Patents Examined by Elizabeth Royston
  • Patent number: 8080189
    Abstract: Process for producing an inorganic-inorganic composite material, in which an open-pore, crystalline oxide ceramic shaped part is produced from an oxide ceramic powder or a powder of an oxide ceramic mixture after shape-imparting processing and presintering, an infiltration substance is applied to this shaped part in vacuo and at room temperature, and the oxide ceramic is sintered in a densifying manner under an air atmosphere and at ambient pressure to form an inorganic-inorganic composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Frank Rothbrust, Christian Ritzberger, Wolfram Höland, Volker Rheinberger
  • Patent number: 8075824
    Abstract: A polyimide film made of a multicomponent polyimide comprising two or more different polyimide components including (A) a polyimide component A being raw materials of a polyimide A and/or a polyimidation product of the raw materials and (B) a polyimide component B being raw materials of a polyimide B and/or a polyimidation product of the raw materials. The polyimide components A and B are different, for example, such that the absolute difference between solubility parameter SPA of the polyimide A and solubility parameter SPB of the polyimide B, |SPB-SPA|, is 0.5 MPa1/2 or more. The polyimide film has markedly modified surface properties as compared with a polyimide film in which all the same raw materials as used in the film of the invention are randomly bonded to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: UBE Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimune Yoshinaga, Kenji Fukunaga, Harutoshi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8066924
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out the method are for forming a sheet or film of thermoplastic polymer alloy by extruding an intimate blend of incompatible polymer materials, such as polypropylene dispersed in LLDPF, through an extruding die and stretching after extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Ole-Bendt Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8062022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressing device, respectively to a corresponding pressing method, for isostatic pressing of a body (8) from powdery and/or granulated material (3), comprising a die (1) with a die wall (6) forming a forming space (2) and with a die opening (5) from outside the die through the die wall into the forming space (2) for filling the forming space (2) with the material and for removing the body pressed therein after pressing, with the die wall being made from elastic material, for compacting the material (3) by an isostatic compacting pressure (p) applied to the outside of the die wall, and a punch (4) for closing the die opening during pressing, with the punch (4) being constituted by a metallic insert (13) in longitudinal direction and an elastic jacket (14) surrounding the metallic insert (13), with an front end section (7) of the insert (13) penetrating into the forming space while closing the die opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dorst Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Christian Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8057630
    Abstract: Methods and systems for decreasing costs (expense, mass, and/or cure time) associated with use of adhesives when assembling modularized components, particularly for assemblies having many elements such as for example battery modules used in electric vehicles. The methods and systems enable use of high-wettability adhesives (defined generally in this application as low viscosity and/or low surface tension adhesives) for assembling such modularized components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 8048350
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally a manufacturing process which results in a completely hydrogel polymer device that maintains lumen patency which allows for numerous applications. Catheters and stents are particular examples, and their composition, mechanical characteristics, and the significantly unique ability to conduct and allow fluids to pass from one end to the other without physiological rejection, inflammation, or manifestation of complications due to implant or otherwise undesirable outcomes when used for ambulatory and or therapeutic interventions is the purpose of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Scott Epstein
  • Patent number: 8043546
    Abstract: A method of forming a mesh by a moulding a link element around other link elements to form a mesh in which the interlinking link elements are formed as continuous unjoined loops by a moulding process. An apparatus for forming a mesh including a plurality of first cavities for accommodating first link elements and a plurality of second cavities for forming interlinking link elements. The method and apparatus allow the continuous production of mesh formed of a range of materials including plastics materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kaynemaile Limited
    Inventor: Kayne Bruce Horsham
  • Patent number: 8038828
    Abstract: A process is for laser-welding resinous members, and includes the steps of overlapping a transparent resinous member on an absorptive resinous material, and irradiating the transparent resinous member with a laser beam, thereby welding an interface between the transparent resinous member and the absorptive resinous member as a strip shape, wherein the energy of the laser beam acting on a side of a major-curvature-radius curved part of the strip-shaped welded interface and the energy of the laser beam acting on a side of a minor-curvature-radius curved part thereof are averaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Fine Device Co., Ltd., Laser X Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Terada, Akihiko Tsuboi, Seijirou Soeda, Jun Hayakawa, Kyouji Kokufuda, Tsuyoshi Tanigaki
  • Patent number: 8034276
    Abstract: A domestic appliance includes a pump that establishes and directs a flow of washing fluid into a tub during a washing operation. The pump includes a pump housing having a rigid main body portion that defines an inlet section and an outlet section, as well as a plurality of resilient members that are over-molded onto the inlet and outlet sections. The rigid main body portion includes a mounting element for supporting the pump. An insulation grommet is positioned in the mounting element to minimize any transfer of vibration from the pump to the appliance. The inlet nipple, outlet nipple and insulation grommet are joined through a plurality of web members. The rigid main body also includes a secondary outlet section that is adapted to directly receive a hose or is connected to a hose through a secondary outlet nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 8025756
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of bonding different materials of construction using hybrid materials comprising nanoscale, superparamagnetic, ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic or paramagnetic powders enveloped or in part not enveloped by poly(meth)acrylates, and to their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Roos, Gerd Loehden, Jan Hendrik Schattka, Manfred Braum, Markus Pridoehl, Guido Zimmermann, Andreas Huether
  • Patent number: 8025825
    Abstract: A method for the compression molding of a plastic part including a neck which is equipped with an orifice, in which a blank is created and compressed. The part is molded with a neck which is equipped with a top wall including a thin area with a notch, the contour of this thin area defining the orifice, and two zones which can withstand the mechanical stress necessary in order to break the top wall at the notch. One of the two zones is intended to transmit the mechanical stress and the other is used as a support. The section of the notch is slightly inclined in relation to the axis of the neck. After molding, mechanical stress is applied to one part of the top wall, other than the thin area, so that the top wall tears at the notch, thereby producing the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Cebal SAS
    Inventors: Bertrand Gruau, Herve Zakrzewski
  • Patent number: 8007697
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing slabs which are thin (10-30 mm) and broad, a cement mix comprising water, cement and a fluidizer is mixed with inert stone aggregate having a controlled particle size. The resultant mix is deposited in a predetermined thickness onto a temporary support and subjected to vacuum vibrocompression. The slab thus formed is subjected to the steps of setting and hardening by means of curing, enclosing it between two thin sheets of plastic impermeable to water vapor which are hermetically sealed along their edges. The method envisages specific measures as regards the method of mixing performed during the steps of preparation of the cement mix and mixing of the cement paste with the stone aggregrate. Other improvements concern the components of the cement paste as well as the order of introduction of the aggregate during mixing with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Luca Toncelli
  • Patent number: 7998378
    Abstract: A method of making a composite support structure and sander includes the steps of providing a rigid plate adjacent a mold such that a polyfoam layer can be formed to a front surface thereof which includes a wall defining a contained surface, the plate having a back surface for connection to a handle and introducing into the mold fluid components which react to form a polyfoam which is reaction bonded to the front surface of the rigid plate such that a back surface of the polyfoam layer forms within the contained surface and about the wall in a complementary manner thereto and a front surface of the polyfoam layer extends outward from the front surface of the rigid plate and is formed to have a relatively planar surface thereby rendering the composite support structure for removably connecting sandpaper to the relatively planar surface of the polyfoam layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Ali Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Ali, Christopher Ali
  • Patent number: 7988807
    Abstract: Provided is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground and a support, where the substrate is ground to a very small thickness and can then be separated from the support without damaging the substrate. One embodiment of the present invention is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground, a joining layer in contact with the substrate to be ground, a photothermal conversion layer comprising a light absorbing agent and a heat decomposable resin, and a light transmitting support. After grinding the substrate surface which is opposite that in contact with the joining layer, the laminated body is irradiated through the light transmitting layer and the photothermal conversion layer decomposes to separate the substrate and the light transmitting support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kazuki Noda, Masaru Iwasawa
  • Patent number: 7976765
    Abstract: A method of forming a nanoscale pattern on a substrate surface. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a substrate having a surface; providing a nanoscale pattern forming device, comprising an elongated cantilever that has a tip portion proximate an end of the elongated cantilever; and controllably illuminating at least the tip portion of the cantilever with a beam of substantially coherent monoenergetic particles when the cantilever moves relative to the substrate to form a nanoscale pattern on the surface, wherein the tip portion of the cantilever is made from lightly doped silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Liam S. C. Pingree
  • Patent number: 7968043
    Abstract: An auxiliary-layer-lined unfired ceramic body, having a step portion in a principal surface thereof, has an unfired ceramic body and an auxiliary layer which is adhered to one principal surface of the unfired ceramic body and which is made of a material that is substantially unsinterable at a temperature at which the unfired ceramic body is fired. The auxiliary-layer-lined unfired ceramic body is fired at a temperature at which the unfired ceramic body is sinterable but the auxiliary layer is substantially unsinterable, while the auxiliary layer remains adhered to the unfired ceramic body. A pressing operation is performed using a die having a projection placed on the side of the auxiliary-layer-lined unfired ceramic body retaining the auxiliary layer, so that the step portion, having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the die projection, is formed in the side of the auxiliary-layer-lined unfired ceramic body retaining the auxiliary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Ito, Osamu Chikagawa, Tetsuya Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7955468
    Abstract: An infrared light source focuses infrared energy onto a work surface through the open end of a concentrator. The open end of the concentrator includes an elastomeric seal for sealably coupling the end of the concentrator directly to a work piece. Pneumatic pressure is applied through the concentrator and the seal to urge the work pieces together during the heating process to complete the weld. The method of infrared (IR) welding includes the steps of applying concentrated IR energy to at least one thermoplastic member while simultaneously applying pneumatic pressure to the work pieces for welding one member to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Extol Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Beute, David A. Allen, Roger G. Miller, Jr., Mark W. Essenburg
  • Patent number: 7927537
    Abstract: A tape winder includes: a hub, around which a tape is wound overlappingly and which forms a tape roll on the hub; a first guide roller, defining the position of feeding of the tape into the tape roll being formed on the hub while pressing an outer peripheral surface of the tape roll; and a moving mechanism, moving the first guide roller away from the rotation axis of the hub as the tape roll increases in diameter. A rotation axis of the first guide roller is positioned along a normal to a reference surface and the rotation axis of the hub intersects the rotation axis of the first guide roller at an angle ?. The tape is processed to provide winding curl to the tape through winding the tape on a tapered hub with inclination and a heat treatment to fix the winding curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kyouhisa Uchiumi, Kouichi Nakatogawa
  • Patent number: 7892470
    Abstract: A casting film is formed by casting a dope containing a polymer and a solvent onto a support. Thereafter, the casting film is peeled off from the support as a wet film (74). The wet film (74) is transported to a tenter device (47) having plural tenter clips (101). Before holding side edges of the wet film (74) by the tenter clips (101), air is blown from an outlet (120a) of an air nozzle (120) to a curled portion (74a) such that the air is pressed against the curled portion (74a). Thereby, the curled portion (74a) is flattened to become an approximately flat portion (74b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Kentarou Tanimura
  • Patent number: 7887736
    Abstract: A superhydrophobic polymer fabrication is provided. According to one method for preparing a superhydrophobic polymer fabrication, the superhydrophobic polymer fabrication can be fabricated quickly and easily, and the superhydrophobic surface can be repeatedly imprinted using a template, so that mass production of the superhydrophobic polymer fabrication over a large area can be economically implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventors: Jin-Kyu Lee, Yuwon Lee, Kuk-Youn Ju