Washing Of Article Patents (Class 264/233)
  • Patent number: 10883195
    Abstract: A method produces an acrylic fiber bundle that are cleaned in one or more washing baths including an inflow portion and an outflow portion for a cleaning solution; at least one of the washing baths is a counterflow washing bath in which the cleaning solution flows into from the inflow portion located at a lower stream side position of a traveling direction of coagulated thread bundles, and flows out from the outflow portion located at an upper stream side position of the traveling direction of the coagulated thread bundles; and an average of coefficients of variation CV of linear speeds of the cleaning solution in the inflow portion of the counterflow washing bath is 0.30 or less, and an average of coefficients of variation CV of linear speeds of the cleaning solution in the outflow portion of the counterflow washing bath is 0.30 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Nakano, Kengo Hayashida, Hirotada Endo
  • Patent number: 10793442
    Abstract: A method for forming zeolite nanosheets includes forming a mixture including a layered zeolite precursor and a functionalized polymer and exfoliating the layered zeolite precursor to provide the zeolite nanosheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Inventors: Horst H. Winter, Wei Fan, Vijesh Tanna, Sanket Sabnis
  • Patent number: 10596790
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayered elastomeric article with hydrophobic polymers as a patient contacting surface, hydrophilic polymers as a wear contacting surface, and a blend of the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic polymers as an intermediate layer between two contacting surfaces. The article has low water absorption of the patient contacting surface to prevent virus penetration and a textured surface of the wear contacting surface to reduce the friction force between hand and glove surface. The hydrophilic polymers in wear contacting and intermediate layers of the article can increase water absorption and boost leaching effectiveness. High water absorption minimizes the uncomfortable feelings from excessive sweating. Increased effectiveness in leaching makes the article less cytotoxic. A method for making the disclosed elastomeric article is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Fung Bor Chen
  • Patent number: 10442181
    Abstract: A hydrogel object includes a polymer and water, wherein the rate of mass loss is not greater than 20 percent by mass when the hydrogel object is left undone for one week at 25 degrees C. and relative humidity of 50 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iwata, Tatsuya Niimi, Yoshihiro Norikane, Takashi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 9988271
    Abstract: A method of producing carbon fiber, yarns, and nonwoven carbon fiber cloths, includes forming suitable polymeric precursor microfibers and/or nanofibers using a centrifugal spinning process and decomposing at least a portion of the polymeric precursor fibers to form carbon fibers. The decomposition may be accomplished by treating the polymeric precursor fibers with acid vapor from an aqueous acid solution at a temperature of less than 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Karen Lozano, Lee Daniel Cremar
  • Patent number: 9458810
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for electrostatic discharge mitigation for a fuel module. In one embodiment, the system includes a fuel pump having a power and ground connection for pumping fuel. A fuel filter in fluid communication with the fuel pump, the fuel filter including one or more components made of a non-conductive plastic and having a sulfonated surface covered with a conductive surface formed over the sulfonated surface. The conductive surface is electrically coupled to the vehicle ground plane. A method is provided for mitigation of electrostatic discharge in a fuel module. In one embodiment, the method includes sulfonating non-conductive plastic components of the fuel module to provide a sulfonated layer on the non-conductive plastic components and forming a conductive layer over the sulfonated layer to provide an electrical discharge path for electrostatic buildup resulting from fuel moving through the fuel module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Novaco, Mitchell E. Hart
  • Patent number: 9011739
    Abstract: Methods for making high quality polyimide fibers suitable for continuous industrial production are described. Polyimide fibers are continuously prepared from a polyamic acid solution through sequentially spinning the polyamic acid solution by either a wet or a dry-wet process, coagulating, drying or drying after washing, thermally treating and stretching the resulting polyamic acid fibers to obtain polyimide fibers, and winding polyimide fibers as prepared into rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Beijing University of Technology
    Inventors: Dezhen Wu, Hongqing Niu, Shengli Qi, Enlin Han, Xiaona Yan, Guofeng Tian, Xiaodong Wang
  • Publication number: 20150102519
    Abstract: A nitrile-rubber medical exam glove composed of a glove body which is a flexible layer of nitrile-butadiene rubber. The glove body has a chlorinated first surface forming a donning side of the glove body and an un-chlorinated second surface forming a grip side of the glove body. The elastomeric glove also includes a substantially uniform distribution of a release agent distributed over the un-chlorinated second surface of the glove body. The elastomeric glove has: (a) an average thickness of between about 0.03 to 0.12 mm in a palm region of the glove body as measured in accordance with ASTM D3767, procedure A; (b) an un-chlorinated second surface of the glove body characterized by a Surface Root Mean Square Roughness of from about 3.00 μm to about 6.55 μm; and (c) a failure rate of less than about 1 percent when the elastomeric glove is subjected to pinhole leak testing generally in accordance with ASTM D5151-06.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy M. Lipinski, Choong Kheng Tang
  • Patent number: 8999212
    Abstract: A graphene ribbon fiber manufacturing process, where a coagulation medium flows in the same direction as the graphene ribbon fibers. The process for spinning graphene ribbon fibers starts with unzipping carbon nanotubes to form graphene ribbons, purifying and drying the graphene ribbons and subsequent dissolving of the graphene ribbons in a suitable solvent, preferably a super acid to form a spin-dope. The spin-dope is spun such that the accrued fibers are guided into a coagulation medium, also known as anti-solvent, where the spun or accrued fibers are coagulated. The coagulated graphene ribbon fibers are stripped, neutralized and washed and wound on bobbins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Teijin Aramid B.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Maria Koenders, Jacobus Johannes Meerman, Stephanus Maria Kamperman, Ron Folkert Waarbeek Ter, Jorrit Jong De, Angelique Antonia Theresia Hendrikus Radier, Marcin Jan Otto
  • Publication number: 20150079381
    Abstract: Anti-fog compositions comprising a primary film having opposing major planar surfaces and a central coplanar region, and processes for making such anti-fog compositions. The central coplanar region is disposed between the opposing major planar surfaces. The primary film comprises cellulose acetate, plasticizer, and an anti-blocking agent. The anti-blocking agent has an average particle size ranging from 0.02 microns to 6 microns. The cellulose acetate has a degree of substitution that increases from the opposing major planar surfaces toward the central coplanar region or that is substantially constant throughout the thickness of the composition. The composition is formed by saponifying a precursor film to improve hydrophilicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Parker, Jo Marshall
  • Patent number: 8926712
    Abstract: A solvent spun bamboo fiber with a high wet modulus and a producing method thereof are disclosed. The producing method includes: activating by adding a bamboo pulp into de-ionized water, adjusting the pH value, adding cellulase and adjusting the pH value by adding alkali; squeezing by vacuum dehydration; pre-dissolving by adding an aqueous solution containing 50-88% by mass of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide; then dissolving by putting the above pre-dissolved mixture into a dissolver, heating, vacuumizing, dehydrating, dissolving, homogenizing and defoaming; spinning by spraying through a spinneret and forming a bamboo fiber by dry-wet spinning; water washing; bleaching; oiling; and drying. The present method is simple to operate, free of industrial pollution, low energy consuming, and highly safe. The bamboo fiber produced by the present method not only keeps the natural physical and chemical properties of bamboo fiber, but also has a high wet modulus without harmful chemical residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Shanghai Lyocell Fibre Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun Jiang, Xiaoliang Wang, Changli Zhu, Xin Wang, Dianhai Zheng
  • Publication number: 20140374948
    Abstract: Surface retarder coating compositions of the invention are based on the use of at least one non-Ordinary Portland Cement (non-OPC) binder and at least one OPC set retarder agent, which are provided in powder form that can be mixed with water at the construction site. The coating is applied onto the surface of a mould or formwork using roller or spray equipment, and concrete can then be cast within 30-60 minutes against the coating. The OPC set-retarding agent operates to retard setting of the concrete so that it can be de-moulded the next day and its surface can be removed using a high pressure water spray to reveal aggregate embedded beneath the removed surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Dany Vincent, Eric Dananche, Ara Jeknavorian
  • Patent number: 8911649
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyimide fibers with kidney-shaped cross-section and their preparation methods thereof, falling within the technical field of polyimide fiber. Polyimide fibers with kidney-shaped cross-sections are prepared by a continuous, integrated approach, starting from a polyamic acid solution prepared by reacting an aromatic dianhydride with an aromatic diamine. PAA nascent fibers with kidney-shaped cross-sections are obtained by adopting a spinneret having circular orifices under wet spinning process. The kidney-shaped cross-sections are obtained by varying the processing condition, including spinning speed, coagulation bath composition, coagulation temperature, and depth of coagulation bath. After washing and drying, polyamic acid nascent fibers are converted to polyimide fibers with kidney-shaped cross-sections under thermal curing. The integrated preparation methods are suitable for mass industrial production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Beijing University of Technology
    Inventors: Dezhen Wu, Enlin Han, Lun Li, Hongqing Niu, Gongping Shang, Shengli Qi, Xiaodong Wang
  • Patent number: 8906278
    Abstract: Processes for producing carbon fiber, the filament thereof and pre-oxidized fiber are provided. In one embodiment, the gel spinning of polyacrylonitrile filament is achieved by using small-molecule gelling agent, and the carbon fiber obtained thereby is increased by 15% to 40% in tensile strength and by 20% to 35% in toughness. In another embodiment, the melt spinning process of polyacrylonitrile is conducted by using imidazole type ion liquid as plasticizer, the process reduces environment pollution, is suitable for industrial production and the fiber produced thereby is improved in its strength. In yet another embodiment, polyacrylonitrile pre-oxidized fiber is produced by melt spinning, so low cost and controllable pre-oxidization of polyacrylonitrile can be achieved. In a further embodiment, high strength carbon fiber is manufactured by using polymer thickening agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Donghua University
    Inventors: Muhuo Yu, Huaiping Rong, Keqing Han, Zhaohua Wang, Yiwei Zhang, Yincai Tian, Qinli Dong, Xi Zhao, Hui Zhang
  • Patent number: 8877243
    Abstract: A process for making cross-linked polysaccharide gels, particularly cross-linked hyaluronic acid gels, under basic conditions. The resulting gels possess improved degradation characteristics, and are useful in a variety of medical and cosmetic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ultraceuticals R&D Pty., Ltd.
    Inventors: Simone Charlotte Vonwiller, Geoffrey Kenneth Heber
  • Patent number: 8876979
    Abstract: A recyclable article having an external surface with an image printed thereon by droplets of ink is provided. The droplets of ink comprise a composition that includes a hydrophilic component. In embodiments, the hydrophilic component can facilitate the separation or loosening of the image from the external surface of the container when the image is exposed to a liquid-based solution at an elevated temperature. Methods for facilitating recycling of recyclable articles having printed images are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Uptergrove, Brent Mrozinski
  • Publication number: 20140312517
    Abstract: Refrigerated hydraulic cement compositions comprise a mixture of (a) ?-tricalcium phosphate powder, (b) monocalcium phosphate comprising monocalcium phosphate anhydrous (MCPA), monocalcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM), or a combination thereof, wherein a 0.1 g/ml saturated aqueous solution of the monocalcium phosphate has a pH less than 3.0, (c) non-aqueous water-miscible liquid, and (d) an aqueous hydrating liquid. The aqueous hydrating liquid is included in an amount of about 1-50 volume percent, based on the combined volume of the non-aqueous water-miscible liquid and the aqueous hydration liquid, and the refrigerated hydraulic cement composition is storage stable for greater than one day, without setting. Methods of forming hardened cements in vivo and/or for forming implants for use in vivo employ the hydraulic cement compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: OSSDSIGN AB
    Inventors: Håkan Engqvist, Jonas Åberg
  • Publication number: 20140265015
    Abstract: A method for preparing bones of cerebral cranium, including: a) selecting polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as a raw material according to data obtained by computed tomography (CT) of a patient; b) heating the PEEK material in a heating device to reach a softening point of 260°±10°; c) hot pressing the heated PEEK material obtained in step b) in a forming die, cooling and shaping the PEEK material to yield a blank; d) curing the blank, and placing the blank in a thermostat for removal of internal stress and resilience; e) removing surface crystals and impurities of the blank resulting from the hot pressing; f) mechanically processing the blank according to the CT data of the patient to yield a product having desired size and shape; and g) washing, disinfecting, and packaging the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WUHAN CONSTANT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Dengfeng HUANG
  • Patent number: 8806821
    Abstract: A tower foundation (10) has a base slab (11), pillar slabs (12), and a crown stab (13), all of which are made of precast concrete structures. The pillar slab is formed with a unitary mold (40) with one continuous internal chamber (41) which includes multiple leg cavities (42) which have three sidewalls (43) that are all angled outwardly from the bottom of the mold to the top of the mold. The mold produces a pillar slab which has multiple legs (12?) wherein each of the three sidewall surface (46) of each leg is set at an angle a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Franklin Brown
  • Patent number: 8790554
    Abstract: A method of preparing meta-aramid fibers includes the operations of polymerization, neutralization and spinning using m-phenylenediamine and isophthaloyl chloride as raw materials, wherein the neutralizing agent is added in an amount that is sufficient only for neutralizing a part of hydrogen chloride, so that the resultant spin dope of polyisophthaloyl metaphenylene diamine contains salts produced by the neutralization reaction and a part of unneutralized hydrogen chloride. The method of the invention has a short production line with reduced amount of the neutralizing agent, therefore both the costs of raw materials and the production energy consumption are saved. The fibers prepared according to the method of the invention have reduced gray scale to improve the electrical insulation properties of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Zhou Zhong
  • Patent number: 8784710
    Abstract: A method of making an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane including the steps of: providing an unsintered or partially sintered ePTFE membrane; matting the unsintered or partially sintered ePTFE membrane; and immediately thereafter, sintering the matted ePTFE membrane. A method for making ePTFE tubes includes the steps of: providing an unsintered or partially sintered ePTFE membrane; wrapping the ePTFE membrane around a mandrel or form tool to form an ePTFE tube; matting the ePTFE tube; immediately thereafter, sintering the matted ePTFE tube; and removing the sintered ePTFE tube from the mandrel or form tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Phillips Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Hansen, James V. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20140182908
    Abstract: This invention relates to an epoxy resin composition for an insulating film, an insulating film, and a printed circuit board including the same. Particularly in a printed circuit board using a build-up process, a skin layer and a roughness are formed on the surface of the insulating film using different curing starting temperatures, so that peel strength can be enhanced, thus enabling the formation of a fine pattern, and also, a coefficient of thermal expansion of the insulating film is low, thus preventing the deformation of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Hye Shim, Yong Jin Park, Hwa Young Lee, Hyung Mi Jung
  • Publication number: 20140134088
    Abstract: A porous adsorbent structure that is capable of a reversible adsorption and desorption cycle for capturing CO2 from a gas mixture comprises a support matrix formed by a web of surface modified cellulose nanofibers. The support matrix has a porosity of at least 20%. The surface modified cellulose nanofibers consist of cellulose nanofibers having a diameter of about 4 nm to about 1000 nm and a length of 100 nm to 1 mm that are covered with a coupling agent being covalently bound to the surface thereof. The coupling agent comprises at least one monoalkyldialkoxyaminosilane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Christoph Gebald, Tanja Zimmermann, Philippe Tingaut
  • Patent number: 8636850
    Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and a method for removing the support structures from three-dimensional objects, in which the support removal is carried out using techniques that decrease the duration of the support removal process and increase the quality of the final three-dimensional objects. This method also ensures the safe removal of the support structures without damage to the three-dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventors: Vladimir Narovlyansky, Avi Cohen, Beverley Soffer
  • Patent number: 8623245
    Abstract: A colored high strength polyethylene fiber, preparation method and use thereof are provided, which are in the high molecular material field. The surface of said high strength polyethylene fiber is chromatic, grey or black. The strength of said high strength polyethylene fiber is 15-50 g/d, its modulus is 400-2000 g/d. The product of the present invention is colored, so it can be well applied to civil and military field. The preparation method of present invention has some advantages that technological process is simple, production efficiency is high, cost of production is low, performance of made fiber is excellent, and use-cost is reduced, compared with the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Shandong ICD High Performance Fibres Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi Ren
  • Patent number: 8608998
    Abstract: A process for stripping chemically bonded spinning solvent from a solution-spun nonwoven web comprising the steps of providing a nonwoven web comprising solvent-laden polymeric fibers having average fiber diameters of less than about 1 micrometer, and transporting the nonwoven web through at least one infrared solvent stripping station wherein infrared radiation irradiates the nonwoven web in the absence of a solvent stripping fluid impinging on the nonwoven web in order to reduce the solvent concentration of the fibers to less than about 10,000 ppmw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Christel Berta Laxton, B. Lynne Wiseman, Christopher William Newton, Simon Frisk
  • Patent number: 8501068
    Abstract: A novel oxide material (MIN-I) comprising YO2; and X2O3, wherein Y is a tetravalent element and X is a trivalent element, wherein X/Y=O or Y/X=30 to 100 is provided. Surprisingly, MIN-I can be reversibly deswollen. MIN-I can further be combined with a polymer to produce a nanocomposite, depolymerized to produce predominantly fully exfoliated layers (MIN-2), and pillared to produce a pillared oxide material (MIN-3), analogous to MCM-36. The materials are useful in a wide range of applications, such as catalysts, thin films, membranes, and coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Georgia Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael Tsapatsis, Sudeep Maheshwari, Frank S. Bates, William J. Koros
  • Patent number: 8414804
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous processes for the production of silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Azaam Alli, Diana Zanini, James D. Ford, Shivkumar Mahadevan, Kristy Canavan, David C. Turner
  • Patent number: 8394306
    Abstract: A method for producing a thermoplastic resin micro-porous film wherein a thermoplastic resin and a solvent (A) are melted and kneaded together to prepare a solution, the solution is extruded and cooled to prepare a formed product in a gel state, and the residual solvent (A) is removed from the formed product, characterized in that in the step of removing the solvent (A) use is made of a non-aqueous solvent (B) which is compatible with the solvent (A) and not compatible with the thermoplastic resin, and has a boiling point of 100° or higher and a flashing point of 0° or higher. The use of the non-aqueous solvent (B) provides a production method which allows the removal of a solvent with good efficiency and also with the reduction of a fear of environmental pollution and catching fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toray Battery Separator Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Nishida, Kohtaro Kimishima, Sadakatsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8366988
    Abstract: The present invention provides a “spunbond wetlaid method for producing non-woven fabrics from natural cellulose” using pulp as raw material and N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) as solvent for dissolving into dope. Then, the dope is extruded out of a spinneret to form filament bundle by spunbond method. The dope is extruded out of a spinneret bank of grouped spinnerets to form filament bundle for further stretching process under quench condition. The filament bundle is coagulated with regeneration in a coagulating solution. The coagulated filament bundle is rapidly stretched under high pressure by an air draw-off machine. The stretched filament bundle is collected and stacked on a collecting net as web nonwoven. After post treatments of water rinsing, hydro-entangled needle punching, drying, winding-up and the like have been orderly applied then final product of nonwoven fabrics with continuous filament are produced from natural cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Acelon Chemical and Fiber Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Tung Chou, Ming-Yi Lai, Kun-Shan Huang
  • Publication number: 20120256342
    Abstract: A method of producing a seal member includes: a mixing step of mixing an elastic material and fine particles using a kneading device, so as to form a mixed material; a molding step of charging the mixed material into a molding die, and forming an elastic molded piece having a shape corresponding to that of a molded seal of the seal member; and a particle removing step of removing the fine particles present on a surface of the elastic molded piece, so as to form the molded seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori MASUDA
  • Patent number: 8197743
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system for building cost-efficient biocompatible hydrogel constructs using stereolithography. Hydrogel constructs may be used in, for example, multi-lumen nerve regeneration conduits and other tissue engineering scaffolds with embedded channel architecture that facilitate tissue regeneration through possible incorporation of precisely located bioactive agents, cells, and other desired inert and/or active chemical agents and devices. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of fabricating a hydrogel construct comprising: solidifying a first solution into a first construct layer with a first energy dosage using stereolithography, the first solution comprising: a first polymer; and a first photoinitiator, wherein the first polymer and first photoinitiator are of a first concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Keck Graduate Institute, The Board of Regents of the University of Texas Systems
    Inventors: Ryan Wicker, Francisco Medina, Karina Arcaute, Luis Ochoa, Christopher Elkins, Brenda Mann
  • Patent number: 8163212
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing pellet of EVOH comprising the steps of introducing an EVOH solution containing alcohol into an apparatus, contacting the solution with water in the apparatus to let out the alcohol with water and then letting out an EVOH hydrous composition from the above-mentioned apparatus (step 1); cutting the EVOH hydrous composition let out therefrom to obtain EVOH hydrous composition pellets (step 2); introducing the obtained EVOH hydrous composition pellets into a dryer to reduce a water content thereof (step 3); melt-kneading the pellets, whose water content is reduced, in an extruder (step 4); and cutting EVOH discharged from the extruder to obtain the pellet of EVOH (step 5). Thus, the EVOH hydrous composition obtained by removing alcohol without deteriorating the environment can be efficiently dried, and pellets having less thermal degradation in drying and a uniform shape can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohiko Uchiumi, Noriyuki Kida, Hiroyuki Shimo, Kaoru Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8163213
    Abstract: A method of reducing crimp in woven sailcloth comprising applying heat to warp yarn or fill yarn prior to the yarns being woven into fabric and a method of making a sail comprising assembling panels of sailcloth comprising warp yarns and fill yarns, wherein at least one panel of sailcloth is prepared by applying heat to the warp yarn or the fill yarn prior to the yarns being weaved into fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Challenge Sailcloth Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Lee Cronburg
  • Patent number: 8160486
    Abstract: A blade for an electrophotographic apparatus is provided which is prevented from turning up, achieves wear resistance, and has excellent cleaning properties. The blade is composed of a support member and a blade member formed of a thermosetting polyurethane elastomer, which are joined together. The blade member has a structure in which a nitrogen concentration continuously increases from the inside of a contact part coming into contact with a counterpart member toward the surface of the contact part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoji Inoue, Toshiro Uchida, Taku Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 8088313
    Abstract: A measured amount of a material that is crosslinkable by impingement of a suitable form of energy, especially UV light, is introduced into a two-part mould of which the cavity determines the shape of a moulding to be produced. The two mould halves are held a small distance from one another so that a thin annular gap is formed between them, which gap is in communication with the mould cavity and through which gap excess material can escape. The crosslinking is triggered by impingement of the selected form of energy, the impingement being spatially restricted to the cavity by suitable masking so that material disposed outside the mould cavity is not crosslinked. In that manner mouldings are obtained that do not require subsequent mechanical processing, and the mould is reusable. The process is especially, but not, however, exclusively, suitable for the manufacture of contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Peter Hagmann, Sharla Borghorst, John Golby, Peter Herbrechtsmeier, Otto Kretzschmar, Bernhard Seiferling, Norbert Söllner, Beat Müller
  • Patent number: 7938993
    Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of a cellulose solution for spinning of fibers, filaments or films therefrom comprising the steps of: a) activating cellulose in a mixture containing said cellulose, tertiary amine oxide solvent and water for a period sufficient to allow a swelling of the cellulose by introduction therein of water present in said mixtures, the temperature of said activation step and concentration of solvent being such that the solvent is not converted into its monohydrate state during the step of activation; b) the cellulose mixture being subjected to the steps of dissolution of cellulose in the solvent by heating for removal of water so as to convert the solvent into at least its monohydrate form so as to cause a dissolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Birla Research Institute for Applied Sciences
    Inventors: Koutu Brij Bhushan, Chand Suresh Salgiya
  • Patent number: 7867421
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of composite fibers with an increased content of colloidal particles, made from a pre-fiber, comprising a polymeric binder and colloidal particles, during which the chemical structure of the polymeric binder is degraded at a temperature of the order of ambient temperature such as to at least partially eliminate the above. The invention further relates to a fiber comprising a polymeric binder and colloidal particles, combining an excellent mechanical strength and a content of colloidal particles greater than 70% by mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.), Universite des Sciences Et Technologies (Bordeaux 1)
    Inventors: Philippe Poulin, Stephane Badaire, Cecile Zakri, Maryse-Marie-Therese Maugey
  • Publication number: 20100289177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of cellulosic moulded bodies according to the amine-oxide process, comprising the following steps: moulding a solution of cellulose in an aqueous tertiary amine oxide precipitating the moulded solution washing the moulded body thus obtained and drying the moulded body. The process according to the invention is characterized in that a chitosonium polymer is added to the solution of the cellulose and/or to a precursor of said solution and/or the moulded body is treated with a chitosonium polymer prior to drying, with the chitosonium polymer being essentially completely soluble in a standard dope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Sigrid Redlinger, Gerhard Reiter, Heinrich Firgo
  • Patent number: 7811496
    Abstract: Method for making ceramic particles. Embodiments of ceramic particles made according to the present invention can be are particularly useful as abrasive particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ahmet Celikkaya, Thomas J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7811507
    Abstract: A hydrophilic semipermeable hollow-fibre membrane for blood treatment, with an integrally asymmetric structure based on a synthetic polymer. The hollow-fiber membrane possess on its inner surface a separating layer and an adjoining open-pored supporting layer, and has an ultrafiltration rate in albumin solution of 5 to ?25 ml/(h·m2·mmHg). The hollow fiber membrane is free from pore-stabilizing additives and has a maximum sieving coefficient for albumin of 0.005 and a sieving coefficient of cytochrome c that satisfies the equation SCcc?5·10?5·UFRAlb3?0.004·UFRAlb2+0.1081·UFRAlb?0.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Membrana GmbH
    Inventors: Friedbert Wechs, Arne Gehlen, Bodo Von Harten, Richard Kruger, Oliver Schuster
  • Patent number: 7780897
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method and system for building cost-efficient biocompatible hydrogel constructs using stereolithography. Hydrogel constructs may be used in, for example, multi-lumen nerve regeneration conduits and other tissue engineering scaffolds with embedded channel architecture that facilitate tissue regeneration through possible incorporation of precisely located bioactive agents, cells, and other desired inert and/or active chemical agents and devices. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of fabricating a hydrogel construct comprising: solidifying a first solution into a first construct layer with a first energy dosage using stereolithography, the first solution comprising: a first polymer; and a first photoinitiator, wherein the first polymer and first photoinitiator are of a first concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Keck Graduate Institute
    Inventors: Ryan Wicker, Francisco Medina, Karina Arcaute, Luis Ochoa, Christopher Elkins, Brenda Mann
  • Publication number: 20100162892
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane wherein said membrane comprises a continuous non-porous layer comprising a polymerized composition that comprised prior to polymerization at least one type of compound having a molecular weight of at least 1500 Da and comprising at least 75 weight % of oxyethylene groups and at least two polymerizable groups each comprising a non-substituted vinyl group. The invention further relates to the use of this membrane for separating polar gases and vapors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM MANUFACTURING EUROPE B.V.
    Inventors: Akira Kase, Yujiro Itami
  • Patent number: 7731881
    Abstract: A method for making a fog resistant thermoplastic article includes conditioning a thermoplastic article by exposing it to an aqueous environment sufficient to result in fog resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Jennifer Dean, Theodorus Lambertus Hoeks
  • Publication number: 20100080985
    Abstract: Disclosed is a biaxially stretched polyamide resin film which is a biaxially stretched film having a layer of a polyamide resin with caproamide as a repeating unit thereof and has an amount of the caprolactam monomer extracted from the biaxially stretched polyamide resin film of 0.1% by mass or less, and also disclosed is a packaging material including the biaxially stretched polyamide resin film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Atsuko Noda, Kiwamu Yuki, Nobuhiro Tanaka, Chiemi Nishitani, Hiroshi Sakakura
  • Publication number: 20100055438
    Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventors: David L. Kaplan, Ung-Jin Kim, Jaehyung Park, Hyoung-Joon Jin
  • Patent number: 7645520
    Abstract: The present invention provides an endless belt containing a conductive agent and a polyimide resin whose imidation ratio at an outer circumference surface of the belt and that at an inner circumference surface of the belt are mutually different, and a method of producing the endless belt, an intermediate transfer belt having the endless belt, and an image forming apparatus having the endless belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20100000942
    Abstract: A method of improving the water permeability and/or cleaning a porous polymeric membrane (such as a microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane comprising the step of contacting said a porous polymeric membrane with a source of monopersulfate and a halide ion, such as chloride and optionally a base. The source of monopersulfate may be potassium monopersulfate in conjunction with potassium hydrogen sulfate and potassium sulfate, ie a triple salt of formula 2KHSO5.KHSO4.K2SO4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Heinz Joachim Muller, Dongliang Wang, Andrew John Inglis
  • Patent number: 7625514
    Abstract: A method for modifying a surface of a polymer such as a thermoplastic resin is provided, in which a supercritical fluid, especially carbon dioxide in a supercritical state is used as a solvent, and the polymer surface is further converted to have highly advanced function or high performance in a short period of time. In the method for modifying the polymer surface of the present invention, a solute is previously applied to the polymer surface. Accordingly, the solute can be permeated into the surface of the polymer swelled by the contact of the supercritical fluid. When this method is used, it is possible to permeate the solute into the polymer at a high concentration in a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yusa, Masahiro Oshima
  • Patent number: 7592415
    Abstract: A process for stripping chemically bonded spinning solvent from a solution-spun nonwoven web comprising the steps of providing a nonwoven web comprising solvent-laden polymeric fibers having average fiber diameters of less than about 1 micrometer, and transporting the nonwoven web through a solvent stripping zone wherein infrared radiation irradiates the nonwoven web and a solvent stripping fluid impinges on the nonwoven web in order to reduce the solvent concentration of the fibers to less than about 10,000 ppmw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Joseph Brian Hovanec, Simon Frisk