Patents by Inventor Thomas Ian Brownbridge

Thomas Ian Brownbridge 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: 7114533
    Abstract: A process for increasing the bulk density of an aerated powder is provided. The powder is placed in a container. The container is then closed and the gas pressure within the container is increased to a level above atmospheric pressure and at a rate sufficient to cause the powder to compact before a substantial portion of said pressurization gas diffuses into said powder. In one embodiment, the process is utilized to increase the bulk density of an aerated, free-flowing titanium dioxide pigment. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: James William Bates, Thomas Ian Brownbridge
  • Patent number: 6981666
    Abstract: Improved methods for producing titanium dioxide slurries. The output from a micronizer is passed through a condenser to condense the steam and form an aqueous slurry of titanium dioxide, which can in most cases then be further concentrated as desired or which can be sold or used without further concentration, instead of passing the micronizer output to apparatus for separating the TiO2 from the steam, as is currently practiced in the art. The resultant slurry from the condenser is in a further refinement preferably sent to an agitated storage tank together with dispersant and anti-settling compounds to aid in preventing settling of the titanium dioxide solids out of the slurry. To help facilitate condensation of the steam/pigment mixture sent to the condenser, a portion of the condensed slurry is in yet a further refinement pumped from the slurry storage tank to a heat exchanger. The output from the heat exchanger is then fed to the condenser to facilitate the condensing of the steam in the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Ian Brownbridge, Jeffrey Austin Engle
  • Patent number: 6843282
    Abstract: A process for increasing the bulk density of an aerated powder is provided. The powder is placed in a container. The container is then closed and the gas pressure within the container is increased to a level above atmospheric pressure and at a rate sufficient to cause the powder to compact before a substantial portion of said pressurization gas diffuses into said powder. In one embodiment, the process is utilized to increase the bulk density of an aerated, free-flowing titanium dioxide pigment. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: James William Bates, Thomas Ian Brownbridge
  • Publication number: 20040173281
    Abstract: A process for increasing the bulk density of an aerated powder is provided. The powder is placed in a container. The container is then closed and the gas pressure within the container is increased to a level above atmospheric pressure and at a rate sufficient to cause the powder to compact before a substantial portion of said pressurization gas diffuses into said powder. In one embodiment, the process is utilized to increase the bulk density of an aerated, free-flowing titanium dioxide pigment. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: James William Bates, Thomas Ian Brownbridge
  • Publication number: 20040112456
    Abstract: A process for increasing the bulk density of an aerated powder is provided. The powder is placed in a container. The container is then closed and the gas pressure within the container is increased to a level above atmospheric pressure and at a rate sufficient to cause the powder to compact before a substantial portion of said pressurization gas diffuses into said powder. In one embodiment, the process is utilized to increase the bulk density of an aerated, free-flowing titanium dioxide pigment. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: James William Bates, Thomas Ian Brownbridge
  • Patent number: 6699317
    Abstract: Improved methods for producing titanium dioxide slurries. The output from a micronizer is passed through a condenser to condense the steam and form an aqueous slurry of titanium dioxide, which can in most cases then be further concentrated as desired or which can be sold or used without further concentration, instead of passing the micronizer output to apparatus for separating the TiO2 from the steam, as is currently practiced in the art. The resultant slurry from the condenser is in a further refinement preferably sent to an agitated storage tank together with dispersant and anti-settling compounds to aid in preventing settling of the titanium dioxide solids out of the slurry. To help facilitate condensation of the steam/pigment mixture sent to the condenser, a portion of the condensed slurry is in yet a further refinement pumped from the slurry storage tank to a heat exchanger. The output from the heat exchanger is then fed to the condenser to facilitate the condensing of the steam in the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Ian Brownbridge, Jeffrey Austin Engle
  • Patent number: 5730796
    Abstract: Pigmentary titanium dioxide having a high durability when used in paint or the like exposed to solar radiation and methods of producing such pigmentary titanium dioxide are provided. The durable pigmentary titanium dioxide of the invention is comprised of rutile titanium dioxide particles having cerium oxide and dense amorphous silica deposited thereon. The particles preferably also have an outer coating of hydrous alumina deposited thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Brand, Roger A. Baldwin, Thomas Ian Brownbridge