Patents by Inventor Ralph Nicholas Spearman

Ralph Nicholas Spearman 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).

  • Process and apparatus for coagulating and drying latex
    Patent number: 6808672
    Abstract: A process for the continuous coagulation and drying of rubber latex includes feeding the latex onto an endless conveyor belt which feeds the latex through a coagulator. A combination of microwave energy and hot air raises the temperature of the latex causing it to coagulate in a coagulation time of less than five minutes. The coagulated rubber from the coagulator is fed into a conveyor belt of a stretch unit which stretches the rubber by increasing its speed of travel. The stretched rubber is then conveyed onto the upper belt of a drying unit. The drying rubber is passed from the upper belt onto an intermediate belt and then on to a lower belt before leaving the drying unit. A combination of microwave energy and hot air in the drying unit is used to dry the rubber to a moisture content of less than 1.5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Linatex Rubber Products SDN BHD
    Inventors: Robert Michael Stewart, Chan Pak Kuen, Ralph Nicholas Spearman, Norhisham MD Sanusi, David William Fountain
  • Process and apparatus for coagulating and drying latex
    Publication number: 20030105181
    Abstract: A process for the continuous coagulation and drying of rubber latex includes feeding the latex onto an endless conveyor belt which feeds the latex through a coagulator. A combination of microwave energy and hot air raises the temperature of the latex causing it to coagulate in a coagulation time of less than five minutes. The coagulated rubber from the coagulator is fed into a conveyor belt of a stretch unit which stretches the rubber by increasing its speed of travel. The stretched rubber is then conveyed onto the upper belt of a drying unit. The drying rubber is passed from the upper belt onto an intermediate belt and then on to a lower belt before leaving the drying unit. A combination of microwave energy and hot air in the drying unit is used to dry the rubber to a moisture content of less than 1.5%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Linatex Rubber Procucts SDN BHD, Malaysia
    Inventors: Robert Michael Stewart, Chan Pak Kuen, Ralph Nicholas Spearman, Norhisham MD Sanusi, David William Fountain