Patents Represented by Attorney Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP
  • Patent number: 7842386
    Abstract: A process for producing and a powdery water-absorbing polymers comprising: about 0.01 to 20 wt. % of a fine particle with a particle size of less than about 200 ?m; about 0.001 to 10 wt. % of a thermoplastic adhesive; and about 60 to 99.998 wt. % of a water-absorbing polymer particle with a particle size of about 200 ?m and above, wherein the powdery water-absorbing polymers have: a flow value (FFC) within the range from about 1 to 13, and/or a dust portion of at most about 6 are disclosed. Also disclosed are a transport process, a composite, chemical products, and a use of a thermoplastic adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Stockhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Loeker, Heinz Bremus, Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 7837217
    Abstract: A ski or snowboard having improved the transmission of forces from a binding mounting area to the respective edge of a ski or snowboard is disclosed. Such a ski or snowboard comprises a gliding surface with the associated edges as well as a lower support comprising a number of support layers over which a core with its associated lateral flanks is built. Over the core, a support is arranged in a uniform and relief-like manner that is constructed as a uniform whole from the shaped flat material, for example from laminate or in principle also from shaped sheet metal, or a plate or laminate or a similar flat semi-finished product of metallic or non-metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Elan, d.o.o.
    Inventors: Vinko Avgustin, Matej Bozicnik, Marko Kozjek, Franci Smit, Luka Grilc
  • Patent number: 7832372
    Abstract: A process is provided for enhancing homogeneous combustion and improving ignition in rotary and reciprocating piston IC engines. Physical embodiments supporting this process have secondary chambers embedded in the cylinder periphery to initiate radical ignition (“RI”) species generation in an earlier cycle for use in the main chamber combustion of a later cycle. These communicate with the main chamber via small conduits. Coordinated with the progressions facilitated by these secondary chambers are novel control measures for regulating the quantities of RI species ultimately generated for and conveyed to the later cycle. The pre-determinable presence of RI species so supplied then alters or adds controlled variety to the dominant chain-initiation reactions of the main combustion ignition mechanism of the later cycle. This presence does so by lowering both the heat and the fuel ratios required for starting and sustaining combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: HCRI Technologies International, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Blank
  • Patent number: 7833624
    Abstract: A process for producing an absorbent polymer structure (Pa) by treating the outer portion of an untreated absorbent polymer structure (Pu1). The process includes the step of bringing the outer portion of the untreated absorbent polymer structure (Pu1) into contact with an aqueous solution including at least one chemical cross-linker and at least one inorganic compound in dispersed colloidal form. The process also includes the step of heating the absorbent polymer structure, of which the outer portion has been brought into contact with the aqueous solution, at a temperature within a range from about 40 to about 300° C., so that the outer portion of the absorbent polymer structure is more strongly cross-linked in comparison to the inner portion and the inorganic compound is at least partly immobilized in the outer portion of the absorbent polymer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Stockhuasen GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Harren, Helmut Brehm, Andreas Kerkmann, Stephan Ramlow
  • Patent number: 7816426
    Abstract: The invention relates to absorptive, crosslinked polymeric compositions that are based on partly neutralized, monoethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying acid groups wherein the absorptive, crosslinked polymeric composition further includes an antioxidant and is color stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Stockhausen, LLC
    Inventors: Iqbal Ahmed, Mirko Walden, Brian King, Scott J. Smith, Harald Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7812082
    Abstract: The invention relates to absorptive, crosslinked polymers which are based on partly neutralized, monoethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying acid groups wherein the absorptive crosslinked polymer may be coated with a thermoplastic polymer, and have improved properties, in particular in respect of their capacity for transportation of liquids in the swollen state, and which has a high gel bed permeability and compatibility to affix to a thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Stockhausen, LLC
    Inventors: Stan McIntosh, Scott J. Smith, Angela Jones Lang, David L. Bergman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7807404
    Abstract: The invention deals with mutated truncated mt-pfkA gene encoding shorter fragment of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK1), with no need for phosphorylation of the protein molecule for activation, that is not significantly inhibited by citric acid and/or its salts and ATP molecules. Active 49-52 kDa fragment encoded by mt-pfkA gene, retains positive regulatory properties of the native protein and is activated in the presence of specific activators, while citric acid and ATP, important metabolites that function as feed back inhibitors in higher organisms do not reduce its activity. The invention deals with the use of modified shorter fragment in biotechnological processes for fabricating primary and secondary metabolites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kemijski Institut
    Inventors: Matic Legisa, Mojca Bencina, Gregor Tevz, Maja Capuder, Tina Mlakar, Darija Oven
  • Patent number: 7803969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of (meth)acrylic acid in a process stage that comprises the following process steps: a) (meth)acrylic acid is crystallized out from a mother liquor; b) crystallized (meth)acrylic acid is separated from the mother liquor; c) at least part of the separated (meth)acrylic acid crystals are melted; d) the melted part is at least partially recycled to the step a) or step b). The process according to the invention, the apparatus suitable for implementing the process, and the use of the apparatus according to the invention for the production of (meth)acrylic acid are characterized by a high purity of the thereby obtainable (meth)acrylic acid as well as by a high efficiency with regard to the achievable yield and necessary energy requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Stockhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Nordhoff, Axel Kobus, Stefan Gross, Hans-Rolf Lausch, Torsten Balduf, Roland Fornika, Guenther Bub
  • Patent number: 7800376
    Abstract: A method and a device for measuring ultrahigh vacuum are disclosed. The method includes providing a vacuum cold cathode pressure gauge and varying a voltage on an anode of the pressure cell with pressure in such a way that an ion current flow is maintained substantially at its maximum value at all times. A voltage-controlled source either (1) preliminarily scans a whole voltage range, for example, between 1 kV and 12 kV, in a relatively short time, and subsequently sets the source to the voltage, at which the current is substantially at its maximum value or (2) based on a calibration of the gauge, sets the voltage, for a given pressure, to the value that has been previously stored as substantially optimal. The device operates at a voltage that varies with pressure in such a way that the ion current is maintained substantially at its maximum value at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Institut “Jozef Stefan”
    Inventors: Alenka Vesel, Miran Mozetic
  • Patent number: 7795345
    Abstract: The invention relates to absorptive, crosslinked polymers which are based on partly neutralized, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers carrying acid groups, and have improved properties, in particular in respect of their capacity for transportation of liquids in the swollen state, and which has a high gel bed permeability and high centrifuge retention capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Stockhausen, LLC
    Inventors: Scott J. Smith, Mark C. Joy, Whei-Neen Hsu, Markus Frank, Michael M. Azad
  • Patent number: 7777093
    Abstract: The invention relates to absorptive, crosslinked polymers which are based on partly neutralized, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers carrying acid groups wherein the absorptive crosslinked polymer may be coated with a thermoplastic polymer, and have improved properties, in particular in respect of their capacity for transportation of liquids in the swollen state, and which has a high gel bed permeability and high centrifuge retention capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Stockhausen, LLC
    Inventors: Scott J. Smith, Stan McIntosh, Heinz Bremus, Frank Loeker
  • Patent number: 7776984
    Abstract: Among other things, a process for producing an agglomerated superabsorbent polymer particle and an agglomerated superabsorbent polymer particle are disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: (A) bringing superabsorbent polymer fine particles having at least about 40 wt. %, a particle size of less than about 150 ?m into contact with a fluid comprising to more than about 10 wt. % a cross-linkable, uncrosslinked polymer based on polymerized, ethylenically unsaturated, acid group-bearing monomers or salts thereof; and (B) cross-linking the uncrosslinked polymer by heating the superabsorbent polymer fine particles and the fluid to a temperature from about 20 to about 300° C., so that the cross-linkable, uncrosslinked polymer at least partially crosslinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Stockhausen GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Frank
  • Patent number: 7766482
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling optical aberrations to alter relative curvature of field by providing ocular apparatuses, systems and methods comprising a predetermined corrective factor to produce at least one substantially corrective stimulus for repositioning peripheral, off-axis, focal points relative to the central, on-axis or axial focal point while maintaining the positioning of the central, on-axis or axial focal point on the retina. The invention will be used to provide continuous, useful clear visual images while simultaneously retarding or abating the progression of myopia or hypermetropia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Vision CRC Limited
    Inventors: Earl Leo Smith, III, Nelson Greeman, Jr., Patsy Greeman, legal representative, Arthur Ho, Brien Anthony Holden
  • Patent number: 7749727
    Abstract: A device is described for the generation of electropotential by bacterial culture that contain magnetic inclusions. As these bacteria move within an aqueous conductive environment, the generated magnetic fields induce a voltage between electrodes immersed in the solution. Current flow and power production can be sustained for several hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Triconic International Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Sheppard, Kartik Madiraju
  • Patent number: 7741248
    Abstract: A well servicing composition containing an aqueous phase and an oil phase and an ether carboxylic acid of the formula: RO(CH2CH2O)x(CH2CHR1O)yCH2—COOX wherein, R is a saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched alkyl or alkenyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, x is a number from 1 to 20 and y is 0 or a number from 1 to 20, provided that the sum of x and y is at least 1 and at most 25, R1 is an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and X comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, monovalent cations and polyvalent cations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Emery Oleochemicals GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Mueller, Nadja Herzog, Ansgar Behler, Jens Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7728045
    Abstract: The process according to the invention for production of an absorbent polymer comprising the following process steps: i) polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution to obtain a polymer gel; ii) comminution of the polymer gel to obtain a gel granulate; and iii) drying of the gel granulate, and is characterized in that the gel granulate after step ii) has a spread behavior. The production process of an absorbent polymer distinguishes itself by a particularly efficient drying step iii), which enables a particularly gentle and uniform drying of the gel granulate. The obtained absorbent polymers and products and items produced therefrom have a particularly uniform product quality and constant physical-chemical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Stockhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Becker, Heinz-Peter Grupe, Detlef Jung, Armin Reimann
  • Patent number: 7704381
    Abstract: A process for the production of hydrocarbon-containing oils, in which a starting material containing a sugar and/or a sugar derivative is thermally cleaved, including a reaction step in which the starting material is brought into contact with a contact oil which has an initial boiling point of at least about 200° C. at a pressure of about 1013 mbar with formation of a reaction phase at a reaction temperature in the range of from about 200 to about 600° C. and a pressure in the range of from about 0.1 to about 50 bar. The process also includes a processing step in which the reaction phase is separated into a low-boiling fraction and a high-boiling fraction. At least a portion of the high-boiling fraction is recirculated into the reaction step as contact oil. The invention also relates to a system for this process which is equipped with an oilification module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Proton Technology GmbH i.G.
    Inventors: Eckhardt Siekmann, Hermann Meyer
  • Patent number: 7700675
    Abstract: The invention relates to plasticizer compositions for polyvinyl chloride resins. A plasticized polyvinyl chloride resin contains (a) 100 parts by weight of at least one polyvinyl chloride resin and (b) 0.1 to 200 parts by weight of a plasticizer compounded with the polyvinyl chloride resin, wherein the plasticizer comprises (i) at least one isobutanol ester of a fatty acid with 8 to 24 carbon atoms, wherein, the fatty acid can be saturated or olefinically unsaturated, linear or branched and contain at least one epoxy group per molecule and (ii) at least one methyl ester of a fatty acid with 16 to 18 carbon atoms, wherein, the fatty acid can be saturated or olefinically unsaturated, linear or branched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Cognis Brazil Ltda
    Inventors: Wanderson Bueno de Almeida, Katia Braga, Henrique Jorge Sousa Sales
  • Patent number: D618760
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Entex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne J. Flournoy, Richard L. Pehrson
  • Patent number: D624300
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Kayser-Roth Corporation
    Inventors: Jill Hollingsworth, Mike Lucas