Patents by Inventor Nicholas R. Soto

Nicholas R. Soto 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: 10703980
    Abstract: It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills can be improved by sectionalizing the blow still with perforated plates at various heights within the blow still. The perforated plates which contain a multitude of holes act to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt flux. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The perforated plates also increase the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt flux which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduce blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Denis Muki Tibah, Daniel E. Boss, Nicholas R. Soto
  • Publication number: 20180086982
    Abstract: It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills can be improved by sectionalizing the blow still with perforated plates at various heights within the blow still. The perforated plates which contain a multitude of holes act to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt flux. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The perforated plates also increase the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt flux which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduce blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Denis Muki Tibah, Daniel E. Boss, Nicholas R. Soto
  • Patent number: 9493654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an industrial asphalt comprising sparging an oxygen containing gas through an asphalt flux in the presence of 0.25 weight percent to about 12 weight percent of a highly saturated rubbery polymer at a temperature within the range of about 400° F. to about 550° F. for a period of time which is sufficient to increase the softening point of the asphalt flux to a value which is within the range of 185° F. to 250° F. and a penetration value of at least 15 dmm to produce the industrial asphalt. The highly saturated rubbery polymer can be a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer rubber or a highly saturated styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Edward Stephens, Nicholas R. Soto, Denis Muki Tibah
  • Publication number: 20150087734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an industrial asphalt comprising sparging an oxygen containing gas through an asphalt flux in the presence of 0.25 weight percent to about 12 weight percent of a highly saturated rubbery polymer at a temperature within the range of about 400° F. to about 550° F. for a period of time which is sufficient to increase the softening point of the asphalt flux to a value which is within the range of 185° F. to 250° F. and a penetration value of at least 15 dmm to produce the industrial asphalt. The highly saturated rubbery polymer can be a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer rubber or a highly saturated styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: BUILDING MATERIAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Edward Stephens, Nicholas R. Soto, Denis Muki Tibah
  • Patent number: 8901211
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an industrial asphalt comprising sparging an oxygen containing gas through an asphalt flux in the presence of 0.25 weight percent to about 12 weight percent of a highly saturated rubbery polymer at a temperature within the range of about 400° F. to about 550° F. for a period of time which is sufficient to increase the softening point of the asphalt flux to a value which is within the range of 185° F. to 250° F. and a penetration value of at least 15 dmm to produce the industrial asphalt. The highly saturated rubbery polymer can be a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer rubber or a highly saturated styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Building Materials Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Edward Stephens, Nicholas R. Soto, Denis Muki Tibah
  • Publication number: 20120302673
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing an industrial asphalt comprising sparging an oxygen containing gas through an asphalt flux in the presence of 0.25 weight percent to about 12 weight percent of a highly saturated rubbery polymer at a temperature within the range of about 400° F. to about 550° F. for a period of time which is sufficient to increase the softening point of the asphalt flux to a value which is within the range of 185° F. to 250° F. and a penetration value of at least 15 dmm to produce the industrial asphalt. The highly saturated rubbery polymer can be a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer rubber or a highly saturated styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene block copolymer rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: BUILDING MATERIALS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Edward Stephens, Nicholas R. Soto, Denis Muki Tibah