Patents Examined by Alex A Rolland
  • Patent number: 11247180
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for fabricating multilayer singlebore membranes (10) or multilayer multibore membranes (20) for ultrafiltration applications including the following method steps: (a) feeding at least a material of a substrate (12), at least one material of a functional layer (14, 15) and a bore fluid (36) to a spinneret (30) simultaneously; (b) forming said membranes (10, 20) as a tube-like string (54) in a one-step process in said spinneret (30); (c) thereby assigning a functionality to said functional layer (14, 15) applied on at least one surface (13, 17) of said substrate (12). The invention is also related to a spinneret (30) for fabricating multilayer singlebore membranes (10) or multilayer multibore membranes (20), using the inventive method, and to a system comprising such a spinneret (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: DUPONT SAFETY & CONSTRUCTION, INC.
    Inventors: Menno Bos, Martin Heijnen, Natalia Widjojo
  • Patent number: 11236023
    Abstract: A method for forming a protective coating on a surface of a ceramic substrate includes combining a rare-earth oxide, alumina, and silica to form a powder, etching the surface of the ceramic substrate, applying the powder on the etched surface in an amount of from about 0.001 to about 0.1 g/cm2 to reduce capture of bubbles from off-gassing of the ceramic substrate, heating the powder for a time of from about 5 to about 60 minutes to a temperature at or above the melting point such that the powder melts and forms a molten coating on the surface that has a minimized number of bubbles, and cooling the molten coating to ambient temperature to form the protective coating disposed on and in direct contact with the surface of the ceramic substrate such that the protective coating has a thickness of less than about 1 mil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Terence Whalen, Bahram Jadidian, Reza Oboodi
  • Patent number: 11235287
    Abstract: A preparation method of separation membrane is provided. First, a polyimide composition including a dissolvable polyimide, a crosslinking agent, and a solvent is provided. The dissolvable polyimide is represented by formula 1: wherein B is a tetravalent organic group derived from a tetracarboxylic dianhydride containing aromatic group, A is a divalent organic group derived from a diamine containing aromatic group, A? is a divalent organic group derived from a diamine containing aromatic group and carboxylic acid group, and 0.1?X?0.9. The crosslinking agent is an aziridine crosslinking agent, an isocyanate crosslinking agent, an epoxy crosslinking agent, a diamine crosslinking agent, or a triamine crosslinking agent. A crosslinking process is performed on the polyimide composition. The polyimide composition which has been subjected to the crosslinking process is coated on a substrate to form a polyimide membrane. A dry phase inversion process is performed on the polyimide membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Textile Research Institute
    Inventors: Shang-Chih Chou, Chun-Hung Chen, Chun-Hung Lin, Kueir-Rarn Lee
  • Patent number: 11229885
    Abstract: A preparation method of separation membrane is provided. First, a polyimide composition including a dissolvable polyimide, a crosslinking agent and a solvent is provided. The dissolvable polyimide is represented by formula 1: wherein B is a tetravalent organic group derived from a tetracarboxylic dianhydride containing aromatic group, A is a divalent organic group derived from a diamine containing aromatic group, A? is a divalent organic group derived from a diamine containing aromatic group and carboxylic acid group, and 0.1?X?0.9. The crosslinking agent is an aziridine crosslinking agent, an isocyanate crosslinking agent, an epoxy crosslinking agent, a diamine crosslinking agent, or a triamine crosslinking agent. A crosslinking process is performed on the polyimide composition. The polyimide composition which has been subjected to the crosslinking process is coated on a substrate to form a polyimide membrane. A wet phase inversion process is performed on the polyimide membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Textile Research Institute
    Inventors: Shang-Chih Chou, Chun-Hung Chen, Chun-Hung Lin, Kueir-Rarn Lee
  • Patent number: 11214663
    Abstract: A method is designed to prepare foamed, opacifying elements each having a target light blocking value (LBVT) of at least 3, using a textile fabric substrate with a light blocking value (LBVS). The LBVT-S difference is calculated; a foamable aqueous composition is chosen; a dry coating weight for the foamable aqueous composition (when foamed) is determined to form a single dry opacifying layer that is foamed, dried, and densified to provide a dry thickness at least 20% less than the original dry thickness. The single dry opacifying layer a has light blocking value that is equal to LBVT-S, ±15%. The desired foamable aqueous composition can be chosen from a set of similar compositions to achieve the desired LBVT with the noted textile fabric substrate using suitable mathematical formula relating dry coating weight to light blocking value and a suitable data processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Mridula Nair, Joseph Salvatore Sedita, Mary Christine Brick
  • Patent number: 11173516
    Abstract: To provide a production method capable of producing an antiglare film-coated substrate having excellent antiglare performance in a short time, an antiglare film-coated substrate having excellent antiglare performance, and an article provided with the substrate. A method for producing an antiglare film-coated substrate 1 comprising a substrate 3 and an antiglare film 5 formed on the substrate 3, characterized by comprising a step of preparing a coating composition comprising at least one of a silica precursor (A) and particles (C), and a liquid medium (B), wherein the liquid medium (B) contains a liquid medium (B1) having a boiling point of at most 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventors: Azusa Takai, Shuji Taneda, Satoshi Mototani, Yoshimi Otani
  • Patent number: 11174412
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for mechanically anchoring polymers on the surface of a porous substrate by trapping polymer chains within the pores of the substrate under capillary forces. Surface modification of the porous substrate is achieved by anchoring one end of the polymer chains within the pores while one or more other ends of the polymer chains dangle from the surface of the porous substrate. The method provides a unique way of modifying the surface of a material without chemical reactions or precursor-substrate interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Geraud J.M. Dubois, Krystelle Lionti, Teddie P. Magbitang, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 11167456
    Abstract: A method for applying a polymer coating to a substrate wherein the resultant layer of polymer on the substrate has a substantial thickness. A mixture of polymer material, including reactor bead polymer and ground polymer, may be used in a powder coating process to achieve thicker polymer layers. In separate embodiments, the resultant polymer layer may remain on the substrate or may be removed from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: George Irvin Fisher
  • Patent number: 11130288
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a digital light projector (DLP) system which has first and second light sources. The first optical source may generate a first beam at a first wavelength which causes polymerization of a photopolymerizable resist. The second optical source may generate a second beam at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and where the second beam inhibits polymerization of the photopolymerizable resist. A digital micromirror device (DMD) is included which has a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to be illuminated by the first and second beams and to generate a pattern on the micromirrors which has light from the first and second light wavelengths controlled by the micromirror position. The first light image causes polymerization of a first portion of the photopolymerizable resist, while the second image inhibits polymerization of a second portion of the photopolymerizable resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan D. Moran
  • Patent number: 11123669
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a filtration media with improved filtration, strength, tear resistance and air permeability in the form of a relatively thin and lightweight wet-laid fibrous web that has a wet Mullen ratio of 20% to 90% to ensure that the media is flexible enough to be formed into a fluted structure, and strong enough to retain the fluted structure when would into a roll and to permit further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: AHLSTROM-MUNKSJÖ OYJ
    Inventors: Kevin R. Schouweiler, Kent Williamson
  • Patent number: 11114635
    Abstract: A method for making a polymer solar cell includes placing a carbon nanotube array into a polymer solution. The carbon nanotube array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes. Each carbon nanotube includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The polymer solution is cured to form a polymer layer including a first polymer surface and a second polymer surface opposite to the first polymer surface. The first end is exposed from the polymer layer, and the second end is embedded in the polymer layer. An insulating layer is formed on the first polymer surface. A cathode electrode is formed on a surface of the insulating layer away from the polymer layer, and the first end passes through the insulating layer and is in direct contact with the cathode electrode. An anode electrode is formed on the second polymer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen Ning, Peng Liu, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 11090717
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for processing a powder alloy to improve its microstructure. The methods for processing the powder alloy can include introducing the powder alloy into a powder vessel having an inert atmosphere, uniformly heat treating the powder alloy inside the powder vessel at its solutionizing temperature, and cooling the heat treated powder alloy at a rate of at least 5° C./s to form treated particles. The treated particles obtained from the methods and apparatuses disclosed herein can be used in any suitable manufacturing process, such as in cold gas dynamic spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
    Inventors: Luke N. Brewer, William A. Story
  • Patent number: 11085114
    Abstract: Methods for forming thin, pinhole-free conformal metal layers on both conducting and non-conducting surfaces, where the morphology and properties of the metal layers are tuned to meet desired parameters by adjusting the concentration of ionic liquids during the deposition process. The formed metal films contain tunable properties for solar and electronic use and provide specific advantages for non-conducting surfaces, which are otherwise unsuitable for electroplating without the presence of the formed metal films. The disclosed methods do not require the presence of a voltage or external electric field but form the metal films through an electroless technique using electrostatic interactions between negatively charged nanoparticles. In addition, the disclosed methods are compatible with solution phase processing and eliminate the need to transfer the surfaces into a vacuum chamber for a chemical or physical vapor deposition to form a metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Lance R. Hubbard, Anthony Muscat
  • Patent number: 11071998
    Abstract: A method for applying a polymer coating to a substrate wherein the resultant layer of polymer on the substrate has a substantial thickness. A mixture of polymer material, including reactor bead polymer and ground polymer, may be used in a powder coating process to achieve thicker polymer layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventors: George Irvin Fisher, Benjamin Hansen Gilmore, Kyle Edward Roberts
  • Patent number: 11045997
    Abstract: A support material for use in an additive manufacturing system includes a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) monomers and elastomeric monomers. The elastomeric monomers and the VP monomers are covalently bonded and copolymerized. The support material is thermally stable even at temperatures above 80° C. and is disintegrable in aqueous solutions such as tap water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam R. Pawloski, Theresa Sherar
  • Patent number: 11041245
    Abstract: A method for preventing adhesion of aluminum onto the surface of a metallic product, which can be performed by a simple treatment, at low cost and within a short time. Tin granules having an average particle diameter of 10 to 100 ?m and each having an oxide film formed thereon are sprayed onto the surface of a metallic product under a spraying pressure of 0.5 MPa or more or at a spraying velocity of 200 m/sec or more to form a tin oxide coating film at a thickness of 1 ?m or less on a portion of the surface of the metallic product, wherein the portion of the surface of the metallic product is a portion at which the metallic product is in contact with aluminum or an aluminum alloy. By forming the tin oxide coating film, it becomes possible to prevent the adhesion of aluminum onto a metallic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI KIHAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshio Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 11036065
    Abstract: A method of making an optical article having multiple light-influencing zones can include: forming an alignment coating layer having a first alignment region and a second alignment region over at least a portion of an optical element; applying at least one anisotropic material over the first alignment region and the second alignment region by an inkjet printing device; and applying at least one dichroic material and/or at least one photochromic-dichroic material over at least one of the first alignment region and the second alignment region to form a first light-influencing zone over the first alignment region and a second light-influencing zone over the second alignment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Ltd.
    Inventors: Henry Nguyen, Delwin S. Jackson, Anil Kumar, Linda K. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11033860
    Abstract: Methods are provided for preparing TiO2 nanofiltration membranes for water purification are provided. The method can include supplying a titanium precursor gas into a reaction chamber, where the titanium precursor gas reacts with a base support of an anodic aluminum oxide, and the base support of an anodic aluminum oxide has a surface defining a plurality of pores therein. The reaction chamber can then be evacuated to remove any unreacted titanium precursor gas, and an alkoxide precursor gas can be supplied into a reaction chamber such that the alkoxide precursor gas reacts to with the titanium on the base support to form a hybrid titanium alkoxide. Thereafter, the base support cab be heated to remove the organic component to leave titanium oxide on the surface of the base support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Miao Yu, Zhuonan Song
  • Patent number: 11020710
    Abstract: Provided is an ultra large-width coating device applied to a consecutive process. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coating device capable of maximizing productivity by consecutively manufacturing a large-width film without reducing physical properties of the manufactured film by overcoming a problem in that a coating width is limited during a coating process using the existing contact type coating roller, and a method for manufacturing an ultra large-width membrane using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignees: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD., SK IE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Jin Joo, Kyu Young Cho, Yun Bong Kim, Su Ji Lee, Won Sub Kwack, Hye Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11002884
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method for producing silicone hydrogel contact lenses with having a stable coating thereon. A method of the invention comprises a water-based coating process (step) for forming a relatively-stable base coating of a homo- or copolymer of acrylic acid or C1-C3 alkylacrylic acid onto a silicone hydrogel contact lens made from a lens formulation comprising from about 35% to about 60% by weight of N-vinylpyrrolidone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Yun Zhang