Patents Examined by Mary F Theisen
  • Patent number: 8617439
    Abstract: Recycling of laminate flooring based on a separation of the panels (1) into particles which are connected with a binder and formed to a new sheet shaped material. A building panel includes a surface layer and a wood fiber based core, and the wood fiber based core includes aluminum oxide particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Valinge Innovation AB
    Inventors: Darko Pervan, Kent Lindgren, Eddy Boucke, Jan Jacobsson, Niclas Hakansson, Goran Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8613875
    Abstract: A method for production of coke chamber-compatible coal briquettes. Horizontally feeding coal into a pressing mold formed from a plate having two parallel terminating walls, which are stationary with respect to the direction of movement of the plate, and a terminating stop wall disposed transversely to the direction of movement of the plate. The side of the pressing mold open to coal is closed by a stationary wall, and the plate is locked in the horizontal direction for the pressing operation. The coal is compacted by a tamping device, having a vertically acting force onto pressing mold to produce a coal briquette. After completion of the coal briquette, the plate is moved horizontally in the longitudinal direction so that the space in the pressing mold becoming free in the horizontal direction is used for producing the next coal briquette. A device for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Uhde Gmbh
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Schuecker
  • Patent number: 8609611
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for forming fine particles of a substance in a precipitation chamber, in which the apparatus has means to convey the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to at least one particle collection chamber, downstream of the precipitation chamber, the particle collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet. The invention also provides a method of forming fine particles of a substance, the method comprising contacting a non-gaseous fluid containing the substance with a dense fluid to expand the non-gaseous fluid in a precipitation chamber, conveying a resulting mixture of fluid and the fine particles from the precipitation chamber to a collection chamber, the collection chamber having an inlet and an outlet separate from the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Russell Foster, Hubert Leonardus Regtop, Fariba Dehghani
  • Patent number: 8603383
    Abstract: The original of the present invention has a pattern to be transferred. For example, the original of the present invention is a mold for use in an imprint apparatus or a mask for use in an exposure apparatus. The original has a negative effective Poisson's ratio. Alternatively, the original has an effective Poisson's ratio smaller than that of a quartz glass plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Torii, Yusuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8603373
    Abstract: A method for producing particles, including: bringing a compressive fluid into contact with a pressure plastic material, so as to produce a melt of the pressure plastic material; and discharging the melt of the pressure plastic material by differential pressure to a space, so as to form particles, wherein the discharging includes at least one of (A) discharging the melt of the pressure plastic material while a compressive fluid is supplied to the melt of the pressure plastic material, and (B) discharging the melt of the pressure plastic material through one or more through-holes, to which vibration is applied, so as to change the shape of the melt of the pressure plastic material from a columnar shape, through the columnar shape with constrictions, into a particle shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Ohtani, Chiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8603231
    Abstract: Inorganic-organic composite articles and methods for producing them using inorganic acidic/alkaline precursor components as inorganic adhesives is provided. Articles prepared therefrom provide improved flexibility, zero flame spread, no release of volatile organic compounds, and low carbon foot print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Latitude 18, Inc.
    Inventors: Arun S. Wagh, Sameerkumar Vasantlal Patel, Anand Paul Mangalam
  • Patent number: 8597552
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming particles from a liquid, including a rotor assembly having at least one surface sized and shaped so as to define at least one capillary. Each capillary has an inner region adjacent an axis of rotation of the rotor assembly, an outer region distal from the axis of rotation, and an edge adjacent the outer region. The rotor assembly is configured to be rotated at an angular velocity selected such that when the liquid is received in the inner region of the at least one capillary, the liquid will move from the inner region to the outer region, adopt an unsaturated condition on the at least one surface such that the liquid flows as a film along the at least one surface and does not continuously span the capillary, and, upon reaching the edge, separates from the at least one surface to form at least one particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Evan Koslow
  • Patent number: 8597680
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for making a drug microtablet. The method includes loading a lyophilization capillary channel with a liquid drug solution; lyophilizing the liquid drug solution in the lyophilization capillary channel to produce a lyophilized drug formulation; compressing the lyophilized drug formulation in the lyophilization capillary channel, or in a compression capillary channel, to form a microtablet; and ejecting the microtablet from the lyophilization capillary channel or compression capillary channel. The methods and systems may provide drug microtablets having improved content uniformity and reduced weight variability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: On Demand Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Coppeta, Robert Dyer, Cynthia L. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 8580169
    Abstract: A method of forming a three dimensional fiber structure is disclosed which comprises the steps of a) providing a starting material which comprises liquid carrier, fibers and binder; b) passing the starting material over a substrate so as to deposit fibers onto the substrate; c) forming a three dimensional fiber matrix; and d) curing the binder. The flow of material onto the substrate may be controlled such that the flow of a starting material over the substrate is chaotic and fibers are laid down in a three dimensional structure containing a high proportion of voids. The preform may be pressurized while moist and is cured under pressure. The fibers may comprise carbon fibers; recycled carbon fiber has been found to be particularly useful. The resulting preform may be stochastic and is suitable for use in ablative and braking applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Carbon Fibre Preforms Ltd
    Inventors: David Bell, Roy G. Price
  • Patent number: 8568633
    Abstract: Thermoplastic particle foams which have cells having a mean cell size in the range from 20 to 500 ?m and in which the cell membranes have a nanocellular or fibrous structure having pore or fiber diameters below 1500 nm, and also processes for producing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Carsten Schips, Klaus Hahn, Georg Gräβel, Daniela Longo-Schedel, Jens Assmann, Andreas Gietl
  • Patent number: 8562874
    Abstract: A method for preparing uniquely sized nanoparticles of CaF2 by simultaneously spray drying a first NH4F and a biocompatible salt solution and a second Ca(OH)2 and biocompatible salt solution to form CaF2 solid particles in a soluble salt matrix wherein the salt is more soluble than CaF2. The salt matrix may then be dissolved and the separate CaF2 nanosized particles collected for use as a dental therapeutic material. The technique is useful in the preparation of other discrete, nanoparticle sized compounds and combinations by carefully choosing the solvents and solutes of the two spray dried solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: ADA Foundation
    Inventors: Laurence C. Chow, Limin Sun
  • Patent number: 8562879
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed in which two or more forming chambers are used to process inorganic fibers by gravity-laying methods. The methods may comprise using a first forming chamber to open inorganic fibers and using a second forming chamber to process the opened inorganic fibers, optionally to blend the opened inorganic fibers with additional inorganic fibers and/or with particulate additives, and to collect the inorganic fibers as a mat. The methods may comprise using a first forming chamber to form a first inorganic fiber layer and a second forming chamber to form a second inorganic fiber layer, and consolidating the first and second inorganic fiber layers so as to provide a multilayer gravity-laid inorganic fiber web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: George W. Frost, James P. Endle, Lahoussaine Lalouch
  • Patent number: 8562892
    Abstract: A method for producing particles includes providing a first patterned surface having a first surface relief pattern adapted to impart structure to a plurality of particles while they are under production; providing a second patterned surface having a second surface relief pattern adapted to impart structure to a plurality of particles while they are under production; depositing a particle material in contact with at least one of the first patterned surface and the second patterned surface; aligning the first surface relief pattern on the first patterned surface with respect to the second surface relief pattern on the second patterned surface; contacting at least a portion of the first patterned surface with at least a portion of the second patterned surface; solidifying at least a portion of the particle material to form a plurality of particles; and separating at least a portion of the plurality of particles from at least one of the first patterned surface and the second patterned surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mason
  • Patent number: 8545739
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of micro-particles of polysaccharides. The method includes preparing a feeding solution and a gelifying liquid to collect nebulized jets of the feeding solution. The feeding solution contains at least one polymer capable of forming micro-particle structures and at least one biologically active substance. The feeding solution is pressurized inside an air-less nebulizing unit and then nebulized through the unit itself so as to generate nebulized jets impacting the surface of the gelifying liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Moreno Cocchietto, Dario Voinovich, Laura Zorzin, Gianni Sava
  • Patent number: 8540908
    Abstract: A method of preparing nano-dispersed high-all-trans-carotenoid microcapsules is provided, comprising: preparing 10-20% carotenoid suspension by milling the high-all trans-carotenoid crystals with dichloromethane until the particle size thereof is in the range of 2-5 ?m, then supplying the suspension together with preheated dichloromethane of another pass into a dissolving tank to obtain a solution of 0.5-2%; delivering the solution together with ethanol or isopropanol into a crystallization device having high gravity rotating packed bed simultaneously and continuously, and then into a wiped-film evaporator for desolvation until the solid content is 10-20%, then a transparent alcohol dispersion of carotenoid is obtained; mashing the alcohol dispersion together with an aqueous solution containing an antioxidant and protective colloid and spray drying to obtain nano-dispersed high-all-trans-carotenoid microcapsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Zhejiang NHU Company Ltd., Zhejiang University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Zhirong Chen, Jianfeng Chen, Hong Yin, Hong Zhao, Dan Qiu, Lifang Shi, Jiandong Li, Guangwen Chu, Lei Shao
  • Patent number: 8529809
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for compression molding of composite material quasi-isotropic flakes. According to some embodiments disclosed herein, a first layer formed from a composite component material and a second layer formed from a composite component material are consolidated together to form a quasi-isotropic panel. Composite material flakes having quasi-isotropic properties (“quasi-flakes”) are obtained from the quasi-isotropic panel. A compression mold is filled with the quasi-flakes, and heat is applied to the compression mold to form a part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron William Bartel, David Eric Gideon, Gregg Robert Bogucki
  • Patent number: 8524130
    Abstract: Biodegradable disposable flatware and utensils manufactured from wood-based or plant-based raw materials, including materials that may be traditionally discarded such as sawdust, plant stalks, seed or grain hulls or the like. The process includes the use of a resin made from the discarded materials to form disposable utensils and flatware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Vadim Chindyasov
  • Patent number: 8524129
    Abstract: A method of producing a fuel cell separator includes pressing a compact part-forming material that includes a carbonaceous powder and a thermosetting resin binder at a temperature equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the thermosetting resin binder and less than the curing temperature of the thermosetting resin binder to obtain a compact part-forming preformed sheet, preparing a porous part-forming powder that includes a carbonaceous powder and a thermosetting resin binder, placing the compact part-forming preformed sheet and the porous part-forming powder in a forming die that has a concave-convex forming surface corresponding to the shape of a gas passage so that the concave-convex forming surface faces the porous part-forming powder, and hot-pressing the compact part-forming preformed sheet and the porous part-forming powder using the forming die at a temperature equal to or higher than the curing temperature of the thermosetting resin binder included in the compact part-forming material or
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8518312
    Abstract: A composite structure is based on a sandwich construction and a one-step molding process. The composite structure or component comprises a core layer having two outer layers on each side of the core layer. The outer layers may be composed of automotive interior trim scrap adhered with an isocyanate adhesive composition. Core layer and outer layers are thermally pressed in a single step or process to form the finished structural, multi-layer product. Decorative layers can be added as part of the one-step process. The resulting panels can be used in the manufacture of automotive, construction, furniture and other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Katz
  • Patent number: 8518358
    Abstract: A metal oxide powder includes a powder feed material structured and arranged to form molten droplets when melted in a plasma stream. The molten droplets are structured and arranged to form frozen spherical droplets under free-fall conditions such that said molten droplets have ample time for complete in-flight solidification before reaching a collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sulzer Metco (US), Inc.
    Inventors: Liangde Xie, Mitchell Dorfman, Ashish Patel, Michael Mueller