Patents Examined by D G Hamlin
  • Patent number: 6533963
    Abstract: An electroconductive composition comprising an elastic matrix material and particulate filler material dispersed therein, the particulate filler material comprising fiber particles coated with a conductive material and spheroidal particles coated with a conductive material, the dispersion being such that the fiber-containing particulate filler and the spheroid-containing particulate filler are substantially interspersed, the particulate filler being present in an amount such that the conductive-material coated particles are in electroconductive relationship and such that the composition possesses enhanced flexibility, the conductive material being present in an amount sufficient that the composition has a decreased resistivity. The invention also encompasses a method of preparing these compositions comprising the steps of compounding said filler into a precursor of said flexible matrix material thereby dispersing said fillers throughout the matrix material, and curing the precursor to form the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventors: Robert A. Schleifstein, Mohammad S. Abuelhawa, Bruce C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6524497
    Abstract: An ice storage element (28), especially for the auxiliary air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, with a hollow body for forming at least one storage space (34) for an ice storage medium (36) which is liquid in the thawed state and which can be brought into heat-conductive connection with a refrigerant. The ice storage medium (36) contains a thickening agent to suppress sloshing of the ice storage medium (36) in the thawed state and to ensure freezing of the ice storage medium (36) in the form of a slush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Thermosysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Glaser, Albrecht Otte, Andreas Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6521000
    Abstract: A woven fabric formed of dyed blended cotton/polyester warp yarns and polyester stretch fill yarns is finished by passing the fabric through a brusher and singer and then through a finishing pad box to apply the finish. Immediately after application of the finish to the yarns, the fabric is passed over pre-drying cans and set by attaching the fabric to an unheated tenter chain for width control. The fabric is then passed over steam drying cans to reduce the moisture level to 8-10%. Subsequently, the fabric is passed through a first compressive shrinking machine, a scrubbing operation and then through a final compressive shrinking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Burlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. McFarland, George R. Burkert, Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6511515
    Abstract: A roller shade material, such as 100% polyester, is passed through a bath, so that both sides of the material are coated by the bath. In a preferred embodiment, the bath includes an acrylic polymer finish, and a melamine-formaldehyde cross-linking agent. The acrylic polymer preferably is approximately 45% solid, and comprises about 47% to 48% of the bath by weight. The cross-linking agent preferably comprises about 2.5% of the bath by weight, and is about 80% solid material. The bath should have a pH in the basic range between about 7 and 9.5, and the preferred base used to adjust the pH is N,N-Diethylethanolamine. Optional compounds that may be added to the bath include an anti-stick compound and a defoaming agent. This treatment produces a roller shade having a clear coating that allows the color, texture and weave of the substrate to show, without hindering the ability of light to pass through the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Arnott, J. Phillip Gold
  • Patent number: 6508951
    Abstract: A glycol-based coolant composition which provides an excellent metal corrosion inhibition despite its low phosphorus content is disclosed. The glycol-based coolant composition contains: (A) 0.1-5.0% by weight of at least one ingredient selected from group A′ consisting of C6-C12 aliphatic dibasic acids and their alkali metal salts; (B) 0.1-10% by weight of at least one ingredient selected from group B′ consisting of alkyl benzoic acids and their alkali metal salts; (C) 0.001-0.1% by weight of at least one ingredient selected from group C′ consisting of strontium compounds and their alkali metal salts; and (D) 0.1-0.3% by weight of at least one ingredient selected from group D′ consisting of phosphoric acids and their alkali metal salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignees: CCI Kabushiki Kaisha, Honda Giken Kogyo
    Inventors: Yasuaki Mori, Michihiro Hori, Mitsuru Osawa, Takashi Nagashima
  • Patent number: 6508844
    Abstract: A method for improving the stability of the shape of trousers (10) subjected to treatment with a fluid. During the treatment, the inside (12b) and outside (12a) of each leg (12) of the trousers are attached, at locations on the respective legs which are on or adjacent the crotch (16) of the trousers. Attachment may be by means of a mechanical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignees: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial, Research Organisation
    Inventors: Allan Gibson De Boos, Andrew Morgan Wemyss, Keith William Fincher
  • Patent number: 6416557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-based fiber treatment agent that has the ability to equip fibers with such properties as an excellent smoothness and lubricity, a reduced tack, and an appropriate or moderate slickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Ona, Hiroki Ishikawa, Tsutomu Naganawa, Kazuo Kobayashi, Yoshitsugu Morita
  • Patent number: 6358438
    Abstract: An electrically conductive polymer composition containing a polymer mixture containing a first crystalline polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of at least 50,000 and a second crystalline polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of at most 10,000, and a particulate electrically conductive filler has good processability and exhibits a low resistivity at 20° C. and a good positive temperature coefficient (PTC) behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Isozaki, Masaaki Takahashi, Susan Melsa Jordan, Kevin Michael Stein
  • Patent number: 6337037
    Abstract: A conductive via filler for printed wiring boards capable of reducing copper oxides and thereby eliminating a cleaning step in printed wiring board construction, the conductive via filler consisting essentially of silver flake, a resin, a hardener, and a titanate coupling compound. The filler or paste may further include one or more of a flexibilizer, a solvent, and/or an accelerator. It is a feature of the invention that extensive pre-cleaning of copper substrates is obviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Frank St. John
  • Patent number: 6332990
    Abstract: Carbon aerogels used as a binder for granularized materials, including other forms of carbon and metal additives, are cast onto carbon or metal fiber substrates to form composite carbon thin film sheets. The thin film sheets are utilized in electrochemical energy storage applications, such as electrochemical double layer capacitors (aerocapacitors), lithium based battery insertion electrodes, fuel cell electrodes, and electrocapacitive deionization electrodes. The composite carbon foam may be formed by prior known processes, but with the solid particles being added during the liquid phase of the process, i.e. prior to gelation. The other forms of carbon may include carbon microspheres, carbon powder, carbon aerogel powder or particles, graphite carbons. Metal and/or carbon fibers may be added for increased conductivity. The choice of materials and fibers will depend on the electrolyte used and the relative trade off of system resistivity and power to system energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Steven T. Mayer, Richard W. Pekala, James L. Kaschmitter
  • Patent number: 6329313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a supported chemical compound of the formula (I) in which Ac+ is a cation, c is an integer from 1 to 10, b is an integer ≧0, T is a support, y is an integer ≧1, a is an integer from 0 to 10, where a·y=c·b, and N is a unit of the formula (II)  in which R independently at each occurrence is an identical or different substituent of M1 such as a halogen atom or a C1-C40 carbon-containing group, such as a C1-C40-alkyl, C1-C40-haloalkyl, C6-C40-aryl, C6-C40-haloaryl, C7-C40-arylalkyl or C7-C40-halo-arylalkyl group, X independently at each occurrence is identical or different and is a C1-C40 carbon-containing group, for example a divalent, carbon-containing group such as a C1-C40-alkylene, C1-C40-haloalkylene, C6-C4-arylene, C6-C40-haloarylene, C7-C40-arylalkylene or C7-C40-halo-arylalkylene, C2-C40-alkynylene, C2-C40-haloalkynylene, C2-C40-alkenylene or C2-C40haloalkenylene group, or a trivalent, carbo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Basell Polyolefine GmbH
    Inventors: Cornelia Fritze, Frank Küber, Hans Bohnen
  • Patent number: 6312623
    Abstract: High oleic acid triglyceride compositions that comprise fatty acid components of at least 75% oleic acid, less than 10% diunsaturated fatty acid component; less than 3% triunsaturated fatty acid component; and less than 8% saturated fatty acid component; and having the properties of a dielectric strength of at least 35 KV/100 mil gap, a dissipation factor of less than 0.05% at 25° C., acidity of less than 0.03 mg KOH/g, electrical conductivity of less than 1 pS/m at 25° C., a flash point of at least 250° C. and a pour point of at least —15° C. are disclosed. Electrical insulation fluids comprising the triglyceride composition are disclosed. Electrical insulation fluids that comprise the triglyceride composition and a combination of additives are disclosed. Electrical apparatuses comprising the electrical insulation fluids and the use of electrical insulation fluids to provide insulation in electrical apparatuses are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Thottathil V. Oommen, C. Clair Claiborne
  • Patent number: 6299800
    Abstract: The invention provides conductive compositions of matter, as well as methods for the preparation of the conductive compositions of matter, solutions comprising the conductive compositions of matter, and methods of preparing fibers or fabrics having improved anti-static properties employing the conductive compositions of matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Tito Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 6296783
    Abstract: A polymeric gel electrolyte comprising: (a) an acrylic ester polymer matrix containing structural units derived from at least one acrylic ester selected from among acrylic esters represented by the general formulae: (wherein, in the formula (I), R1, R2 and R2′ are identical with or different from each other and represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and n is an integer of 1 to 100; and, in the formula (II), R4 to R9 are identical with or different from each other and represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and p, q and r are identical with or different from each other and are an integer of 1 to 100); (b) a nonaqueous solvent of a carbonic ester; and (c) a salt of a metal of Group Ia of the periodic table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaharu Shindo, Takako Sasano
  • Patent number: 6277306
    Abstract: An electro-rheological fluid made from an oil medium and fine particulates by mixing, is highly reliable and in which dielectric breakdown, such as generation of electrical discharge, is very low even when a high voltage is applied. A method of manufacturing the electro-rheological fluid and a method of storing the fluid are also provided. The electro-rheolological fluid includes fine particulates dispersed in an oil medium having an electric insulation property, and has a dielectric breakdown strength of 4 kV/mm or more. When the electro-rheological fluid is placed under a reduced pressure of 10 Pa, foaming does not occur. Alternatively, the electro-reheoleological fluid can contain 20% by volume or more of a gas contained in the oil medium that has a dielectric breakdown strength of 4 kV/mm or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Endo, Takayuki Maruyama, Hiroaki Wada, Tasuku Saito
  • Patent number: 6277303
    Abstract: A conductive polymer composite material comprises: a minor phase material comprising a semicrystalline polymer; a conductive filler material dispersed in said minor phase material in an amount sufficient to be equal to or greater than an amount required to generate a continuous conductive network in said minor phase material; and a major phase material, said major phase material being a polymer which when mixed with said minor phase material will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility, said major phase material having said minor phase material dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to be equal to or greater than an amount required to generate a continuous conductive network in said major phase material, forming a (semi)conductive ternary composite having distinct co-continuous phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Pirelli Cable Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen H. Foulger
  • Patent number: 6274067
    Abstract: High oleic acid triglyceride compositions that comprise fatty acid components of at least 75% oleic acid, less than 10% diunsaturated fatty acid component; less than 3% triunsaturated fatty acid component; and less than 8% saturated fatty acid component; and having the properties of a dielectric strength of at least 35 KV/100 mil gap, a dissipation factor of less than 0.05% at 25° C., acidity of less than 0.03 mg KOH/g, electrical conductivity of less than 1 pS/m at 25° C., a flash point of at least 250° C. and a pour point of at least −15° C. are disclosed. Electrical insulation fluids comprising the triglyceride composition are disclosed. Electrical insulation fluids that comprise the triglyceride composition and a combination of additives are disclosed. Electrical apparatuses comprising the electrical insulation fluids and the use of electrical insulation fluids to provide insulation in electrical apparatuses are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Thottathil V. Oommen, C. Clair Claiborne
  • Patent number: 6264857
    Abstract: Proton conductors comprising from 1 to 99% by weight of an acid and from 99 to 1% by weight of a nonaqueous amphoteric material which are thermally stable from −50° C. to 400° C. and have a proton conductivity of ≧10−5 S/cm. The invention further relates to membranes comprising the proton conductors of the invention, processes for preparing the membranes and their use in electrochromic cells, secondary batteries and electrochromic displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Aventis R search & Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Kreuer, Annette Fuchs, Joachim Maier, Georg Frank, Thomas Soczka-Guth, Joachim Clauss
  • Patent number: 6254646
    Abstract: The present application relates to a cosmetic composition intended for treating keratin fibers, comprising, in a support which is suitable for keratin fibers: (a) at least one enzyme of 2-electron oxidoreductase type in the presence of at least one donor for the said enzyme; (b) at least one aminosilicone; as well as to processes for treating keratin fibers, in particular processes for dyeing, permanently reshaping or bleaching the hair, using this composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventors: Roland Di La Mettrie, Jean Cotteret, Arnaud De Labbey, Mireille Maubru
  • Patent number: 6254644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing leather by (I) tanning a pelt with (a) an aldehyde, or (b) a bisulphite-blocked polyisocyanate; (II) optionally, retanning the pelt with (a) a polyaspartic acid, a salt of a polyaspartic acid, a polyaspartic acid anhydride, or a mixture thereof, and/or (b) a polyaspartamide; (III) dressing the resultant product by (a) bottoming the product with a polyurethane and one or more natural bottoming assistants, and (b) applying a polyurethane and/or polyesteramide finish; and (IV) optionally, aftertreating the resultant dressed leather with a leather preservative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harro Träubel, Hanns-Peter Müller, Helmut Reiff, Jürgen Reiners, Gerd-Friedrich Renner, Rainhard Koch, Karl Pisaric