Patents Assigned to Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6712887
    Abstract: A gas adsorption filter located over a breathing hole within a semi airtight container, wherein the gas adsorption filter has an opening that is connected with and open to the breather hole and, comprises a base material for attaching the filter to the inner wall of the container and a gas adsorption body that is laminated and fixed to the gas flow path surface of the base material, and on the gas contact surface on the side where the gas adsorption body is in contact with the gas flow path surface of the base material, there is at least one gas inflow orifice that is connected to the opening of the base material, and at least one gas discharge orifice that is connected to the outside of the gas adsorption body, and a groove section is formed that is connected to the gas inflow orifice and the gas discharge orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Takuya Ueki, Yutaka Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6485809
    Abstract: A multilayer, unitary gasket including at least one inner layer of expanded PTFE disposed between a first substantially air impermeable outer layer and a second substantially air impermeable outer layer, and a substantially air impermeable region bridging the first and second substantially air impermeable layers. The inventive gasket forms a substantially air impermeable seal when compressed at low stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH, Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc., Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Bryant Minor, Kevin Edward Dove, Ronald G. Egres, Jr., Alexander Riedl, Hirokazu Hisano, David John Mills
  • Patent number: 6359769
    Abstract: A plurality of polarizable electrodes, a laminate of a collector layer, a polarizable electrode layer of a porous sheet, and a carbon-based conductive material interposed therebetween, are disposed in a row arrangement, interposing separators between the polarizable electrodes, and an electrolyte is packed between said polarizable electrodes and said separators; the carbon-based conductive material penetrating into the voids in the polarizable electrode layers. A process is provided whereby the polarizable electrode is manufactured by applying a conductive material solution to the collector and/or polarizable electrode sheet surface, superposing the two, and then evaporating out the dispersion medium of the conductive material solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Naofumi Mushiake, Koshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6242135
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite for an electrochemical reaction apparatus that possesses satisfactory ion conduction properties and has excellent mechanical strength and heat resistance, is provided, the solid polymer electrolyte composite is characterized in that a solid polymer electrolyte is contained in the continuous pores of an expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene sheet which has continuous pores and in which the inner surfaces defining the pores are covered with a functional material such as a metal oxide. An electrochemical reaction apparatus containing an electrolyte, wherein said electrochemical reaction apparatus is characterized in that the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte composite is used as this electrolyte is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Naofumi Mushiake
  • Patent number: 6162514
    Abstract: Complex-shaped articles formed by gas-pressure-molding composite preforms of liquid crystal polymer and porous polytetrafluoroethylene material are described. Processes for making the composite material preforms and parisons needed for gas-pressure-molding methods, such as vacuum-molding and blow-molding, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Moriya
  • Patent number: 6127059
    Abstract: A gas diffusion layer for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a solid polymer electrolyte and a catalyst layer disposed adjacent to the solid polymer electrolyte, where the gas diffusion layer includes a carbon fiber woven cloth having a surface and a coating of a fluororesin (such as polytetrafluoroethylene) containing carbon black on the surface, wherein the carbon fiber woven cloth is adapted to be disposed in the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell such that the coating is adjacent to the catalyst layer in the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Preferably, the coating penetrates no more than one-half the thickness of the carbon fiber woven cloth. Most preferably, the coating penetrates no more than one-third the thickness of the carbon fiber woven cloth. The carbon fiber woven cloth may be pre-treated with a water-repellent fluororesin (such as polytetrafluoroethylene), or with a mixture of a fluororesin and carbon black, to enhance water repellency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 6054230
    Abstract: This invention provides a solid polymer ion exchange membrane/electrode assembly, or an electrode/solid polymer ion exchange membrane /electrode assembly, for an electrochemical cell, which consists of planar layers of materials intimately joined together to form a unitary structure. The layers are joined together by solid polymer ion exchange resin present in at least one of each pair of adjacent layers. The unitary assembly can be used in an electrochemical cell such as a battery, electrolytic reactor, or fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 6001302
    Abstract: Complex-shaped articles formed by gas-pressure-molding composite preforms of liquid crystal polymer and porous polytetrafluoroethylene material are described. Processes for making the composite material preforms and parisons needed for gas-pressure-molding methods, such as vacuum-molding and blow-molding, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Moriya
  • Patent number: 5954910
    Abstract: An elastic fixing roll having an elastic, compliant body material and release surface material is disclosed. The body material comprises porous silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber foam, or a porous synthetic polymer foam reinforced with silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber. The release surface material is formed of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film containing silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber. The elastic fixing roll has the strength, resilience, and heat resistance and is suitable for use in hot toner fixing assemblies of copying machines and printing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Kikukawa, Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 5945192
    Abstract: An assembly consisting of at least one seal layer and a solid polymer ion exchange layer wherein the seal layer covers essentially only the region of the ion exchange layer which is to be sealed. The seal layer is made of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film having one surface coated and partially impregnated with a solid polymer ion exchange material. The seal layer provides support and masking functions for the solid polymer ion exchange layer during intermediate manufacturing steps, and reinforcement and effective sealing when assembled in an electrochemical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Eiichi Torikai
  • Patent number: 5900292
    Abstract: A composite material is formed by combining a liquid crystal polymer with a porous or nonporous support membrane to provide either a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal film on the support membrane formed by laminating the liquid crystal polymer onto a porous or nonporous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation; or to provide a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal polymer region within a porous support membrane formed by impregnating the liquid crystal polymer into a porous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation. Lyotropic or thermotropic liquid crystal polymers may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Moriya
  • Patent number: 5888275
    Abstract: A deaeration assembly for removal of air or other gases dissolved in a liquid. The assembly includes a deaeration element having a gas-channel-forming component enclosed and sealed within an envelope which includes a nonporous fluoropolymer film. The assembly also includes a liquid-channel-forming component which can be positioned on the outside of the element, or can be enclosed with the gas-channel-forming component within the element. The assembly can be formed in spiral-wound or folded configurations for installation in a deaeration module or apparatus. The deaeration assembly is useful for removal of gases dissolved in chemically aggressive liquids, high-purity liquids, and other special liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadakatsu Hamasaki, Masayuki Kobayashi, Takushi Yokota, Kanako Kobashi
  • Patent number: 5868839
    Abstract: A liquid metering and coating assembly for use in a thermal toner fixation unit of a plain paper copier or printer. The assembly consists of a release oil-supply roll having a compliant and flexible porous permeation control layer and a cleaning blade. The cleaning blade is mounted so as to contact the surface of the permeation control material. The cleaning blade removes excess toner and other incidental debris from the surface of the permeation control layer thereby providing a freshly cleaned surface from which controlled amounts of release oil are uniformly coated onto the surface of an adjacent contacting roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kato, Hiroyasu Kikukawa
  • Patent number: 5863488
    Abstract: Complex-shaped articles formed by gas-pressure-molding composite preforms of liquid crystal polymer and porous polytetrafluoroethylene material are described. Processes for making the composite material preforms and parisons needed for gas-pressure-molding methods, such as vacuum-molding and blow-molding, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Moriya
  • Patent number: 5858264
    Abstract: A composite polymer electrolyte membrane which includes an ion-conductive polymer gel contained and supported by a matrix material formed of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. The porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane has an internal structure which defines a three-dimensional network of interconnected passages and pathways throughout the membrane. The composite polymer electrolyte membrane has a tensile break strength of at least 10 MPa in at least two orthogonal planar directions, ion conductivity of at least 1 mS/cm, and is useful as a separator between electrodes of a lithium secondary cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignees: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc., Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ichino, Yukitoshi Takeshita, Fumio Yamamoto, Hiroshi Kato, Naofumi Mushiake, Takayuki Wani
  • Patent number: 5830261
    Abstract: A deaeration assembly for removal of air or other gases dissolved in a liquid. The assembly includes a deaeration element having a gas-channel-forming component enclosed and sealed within an envelope formed of a non-porous fluoropolymer film. The assembly also includes a liquid-channel-forming component which can be positioned on the outside of the element, or can be enclosed with the gas-channel-forming component within the element. The assembly can be formed in spiral-wound or folded configurations for installation in a deaeration module or apparatus. The deaeration assembly is useful for removal of gases dissolved in chemically aggressive liquids, high-purity liquids, and other special liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadakatsu Hamasaki, Masayuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5789047
    Abstract: A flexible, multilayered tube with superior chemical resistance, heat resistance, and airtightness, as well as superior flexibility and resistance of the inner surface to staining. The tube comprises a flexible, multilayered tube having a first layer comprised of a non-porous polytetrafluoroethylene structure and a second layer comprised of a porous polytetrafluoroethylene structure laminated onto the outer peripheral surface of said first layer. The tube is useful as a medical tubing and in particular useful as an endoscope tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignees: Japan GORE-TEX, Inc, Olympus Optical Co.
    Inventors: Fumihiro Sasaki, Hiroshi Shinmen, Akira Suzuki, Keiichi Arai
  • Patent number: 5716700
    Abstract: An elastic fixing roll having an elastic, compliant body material and release surface material is disclosed. The body material can be made of porous silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber foam, or a porous synthetic polymer foam reinforced with silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber. The release surface material is formed of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film containing silicone rubber or fluorosilicone rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Kikukawa, Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 5681624
    Abstract: A composite material is formed by combining a liquid crystal polymer with a porous or nonporous support membrane to provide either a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal film on the support membrane formed by laminating the liquid crystal polymer onto a porous or nonporous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation; or to provide a thin, multiaxially oriented liquid crystal polymer region within a porous support membrane formed by impregnating the liquid crystal polymer into a porous support membrane, followed by multiaxial orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Moriya
  • Patent number: 5682288
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved double-layer capacitor in which the improvement is a planar layered electrode assembly which has low electrical resistance and which has high electric storage capacity. The electrode material is produced by a process in which acicular electrically-conductive particles are blended with a binder, oriented by extrusion, and cut to form planar electrode discs or plates in which the acicular particles are oriented as nearly perpendicular as possible to the flat surfaces of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Japan Gore-Tex, Inc.
    Inventor: Takayuki Wani