US4539046A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of vermiculite products
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1983-12-15
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Granted: 1985-09-03
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Expires: 2003-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing solid vermiculite products which are stable in water which comprises incorporating a source of ammonia or ammonium ions or a basic substance, preferably urea, in an aqueous suspension of vermiculite lamellae, shaping the suspension and removing water from the suspension by heating the shaped suspension at a temperature above 100 DEG C., preferably above 150 DEG C., such that ammonia or a basic substance is liberated within the suspension. The invention includes an aqueous suspension of vermiculite lamellae containing a source of ammonia or ammonium ions or a basic substance and a dry-powder mixture of vermiculite lamellae and a source of ammonia or ammonium ions or a basic substance.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin T. McAloon
- 👤 Iona E. Heeson
- 👤 Gordon E. Cleaver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:54
CPC Classifications
C; C04; C04B; C04B30/00; D; D21; D21H; D21H13/00; D21H13/36; D21H13/38; D21H13/44; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S106/00; Y10S106/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A process for the production of solid vermiculite products which are stable in water which comprises shaping an aqueous suspension of vermiculite lamellae and removing water from the suspension wherein prior to removal of water from the suspension there is incorporated in the suspension a source of ammonia or ammonium ions and wherein during removal of water from the suspension the shaped suspension is heated at a temperature greater than 100° C. such that ammonia or ammonium ions is liberated within the suspension.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A process for the production of solid vermiculite products which are stable in water which comprises shaping an aqueous suspension of vermiculite lamellae and removing water from the suspension wherein prior to removal of water from the suspension there is incorporated in the suspension a source of ammonia or ammonium ions and wherein during removal of water from the suspension the shaped suspension is heated at a temperature greater than 100° C. such that ammonia or ammonium ions is liberated within the suspension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the source of ammonia or ammonium ions is urea.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the amount of the source of ammonia or ammonium ions is from 2% to 20% by weight based on the weight of vermiculite in the suspension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the amount of the source is from 4% to 10% by weight based on the weight of vermiculite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the major proportion of the vermiculite lamellae in the suspension are of size below 50 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the temperature at which the suspension is heated is greater than 120° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 6 wherein the temperature is greater than 150° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the temperature is at least 200° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A suspension of vermiculite lamellae in a liquid medium containing a source of ammonia or ammonium ions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A suspension of vermiculite lamellae in a liquid medium containing a source of ammonia or ammonium ions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A suspension as claimed in claim 9 which is an aqueous suspension.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A suspension as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the source of ammonia or ammonium ions is urea.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A suspension as claimed in claim 9, wherein the amount of the source is from 2% to 20% by weight based on the weight of vermiculite in the suspension.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A suspension as claimed in claim 9 wherein the majority of the vermiculite lamellae are of size below 50 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A dry-powder composition comprising vermiculite lamellae and a source of ammonia or ammonium ions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A dry-powder composition comprising vermiculite lamellae and a source of ammonia or ammonium ions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A powder composition as claimed in claim 14 comprising vermiculite lamellae and urea.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
Tablets formed by compacting the powder composition claimed in claim 14 or claim 15.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-02 | 1989-03-04 | 1989-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-02 | 1993-03-04 | 1993-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-02 | 1997-03-04 | 1997-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |