Patents Represented by Attorney Andrews Kurth LLP

Find this attorney in the Justia Lawyer Directory

  • One-way vision display panels with retention layer
    Patent number: 7897230
    Abstract: One or more types of ink retention layers for a one-way vision display panel and methods are provided. In one example, a one-way vision display panel assembly includes a perforated panel formed of a flexible material. The perforated panel having a front surface, a rear surface and a plurality of through holes extending from the front surface to the rear surface. An ink retention layer is located adjacent to the perforated panel. The ink retention layer includes material that retains or absorbs residual ink from an image applied to the front surface of the perforated panel. The one-way vision display panel may further include a releasing layer or a backing layer, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Clear Focus Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Ross
  • Clarifying agent composition and manufacturing method thereof
    Patent number: 7897663
    Abstract: A clarifying agent composition comprises a diacetal powder and an organosilane treated fume silica having a pH value of 5.5 to 8, measured in a 4% w/w dispersion in 1:1 mixture of water-methanol. The diacetal has the general structure formula (I), (II), (III), (IV) or (V), wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 carbalkoxy, F, Cl, and Br; a is 0, 1, 2 or 3; b is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and n is 0 or 1. The organosilane treated fume silica is dispersed in the diacetal powder and being 0.05˜50% by weight the clarifying agent composition. This invention also intents to provide a new manufacturing method for preparing superfine powdery diacetal composition with high dispersion characteristic the use of said compositions for preparing polyolefin plastic article without the visible white spots on the surface of the corresponding article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kuo Ching Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiu-Peng Tsou, Yi-Jung Huang, Wen-Chen Wei, Ming-Ting Tsai, Wen-Chin Chiu
  • Gabion deployment
    Patent number: 7891913
    Abstract: A gabion deployment system comprising: a container (30) for retaining a gabion (22) and a gabion (22) of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected side walls (16 & 18) and cross-members (12) such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; a retaining means (50) associated with the container (30) for retaining the gabion (20) in the container; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means (66) for attaching, connecting or retentively engaging at least one part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50); wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentively engaging means (66) is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is folded but to release the gabion (22) from the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hesco Bastion Limited
    Inventor: James Heselden
  • Pressurized wastewater effluent chlorination system
    Patent number: 7892422
    Abstract: A pressurized wastewater effluent chlorination system including a treatment tank defining a contact chamber and an aeration chamber. The treatment tank receives wastewater effluent. The system includes a pressure vessel within a liquid chlorine storage container positioned in or near the treatment tank. Preferably, the pressure vessel is a floating vessel having a check valve at its bottom, enabling the vessel to fill with a predetermined amount or measured charge of chlorine depending on the position of a float on the vessel. In response to a timer control or float switch, a valve operates to communicate air pressure from a compressor to the vessel to displace the measured charge of liquid chlorine into the wastewater effluent in the contact chamber. Effluent flow and air discharge into the contact chamber enhances mixing of the chlorine and the effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Mark N. Chaffin
  • Bruxism evaluation sheet
    Patent number: 7891976
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to develop an apparatus that can examine the occlusal contact patterns during the sleep bruxism, which can not be evaluated by the observation of the interior of oral cavity or by means of the articulator, in order to establish a convenient evaluation means for employing bruxism in daily and clinical diagnosis. The present invention relates to a bruxism evaluation sheet having a layer comprising an aqueous solution composition of an organic solvent comprising a dye and a thermosetting resin on a base sheet made of a thermoplastic resin, and a method for producing a convenient bruxism evaluation apparatus comprising heating the bruxism evaluation sheet, vacuum pressing it onto a model and then molding, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Rocky Mountain Morita Corp., Kanagawa Dental College
    Inventors: Kanji Onodera, Sadao Sato
  • Method of producing large area SiC substrates
    Patent number: 7888248
    Abstract: A method for growing a SiC-containing film on a Si substrate is disclosed. The SiC-containing film can be formed on a Si substrate by, for example, plasma sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, or atomic layer deposition. The thus-grown SiC-containing film provides an alternative to expensive SiC wafers for growing semiconductor crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Narsingh Bahadur Singh, Brian P. Wagner, David J. Knuteson, David Kahler, Andre E. Berghmans, Michael Aumer, Jerry W. Hedrick, Marc E. Sherwin, Michael M. Fitelson, Mark S. Usefara, Sean McLaughlin, Travis Randall, Thomas J. Knight
  • Method for identifying salt-sensitive persons
    Patent number: 7888000
    Abstract: Salt sensitivity is measured as a function of the urinary 25-OHD binding activity, which may be evaluated by measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D binding activity using radiolabeled 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. High binding activity is indicative of salt sensitivity and is an important predictor for development of salt-sensitivity related hypertension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Morehouse School of Medicine
    Inventors: Myrtle Thierry-Palmer, Akins Doherty, Keri J. Griffin, Mohamed A. Bayorh
  • Gabion deployment
    Patent number: 7883297
    Abstract: A gabion deployment system comprising: a container (30) for retaining a gabion (22) and a gabion (22) of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected side walls (16 & 18) and cross-members (12) such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; a retaining means (50) associated with the container (30) for retaining the gabion (20) in the container; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means (66) for attaching, connecting or retentively engaging at least one part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50); wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentively engaging means (66) is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is folded but to release the gabion (22) from the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hesco Bastion Limited
    Inventor: James Heselden
  • Virtual staging apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7876331
    Abstract: The present invention is a process of staging a live or pre-recorded performance that follows a schedule, optionally before a mass audience. The performance involves electronic and/or mechanical media that is computer controlled, preferably so as to create a virtual reality of one or more events. In the course of the performance, when an action that is not normal to the schedule occurs, the timing, speed, or sequence of one or more electronic and/or mechanical media activities are adjusted, whereby to compensate for the action so that the action does not adversely affect the continuity and totality of the performance to the audience. The present invention also encompasses an apparatus that comprises a sensory stimuli device(s), a mass audience area substantially within a space for reception of the sensory stimuli device(s), and computer hardware and software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Guy Jonathan James Rackham
  • System for fabricating nanocoils using a wet etch technique
    Patent number: 7871529
    Abstract: Novel applications of nanocoil technology and novel methods of fabricating nanocoils for use in such applications and others. Such applications include microscopic electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices including nanocoil mirrors, nanocoil actuators and nanocoil antenna arrays. Inductors or traveling wave tubes fabricated from nanocoils are also included. A method for fabricating nanocoils with a desired pitch includes determining a desired pitch for fabricated nanocoil, selecting coiling arm orientation in which coiling arm orientation is arm angle between coiling arm an crystalline orientation of underlying substrate, whereby coiling arm orientation affects pitch of fabricated nanocoil, patterning coiling arm structure with selected coiling arm orientation, and, releasing coiling arm, whereby fabricated nanocoil is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Garrett A. Storaska, Robert S. Howell
  • System and method for controlling a progressing cavity well pump
    Patent number: 7870900
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the speed of a progressing cavity liquid well pump to increase liquid production from a well while avoiding operation of the well in a pumped-off state. A controller controls a variable speed drive to drive a progressing cavity liquid well pump at a set pump speed while measuring well and system parameters indicative of pumping performance and/or liquid production from the well. The set speed of the pump is changed in steps either increasingly or decreasingly by the controller, acting through the variable speed drive, in response to the measured well and system parameters. The controller, responsive to the measured well and system parameters, challenges the set pump speed by varying the set pump speed so as to increase the production from the well while avoiding pump and well operation in a pumped-off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lufkin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Doneil M. Dorado, Kelly A. Woolsey
  • Coiled circuit device with active circuitry and methods for making the same
    Patent number: 7868358
    Abstract: A device includes a coiling layer, a circuit device layer and active microelectronic circuitry fabricated on the circuit device layer. The coiling layer is formed onto a surface of and coupled to the circuit device layer. The coiling layer having intrinsic stresses which cause coiling of the coiling layer and the circuit device layer including the microelectronic circuitry as the circuit device layer is released from an underlying substrate. A coiled circuit device is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Smith, Harvey C. Nathanson, Robert S. Howell, Christopher F. Kirby, Garrett A. Storaska
  • Circuit interrupting device with automatic components detection function
    Patent number: 7859368
    Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit interrupting device which contains four pairs of contacts to electrically connect/disconnect to an input power source to a user accessible load and an output power end. The present invention also provides a simulated leakage current generating switch, which is capable of automatically generating a simulated current to test the circuit interrupting device when the power lines are properly wired and in a tripped state. The present invention further provides a reset switch which allows reset when the power lines are properly wired and the reset button is depressed. In addition, the present invention provides a dual-functioned test button which can manually generate a simulated leakage current when a first-level test button is depressed, and can perform a mechanical trip when a second-level test button is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Huadao Huang, Lu Huayang
  • Protective shelter
    Patent number: 7856761
    Abstract: A protective shelter that can be used to provide protection within a war zone, and which can be readily assembled in a quick, secure and reliable manner. The shelter is formed of opposite outer walls and a roof structure extending therebetween, wherein the roof structure comprises a plurality of tray members supported by beam supports and in which the plurality of tray members is arranged to receive earth, sand or aggregate material so as to provide a first layer of protection via the roof structure. The tray members can be supported by beams serving to define a shallow arch across the shelter such that the internal height of the shelter centrally, and away from the opposite walls, which is greater than the height of the said walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hesco Bastion Limited
    Inventor: James Heselden
  • Flashlight system and method of using same
    Patent number: 7857480
    Abstract: A multi-function flashlight device in one preferred embodiment comprising a housing assembly having a tubular member for gripping the device in a user's hand, a control housing coupled to the tubular member, and a lamp housing coupled to the control housing and having a light source mounted therein. The light source has an optical axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. Batteries are housed in the tubular member. A control panel having a keypad overlay is mounted in the control housing. The keypad overlay includes a plurality of control buttons. A driver board in the control housing receives signals from the control panel and control the operation of the light source. The plurality of control buttons are manipulable by a single digit of the user's hand while gripping the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: First-Light USA, LLC
    Inventors: Gavin A. Steele, Jeremy B. Ross
  • Gabions
    Patent number: 7854574
    Abstract: The invention provides a gabion which may be used to protect military or civilian installations from weapons assault or from elemental forces, such as flood waters, lava flows, avalanches, soil instability, slope erosion and the like, the gabion comprising side walls connected together at spaced intervals by partition walls, the side walls comprising at least one substantially closed side wall element panel, which acts in use of the gabion to prevent a gabion fill material from falling through the side wall, the said action of the substantially closed side wall element panel being effective without the aid of a gabion lining material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hesco Bastion Limited
    Inventor: James Heselden
  • Semiconductor heterojunction devices based on SiC
    Patent number: 7855108
    Abstract: A Si(1-x)MxC material for heterostructures on SiC can be grown by CVD, PVD and MOCVD. SIC doped with a metal such as Al modifies the bandgap and hence the heterostructure. Growth of SiC Si(1-x)MxC heterojunctions using SiC and metal sources permits the fabrication of improved HFMTs (high frequency mobility transistors), HBTs (heterojunction bipolar transistors), and HEMTs (high electron mobility transistors).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Narsingh B. Singh, Brian P. Wagner, David J. Knuteson, Michael E. Aumer, Andre Berghmans, Darren Thomson, David Kahler
  • System and method for enhancing the visual effect of a video display
    Patent number: 7852348
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the visual effect of a video display. Such a system includes a video display that displays moving images and a light source connected to the video display for providing a light effect that softens visual boundaries of the video display and enhances overall visual effect, wherein the light source illuminates one or more surfaces adjacent to the video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Guy Jonathan James Rackham
  • Basting brush
    Patent number: D628392
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Le Creuset SAS
    Inventors: Louis F. Genatossio, Kimberly A. Rada
  • Heat exchanger fin
    Patent number: D632374
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Goodman Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Pei Pei Chen, Russell Tharp