Patents Represented by Attorney Howard & Howard Attys
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Patent number: 6962967Abstract: The subject invention provides polyurethane foam and a method of purifying polyether polyols of non-volatile impurities for use in forming the polyurethane foam. The method includes the step of providing a crude polyether polyol having a non-volatile impurity present therein. The crude polyether polyol is contacted with an adsorbent selected from at least one of activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, charcoal, attapulgite, and clay to remove the impurity and filtered to form a purified polyether polyol. The filtering of the crude polyether polyol is carried out through a filter media that is used both in a pre-filtering step prior to adding the adsorbent and the filtering step to remove the adsorbent to reduce losses of the purified polyether polyol because of its high viscosity. The purified polyether polyol is then used to form a polyurethane foam having improved stability.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: BASF CorporationInventors: David D. Peters, Jon S. Speier, Alexander Gershanovich
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Patent number: 6921737Abstract: An improved method for synthesizing a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst combines and sonicates aqueous and non-aqueous solutions of a first metal salt, such as Zn(OAc)2, of a second metal salt, such as CoCl2, and of an alkali metal cyanide, such as NaCN, to synthesize the DMC catalyst, Zn3[Co(CN)6]2. An improved method of producing a polyether polyol uses the DMC catalyst to produce the polyol.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: BASF CorporationInventors: Edward M. Dexheimer, Jacob Wildeson, Werner Hinz
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Patent number: 6919486Abstract: A method for the production of polyetherols using aluminum phosphonate catalysts is disclosed. Reaction products of the process include various polyetherols including very low unsaturation polyether polyols. The aluminum phosphonate catalyst preferably has a general structure of RPO-(OAlR?R?)2, wherein O represents oxygen, P represents pentavalent phosphorous, Al represents aluminum, R comprises a hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, and R? and R? independently comprise a halide, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, or an aryloxy group. Polyols produced according to the disclosed procedure have properties very similar to or more beneficial than those produced utilizing the typical base catalysts.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: BASF CorporationInventor: Edward M. Dexheimer
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Patent number: 6900348Abstract: A process is provided for preparing light-colored isocyanates which can be used for preparing urethane compounds, in particular polyurethanes, for example polyurethane foams.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Martin Reif, Peter van den Abeel, Filip Nevejans, Hans Volkmar Schwarz, Ulrich Penzel, Volker Scharr
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Patent number: 6869905Abstract: An improved method for synthesizing a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst includes combining a non-aqueous solution of a first metal salt, such as ZnBr2, with a non-aqueous solution of a second metal salt, such as CoBr2, and with a non-aqueous solution of an alkali metal cyanide, such as NaCN, in a single step to synthesize the DMC catalyst, Zn3[Co(CN)6]2.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: BASF CorporationInventor: Edward Michael Dexheimer
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Patent number: 6867266Abstract: A method of making thermoformable articles is disclosed. The method includes mixing one or more light-stabilized polymers having a high concentration of light-stabilizing moieties covalently bonded along the polymer chain with one or more additional polymeric materials, which are substantially free from light-stabilizing moieties.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: BASF CorporationInventors: Otto Ilg, Harry Hu
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Patent number: 6867324Abstract: Starting material streams are mixed in a mixer (13) for the phosgenation of amines by a process in which the reaction product (3) is removed in a closed loop and the starting material streams (1.2) contain organic solvents. The main streams (1.1, 2.1) and/or part-streams (1.2, 2.2) of the starting materials (1, 2) come into contact with one another according to the countercurrent principle.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Wölfert, Ulrich Penzel
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Patent number: 6857626Abstract: A spring element comprises an insert (1) of a compact material having a rigidity which is higher than that of the material of which the spring element consists, and comprises a part (2) which acts as an additional spring and a part (3) which acts as a spring pad.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Burlage, August-Wilhelm Gelmke, Frederic Nyssen, Jan Wucherpfennig
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Patent number: 6852403Abstract: The aromatic polyurethane elastomers of the present invention are particularly suited for methods of making objects in a mold cavity. The objects generally include an elastomeric layer formed from an aromatic polyurethane and a foam layer which is subsequently applied to the elastomer. The aromatic elastomer of the present invention lends itself to being precoated with an in-mold coating or being painted after demolding the resulting part.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: BASF CorporationInventors: Richard P. Harrison, Joseph Ogonowski, Jon P. Pavlinac, L. Patrick Chang
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Patent number: 6806348Abstract: A method of removing and reclaiming a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst from a polyol is disclosed. A polymeric acid that is soluble in the polyol is introduced into the polyol during or after the polymerization reaction. The polymeric acid reacts with the double metal cyanide catalyst thereby causing the double metal cyanide catalyst and the polymeric acid to form an agglomeration in the polyol. The agglomeration is easily separated from the polyol via filtration, for example. The recovered agglomerated DMC catalyst can then be reconstituted using an acid solution.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: BASF CorporationInventors: Werner Hinz, Edward Michael Dexheimer
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Patent number: 6806393Abstract: In multimetal cyanide complexes, more than 30% by weight of the primary particles have a platelet-like habit, i.e. the length and width of the primary particles is at least three times the thickness of the particles.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Georg Heinrich Grosch, Kathrin Harre, Jörg Erbes, Reinhard Lorenz, Stephan Bauer, Thomas Ostrowski, Eva Baum, Dieter Junge
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Patent number: 6800583Abstract: Catalyst suspensions for the ring-opening polymerization of alkylene oxides comprise a) at least one multimetal cyanide compound having a crystalline structure and a content of platelet-shaped particles of at least 30% by weight, based on the multimetal cyanide compound, and b) at least one organic complexing agent c) water and/or d) at least one polyether and/or e) at least one surface-active substance, with the proviso that at least component a) and at least two of the components b) to e) have to be present.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1999Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Georg Heinrich Grosch, Kathrin Harre, Jörg Erbes, Reinhard Lorenz, Stephan Bauer, Thomas Ostrowski, Eva Baum, Dieter Junge, Edward Michael Dexheimer
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Patent number: 5637859Abstract: A coin checker and card reader for use with a vending machine includes a housing having a coin slot and a separate card slot which merge into a chute that communicates with a first coin channel and a card channel. A coin inserted into the coin slot rolls through the chute into the first coin channel and passes sensors which determine whether the coin is accepted or rejected. A door is actuated to direct an accepted coin into a coin container through a second coin channel. A rejected coin is directed to a return tray through a third coin channel. A subscriber card with a memory inserted into the card slot is guided into the card channel to actuate a switch to activate a microprocessor for exchanging information with the subscriber card memory and processing a transaction. The microprocessor checks the data being exchanged to prevent loss of data should the card be removed before the transaction is completed and to vend an article only after valid data has been exchanged.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Inventio AGInventor: Edouard Menoud
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Patent number: 5636712Abstract: A friction wheel drive apparatus for a self-propelled elevator car movable in an elevator shaft can be mounted on the top side or bottom side of the car. The drive apparatus is connected with a counterweight by a force transmission device for balancing the car weight and a portion of the conveyed load. The force transmission device is fastened to and guided at the drive apparatus such that a force generated by the counterweight, the weight of the car and the weight of the conveyed load is applied as a contact pressure to urge a friction wheel of the drive apparatus against a travel track surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Wolfgang Muller, Christoph Liebetrau, Utz Richter, Jurgen Kastle, Albrecht Morlok, Helmut Heizmann
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Patent number: 5611118Abstract: A device for retaining a visored cap upon a wearer's head under high wind conditions includes a strap member and a pair of clamp members that directly engage the strap member and a portion of a visor on a cap. The direct coupling between the strap member and the visor on the cap, which is maintained by the clamp members, is particularly advantageous for maintaining a cap in a desired position on a wearer's head under high wind conditions. The retaining device of this invention also includes an adjustment member that allows a wearer to vary the effective length of the strap member to ensure a snug fit. Each of the clamp members and the adjustment member include a housing having a cavity and an opening formed therein, a pin member slidable in the cavity and having an opening formed therein and a spring to bias the pin member thereby clamping the strap member in the openings.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Inventor: E. Bruce Bibbee
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Patent number: 5589651Abstract: A lower leg assembly includes laceration indicators at a knee joint and at a front of a tibia. The tibia is connected to a thigh of a dummy by a pivot arm and a potentiometer is provided for measuring relative motion between the tibia and the pivot arm. A damper is positioned between the tibia and the pivot arm. A load cell is connected between the tibia and a lower leg to ankle connector. The connector is pivotally connected to an ankle joint and the ankle joint has a ball which cooperates with a socket formed in a foot assembly to simulate the range of motion of a human foot-ankle joint. Cushions are provided at the connector to ankle joint connection and the ball to socket connection to return the ankle and foot to a neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1994Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: First Technology Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: David C. Viano, Edward A. Jedrzejczak, Joseph G. Smrcka
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Patent number: 5589944Abstract: A standard video signal is modified such that the modified video can be displayed in a normal fashion on a standard monitor device, yet copies made of the modified video signal by videotape recorders will reproduce a video signal containing disturbances which cause a generally unviewable display on a standard television or other video monitor device. The video signal is converted from a standard frame rate to a predetermined, non-standard frame rate video signal utilizing a videotape recorder modified to record at a non-standard speed.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1994Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Inventors: Philip L. Young, Leonard H. Greenberg
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Patent number: 5565661Abstract: An elevator operational status indicating element includes a base plate with opposed bent ends mounted on a wall by screws. Pins are provided on the lower side wall of a housing open at the wall side to couple the housing with the lower bent end of the base plate. Setscrews are provided on the upper side wall of the housing to couple the housing with the upper bent end of the base plate. In the front wall of the housing an opening is provided into which a filter plate is set. Threaded bolts, attached near the opening on an inner face of the front wall of the housing, and nuts retain a lens carrier which is pressed against the filter plate. A printed circuit board in the lens carrier carries luminescent diodes in the form of a symbol to be displayed by light transmitted through a lens formed in the lens carrier to the filter plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Edward Berdich, Peter Draper, Timothy Shea
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Patent number: 5544720Abstract: An apparatus for entraining and unlatching an elevator car door and a shaft door includes an electromagnet having a movable armature attached to a first bellows mounted on a wall of the car. An entraining and unlatching cam is attached to a second bellows which is mounted on the car door. The cam has stiffened cam entry surfaces, cam surfaces and front surface. The bellows are connected by a hose as a closed pneumatic system operating with below atmospheric pressure. When the electromagnet is not actuated, an internal compression spring in the second bellows extends the cam into engagement with rollers mounted on a shaft door to splay the rollers thereby unlatching the shaft door and entraining it with the car door. At the same time, the first bellows retracts the armature to unlatch the car door. When the electromagnet is actuated, the armature latches the car door and the second bellows retracts the cam to permit the rollers to fold toward one another thereby latching the shaft door.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1995Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Inventio AGInventor: Peter A. Spiess
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Patent number: 5542589Abstract: A readily transportable desk structure is provided for positioning upon a vehicular seat of the bench type. The desk structure preferably takes the form of an tub-like body having a compartment housing transceiver means and a plate-like top covering the compartment with a cover providing access to the compartment. Various means are disclosed for preventing excessive verticle and horizontal movement of the desk stucture during vehicular travel utilizing the vehicle seat belt, the center armrest, the seat cushion and the seat back. A power outlet is provided for utilizing electrically powered accessories with the desk stucture.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Inventor: Carl B. McKee