Patents Examined by Michael Lusignan
  • Patent number: 6255267
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved liquid toilet bowl cleanser comprising a fluorosurfactant coating agent, an anionic or non-ionic cleaner and a rheology control agent together with other minor excipients. The flurosurfactant continually adheres to and coats the porcelain surface of the toilet bowl during the active life of the cleanser composition preventing the formation of toilet bowl stains and mineral deposits for a substantial period of time after manual cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: HPD Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bala C. Nayar, Ronnie A. Carroll, Kenneth J. Ward
  • Patent number: 6200638
    Abstract: Mixture of rubber and urethane binders for stable floor surfaces such as gyms, basketball courts, volleyball courts, pool decks and the like. The rubber and binder are pre-mixed and sealed in a vacuum sealed bucket or bag so that the mixture can be directly applied at a job site without additional mixing. A top coat having an 5 to 1 ratio of dyed rubber and binder forming a ½ thick surface can be used for sidewalks, running tracks and pool decks. A base layer having a 8 to 1 ratio of buffing rubber and binder can be used under the top coat for forming a shock resistant floor. Curing of the mixture on the floor surfaces can be done by adding water, through humidity or by natural rain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: William C. Ordway
  • Patent number: 6139915
    Abstract: A method for contacting at least one semiconductor wafer with a chemical solution. The method includes providing a support member constructed to support at least one semiconductor wafer in a desired orientation. The method further includes orienting the support member relative to a container holding a chemical solution such that at least a portion of each semiconductor wafer that is supported by the support member is contacted by the chemical solution within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Martini
  • Patent number: 6127000
    Abstract: A method of protecting a civil infrastructure substrate from the damaging effects of pollution, noxious fumes, weather, and the like. The method comprises (a) providing a composition comprising carbon dioxide and a fluorocarbon such as a fluoropolyether (preferably a perfluoropolyether) or a fluorocarbon elastomer, optionally having at least one anchoring group such as an amide covalently joined thereto, and then (b) applying that composition to the civil infrastructure substrate to form a protective coating thereon. The applying step is preferably carried out by spraying. Compositions useful for carrying out the process of the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Ruben G. Carbonell, Joseph M. DeSimone, Florence E. Henon
  • Patent number: 6114044
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a micromachine includes the step of constructing a low surface energy film on the micromachine. The micromachine is then rinsed with a rinse liquid that has a high surface energy, relative to the low surface energy film, to produce a contact angle of greater than 90.degree. between the low surface energy film and the rinse liquid. This relatively large contact angle causes any rinse liquid on the micromachine to be displaced from the micromachine when the micromachine is removed from the rinse liquid. In other words, the micromachine is dried by dewetting from a liquid-based process. Thus, a separate evaporative drying step is not required, as the micromachine is removed from the liquid-based process in a dry state. The relatively large contact angle also operates to prevent attractive capillary forces between micromachine components, thereby preventing contact and adhesion between adjacent microstructure surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael R. Houston, Roger T. Howe, Roya Maboudian, Uthara Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 6106906
    Abstract: A material for forming an electroconductive film on a substrate comprises a metal and hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. Preferably, the material comprises an organometallic complex expressed by general formula (R.sup.1 COO).sub.n M(NR.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4).sub.m wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group, each of R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, M represents a metal element and each of n and m represents an integer equal to or greater than 1. The material can be used for forming an electroconductive film of an electron-emitting device or forming a liquid crystal alignment film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsuda, Ryoji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6087009
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating running faces subjected to wear of a workpiece in which ions or molecule chain components of fluorocarbon molecules are arranged on the surface of the workpiece. It is especially preferred to attach ions of polyfluoroether molecules. The attachment can be effected by adhesion or by chemical bonding. Principally the method according to the invention can be applied to metallic and ceramic materials, wherein especially good experiences have been made with the surface treatment of aluminum workpieces, ceramic inserts etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Natalia Bultykhanova
    Inventor: Natalia Bultykhanova
  • Patent number: 6048618
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of insulating fluids, selected from the group consisting of aliphatic esters, alkylbenzenes, crosslinkable compositions comprising at least one polydiene polyol, at least one polyisocyanate and at least one chemically inert liquid charge, for the impregnation of the wound coils of self-healing capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Elf Atochem S.A.
    Inventors: Noelle Berger, Pierre Jay
  • Patent number: 6036999
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of preparing grinding media consisting essentially of sintered titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) particles. The method involves preparing base TiO.sub.2 particles, coating the base TiO.sub.2 particles with at least one hydrous oxide, compressing the TiO.sub.2 particles, and granulating the TiO.sub.2 particles to form TiO.sub.2 particles having substantially rounded edges. The invention further encompasses the resulting grinding media prepared by such methods and to methods of using such grinding media in media-milling particulate material such as titanium dioxide pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: Qian Qiu Zhao, David Allen Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6028006
    Abstract: A method for maintaining the buffer capacity of a polishing slurry during chemical-mechanical wafer polishing, the method comprising circulating the polishing slurry in a chemical-mechanical wafer polishing apparatus, monitoring the pH of the polishing slurry, combining an agent into the polishing slurry to adjust the pH of the polishing slurry and maintaining the pH of the polishing slurry within a predetermined range, thereby maintaining the buffer capacity of the polishing slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mohendra S. Bawa, Vikki Sue Simpson, Palmer A. Miller, Franklin Louis Allen, Gary Lee Etheridge, Kenneth John L'Anglois, Michael H. Grimes
  • Patent number: 6022597
    Abstract: Methods for covalently modifying surfaces of various substrates are disclosed, along with various substrates having surfaces modified by such methods. Candidate surfaces include various polymeric, siliceous, metallic, allotrophic forms of carbon, and semiconductor surfaces. The surfaces are exposed to a reagent, having molecules each comprising a nitrenogenic group and a functionalizing group, in the presence of energized charged particles such as electrons and ions, photons, or heat, which transform the nitrenogenic reagent to a nitrene intermediate. The nitrene covalently reacts with any of various chemical groups present on the substrate surface, thereby effecting nitrene addition of the functionalizing groups to the substrate surface. The functionalizing groups can then participate in downstream chemistry whereby any of a large variety of functional groups, including biological molecules, can be covalently bonded to the surface, thereby dramatically altering the chemical behavior of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventors: Mingdi Yan, John F. W. Keana
  • Patent number: 6013372
    Abstract: The surface of a substrate is coated with an abrasion-resistant photocatalytic coating comprised of a semiconductor photocatalyst. Upon irradiation by a light having a wavelength of an energy higher than the bandgap energy of the photocatalyst, water is chemisorbed onto the surface in the form of hydroxyl groups (OH.sup.--) whereby the surface of the photocatalytic coating is rendered highly hydrophilic. In certain embodiments, the surface of a mirror, lens, or windowpane is coated with the photocatalytic coating to exhibit a high degree of antifogging function. In another embodiment, an article or product coated with the photocatalytic coating is disposed outdoors and the highly hydrophilic surface thereof is self-cleaned as it is subjected to rainfall. In a still another embodiment, an article is coated with the photocatalytic coating and, when the article is soaked in, rinsed by or wetted with water, fatty dirt and contaminants are readily released without resort to a detergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Toto, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Hayakawa, Eiichi Kojima, Keiichiro Norimoto, Mitsuyoshi Machida, Atsushi Kitamura, Toshiya Watanabe, Makoto Chikuni, Akira Fujishima, Kazuhito Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6010742
    Abstract: All of a transparent electrode layer 2, a light-emitting layer 3, a dielectric layer 4, a back-surface electrode 5, collecting electrodes 5a, 5b, and an insulating coat layer 6 are laminated with predetermined patterns by screen printing on a insulating transparent film 1. Conductive paste used for forming transparent electrode layer 2 comprises conductive powder of indium oxide which contains needle-like powder (A) and fine-grain powder (B) at a blending ratio of (A):(B)=100:0 to 20:80. A binder resin (D), being a photo-hardening or thermal-hardening resin, is mixed with the conductive powder (C) at a blending ratio of (C):(D)=45:55 to 95:5, thereby obtaining an excellent EL lighting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Tanabe, Yosuke Chikahisa, Heiji Ikoma
  • Patent number: 6008462
    Abstract: A weldable heat curable liquid coating composition for steel is provided that exhibits improved mar resistance without impairing the weldability characteristics of the coating. To this end, the composition contains a conductive welding aid of iron dust. The weldable coating when applied to steel and cured thereon to a dry film allows for spot welding of the coated steel without requiring special welding equipment and techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey N. Soltwedel
  • Patent number: 6004625
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adhering particles on an object to form a coating thereon. The method includes spraying the particles onto the object, and continuously supplying air ions comprising positive air ions and negative air ions to both sprayed particles in an atmosphere and a surface of the object to be coated during a spraying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Ibick Corporation
    Inventor: Kuniyasu Ohshima
  • Patent number: 5989712
    Abstract: Process for treating a body of steel to promote its adherence to a composition which includes at least a rubber, containing the following points:a body at least the surface of which is of stainless steel is used, this steel containing at least 0.02% and at most 0.2% carbon, at least 3% and at most 20% nickel, at least 12% and at most 28% chromium, the sum of the nickel and the chromium being at least equal to 20% and at most equal to 35%, all of these percentage values being by weight; the structure of the steel includes at least 20% by volume of martensite and is without austenite or it comprises less than 80% thereof by volume;the surface of the body is activated and then treated with at least one starting silane so that it is covered with a film constituted only, or substantially only, of one or more silanes, in such a manner that this surface treated in this way can be placed directly in contact with the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche Et Technique SA
    Inventors: Bruno Grimberg, David Lenabour, Patrice Person, Corinne Tonon
  • Patent number: 5989473
    Abstract: A molding process in which a material with an open cell, porous structure 10 is placed, aligned or supported inside a suitable enclosed holding device. Another molding material 20 is subsequently injected into the said holding device while gas and/or pressure is sequentially applied to the said holding device, causing a synergistic interaction and joining between the said materials to take place. During the processing phase, gas is evenly dispersed throughout the porous core, effectively equalizing cavity pressure and permitting an even flow pattern to exist, encapsulating or sandwiching the said porous structure, thus forming a composite material with physical properties which are substantially greater than the individual components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: David G. Haverty
    Inventor: David G. Haverty
  • Patent number: 5985459
    Abstract: The present invention relates to razor blade cutting edges which exhibit an improvement in the first shave. Conventional razor blade cutting edges exhibit surprisingly high initial cutting forces. Razor blades produced according to the present process exhibit significantly lower initial cutting forces which correlates with a more comfortable first shave. Improved blades according to the present invention involve treating conventional razor blade cutting edges having an adherent polyfluorocarbon coating with a solvent to partially remove some of the coating. Preferred solvents include perfluoroalkanes, perfluorocycloalkanes, perfluoropolyethers having a critical temperature or boiling point above the dissolution temperature for the polyfluorocarbon in the solvent. The present invention also relates to the method of producing these razor blade cutting edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Kwiecien, Hoang Mai Trankiem, Charles Robert Parent, John L Howard
  • Patent number: 5980998
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided in which a coating is deposited onto a substrate by a process which includes the following steps: depositing a precursor onto the substrate in a desired pattern; depositing an appropriate ligand onto the substrate; and applying sufficient energy to transfer electrons from the ligand to the precursor, thereby decomposing the precursor to form a precipitate. In one aspect of preferred embodiments, the precursor comprises a metallic salt, and the precipitate comprises a metal. Especially preferred salts are carboxylates, halides, nitrates, and pseudo halides. In another aspect of preferred embodiments, the ligand comprises an amine, an amide, a phosphine, a sulfide, or any other ligand containing nitrogen, phosphorous, sulphur or other donor atoms. In another aspect of preferred embodiments, the energy is supplied at least partially as radiant heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Sunity Sharma, Durga Annavajjula, Kuldip Bhasin, Subhash Narang, Asutosh Nigam
  • Patent number: 5968674
    Abstract: A conductive polymer coating comprising an arylamine charge transport compound, an oxidized arylamine charge transport compound salt, and a polymer binder, wherein the oxidized arylamine charge transport compound salt has a counter anion selected from the group consisting of hexafluoroantimonate and hexafluoroarsenate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Bing R. Hsieh, Joan R. Ewing, Anita C. VanLaeken