Imerys Pigments, Inc.

Imerys Kaolin, Inc.

Ecc International Limited

Dry Branch Kaolin Company

Jun Yuan

Michael J. Garska

Robert J. Pruett

Philip J. E. Jones

David O. Cummings

Bomi M. Bilimoria

Robin Wesley

Bomi M Bilimoria

Robert J Pruett

David O Cummings

Michael J Garska

J Philip E Jones

John A Manasso

Mark S Willis

Anthony V Lyons

Roger W Wygant

William E Thompson

Milton Constantin

Leslie A McLain

Philip J Jones

Philip J E Jones

The present invention relates to a kaolin composition having improved physical properties, for example, for use in the production of paper products. The composition can comprise kaolin having a shape factor of at least about 20. The kaolin can have a particle size distribution such that at least about 94% by weight of the kaolin can have an esd of less than about 2 &#x3bc;m and/or at least about 80% by weight of the kaolin can have an esd of less than 1 &#x3bc;m. The amount of the kaolin having an esd of less than about 0.25 &#x3bc;m can range from about 25% to about 60% by weight. The Hercules viscosity of the kaolin product is less than 4000 rpm at 18 dynes at 63% solids and less than 1500 rpm at 18 dynes at 69% solids when measured using the 'A' bob. The present invention also relates to an improved method for making the kaolin product from sedimentary kaolin.

Fine platy kaolin composition

The present invention relates to a hydrous kaolin product having improved optical properties, for example, when used in the production of paper products. The present invention comprises an improved barrier coating for paper and a method of making the coated paper. The present invention also comprises an improved method from making filled and coated paper products. The present invention uses a composition comprising kaolin having a shape factor of at least about 70:1, such as at least about 80:1 or at least about 100:1.

Hyperplaty clays and their use in paper coating and filling, methods for making same, and paper products having improved brightness

Coarse platey, high brightness kaolin products and methods for making the same, including combining a coarse kaolin fraction and a fine kaolin fraction, where each coarse or fine kaolin fraction may be produced by processing one or more crude kaolin samples through different stages of the methods of the present invention, by blending of one or more crude kaolin samples so processed, or as a by-product of a coarse or fine kaolin product.

Compositions and methods for making a coarse platey, high brightness kaolin product

High brightness kaolin pigments and methods of making high brightness kaolin pigments are provided. Both delaminated and nondelaminated clays are provided having typical brightness of 87 or higher. The pigments have high brightness and good opacity, providing an optimum pigment for paper coating and paper filler. Also provided are blended high brightness kaolins having increased opacity properties.

Kaolin clays and methods of making and using same

Provided is a method of making improved brightness kaolin clay from an aqueous kaolin clay slurry in which the primary active dispersant is a weak dispersant, at least including the steps of adding to the kaolin clay an effective magnet enhancer reagent wherein the magnet enhancer reagent comprises an aqueous solution of one or more magnetic oxides and one or more surface active agents; conditioning the kaolin clay; and performing high gradient magnetic separation on the conditioned kaolin clay to produce an improved brightness kaolin clay. The method is also applied to decreasing iron- and/or titania-containing impurities in a clay.

Brightness, reduced impurity clays and methods of making same

A process for producing a high brightness, high solids kaolin clay aqueous slurry. An aqueous low solids suspension of crude kaolin clay is degritted, and subjected to a particle size classification. The aqueous suspension of the fine particle fraction is acidified to a pH of 5.0 or lower to produce an acid flocculated suspension which is treated with a bleaching agent to reduce ferric ion impurities to ferrous ion impurities. A ferrous ion chelating agent is added to the bleached acid flocculated suspension after which an alkaline agent is added to raise the pH to a level greater than 5.0 to form a dispersed aqueous suspension of the beneficiated kaolin. The dispersed suspension is then subjected to membrane filtration to partially dewater same, and additional water is thermally evaporated from the partially dewatered dispersed kaolin suspension to produce the high solids product suspension.

Process for producing a kaolin clay product

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Macon, GA, United States of America

Bomi M Bilimoria