Patents by Inventor Neal E. Franks

Neal E. Franks 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: 20010047852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for deinking and decolorizing a printed paper, comprising: (a) pulping the printed paper to obtain a pulp slurry; (b) dislodging an ink from the pulp slurry with one or more enzymes; (c) decolorizing the dye contained in the pulp slurry with one or more laccases in the presence of oxygen and optionally one or more chemical mediators; (d) separating the released ink from the pulp slurry; and (e) recovering the decolorized pulp. The present invention also relates to decolorized pulps prepared by such methods and to methods for producing recycled paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Neal E. Franks
  • Patent number: 6241849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for deinking and decolorizing a printed paper, comprising: (a) pulping the printed paper to obtain a pulp slurry; (b) dislodging an ink from the pulp slurry with one or more enzymes; (c) decolorizing the dye contained in the pulp slurry with one or more laccases in the presence of oxygen and optionally one or more chemical mediators; (d) separating the released ink from the pulp slurry; and (e) recovering the decolorized pulp. The present invention also relates to decolorized pulps prepared by such methods and to methods for producing recycled paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk Biochem North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal E. Franks
  • Patent number: 5603804
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing linerboard or corrugated medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Tomas T. Hansen, Hans C. Holm, Neal E. Franks
  • Patent number: 5525193
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for deinking and uncoating printed paper which comprises using a monocomponent cellulase during recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
    Inventors: Neal E. Franks, Steven E. Bazewicz, Hans C. Holm
  • Patent number: 4284545
    Abstract: A composition and process are provided for making precipitated biconstituent nylon-polyvinyl alcohol shaped articles by dissolving polyvinyl alcohol and a nylon having an amide group index of less than about 145 in a mixture of a tertiary amine oxide solvent and water, with the solution containing from about 3.0 to about 11% water, to form a biconstituent dispersion wherein the nylon and the polyvinyl alcohol comprise distinct separate phases. Shaped articles can be formed from the biconstituent dispersions of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Franks, Julianna K. Varga
  • Patent number: 4256613
    Abstract: A composition and process are provided for making precipitated biconstituent nylon-cellulose shaped articles by dissolving a nylon having an amide group index of less than about 145, in a mixture of a tertiary amine oxide solvent and water, containing from about 0.5% to about 11% water based on the weight of the solution; separately forming a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine oxide solvent containing from about 0.8 to about 29% water based on the weight of the solution and then interdispersing the two solutions to form a biconstituent dispersion. Shaped articles can be formed from the biconstituent dispersions of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Franks, Julianna K. Varga
  • Patent number: 4255300
    Abstract: A composition and process are provided for making precipitated biconstituent cellulose-polyvinyl alcohol shaped articles by dissolving polyvinyl alcohol and cellulose in a tertiary amine oxide solvent containing from about 0.8 to about 29% water to form a biconstituent dispersion wherein the cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol comprise distinct phases, preferably with the two solutions codispersed within each other. Shaped articles can be formed from the biconstituent dispersions of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Franks, Julianna K. Varga
  • Patent number: 4247431
    Abstract: A composition and process are provided for making certain precipitated nylons by dissolving a nylon having an amide group index of less than 145, in a mixture of a tertiary amine oxide solvent and water. The nylon solutions of the invention contain from about 0.5% to about 11% water. Shaped articles can be formed from the solutions of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Franks, Julianna K. Varga
  • Patent number: 4247688
    Abstract: A composition and process are provided for making precipitated hydroxyethyl cellulose by dissolving a hydroxyethyl cellulose having a molar substitution of less than 1.0, and a degree of substitution of less than about 0.64 in mixture of water and a tertiary amine oxide solvent, to provide a solution containing from about 10% to about 28% water. Shaped articles can be formed from the solutions of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Franks, Julianna K. Varga
  • Patent number: 4215212
    Abstract: Regenerated cellulose products containing formaldehyde cross linked sodium lignate or sodium lignosulfonate in an amount of from about 1% to about 40% by weight based on the weight of the cellulose in the product are prepared by mixing one of the cross linked lignin derivatives or a mixture thereof substantially uniformly in a viscose solution and extending the solution into a spin bath in which the extruded viscose streams coagulate into filaments containing the cross linked lignin derivative. The extended regenerated product may be used as a fiber in absorbent cellulose products such as diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventor: Neal E. Franks
  • Patent number: 4196282
    Abstract: An improved process is provided for making a precipitated cellulose product wherein cellulose is dissolved in a solvent containing both a tertiary amine N-oxide solvent and water and precipitated therefrom with water or other non-solvent for cellulose. The water content of the solution may be adjusted to any level of up to about 29% by weight with the amount of water decreasing substantially linearly as the cellulose is increased. A solution substantially free from undissolved cellulose and solid tertiary amine N-oxide which is adapted to be spun, extruded or molded at a temperature below the melting point of the tertiary amine N-oxide can be prepared with a solvent which contains water within a specified critical range mixed with the tertiary amine N-oxide. Preferably, N,N,N-triethylamine N-oxide or a tertiary amine N-oxide having a cyclic or pseudo-cyclic molecular structure is mixed with water to form the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Franks, Julianna K. Varga
  • Patent number: 4177236
    Abstract: Regenerated cellulose products containing formaldehyde cross linked sodium lignate or sodium lignosulfonate in an amount of from about 1% to about 40% by weight based on the weight of the cellulose in the product are prepared by mixing one of the cross linked lignin derivatives or a mixture thereof substantially uniformly in a viscose solution and extruding the solution into a spin bath in which the extruded viscose streams coagulate into filaments containing the cross linked lignin derivative. The extended regenerated product may be used as a fiber in absorbent cullulose products such as diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: Akzona Inc.
    Inventor: Neal E. Franks
  • Patent number: 4166080
    Abstract: Nylon 6 containing a metal salt of a copolymer of a vinyl ether and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid to improve its affinity for cationic dyes is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Franks, Carol L. Drinnan
  • Patent number: 4145532
    Abstract: A process is provided for making precipitated cellulose by dissolving cellulose in a tertiary amine oxide solvent containing from about 1.4 to about 29% of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Franks, Julianna K. Varga
  • Patent number: 4136255
    Abstract: A solution of cellulose or cellulose derivative suitable for spinning, extruding or other shaping process is prepared by steeping unaged cellulose or a cellulosic derivative a plurality of times, consecutively, subsequently shredding and then aging prior to xanthation or the like. The concentration of alkali metal hydroxide of the solution used for resteeping is lower than that in the first steeping step. The process produces a viscose with less carbon disulfide than the conventional process without reduction in yield of cellulose. The process is adaptable for steeping in conventional press steeping apparatus or slurry steeping apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: Akzona Incorporated
    Inventor: Neal E. Franks