Semiannual patents review, January-June 1999

Abstract

This review summarizes patents related to paper recycling that were issued during the first 6 months of 1999. The two on-line databases used for this search were C1aims/U.S. Patents Abstracts and Derwent World Patents Index. This semiannual feature is intended to inform readers about the latest developments in equipment design, chemicals, and process technology for recycling paper. This review contains only brief summaries of the inventions. For complete information, readers will need to access the full texts of specific patents. We organized this review into the following broad categories of recycling: Processes/Equipment, Chemicals, Products, Biological Applications, and Efficient Recycling. Some patents overlap several categories by combining a new process with a new chemical or piece of equipment. Others involve additives that enhance the recyclability of the products produced. Inclusive patents are categorized under Efficient Recycling. Note the increase in citations in this patent review that involve agglomeration chemistry and processes designed to deal with the changing composition of the recovered paper stream. We also note the increase in the number of world patents that were issued.

Citation

Sykes, Marguerite; Blankenburg, Julie. 1999. Semiannual patents review, January-June 1999. Progress in paper recycling. (Nov. 1999): Pages 56-63