Ecc International Limited

Imerys Usa, Inc.

Imerys Pigments, Inc.

Imerys Minerals Limited

Burgess Pigment Company

Ecc American Inc.

Dickey S Shurling

Alan J Brown

Douglas Wicks

Christopher Paynter

Allison Anne Calhoun

Virendra Singh

David H Anstine

Jean-Andre Alary

E Wayne Andrews

David Ian Gittins

Janet Preston

Andrew Findlay

Anthony D McConnell

Jenny S Carswell

Gary R Mobley

Charity W Miller

William L Garforth

Anthony Allan May

Deeba Marjan Ansari

Christopher K Smith

Ronald C Jones

David A Skelhorn

Vincent F Newberry

Ronald Wayne Underwood

Connie Carol Brown

Teresa Anderson Rhodes

Bradley S Courson

Christopher J Fagouri

Anthony D Mcdonnell

Inorganic particulate compositions containing inorganic particles associated with a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophobic monomer associated with the inorganic particles are provided. The particulate composition satisfies at least one of the following properties:

Inorganic material composition and utilities thereof

A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Non-caking mine rock dust for use in underground coal mines

Described herein are polymeric composites that can include a kaolin filler dispersed within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The kaolin filler can exhibit an aspect ratio of from 20 to 50, as measured by laser scattering, a mean particle size of from 0.75 microns to 2 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the kaolin filler exhibits a ratio of aspect ratio to mean particle size ranges from 4 to 5, as measured by laser scattering. In some embodiments, less than 30% by weight of the kaolin filler exhibits a particle size of less than 0.5 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph. The composites can exhibit improved mechanical properties such as flexural strength, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature. The composites can be used to form articles, for example, by thermoforming.

Kaolin-filled polymeric compositions

The present invention is a method of producing a breathable film including producing an inorganic filler by treating particles of an inorganic particulate material comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate compound by reaction with a hydrophobizing surface treatment agent comprising one or more aliphatic carboxylic acids having at least 10 chain carbon atoms to produce a hydrophobic coating on the particles including a classification step to result in an inorganic filler having a reduced level of interfering particles. The invention is also breathable polymeric films made using the novel filler.

Particulate carbonates and their preparation and use in breathable film

A method of producing a breathable film which comprises the steps of: (a) producing an inorganic filler by treating particles of an inorganic particulate material comprising an alkaline earth metal carbonate compound by reaction with a hydrophobising surface treatment agent comprising one or more aliphatic carboxylic acids having at least 10 chain carbon atoms to produce a hydrophobic coating on the particles under conditions such that the inorganic filler produced has a total surface moisture level comprising moisture adsorbed on the particles and trapped within the hydrophobic coating thereon of not greater than 0.1% by weight based on the dry weight of the inorganic particulate material; (b) producing a filled thermoplastic composition by mixing the inorganic filler produced in step (a) with a heated thermoplastic polymer; and (c) shaping the composition produced in step (b) by heat processing to form a film product.

Particulate carbonates and their preparation and use in thermoplastic film compositions

An improvement is disclosed applicable to the method for producing a calcined kaolin by the steps of wet beneficiating a crude kaolin to form a slurry of the beneficiated kaolin; dewatering the slurry to form a substantially dry calciner feed; and calcining the feed at a temperature of at least 1450.degree. F. by passing a stream of hot gases through a calciner in which the kaolin feed is resident, whereby an exhaust stream of hot gases is generated which entrains quantities of partially calcined and hydrous kaolin pigment fines. The improvement, enabling useful application of the kaolin pigment fines, comprises recovering the kaolin pigment fines from the exhaust stream for use in papermaking. The fines can be recovered at a wet scrubber, and after being partially dewatered, shipped directly as a product slurry to the paper maker.

Method for producing high opacifying kaolin pigment

An improved process for producing a aggregated composite pigment having desired physical and optical characteristics when used as a coating, filler or pigment in paper. The aggregated pigment is produced by contacting a substantially dry fine particle size mixture of kaolin and one or more additional feed minerals with a previously hydrolyzed organic silicon compound, such as hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, and then recovering the aggregated composite pigment.

Method of producing aggregated composite pigments using organic silicon

An improved process for producing a aggregated kaolin pigment having desired physical and optical characteristics when used as a coating, filler or pigment in paper. The aggregated pigment is produced by contacting a substantially dry fine particle size kaolin with a previously hydrolyzed organic silicon compound, such as hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, and then recovering the aggregated kaolin pigment.

Method of producing aggregated kaolinite pigment using organic silicon

A process for forming chemically aggregated composite porous bulking pigments for use in paper filling and coating formulations. An aqueous slurry is formed of feed mineral particles selected from one or more members of the group consisting of kaolin, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, gypsum, and mica. A high molecular weight carboxyl-containing polymer or copolymer is added to the slurry to flocculate the mineral particles. An excess of calcium ion is added to the flocced slurry to precipitate the calcium salt of the carboxyl-containing polymer in situ on the feed mineral flocs, and thereby form aggregates of feed mineral particles interconnected by the calcium salt and having a bulk, porous, floc structure. Gaseous carbon dioxide is added to the slurry, and reacts with remaining calcium ion to precipitate calcium carbonate onto the polymeric carboxyl calcium salt. This forms additional light scattering voids or pores and strengthens the connections among the flocced feed particles. The resultant composite aggregates are recovered and dried, as product. The composite aggregate products are also disclosed and claimed.

Aggregated composite mineral pigments

An improved process for producing a aggregated kaolin pigment having desired physical and optical characteristics when used as a coating, filler or pigment in paper. The aggregated pigment is produced by mixing an aqueous slurry of a fine particle kaolin with a previously hydrolyzed organic silicon compound, such as hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, and then spray drying the mixture to form a dry, chemically aggregated kaolin pigment.

Growing community of inventors

Sandersville, GA, United States of America

Dickey S Shurling