Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser – Synthetic resins – Processes of preparing a desired or intentional composition...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-11
2004-08-17
Seidleck, James J. (Department: 1711)
Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser
Synthetic resins
Processes of preparing a desired or intentional composition...
C524S048000, C524S049000, C524S009000, C524S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06777465
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel and useful tackifier.
Binders or tackifiers are employed to bind together many kinds of materials, especially particulate matter. For example, tackifiers may be employed as dust palliatives, landfill stabilizers, alternate daily cover, binders for manufacturing and mining waste products, a component for hydraulic planting, straw tacking, erosion controllers, soil stabilizers, components in fire retardant and insulative materials, and the like. Hydro-mulching or hydro-seeding, straw tacking, alternate daily cover, as well as insulation applications, often require the mixing of fiber with a tackifier. Of course, hydro-seeding also includes the addition of particular seeds which are intended to grow from the soil being spread with the tackifier, fiber, fertilizer and seed combination. Tackifiers may be used alone for the above purposes.
Many methods and products have been proposed for combining with soils or other particulates. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,640 describes a moisturizing substrate utilizing cellulosic compounds combined with hydrated metallic salts and aerated water through an ether linkage.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,556,033, 5,849,364, and 6,096,373 describe sprayable compounds which are formed into a slurry and used to cover items forming a water repellant layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,597 describes a process for making pelletized mint mulch derived from the mint plant. The mint pellets may be spread or sprayed by hydro-mulching machines, and may also contain a natural tackifier to adhere fibers to the soil surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,072 shows an erosion control crust formed of acrylic latex emulsion and sodium silicate.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,082,500 and 5,516,830 illustrate a sprayable composition of a polymer mixed with clay and water to provide a flexible water repellent layer over soil, refuse, or grain.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,395 teaches a biodegradable mulch mat utilizing hair fibers, granulated corn, and a vinyl polymer as a binder. The mulch mat is used to improve soil temperature, suppress weeds, and build soil, while conserving soil and water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,816 describes a liquid mulch prepared from a polymeric binder and fine particulate filler particles.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,299 delineates mulching pellets made from finely divided paper and wood, a water absorbent natural polymer, and a surfactant. Natural polymer may be a guar gum.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,279 puts forth a growth medium which is used to cover a soil surface consisting of a mixture of cement, fiber, and fertilizer.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,852 shows a seed containing composition utilizing gypsum and enough water to produce a slurry.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,181 teaches a hydraulic binder composition having a suitable hydroxyl bearing polymer, a covalent cross-linking agent, and a catalyst. The final formulation is an insoluble structure and serves as a binder or tackifier.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,116 describes a process for producing polysaccharides in a coarse particle size. The composition is used to absorb materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,697 shows the cross-linking of acrylamide polymers with hypochlorite and hypobromite salts of alkali and alkaline-earth metals.
A binder and tackifier which is easily prepared and delivered to a site through spraying techniques known in the art would be a notable advance in the field of particulate control.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful tackifier is herein described.
The tackifier of the present invention utilizes a synthetic polymer consisting essentially of polyacrylamide or polyacrylate, or a co-polymer of acrylate and acrylamide. Such polymers are commonly referred to as PAM. It is known that PAM may be used as a tackifier in 100% concentrations combined with water. However, PAM is quite expensive to employ in this regard. Also, it is known to spray solutions of natural organic materials alone, such as cornstarch for use as a binder or tackifier. However, such natural materials are highly susceptible to bacterial degeneration and are not suitable for long-term use. In addition, natural organic materials require application in high volumes, typically 60-120 pounds per acre.
Combined with the synthetic PAM polymer of the present invention is a natural organic material. Such natural organic materials may take the form of cornstarch, rice starch, wheat starch, potato starch, polysaccharides, modified polysaccharides, mint, animal gelatin, plant seed husks, corn gluten, natural latex, guar gum, psyllium, mucilage, or kelp. Although the simple mixture of PAM and a natural organic material produces an association, theorized as a molecular entanglement, a cross-linking agent is also employed in the present invention to cross-link the PAM polymer to the natural organic material. For example, the cross-linking agent may take the form of sodium borate, sodium metaborate, sodium tetraborate, hydrated sodium borate, hydrated sodium metaborate, hydrated sodium tetraborate (borax), magnesium sulfate, molybdenum sulfate, or sodium molybdate.
The PAM, natural organic material, and cross-linking agent may be mixed together with a sufficient amount of water to form a sprayable slurry. Fiber, such as paper or wood fiber, may be added to the slurry to form an insulative or erosion control material. Fertilizer may also be added to the slurry to enhance seedling development. In addition, seed may be added to the fiber to form a fiber slurry which may be used for hydro-seeding purposes.
In certain cases, the tackifier combination of the present invention may include a surfactant to improve permeability and wetting of the tackifier of the present invention. Moreover, a colorant may be added as an indicator to show the extent of spreading of the tackifier of the present invention over a surface. In addition, admixtures may be formed with the tackifier of the present invention and water absorbent polymers to increase water-holding capacity of the same.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful tackifier has been described.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tackifier which may be used to control soil erosion, dust, and migration of particulate matter of various types.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tackifier utilizing the relatively expensive synthetic organic component and a relatively inexpensive natural organic material to form an effective low cost tackifier which may be used for various purposes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tackifier using multiple synthetic and natural components which may be cross-linked into a macromolecule to add stability to the tackifier.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tackifier which may be employed to control the migration of particulate matter, to aid in hydro-seeding, and form other layers which exhibit insulation and fire retardancy characteristics.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tackifier including components that possess low toxicity, permitting safe handling, and are compatible with sources of water, including surface, ground, and potable water sources.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a tackifier for various uses which is inexpensive to manufacture and is easily spread by conventional methods.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tackifier for various uses which sets up in a relatively short time period, is relatively durable, and re-solubilizes after an initial drying.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a tackifier which may be employed in hydro-seeding, hydro mulching, or hydraulic planting processes.
The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of
Bielen, Jr. Theodore J.
Rajguru U. K.
Seidleck James J.
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