Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Romack
Timothy J. Romack 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).
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Patent number: 6270844Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Publication number: 20010009894Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning garments or fabrics in carbon dioxide comprises contacting a garment or fabric article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the article, said liquid dry-cleaning composition comprising a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, a first surfactant, and a second surfactant, and then separating the article from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The first surfactant comprises a CO2-philic group covalently joined to a hydrophilic group; and the second surfactant comprising a CO2-philic group covalently joined to a lipophilic group. In the alternative, a single surfactant containing all three of a CO2-philic group, a lipophilic group, and a hydrophilic group covalently joined to one another may also be employed. Systems useful for carrying out the foregoing are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2001Publication date: July 26, 2001Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6258766Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. The surfactant is preferably one that does not contain a CO2-philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane and has a flash point above 140° F.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, David F. Cauble, James B. McClain
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Patent number: 6248136Abstract: The present invention provides a dry cleaning process that facilitates distribution of detergent and solvent and (optionally) facilitates recovery of cleaning by-products in conjunction with the cleaning of articles at a dry cleaning facility.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung, R. Bradley Lienhart, Joseph M. DeSimone, Kenneth L. Huggins
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Publication number: 20010003604Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2000Publication date: June 14, 2001Inventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6218353Abstract: A liquid composition useful for suspending and dispensing a solid particulate comprises carbon dioxide, a surfactant, an organic co-solvent, and the solid particulate to be suspended. The composition may optionally contain water. The composition is useful as a propellant in an aerosol container for spraying the solid particulate from the container.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, David F. Cauble, Jr., James B. McClain
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Patent number: 6200637Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6200352Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide comprises contacting an article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the fabric. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The method is preferably carried out at ambient temperature. The surfactant is preferably one that does not contain a CO2-philic group. The organic co-solvent is preferably an alkane and has a flash point above 140° F.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, David F. Cauble, James B. McClain
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Patent number: 6200943Abstract: A method for dry-cleaning garments or fabrics in carbon dioxide comprises contacting a garment or fabric article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the article, said liquid dry-cleaning composition comprising a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, a first surfactant, and a second surfactant, and then separating the article from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The first surfactant comprises a CO2-philic group covalently joined to a hydrophilic group; and the second surfactant comprising a CO2-philic group covalently joined to a lipophilic group. In the alternative, a single surfactant containing all three of a CO2-philic group, a lipophilic group, and a hydrophilic group covalently joined to one another may also be employed. Systems useful for carrying out the foregoing are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6200393Abstract: A separation method includes (a) providing a heterogeneous separation system, the heterogeneous cleaning system comprising CO2 in a first phase and an oil in a separate second phase; (b) entraining a material to be separated in the second phase; (c) wholly or partially solubilizing the second phase in the first phase to produce a separation system in which said material to be separated is insoluble; and then (d) separating the material from the system. The separating step is preferably followed by the step of (e) recovering at least a portion of the oil. The system is useful in a variety of applications, including cleaning (particularly metal cleaning), polymerization, extraction, coating, and particle formation and treatment.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, James B. McClain, Gina M. Stewart, Ramone D. Givens
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Patent number: 6187383Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: MiCell TechnologiesInventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6176895Abstract: A composition useful for the extraction of metals and metalloids comprises (a) carbon dioxide fluid (preferably liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide); and (b) a polymer in the carbon dioxide, the polymer having bound thereto a ligand that binds the metal or metalloid; with the ligand bound to the polymer at a plurality of locations along the chain length thereof (i.e., a plurality of ligands are bound at a plurality of locations along the chain length of the polymer). The polymer is preferably a copolymer, and the polymer is preferably a fluoropolymer such as a fluoroacrylate polymer. The extraction method comprises the steps of contacting a first composition containing a metal or metalloid to be extracted with a second composition, the second composition being as described above; and then extracting the metal or metalloid from the first composition into the second composition.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1998Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Inventors: Joseph M. DeSimone, William Tumas, Kimberly R. Powell, T. Mark McCleskey, Timothy J. Romack, James B. McClain, Eva R. Birnbaum
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Patent number: 6165559Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6165560Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprises contacting a surface of said substrate, with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component, the surface treatment component being entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacting the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. The contacting step is preferably carried out by immersion, the fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid, the substrate is preferably a metal or fabric substrate, and the surface treatment component is preferably a fluoroacrylate polymer.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: MiCell TechnologiesInventors: James B. McClain, Timothy J. Romack, James P. DeYoung
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Patent number: 6148645Abstract: A system for the controlled addition of detergent formulations and the like to a carbon dioxide cleaning apparatus comprises: (a) a high pressure wash vessel; (b) an auxiliary vessel; (c) a drain line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (d) optionally but preferably, a separate vent line connecting the auxiliary vessel to the wash vessel; (e) a detergent reservoir; and (f) a detergent supply line connecting the detergent reservoir to the auxiliary vessel. An advantage of this apparatus is that, because the detergent formulation can be pumped into the auxiliary vessel in a predetermined aliquot or amount, which predetermined aliquot or amount can then be transferred into the wash vessel where it combines with the liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, the detergent formulation can be added to the cleaning solution in a more controlled or accurate manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James P. DeYoung, Timothy J. Romack, James B. McClain
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Patent number: 6122941Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Gary Schrebe, Kenneth Grakauskas, Timothy J. Romack
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Patent number: 6120613Abstract: A separation method includes (a) providing a heterogeneous separation system, the heterogeneous cleaning system including CO.sub.2 in a first phase and an oil in a separate second phase; (b) entraining a material to be separated in the second phase; (c) wholly or partially solubilizing the second phase in the first phase to produce a separation system in which said material to be separated is insoluble; and then (d) separating the material from the system. The separating step is preferably followed by the step of (e) recovering at least a portion of the oil. The system is useful in a variety of applications, including cleaning (particularly metal cleaning), polymerization, extraction, coating, and particle formation and treatment.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1998Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Romack, James B. McClain, Gina M. Stewart, Ramone D. Givens
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Patent number: 6098430Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1998Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Gary Schrebe, Kenneth Grakauskas, Timothy J. Romack
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Patent number: 6088863Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1999Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Gary Schrebe, Kenneth Grakauskas, Timothy J. Romack
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Patent number: 6049931Abstract: A wash tank adapted for use with a carbon dioxide cleaning medium has a body member having a front opening formed therein, the body member having side walls and a back wall opposite the front opening. The side walls terminate in a front body member edge portion that defines the front opening. The edge portion serves in the sealing mechanism, as discussed below. A substantially cylindrical basket is disposed within the body member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The basket has a front opening formed therein, and has a side wall and a back wall opposite the front opening. The basket side wall terminates in a front basket edge portion defining the basket front opening. The said basket edge portion is spaced forward from the body member edge portion when the basket is positioned in the body member, serving to prevent loose garments or materials placed within the basket from becoming caught in the seal and interfering with seal integrity.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1999Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: MiCell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James B. McClain, Gary Schrebe, Kenneth Grakauskas, Timothy J. Romack