Patents by Inventor Paul Donovan

Paul Donovan 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: 7147679
    Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic fuel by treating fines of bituminous coal with an emulsion of a tall-oil mix, which may include enhancers that either increase the chemical change in the coal or reduce the cost of the synthetic fuel. Enhancers include poly vinyl acetate (PVA) and/or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), glycol, lignosulfonate, beet sugar bottoms, corn bottoms, brewery bottoms, vegetable tall oil, vegetable oil, and/or spent frying oil. The emulsion is sprayed into, and reacted with, the coal fines, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventors: Paul Donovan, William Tis
  • Publication number: 20060186677
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a latch and a casing having a base integrally formed with outer walls, wherein a latch chamber is defined by the base and the outer walls. The casing securely retains the latch within the latch chamber and allows limited movement of the latch within the latch chamber during an impact. Thus, the latch may move within a storage bin door upon impact, thereby preventing unlatching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Bella, Steven Bivens, Paul Donovan
  • Publication number: 20040049973
    Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic fuel by treating bituminous coal fines with a tall-oil mix that may include enhancer additives that either increase the chemical change capability of the tall-oil mix or reduce the cost of the tall-oil mix while maintaining the chemical change rate, and/or an additive of tar decanter sludge and light cycle oil. Enhancers include poly vinyl acetate (PVA) and/or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), glycol, lignosulfonate, beet sugar bottoms, corn bottoms, brewery bottoms, vegetable tall oil, vegetable oil, and/or spent frying oil. The tall-oil mix is reacted with the coal, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel. When the enhanced tall-oil mix is reacted with bituminous metallurgical coal, the product is a synthetic fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Donovan, William Tis
  • Publication number: 20040010968
    Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic fuel by treating fines of bituminous coal with an emulsion of a tall-oil mix, which may include enhancers that either increase the chemical change in the coal or reduce the cost of the synthetic fuel. Enhancers include poly vinyl acetate (PVA) and/or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), glycol, lignosulfonate, beet sugar bottoms, corn bottoms, brewery bottoms, vegetable tall oil, vegetable oil, and/or spent frying oil. The emulsion is sprayed into, and reacted with, the coal fines, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Donovan, William Tis
  • Patent number: 6558442
    Abstract: A process of making coal fines into a commercially viable fuel product using tall oil and tall oil pitch emulsions. The tall oil based emulsions are sprayed into, and reacted with, the coal fines, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Entac, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Donovan, William Tis
  • Publication number: 20020020109
    Abstract: A process of making coal fines into a commercially viable fuel product using tall oil and tall oil pitch emulsions. The tall oil based emulsions are sprayed into, and reacted with, the coal fines, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Paul Donovan, William Tis
  • Patent number: 6343990
    Abstract: An entertainment system comprising in one embodiment an Internet site configured to enable participants to submit content, such as jokes, and view the submissions of others. The site also enables participants to cast a vote for the best content, e.g., the best joke, with each visit. The votes are redeemable for cash or free access to the site. The payout to participants is preferably funded by charging a fee for accessing the site. This permits participants to be rewarded for the quality of their submissions as judged by others. In another embodiment the Internet site hosts a game, such as a video game. The highest scores are tracked and expert players are identified. The system enables novice players who wish to expand their knowledge of the game to view the play of more skilled players, who receive a portion of the access fees paid by all players. This enables players to be rewarded for their skill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventors: Sean Rasmussen, Paul Donovan