Opflex® Aids in Gulf Oil Clean Up
Houston, TX: Cellect Plastics LLC has been contracted to supply BP America (BP) with Opflex®, a biodegradable open-celled polyolefin based foam able to absorb 32 times its weight in oil. BP is utilizing Opflex® in clean-up efforts resulting from the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico following the April 20th explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig.
According to Cellect Plastics CEO Scott Smith, Opflex®, also referred to as “The Green Stuff”TM, is a buoyant foam with open cells that allows water to flow through it as it absorbs oil. It is significantly lighter and more efficient than conventional sorbents, biodegradable, and reusable up to 100 times.
Following the rig explosion, Smith traveled to Venice, Louisiana and chartered a boat to demonstrate to BP officials the potential of Opflex® to help clean up the oil spill and the effectiveness of his product. Following his demonstrations, BP placed their first order for Opflex®.
William P. Ramey and Melissa D. Schwaller Ph.D., of intellectual property law firm Novak Druce + Quigg LLP, are petitioning for accelerated examination of a nonprovisional patent application being filed to protect Opflex®. A provisional patent application was filed on May 18, 2010. Accelerated examination of a patent application is a procedure under which the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) strives to complete examination of the patent application within 12 months.
To learn more about Opflex®, visit
http://www.novakdruce.com/assets/attachments/Opflex Information Sheet.pdf
www.youtube.com/user/CellectPlastics
About Novak Druce + Quigg LLP
Novak Druce + Quigg LLP is a national law firm focused exclusively on complex intellectual property matters. With a renowned patent reexamination practice and nearly 80 attorneys and professionals in offices in Houston, San Francisco, Washington DC, and West Palm Beach, Novak Druce attorneys help our clients navigate the complexities of U.S. intellectual property law by securing, enforcing, and defending their intellectual property rights. Novak Druce has been named the #1 firm in the WORLDleaders International IP Awards - North America / Canada Patent Excellence for the past three years (2009, 2008 and 2007). The Novak Druce Centre for Professional Service Firms at Oxford University launched in October 2009. For additional information, please visit www.novakdruce.com.
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