Patents by Inventor Mikel Dean Smith

Mikel Dean Smith 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: 20160032532
    Abstract: A composition including ground calcium carbonate may have a coarse particle size and high steepness factor. Some compositions may include ground calcium carbonate and an additive, such as kaolin. A coating including ground calcium carbonate may have a course particle size and high steepness factor, and a carrier suspending the ground calcium carbonate. The ground calcium carbonate may have a mean particle size (d50) greater than about 2.4 ?m. The ground calcium carbonate may also have a steepness factor greater than about 30. Also described are products including a substrate and a coating applied to the substrate, where the coating includes ground calcium carbonate having a coarse particle size and high steepness factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: PHIL JONES, MIKEL DEAN SMITH, ROBERT PRUETT
  • Patent number: 8501030
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for removing discoloring impurities, such as carbon impurities, particularly graphite, from kaolin clay to enhance the brightness of the kaolin clays. The methods include reverse flotation processes. Also disclosed herein are high brightness kaolin products, and the uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Imerys Pigments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ismail Yildirim, Mikel Dean Smith, Robert Pruett
  • Publication number: 20110001078
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for removing discoloring impurities, such as carbon impurities, particularly graphite, from kaolin clay to enhance the brightness of the kaolin clays. The methods include reverse flotation processes. Also disclosed herein are high brightness kaolin products, and the uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Imerys Pigments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ismail Yildirim, Mikel Dean Smith, Robert Pruett
  • Publication number: 20080146715
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are slurries comprising at least one particulate inorganic material dispersed in an aqueous medium, at least one anionic polymeric dispersant in a solids content ranging from 0.1% to 3% by weight, wherein the at least one anionic polymeric dispersant is partially neutralized by at least one monovalent neutralizing agent, and at least one inorganic dispersant in an amount ranging from 0.3% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the inorganic solids in the slurry. Also disclosed are methods of making such slurries and products comprising or made from such slurries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Imerys Pigments, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Yuan, Tony May, Mikel Dean Smith