Patents Examined by Krisanne Thornton
  • Patent number: 6365101
    Abstract: Method for inhibiting scale deposits in an aqueous system. The method may include at least one of adding and forming anti-scalant in the aqueous system such that an amount of anti-scalant in the aqueous system is up to about 1000 ppm, wherein the anti-scalant comprises at least one of polyvalent metal silicate and polyvalent metal carbonate, wherein the aqueous system has a pH of at least about 9, and wherein a mean particle size of the anti-scalant is less than about 3 microns. The method may also include at least one of adding and forming anti-scalant in the aqueous system such that an amount of anti-scalant in the aqueous system is up to about 1000 ppm, wherein the anti-scalant comprises at least one of polyvalent metal silicate and polyvalent metal carbonate, and wherein the aqueous system has a pH of at least about 9; and adding dispersant to the aqueous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Hercules Incoporated
    Inventors: Duy T. Nguyen, Mitzi K. Fader, Xiang Huai Wang, Fushan Zhang, Tien-Feng Ling
  • Patent number: 6355214
    Abstract: Method for inhibiting scale deposits in an aqueous system. The method may include adding anti-scalant to the aqueous system such that an amount of anti-scalant in the aqueous system is up to about 500 ppm, wherein the anti-scalant comprises at least one of polyvalent metal silicate and polyvalent metal carbonate, and wherein the aqueous system has a pH of at least about 9. The method may include adding anti-scalant to the aqueous system such that an amount of anti-scalant in the aqueous system is up to about 500 ppm, wherein the anti-scalant comprises at least one of polyvalent metal silicate and polyvalent metal carbonate, in the presence of up to about 0.4 ppm of cationic polymer. The method may include adding anti-scalant to the aqueous system at at least one of before a pulping digester and at a pulping digester, such that an amount of anti-scalant in the aqueous system is up to about 500 ppm, wherein the anti-scalant comprises at least one of polyvalent metal silicate and polyvalent metal carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventors: Mitzi K. Fader, Duy T. Nguyen, Xiang Huai Wang, Fushan Zhang, Tien-Feng Ling
  • Patent number: 6355215
    Abstract: A prefabricated medical implant made of polymeric material having increased wear resistance without substantially changing its ductility and other physical properties is described. The implant is formed by a method including the steps of heating a sealed, packaged, prefabricated implant, having a reduced oxygen atmosphere, to an elevated temperature below its annealing point at a predetermined rate and held at that temperature for a predetermined time. After this time the packaged implant, while being maintained in a predetermined temperature range, is irradiated with a predetermined amount of gamma radiation. After irradiation, the implant is permitted to cool at a predetermined rate. Thermal conductive and thermal insulation containers are also provided for holding the packaged implants during the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Implex Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Poggie, Robert Averill, Richard Afflitto
  • Patent number: 6350410
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and composition for inhibiting biological fouling in an irrigation system. According to the invention, an effective amount of active zinc is added to irrigation water passing through an irrigation system to inhibit biological fouling. In a preferred form of the invention, the active zinc is chelated with 1-hydroxyethane 1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDPA). In addition to inhibiting the formation of biological fouling in the system, the active zinc provides nourishment to plants irrigated by the irrigation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: CH20 Incorporated
    Inventors: Carl E. Iverson, Joyce Prindle
  • Patent number: 6346218
    Abstract: A method is provided for treatment of infectious medical waste. The method in a broad sense includes washing the infectious medical waste with a liquid to convert the infectious medical waste into noninfectious waste. In accordance with another aspect, a method is provided which includes a first step of wetting the infectious medical waste with a first liquid to remove loose particles and materials that are soluble in the first liquid from the infectious medical waste, and a second step of wetting the infectious medical waste with a disinfecting liquid to disinfect the infectious medical waste. An apparatus also is provided for treatment of infectious medical waste. The apparatus comprises a substantially liquid-tight volume for containing the infectious medical waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Craig Milum
    Inventors: Craig Milum, Joseph C. Sherrill
  • Patent number: 6340447
    Abstract: A regimen for hunting includes using a number of activated carbon-containing personal items in connection with a hunter's apparel and body to reduce the hunter's scent for improved hunting. The personal items include mouthwash, deodorant/anti-perspirant, body and boot powder, bar and liquid soap for cleansing the body and hair, laundry detergent and dryer sheets. Each of the personal items includes an effective amount of activated carbon, so that use of the personal items reduces the available scent to be detected by animals in the wild.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: Louis B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6340449
    Abstract: A fluid conveyor jet moves flexible containers or bags along a trough from one station to the next in the trough in a process which efficiently heats or cools the contents of the containers. Side fluid jets positioned along opposite sides of the trough direct heating or cooling fluid (water) on the flexible containers at the stations. They direct the fluid generally in spaced horizontal planes on the flexible containers therebetween causing (1) the central contents of the containers to move away from central areas of the container towards the sides to promote temperature transfer between the contents and cooling or heating fluid from the fluid jet conveyor and the fluid jets and (2) the containers to rotate generally about axes parallel to a longitudinal axis of the trough also helping in the cooling or heating process. The side fluid jets are operatively positioned below the waterline of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: Timothy David Gallus
  • Patent number: 6338818
    Abstract: An apparatus for the remote or local delivery of stored or real-time aroma sensory information to an end user of a multimedia device. The present invention includes an aroma converter for encoding aroma information into electrical signals, a delivery system for delivering the electrical signals, and a retrieval system for receiving and processing the electrical signals to control the aroma or combination of aromas emitted by one or more aroma release chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Budman
  • Patent number: 6337047
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for dispersing corrosion products, specifically iron oxide, in steam generating boilers. Improved dispersion is achieved by adding a dispersant to a feedpoint of the steam generating boiler where the composition comprises: (a) a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride or maleic acid; and (b) diethylenetriamine penta (methylene phosphonic acid).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Ashland Inc.
    Inventors: Kostan B. Charkhutian, Bruce L. Libutti, Kaj D. Rondum
  • Patent number: 6333005
    Abstract: Method for inhibiting scale deposits in an aqueous system. The method includes at least one of adding and forming anti-scalant in the aqueous system, wherein the anti-scalant comprises at least one of polyvalent metal silicate and polyvalent metal carbonate, and adding copolymer of maleic anhydride and isobutylene. A composition includes at least one of polyvalent metal silicate and polyvalent metal carbonate, copolymer of maleic anhydride and isobutylene, and wherein a weight ratio of the at least one polyvalent metal silicate and polyvalent metal carbonate to the copolymer is from about 50:1 to 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventor: Duy Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6331272
    Abstract: Microorganisms are destroyed and enzymes can be inactivated in liquids, such as juices for example, by continuously flowing the liquid and continuously flowing pressurized dense CO2 along flow paths which are separated by membrane having minute pores at which the flows contact each other in a nondispersive manner. Pressures in the two flow paths are equalized and the dense CO2 flow is continuously recirculated without depressurization. Contact between the flows can be maximized by using a plurality of parallel hollow fiber porous membranes with one of the flows being directed into the hollow fibers and the other of the flows being directed along exterior surfaces of the fibers. The process does not adversely affect properties of the liquid, such as taste, aroma and nutritional content, as heating of the liquid to a high temperature is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Porocrit, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Marc Sims
  • Patent number: 6328928
    Abstract: A method and a machine for preparing and filling containers with a product, for which method and machine the containers are grouped in rows at right angles to the transporting direction with the container openings facing upwardly and aligned at a distance from one another. The containers are swiveled, row by row, into an at least approximately vertical position with the container openings facing downwardly and rinsed jointly on the inside with a cleansing agent. The rinsed containers are dried on the inside in a first drying station and, after passing through the first drying station, are charged into a sterile environment. After a row of containers has entered the sterile environment, the containers are sterilized on the inside by means of a sterilizing agent and, in a second drying station, residues of sterilizing agent are expelled from the sterilized containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: GEA Finnah GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schroeder, Ulrich Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 6315959
    Abstract: A salt sculpture air freshener is formed of a sodium chloride material, such as halite, formed into a sculpted shape and having a coated material thereover. It is mounted to a base having an electrical heater, such as an electric lamp, mounted therein for heating the coated salt material. The salt material may have a light tunnel therethrough for passing the heat and light from the electric heater so that the coated material is heated to reduce airborne microbiological agents adjacent thereto and to freshen the air therearound. The process of making an air freshener includes forming the salt material into a sculpted shape, selecting and coating the formed salt material with a coating material having bactericidal properties, mounting the coated salt material to a base having a heater therein, and heating the salt material to reduce airborne microbiological agents adjacent thereto and to freshen the air therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Theodore O. Mandish
  • Patent number: 6312646
    Abstract: A method of and system for sterilizing the internal surfaces of one or more elongate relatively narrow passages of interest contained in a device of interest, said passages having end openings and being susceptible of sustaining flow there along by inducing a positive flow of sterilizing gas through each passage of interest in a selected direction. Gas flow through a device of interest is caused by a passive two-chamber device which generates a transient pressure gradient between the ends of the lumens of the device in response to externally imposed variations of pressure. Sterilant gas is provided from outside the two chamber systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Enviromedical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Kowanko
  • Patent number: 6303079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making and a method for using a corrosion inhibitor composition to reduce the corrosion rate of a metal by a fluid containing a corrosion agent. The corrosion inhibitor composition comprises at least a quaternized compound having an amido moiety. An example of the quaternized compound is a quaternized amido imidazoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Nalco/Exxon Energy Chemicals, L.P.
    Inventor: George Richard Meyer
  • Patent number: 6279882
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for oxygenating a liquid. The apparatus includes a liquid pump fluidly connected to an injector having a liquid inlet forming a nozzle, a liquid outlet and an oxygen inlet therebetween, the injector arranged such that the injector liquid inlet is above the injector liquid outlet, and a downwardly opening first diffuser portion connected to the injector outlet. The first diffuser portion is serially connected to a second diffuser portion located below the first diffuser portion. Liquid being pumped by the pump is conducted downwardly through the injector and the first diffuser portion to the second diffuser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Life International Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Littman, Kent L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6274103
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for storing and transporting peritoneal dialysate in dry or lyophilized form, and for forming a deliverable peritoneal dialysis solution therefrom. In one embodiment, a dry reagent bed, including reagents sufficient to produce a dialysis solution, is suspended in a diluent flow path through the apparatus housing. Continuous pressure on the reagent bed causes the bed to compact as it erodes when purified water is passed through the housing. The pressure ensures complete and even dissolution of the reagents. Through dry storage and simple dissolution, even in a home, the invention enables a wider variety of solution constituents, including reduced acid content and the use of bicarbonate as a stable buffer component. The latter is illustrated in a double-bed embodiment, where bicarbonate is stored separately from calcium or magnesium salts within a single housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: PrISMedical Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6270736
    Abstract: A method for processing two or more oilseeds includes the steps of providing a first oilseed type and a second oilseed type, processing the first oilseed type to extract a first oilseed product from the first oilseed type, creating a gap in the flow of the first oilseed type, ending the gap by starting the flow of the second oilseed type, and processing the second oilseed type to extract a second oilseed product from the second oilseed type. The gap being effective for preventing substantial commingling of the first oilseed product and the second oilseed product. The method is useful for processing identity preserved oilseeds and genetically modified oilseeds. Product commingling is reduced or eliminated so that the identity preserved products retain their added value. The method for processing oilseeds can be implemented in an oilseed mill by modifying aspects of the processing plant such as the oilseed extractors, desolventizers and material handling equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Frazier, Barnes Research LLC
    Inventors: Warren D. Barnes, Rodney L. Frazier
  • Patent number: 6270720
    Abstract: A salt sculpture air freshener is formed of a sodium chloride material, such as halite, formed into a sculpted shape and having a coated material thereover. It is mounted to a base having an electrical heater, such as an electric lamp, mounted therein for heating the coated salt material. The salt material may have a light tunnel therethrough for passing the heat and light from the electric heater so that the coated material is heated to reduce airborne microbiological agents adjacent thereto and to freshen the air therearound. The process of making an air freshener includes forming the salt material into a sculpted shape, selecting and coating the formed salt material with a coating material having bactericidal properties, mounting the coated salt material to a base having a heater therein, and heating the salt material to reduce airborne microbiological agents adjacent thereto and to freshen the air therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Theodore O. Mandish
  • Patent number: 6258319
    Abstract: A device comprising a light source, a sample holder and a temperature control chamber. The sample holder supports the vessels in a fixed relationship relative to the light source. The temperature control chamber surrounds the sample holder and vessels, so that a temperature control fluid may be passed around the sample vessels effectively maintaining the temperature of the sample vessels within a desired temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Cerus Corporation
    Inventors: David Paul Hearst, George D. Cimino, John Eugene Hearst, Stephen T. Isaacs