cellulose fibers and cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers having a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3, or a cut length of less than 6 mm, or crimped, or non-round with a DPF of less than 3. The broke pulp can be added to the stock preparation zone of a wet laid manufacturing facility and fed through a refiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Stuart Everett, Melvin Glenn Mitchell, Kenny Randolph Parker, Mounir Izallalen, Koushik Ghosh