Including Surface Treatment Of Porous Body Patents (Class 264/48)
  • Patent number: 8739976
    Abstract: A crystalline polymer microporous membrane containing a crystalline polymer microporous film containing a crystalline polymer, and having an asymmetric pore structure; fluorine alcohol covering at least part of an exposed surface of the crystalline polymer microporous film; and a crosslinking agent, wherein the fluorine alcohol is crosslinked with assistance of the crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ishizuka, Nobuhiro Nishita
  • Patent number: 8733558
    Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and biguanide compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and a biguanide-type compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more biguanide functional groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William E. Mickols, Chunming Zhang, Christopher T. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8728364
    Abstract: A foam form sheet material having a first large surface comprising substantially only closed cells and an opposite large surface and an interior comprising substantially only open cells. This material comprises a cross linked olefin thermoplastic polymer or copolymer. The foam is made by mixing the polymer with a blowing agent and a cross linking agent. The mixture is maintained in a two roll mill means for a time sufficient to initiate cross linking and to initiate foaming to form closed cells. The sheet material is then disposed in a second two roll mill means having a nip that is larger than the thickness of the foamed sheet material and maintained under elevated temperature and pressure sufficient to initiate further cross linking and foaming. The fully cross linked cell foam is then compressed to rupture the closed cells that are disposed in the interior to form open cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Senstat Products & Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Benjaminsen
  • Patent number: 8727135
    Abstract: A composition comprises a crosslinked poly(meth)acrylate comprising two or more poly(meth)acrylate backbones covalently linked to a bridging group, the backbones comprising i) respective first repeat units, each of which comprises a first side chain ester moiety comprising a hydrophilic poly(alkylene oxide) chain segment, ii) respective second repeat units, each of which comprises a second side chain ester moiety directly linked to the bridging group through a linking group selected from the group consisting of carbamate groups, urea groups, and thiocarbamate groups, and iii) respective third repeat units, each of which comprises a hydrophobic side chain moiety not directly linked to any bridging group. Composite filtration membranes having a selective layer that comprises the composition exhibit useful anti-fouling and/or salt rejection characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joy Cheng, Ratnam Sooriyakumaran, Ankit Vora
  • Publication number: 20140131909
    Abstract: A biologic artificial bone includes an artificial fiber material formed from a synthetic polymer with mechanical properties similar to type I collagen. A biocompatible liquid substance is impregnated in the fiber material that hardens and stiffens the fiber material. A bone substitute is impregnated in the hardened and stiffened fiber material forming an artificial bone composite. Vascular channels are formed in the artificial bone composite to facilitate in-growth of vessels and bone forming cells. The construction and methods achieve an artificial composite structure that is similar to natural bone with comparable properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Said G. Osman
  • Patent number: 8721942
    Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and acetophenone compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and an acetophenone compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more acetophenone functional groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William E. Mickols, Chunming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8709536
    Abstract: A method comprises disposing, on a porous support membrane, an aqueous mixture comprising a crosslinkable polymer comprising a poly(meth)acrylate and/or poly(meth)acrylamide backbone, thereby forming an initial film layer, wherein the crosslinkable polymer comprises a side chain nucleophilic amine group capable of interfacially reacting with a multi-functional acid halide crosslinking agent to form a crosslinked polymer; contacting the initial film layer with a mixture comprising i) the multi-functional acid halide crosslinking agent, ii) an optional accelerator, and iii) an organic solvent, the organic solvent being a non-solvent for the crosslinkable polymer; and allowing the crosslinkable polymer to interfacially react with the crosslinking agent, thereby forming a composite filtration membrane comprising an anti-fouling selective layer comprising the crosslinked polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Young-Hye Na, Alshakim Nelson, Ratnam Sooriyakumaran, Ankit Vora
  • Publication number: 20140113782
    Abstract: A semiconductive roller includes a conductive support and a semiconductive elastic layer disposed on a circumferential surface of the conductive support, the semiconductive elastic layer containing at least an epichlorohydrin rubber and a conducting agent and having a foam structure, wherein, when the semiconductive roller is left to stand in water for 30 minutes, the chlorine ion content derived from the semiconductive elastic layer per unit area of the semiconductive elastic layer is approximately not more than 0.06 ?mol/cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke TANEMURA, Toru OGAWA
  • Patent number: 8695810
    Abstract: Product, method of making product, and technique for using product to separate oil from water via a filter, such as cotton, polyester, or leather, coated with a chemical that blocks oil while allowing water to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventor: Di Gao
  • Publication number: 20140094900
    Abstract: As detailed herein, a biocompatible apparatus comprises a porous material comprising ceramic nanotubes bound together with a filler material. The proportion of the filler material may be selected to provide porosity for the porous material that is biocompatible, and the porous material may be shaped to provide a compliant biomedical device. In one embodiment, the compliant biomedical device is a stent such as intravascular stent. A method for fabricating a biocompatible device is also described herein. The method may include growing ceramic nanotubes on a substrate, infiltrating the ceramic nanotubes with a filler material to provide a porous material having a porosity that is biocompatible, and removing the porous material from the substrate to provide a biocompatible ceramic device. The method may also include coating the biocompatible ceramic device with a drug-eluting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Anton Bowden, Brian Jensen, Kristopher Jones, Darrell Skousen
  • Patent number: 8684188
    Abstract: A hydrophilic filtration membrane having high chemical resistance, high strength, high water permeability and high blocking performance, and being superior in fouling resistance is provided. A hydrophilic filtration membrane containing a hydrophilic polyethersulfone having a contact angle of 65 to 74 degree, a molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000, and the number of hydroxy groups of 0.6 to 1.4 per 100 polymerization repeating units. The hydrophilic filtration membrane may additionally contain a polyvinylpyrrolidone having a molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,300,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koki Taguchi, Kenichiro Igashira, Osamu Muragishi, Hideto Matsuyama, Takashi Nishino
  • Publication number: 20140083066
    Abstract: A process for forming a high efficiency filter containing the steps of forming a non-woven layer having pores from a plurality thermoplastic fibers having a median diameter of less than about 2 micrometers, saturating the non-woven layer in a wetting liquid, and drying the wetted non-woven layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Pradipkumar Bahukudumbi, Kirkland W. Vogt, James R. Theobald
  • Patent number: 8672143
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composite semipermeable membrane, which comprises a separation functional layer on a microporous support, and in which the separation functional layer is made of a condensation product of a polymer that has acidic groups and a trialkoxysilane groups having an imidazolium structure in side chains. The composite semipermeable membrane has excellent selective separation performance for divalent ions over monovalent ions, while exhibiting excellent long-term durability. Also disclosed is a method for producing the composite semipermeable membrane. The composite semipermeable membrane is suitable for uses in various water treatment fields such as the desalination of seawater and the production of drinking water. In addition, the composite semipermeable membrane does not deteriorate as much as conventional composite semipermeable membrane even in cases where the membrane is sterilized by having chlorine-containing raw water permeate therethrough continuously or intermittently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Minehara, Koji Nakatsuji
  • Publication number: 20140058345
    Abstract: Wound dressings and wound inserts comprising a porous film layer and at least a channel, wound inserts of forming wound inserts comprising a porous film layer and at least a channel, and wound-treatment wound inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: KCI Licensing, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Robinson, Paul Slack, Christopher Brian Locke
  • Patent number: 8657123
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a composite semipermeable membrane which has excellent chemical resistance, separation performance, and water permeability, and the composite semipermeable membrane has the following structure. The present invention provides a composite semipermeable membrane in which an separation function layer is formed on a microporous supporting membrane, wherein the separation function layer is formed from (A) a silicon compound in which a reactive group having an ethylenically unsaturated group and a hydrolyzable group are directly bonded to silicon atoms, and (B) a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group other than the silicon compound, by condensation of the hydrolyzable group of the silicon compound (A) and polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated group of the silicon compound (A) and the ethylenically unsaturated group of the compound (B) having the ethylenically unsaturated group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Okabe, Hiroki Tomioka, Masahiro Henmi
  • Patent number: 8646616
    Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating comprising a combination of polyalkylene oxide and imidazol compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and an imidazol compound. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a polymer including alkylene oxide repeating units and one or more imidazol functional groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William E. Mickols, Chunming Zhang, Christopher T. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8646617
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane includes a porous support, a polyamide active layer formed on the porous support, and a coating layer including a copolymer including an amphoteric ionic compound and glycidyl (meth)acrylate. The coating layer makes a chemical bond with the polyamide active layer. A method of manufacturing the reverse osmosis membrane also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Pyo Jeong, Chong-Kyu Shin
  • Patent number: 8640886
    Abstract: Composite membranes including a coating of polyalkylene oxide and triazine compounds along with various methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a thin film polyamide layer including a coating of a reaction product of a polyalkylene oxide compound and a triazine compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William E. Mickols, Chunming Zhang, Christopher T. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8623237
    Abstract: The present invention describes a composition and a method for producing mesoporous silica materials with a chiral organization. In the method, a polymerizable inorganic monomer is reacted in the presence of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) to give a material of inorganic solid with cellulose nanocrystallites embedded in a chiral nematic organization. The NCC can be removed to give a stable porous structure that retains the chiral organization of the NCC template. The new materials may be obtained as iridescent free-standing films with high surface area. Through control of the reaction conditions, the color of the films can be varied across the entire visible spectrum. These are the first materials to combine mesoporosity with long-range chiral ordering that leads to photonic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: University of British Columbia, FPInnovations
    Inventors: Mark John MacLachlan, Kevin Eric Shopsowitz, Wadood Yasser Hamad, Hao Qi
  • Publication number: 20130344373
    Abstract: An improved, new, modified, or more robust embossed battery separator for a storage battery, a method for its production, an envelope embossed separator, batteries including the embossed separators and/or envelopes, and/or related methods for the production and/or use of the embossed separators, embossed envelopes, and/or batteries including such embossed separators and/or envelopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: DARAMIC, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, Jeffrey K. Chambers, John R. Timmons
  • Patent number: 8613361
    Abstract: A separation membrane includes a membrane comprising a polymer, characterized in that a functional layer is formed on the surface in one side of the membrane, the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface of the preceding functional layer is 0.1% (by atomic number) or more but not more than 10 (% by atomic number), and the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface opposite to the functional layer is not more than 10 (% by atomic number). A separation membrane module suffering from little sticking of organic matters, proteins, platelets and so on is provided with the separation membrane as a built-in membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Ueno, Masaki Fujita, Hiroyuki Sugaya
  • Publication number: 20130328349
    Abstract: A baffle for sealing a vehicle structure, comprising a carrier with an interior body portion characterized by a plurality of spaced-apart members, providing voids, and an expandable material, that may also have openings, disposed on the carrier which, upon expansion, fills a vehicle cavity and covers the interior body portion and each of the voids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Lewis, Blake Synnestvedt, Jean Michael Coulon, Todd R. Deachin
  • Publication number: 20130303645
    Abstract: Methods of forming polymeric foams are provided. The methods may involve co-extruding a foam layer along with one or more skin layers. In some embodiments, the skin layer(s) may be removed (e.g., in a peeling operation); while, in other embodiments, the skin layer(s) may form part of the final article. The methods are particularly well suited for producing polymeric foams from polymeric materials that are considered to be difficult to foam by those of skill in the art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: MuCell Extrusion, LLC
    Inventor: MuCell Extrusion, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130300017
    Abstract: A foamed elastic body having low hardness and excellent flatness and smoothness on the outer circumference, and imparting low hardness to the surface of a conductive roll for an electrophotographic machine, in which coating layers having various functions are coated on the outer circumference. A tube-shaped foamed elastic body has a skin layer and open foamed cells on outer and inner circumferences respectively. The body is prepared by heating and cross-linking an outer circumference of a non-cross-linked and non-foamed tube body with a shaft core inserted therein, and removing the core and heating the tube body under normal pressure. The skin layer thickness is preferably in the range of 10 to 100 ?m. The body defines a base layer of a conductive roll, and an outermost layer and an intermediate layer are coated on the outer circumference of the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Atsuhiro KAWANO, Kadai TAKEYAMA, Yasuhide WANTANABE
  • Publication number: 20130288102
    Abstract: A microporous membrane includes a low melting polypropylene, the low melting polypropylene being a polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer having an MFR?2.0×102, a Tm of 85.0° C. to 130.0° C., and a Te-Tm?10° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Toray Battery Separator Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Brant, Takeshi Ishihara, Satoshi Miyaoka, Donna J. Crowther, Koichi Kono
  • Publication number: 20130288133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous membrane including cellulose fibers, wherein the cellulose fibers are obtained from a mixture of more than 50% by weight of (1) first raw material cellulose fibers having a surface area determined by congo red coloring of 250 m2/g or more and 500 m2/g or less; and less than 50% by weight of (2) second raw material cellulose fibers having a surface area determined by congo red coloring of 150 m2/g or more and less than 250 m2/g. The porous membrane according to the present invention can provide a separator for electrochemical devices with superior properties, at a reasonable cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Masanori Imai, Satoshi Nemoto
  • Publication number: 20130284664
    Abstract: A separation membrane for water treatment, comprising a porous layer that is obtained by a phase separation method using a solution containing a resin and at least one of either an N,N-disubstituted isobutylamide or an N-monosubstituted isobutylamide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kentaro Takagi, Masakazu Koiwa, Masahiro Kimura, Yutaro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8567612
    Abstract: RO membranes using chlorinated water as a feed stream maybe protected from damage by the chlorine with a protective layer including reactive nitrogen which forms chloromines on the surface of the membrane that reduce chlorine penetration. This protective layer also provides substantial anti-fouling capabilities, whether used with a chlorinated or unchlorinated feed stream because the chloramines are anti-bacterial. Although chlorine is lost in use, the anti-fouling layer or coating can be recharged with additional chlorine without damaging the discrimination layer. The anti-fouling layer or coating may be advantageously used with Thin film composite, TFC, membranes for use in forward and reverse osmosis may include nanoparticles, monohydrolyzed and/or di-hydrolyzed TMC, and/or alkaline earth alkaline metal complexes or other additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NanoH2O, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk
  • Publication number: 20130280616
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous membrane containing cellulose fibers, wherein the cellulose fibers contain 5% by weight or more of cellulose fibers with a diameter of 1 ?m or more, relative to the total weight of the cellulose fibers, the mode diameter (maximal frequency) of the pore distribution determined by the mercury penetration method is less than 0.3 ?m, the air resistance per thickness of 10 ?m is from 20 to 600 seconds, and the porous membrane has a volume resistivity of 1500 ?·cm or less determined by alternate current with a frequency of 20 kHz in which the porous membrane is impregnated with 1 mol/LiPF6/propylene carbonate solution. The porous membrane according to the present invention can provide a separator for electrochemical devices with superior properties at a reasonable cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Tokushu Tokai Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Machii, Satoshi Nemoto, Yohta Mori
  • Publication number: 20130277878
    Abstract: A method for preparing by solvent phase inversion spinning a hollow fiber membrane suitable for dialysis. The membrane includes at least one hydrophobic polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer. An outer surface of the membrane is characterized by pores having sizes in the range of 0.5-3 ?m, with the density of the pores on the outer surface of the membrane being in the range of 10,000 to 150,000 pores per mm2. The method includes dissolving the at least one hydrophobic polymer and the at least one hydrophilic polymer in at least one solvent to form a polymer solution, extruding the thus-formed polymer solution through an outer ring slit of a nozzle with two concentric openings, extruding a center fluid through the inner opening of the nozzle, and wishing said membrane. The polymer solution coming out through the outer slit opening on the outside of the precipitating fiber is exposed to a humid steam/air mixture including a solvent content of between 0.5 and 10% by weight related to the water content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Hermann Gohl, Reinhold Buck
  • Patent number: 8562876
    Abstract: Membranes are made from polymers and heat treated so that they have at least two zones with pores of different sizes. Pores with a smaller size have a lower molecular weight cut off than pores with a larger size. Zones with pores of different sizes may also be made by coating portions of membranes with polymer coatings. Membranes with pores of different sizes may be used in dialyzers for hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, and other hemodialysis procedures. The membranes may also be used in other separation processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Shmuel Sternberg
  • Patent number: 8550256
    Abstract: A method of photo-grafting onto a separation membrane a copolymer includes at least one of: and; For example, in Structure 1A, x1?2 and y1?1; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of CH3 and H; R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of poly(oxyalkylene), quaternary ammonium salts, pyridinium salts, sulfonium salts, sulfobetaines, carboxybetaines, alcohols, phenols, tertiary amines, aryl groups; linear, branched and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic heteroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; and siloxyl; R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, and cyclic alkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic hetroalkylenes; linear, branched and cyclic fluoroalkylenes; phenyl; and siloxyl; and Z1 is 0 or 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jacquana T. Diep, Young-Hye Na, Ankit Vora
  • Publication number: 20130260080
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic structural article is disclosed that includes the steps of injecting a molten polymer composition through a nozzle into a mold having a first and a second mold portions defining a first cavity within the mold. A first fluid is injected into the first cavity that is partially filled with the molten polymer composition, pushing the molten polymer composition towards the walls of mold and a spillover trap forming a second cavity. The walls are cooled by the first fluid, which then removed. An aperture is cut in the wall. A plurality of pre-expanded beads is introduced through the aperture into the second cavity. The pre-expanded beads are expanded by injecting a second fluid forming an in-situ foam core thermally bonded to the wall. The plastic structural article is released from the mold. The structural plastic articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Richard W. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20130259968
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a calibrator including a first plate opposing a second plate, the first plate having a first foam-expansion surface adjacent to a first anti-static surface, the second plate having a second foam-expansion surface adjacent to a second anti-static surface, wherein the first foam-expansion surface and the second foam-expansion surface are aligned to form a foam-expansion region, and wherein the first anti-static surface and the second anti-static surface are aligned to form an anti-static region. The disclosure also relates to a method of producing a polyetherimide foam, the method including passing a liquid polymer mixture comprising a polyetherimide through the calibrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Craig Wojcicki
  • Patent number: 8544658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing RAFT, ATRP or NMRP functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on a microporous substrate. A further aspect of the invention is the subsequent modification of the thin film composite polyamide membrane by controlled free radical polymerization (CFRP) to yield membranes having new chemical and physical properties, e.g. antifouling and/or antibacterial properties. Further aspects of the invention are the functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on the microporous substrate itself and the membranes modified by controlled free radical polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Polymers CRC Limited
    Inventors: Marina H. Stenzel, Ricardo Godoy-Lopez, Simon Harrisson, Ezio Rizzardo
  • Patent number: 8528746
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydrophilic membrane and hydrophilic membranes having improved antifouling property using a supercritical fluid or a subcritical fluid. The method involves combining a coating solution from a hydrophilic group-containing monomer, an initiator, a cross-linking agent and a supercritical fluid or subcritical fluid in a high pressure solution vessel and transferring the coating solution to a membrane in a high pressure coating vessel, coating the surfaces and micropores of the membranes through cross-linking polymerization reactions. Non-reacted coating material is returned to the high pressure solution vessel. The membranes are removed from the coating vessel, cleaned and dried. The hydrophilic membrane manufactured by the present invention is excellent in properties of hydrophobic membranes such as thermal stability, chemical stability and mechanical strength, and surfaces and micropores of the membranes are uniformly coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jaehoon Kim, Young Haeng Lee, Jae-Duck Kim, Jong Min Park, Jongsoo Jurng
  • Patent number: 8528744
    Abstract: The invention relates to hydrophilic membranes which are supplemented or treated with a non-ionic surfactant and processes for preparing such membranes. The membranes are particularly suitable for plasma separation or for haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration, but can also advantageously be used in other applications. Accordingly, the invention is further directed to the use of such membranes for plasma separation, plasma filtration, micro filtration, plasma therapy, haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration or cell filtration applications, respectively. The treated hydrophilic membranes show excellent biocompatibility, such as reduced platelet drop and decreased TAT levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Bernd Krause, Markus Hornung, Silvia Koch, Doris Deppisch
  • Publication number: 20130228529
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to microfiltration membranes comprising a microporous material, said microporous material comprising: (a) a polyolefin matrix present in an amount of at least 2 percent by weight, (b) finely divided, particulate, substantially water-insoluble silica filler distributed throughout said matrix, said filler constituting from about 10 percent to about 90 percent by weight of said microporous material substrate, wherein the weight ratio of filler to polyolefin is greater than 4:1; and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. The present invention is also directed to methods of separating suspended or dissolved materials from a fluid stream such as a liquid or gaseous stream, comprising passing the fluid stream through the microfiltration membrane described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Qunhui Guo, Carol L. Knox, Raphael O. Kollah, Justin J. Martin, Timothy A. Okel, Daniel E. Rardon, Christine Gardner, Shantilal M. Mohnot
  • Publication number: 20130230911
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for manufacturing and using a cell culture support device. The device includes a plurality of polymer layers, each with at least one flow chamber defined therethrough. The device also includes a cross channel interface between the channels of different polymer layers. The cross channel interface includes a plurality of pores and a topographical pattern that is selected independent of the plurality of pores. Furthermore, the formation of the topographical pattern preservers the pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Charest, Jeffrey T. Borenstein, Else Forhlich
  • Patent number: 8512612
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane for Western blotting which has a three-dimensional open pore structure, an average pore diameter of 0.1-1.0 ?m and a thickness of 30-200 ?m, wherein the membrane for Western blotting is manufactured by subjecting nanofibers having an average fiber diameter of 50-1000 nm, obtained by electrospinning, to a hot-plate calendering process, and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises the steps of: dissolving a hydrophobic material in a solvent to prepare a spinning solution; subjecting the spinning solution to a spinning process to obtain a hydrophobic polymer nanofiber web; and calendering the obtained nanofiber web to obtain a membrane for Western blotting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Amomedi Co., Ltd., Amogreentech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joong Ki Kook, Ki Woon Cho, Chan Kim, Sang Chul Suh, Cheol Hyeon Kim, In Yong Seo, Seung Hoon Lee, Yun Hye Kim, Ju Young Park
  • Publication number: 20130207291
    Abstract: A method and a device to fabricate a composite product, where an intermediate product is formed from raw material including fibre containing material and polymer based material with the help of extrusion and a composite product is shaped from the intermediate product with at least one shaping tool wherein the cross sectional profile of the intermediate product is shaped with at least one extrusion tool during the extrusion and the temperature of the intermediate product is controlled after the extrusion tool so that in different parts of the cross sectional profile of the intermediate product different temperature zones are arranged according to the predetermined target values of the temperature ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Juha Varis, Timo Kärki
  • Patent number: 8505745
    Abstract: The present application is generally directed towards polyacrylonitrile- (PAN-) based, amphophilic graft copolymers, for example, for the production of membranes for liquid filtration. In one aspect, the present invention provides systems and methods for preparing high flux, fouling resistant nanofiltration membranes whose pore size can be readily tuned. In some cases, microphase separation of a graft copolymer comprising a backbone comprising polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and hydrophilic side-chains is used. In some cases, nanochannels of tunable width are formed, which may give the membrane permselective properties and/or anti-fouling character. In some cases, a copolymer may be used as an additive in the immersion precipitation casting of ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes. In certain instances, the additive can segregate to the membrane exterior and/or pore surfaces, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Ayse Asatekin Alexiou
  • Patent number: 8505743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to surface modification of reverse osmosis membranes to introduce antifouling properties without compromising the separation properties of the original membranes. This approach utilizes: providing a coated membrane surface having enhanced hydrophilic characteristics that prevents the biofoulants from settling; have a surface that consists of hydrophilic brushes that unsettle any biofoulants that get through; and having antimicrobial ions present in the membrane coatings and able to remove or minimize any remaining biofoulants without leaching into the permeate. These coatings are made using dendritic polymers such as hyperbranched polymers or dendrimers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Abhijit Sarkar, Petar R. Dvornic, Peter I. Carver, Joseph L. Rousseau
  • Publication number: 20130191996
    Abstract: A pillow includes a substantially flat base portion; a top side and a bottom side extending perpendicular from the base portion; a first side and a second side extending perpendicular from the base portion; and a top portion formed of first and second slanted planes, respectively slanting from each of the first and second sides toward the base portion, with the slanted planes coming together to meet between the first side and the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Maliszewski
  • Publication number: 20130189587
    Abstract: The invention relates to microporous membranes having a thickness 19.0 micrometer or less, the membranes having a relatively high porosity, air permeability and puncture strength. Such membranes can be produced by extrusion and are suitable for use as battery separator film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: TORAY BATTERY SEPARATOR FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shintaro Kikuchi, Kazuhiro Yamada, Junko Takita
  • Publication number: 20130181499
    Abstract: A seat pad and a method for manufacturing the same are provided, wherein molding failure is prevented at the periphery of a horizontal groove. In the seat pad, a groove structure 7 for containing a part of a seat cover material is provided on a seat surface for seating. At least a part of the groove structure is formed as a horizontal groove which extends in a horizontal direction. The seat pad is manufactured by foam molding in a mold with the seat surface maintained to face in a downward direction, and a first end of the seat surface, in terms of a longitudinal direction of the seat pad which crosses the horizontal direction thereof at right angle, positioned lower than a second end thereof. The seat pad has at least one concavity 10 positioned between the first end and the horizontal groove, so as to face the horizontal groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Suenaga, Yousuke Muta
  • Publication number: 20130171499
    Abstract: A porous membrane contains a polyethylene resin, in a core layer, pores of sizes that are relatively larger than those of pores in each of skin layers on the opposite sides are distributed, and the skin layers on the opposite sides have substantially same pore characteristics. A method for manufacturing a porous membrane includes the steps of: obtaining a mixture of a liquid-type paraffin oil and a solid-type paraffin wax; adding the mixture to a polyethylene resin to obtain a raw material resin mixture; extruding and cooling the raw material resin mixture; stretching the raw material resin mixture; and immersing the stretched raw material resin mixture in an organic solvent to extract a mixture of the oil and the wax.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Jae Won Yang, Si Ju Ryu, Seong Tae Kim, Byung Hyunn Kim, Jung Goo Park, Hee Min Cho
  • Publication number: 20130164474
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming a hollow blow-molded foam and also provide such a hollow-molded foam, which are capable of improving a flow-rate efficiency of a fluid that flows through the inside of the hollow blow-molded foam. A foaming resin is sandwiched between molds so that a hollow blow-molded foam having a ventilation path is molded, and a fluid for use in cooling the hollow blow-molded foam is allowed to flow through the ventilation path so that the hollow blow-molded foam is cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: KYORAKU CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Igarashi, Masaaki Onodera, Yoshinori Ohno
  • Patent number: 8425814
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved efficient and effective systems and methods of manufacturing hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane suitable for commercial applications and the resultant hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane suitable for commercial applications produced thereby and includes methods of manufacturing hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane comprising the acts of: providing hydrophobic PES membrane; prewetting the hydrophobic PES membrane in a sufficient amount of a liquid having a sufficiently low surface tension; exposing the wet hydrophobic PES membrane to a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution of oxidizer; and after the exposing act, heating the hydrophobic PES membrane for a sufficient time at a sufficient temperature and methods of manufacturing hydrophilic polyethersulfone (PES) membrane comprising the acts of: providing gel PES membrane; exposing the gel PES membrane to a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution of oxidizer; and after the exposing act, heati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Mezhirov, Eshan B. Yeh, Richard Sale
  • Patent number: 8420704
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer composite that includes reacting (a) a multi-functional monomer and (b) a block copolymer comprising (i) a first block and (ii) a second block that includes a functional group capable of reacting with the multi-functional monomer, to form a crosslinked, nano-structured, bi-continuous composite. The composite includes a continuous matrix phase and a second continuous phase comprising the first block of the block copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Marc Hillmyer, Liang Chen