Patents Examined by Mary F Theisen
  • Patent number: 9649812
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (13) for constructing a laminar body (5) from a plurality of superimposed layers of free-flowing material, in particular particulate material, an a build platform (6) within a working area (11). The layers are solidified in locally predetermined regions by the actions of binders and are joined together so that at least one molded body (4) is formed by the solidified and joined regions of the layers. The device comprises a discharging device (1) movable back and forth over the working area (11) in at least one discharge direction and having at least one discharge opening (14) from which the free-flowing material can be discharged in individual superimposed layers during the movement of the discharging device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: VOXELJET AG
    Inventors: Andreas Dominik Hartmann, Dominik Schmid
  • Patent number: 9649609
    Abstract: Process for fluidized bed granulation of amino acid-containing fermentation broths comprising the steps Introduction of a drying gas with a temperature of 100° C.-450° C. into the fluidized bed granulation chamber Spraying of the amino acid-containing fermentation broth into the fluidized bed granulation chamber Discharge of the granules granulated in the fluidized bed granulation chamber with the drying gas stream, and drying of the discharged granules in a fluidized bed drying step, wherein the discharged granulated granules are a granule mixture with various particle sizes and contains an oversize fraction, wherein the oversize comprises the particle sizes which lie above a desired particle size, an wherein the oversize fraction is removed from the discharged granule mixture and then comminuted and the comminuted oversize and the granule mixture from which the oversize was separated are fed into the fluidized bed drying step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: EVONIK DEGUSSA GMBH
    Inventors: Hans Christian Alt, Ansgar Oelmann, Andreas Höfler, Franz Ulrich Becker, Wilfried Blümke
  • Patent number: 9642810
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are stable pharmaceutical dosage forms containing carbidopa, levodopa, and entacapone. The dosage forms are prepared by mixing carbidopa, levodopa, and entacapone and forming granules. In some embodiments the granules also include starch. Microcrystalline cellulose can be added as an extragranular excipient. The stable pharmaceutical dosage forms have a bioavailability that is substantially similar to a dosage form prepared by adding a substantial portion of carbidopa separately from levodopa and entacapone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Mylan Inc.
    Inventors: Sarat C Chattaraj, Kimberly S Moss
  • Patent number: 9643343
    Abstract: A method is provided of molding recycled EPS and other suitable expanded bead materials using a powder adhesive and steam. The method allows for molding EPS parts with over 5% and up to 100% recycled content. The method involves using an adhesive to fuse the regrind EPS particles under pressure from steam. The adhesive may be in powder form and preferably comprises small particles having a high surface area per unit weight and high static so the adhesive powder sticks to the surface of the regrind EPS particles during a dry blending step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Ajit Ranade, Kate Piscopo
  • Patent number: 9643340
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for recycling broad goods material into a flaked feed material. The broad goods material includes reinforcement fibers and thermoplastic material. The recycling method includes applying heat and pressure to impregnate the reinforcement fibers at a filament level with the thermoplastic material to form an impregnated fiber material. The method also includes cooling the impregnated fiber material, and cutting the cooled impregnated fiber material into flakes to produce the flaked feed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Panagiotis Emanuel George, Kelsi M. Hurley, Erika L. Carter, William L. Carberry
  • Patent number: 9637415
    Abstract: A method of making high purity crystalline AlON bodies by synthesizing and calcining AlON powders having less than 80 ppm Si, Mg, Ca, Na, and K impurities. The AlON powders are milled to reduce the particle size of the AlON powders using a high purity milling media. An AlON body is formed from the milled AlON powders. Such AlON bodies are particularly suitable for semiconductor process chamber components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SURMET CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suri A. Sastri, Sreeram Balasubramanian, Lee M. Goldman
  • Patent number: 9630339
    Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of a three-dimensional structure which manufactures a three-dimensional structure by laminating layers, the method including: forming the layers using a three-dimensional formation composition containing three-dimensional formation powders, a solvent, and a binder; discharging a binding solution containing a binding agent to the layers; and performing a permeation prevention step of preventing the solvent from permeating the layers, at least on a part of the layers to which the binding solution is discharged. It is preferable that the permeation prevention process is selectively performed with respect to an area of the layers to which the binding solution is not discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koki Hirata
  • Patent number: 9631058
    Abstract: The disclosed composite wood particulate products, adhesives contained in such wood particulate products, and methods of making the adhesive and the wood particulate products employ an aldehyde-free adhesive, and more specifically a formaldehyde-free adhesive. The aldehyde-free adhesive includes an inert additive that extends a resin, such as an isocyanate resin, and forms an evenly dispersed, less expensive polymeric adhesive admixture. The extender-filler of the resin is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry can then be mixed with a resin, like the isocyanate resin, to form the adhesive. Various rheology modifiers can be added, if desired, to the extender-filler or the slurry. The adhesive can be blended with wood particles to form a mat that is then pressed into a composite wood particulate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The Willamette Valley Company
    Inventors: Philip N. Cote, Omar Tiba, Wallace K. Rowland, Robert J. Rubash, Randall C. Zenke, Sudip Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 9625211
    Abstract: A device is provided for separating beads from a carrier fluid, the device comprising: a bead-receiving means for receiving beads dispersed in a carrier fluid, a fluid removal means operable to remove fluid from the bead-receiving means in a first fluid removal zone by the application of reduced pressure, and a bead collection means operable to remove beads from the bead-receiving means in a bead collection zone by the application of reduced pressure, the bead-receiving means being movable so that beads are movable from the first fluid removal zone to the bead collection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MIDATECH PHARMA (WALES) LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel David Palmer, Owen Lesley Shadick, Stuart James Bartley, Brynmor Alexander John
  • Patent number: 9623606
    Abstract: The method of manufacturing a three-dimensional structure, in which the three-dimensional structure is manufactured by laminating a layer, includes the steps of: forming the layer using a three-dimension formation composition containing a particle and a light stabilizer A; and discharging a binding solution containing a binder and a light stabilizer B to the layer, in which, when the content ratio of the light stabilizer A contained in the three-dimension formation composition is represented by A (mass %) and the content ratio of the light stabilizer B contained in the binding solution is represented by B, a relationship of 2?A/B?4 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Chigusa Sato, Koki Hirata, Hiroshi Fukumoto, Shinichi Kato
  • Patent number: 9622923
    Abstract: An absorbent body in absorbent articles that causes exudates to disperse in a planar direction and a method of producing the same. The absorbent body has an absorbent core material covered with a cover sheet. The core material has a mass per unit area of 650 g/m2 or less and includes a first liquid absorbent layer containing hydrophilic fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles in a mixed state and a second liquid absorbent layer containing the hydrophilic fibers but none of the superabsorbent polymer particles, wherein the first liquid absorbent layer and the second liquid absorbent layer are overlap with each other and the hydrophilic fibers are in contact with each other between the first liquid absorbent layer and the second liquid absorbent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Goda, Shinichi Ishikawa, Kengo Ochi, Koichiro Mitsui, Masashi Nakashita, Satoru Tange
  • Patent number: 9624050
    Abstract: A system for profiling particulate material in an open top conveyance comprises a profiling structure supported above the open top conveyance and engaging the particulate matter in the open top conveyance as the open top conveyance moves in a forward direction therebelow so that the particulate matter forward of the profiling structure is given a generally uniform profile in at least a longitudinal middle portion of the open top conveyance. The open top conveyance normally is one of a sequential train of gondola cars moving on a pair of rails extending under the profiling structure, and the particulate material typically is or comprises coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Crown Products & Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg Simmons, D. David Hefner, Brian Joseph Deah, Daniel Raymond Deah
  • Patent number: 9624399
    Abstract: A method for microencapsulating a core material, such as a blowing agent, in a single shell which has demonstrated to be challenging to microencapsulate as an individual component with a single-shell wall deposition using conventional techniques. Single-shell microcapsules of the blowing agent can be formed, minimizing steps involved in the present microencapsulation technique. Also, microcapsules formed by this method provide increased performance in end-use products, including but not limited to characteristics such as product shelf-life, ease of use, and greater expansion properties. A method of making a coating formulation including the microcapsules is further provided, as well as a fastener including the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Desiree N. Snyder, Norman M. Rawls
  • Patent number: 9617427
    Abstract: In some examples, one or more metal-containing catalysts and one or more waxes can be mixed or otherwise combined to produce an encapsulated catalyst composition. The wax can be at least partially coated on the metal-containing catalyst. A mixture of water and the wax can be agitated or otherwise mixed, and the metal-containing catalyst can be added to or otherwise combined with the water and wax mixture to produce a wax emulsified catalyst. A plurality of lignocellulose substrates, one or more oxidants, and the encapsulated catalyst composition can be mixed or otherwise combined to produce a lignocellulose binder mixture. The lignocellulose binder mixture can be heated to produce a composite product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC
    Inventors: Adam K. Sniady, Bobby L. Williamson
  • Patent number: 9610746
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing cushioning elements for sports apparel are described. A method is provided for manufacturing a cushioning element for sports apparel from randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The method includes positioning a functional element within a mold and loading the mold with the particles of the expanded material, wherein the loading occurs through at least two openings within the mold and/or wherein the loading occurs between different movable parts of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Adidas AG
    Inventors: Angus Wardlaw, Gerd Rainer Manz, Tru Huu Minh Le, Warren Freeman
  • Patent number: 9604411
    Abstract: A layer of a first powder is dispensed in a layer over a build plate. Binder is then selectively applied to hold portions of the layer of first powder together. Unbound first powder is then removed. A second powder is then dispensed in a layer over the build plate and portions of the bound first powder above the build plate. Binder is then selectively applied to hold portions of the second powder together. Unbound second powder is then removed. A third or more different powders can be similarly dispensed and bound to complete a multi-material layer. The process is then be repeated on a next subsequent layer. A curing radiation source can accelerate binding of powder together. Voids can be formed in portions of the layers by dispensing a fugitive material in portions of each multi-material layer. Mechanisms for implementing the printing process are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: EoPlex Limited
    Inventor: Philip E. Rogren
  • Patent number: 9597838
    Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus which manufactures a three-dimensional structure by laminating layers formed using three-dimensional formation compositions containing three-dimensional formation powders, the apparatus including: a formation unit in which the three-dimensional structure is formed; a supply unit which supplies the three-dimensional formation compositions to the formation unit; a layer formation unit which forms the layers configured with the three-dimensional formation compositions on the formation unit; and a discharge unit which discharges a binding solution to the layer, in which the supply unit and the layer formation unit form an n+1 layer on the backside of the discharge unit in a movement direction of the discharge unit, with the operation of discharging the binding solution, while moving the discharge unit relatively to an n-th layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Okamoto, Junichi Goto
  • Patent number: 9593021
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for the processing of finely divided solids during the production of chlorosilanes, which is characterized in that the finely divided solids are hydraulically pressed to give bodies of increased density. Moreover, also provided is the compact obtained by the process according to the invention which is characterized by a filling factor of the finely divided solids to be hydraulically pressed of 3.9 to 4.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Janaina Marinas Perez, Ekkehard Mueh, Hartwig Rauleder, Frank Kropfgans
  • Patent number: 9586347
    Abstract: A method of making a multilayer article includes providing a mold defining a first cavity with a removable element therein; placing a first particulate component in the cavity; compressing the component along a first axis in a first compression step to form a first layer of the article; removing the element from the cavity after formation of the first layer; placing one or more additional particulate components in the mold; compressing the one or more additional particulate components along the first axis in one or more additional compression steps after removal of the element to form one or more additional layers of the article, wherein the first layer meets one of the one or more additional layers along a first interface substantially parallel to the first axis and the first layer meets one of the one or more additional layers along a second interface substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Mancini
  • Patent number: 9572729
    Abstract: A liquid absorbent structure is made by dry laying a fibrous web having incorporated therein a superabsorbent material, and applying an aqueous composite stabilizer to at least one surface of the web. The aqueous composite stabilizer imparts integrity to the resulting structure without substantially impairing the effectiveness of the superabsorbent material to absorb liquid while forming the absorbent structure without removing the water from aqueous composite stabilizer or drying out the absorbent structure. The absorbent composite absorbs the water from the aqueous composite stabilizer. The absorbent composite comprises about 70% by weight of a superabsorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David Arthur Fell, Steven Michael Hurley, Donald LeRoy Smith, Kendell Jean Williams, Nicholas Alan Kraft, Johanna Marie Buss, David John Paulson, Thomas Gerard Vercauteren, Sara Lynn Rosack, James George Van Himbergen