Patents Examined by Rena Dye
  • Patent number: 8043674
    Abstract: Heat-sealable, multi-layer composite packaging structures that are suitable for packaging and having improved sealing properties and simplified construction as compared to prior art composite film constructions are disclosed. The inventive film structure includes a first substrate, such as paper, bonded such as by extrusion lamination, to a sealable, high-barrier film. This inventive “paper-adhesive-polymer” lamination may replace prior art “paper-adhesive-foil-adhesive” foil-based tandem laminations. An improved or comparable polymer film substrate may replace the “foil-adhesive” layer components of the popular incumbent prior art structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Alan Rehkugler, Salvatorf J. Pellingra, George F. Cretekos, Benoit Ambroise
  • Patent number: 8039072
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a gas tank having a gas-barrier inner shell and an outer shell that is formed so as to cover the inner shell and is made of a pressure-resistant FRP, such outer shell comprising reinforcing fiber bundles (A), a thermosetting resin (B), and an elastomer particles and/or thermoplastic resin particles (C), provided that elastomer particles and/or thermoplastic resin particles (C) that have been dispersed in a thermosetting resin (B) exist in reinforcing fiber bundles (A), is provided. Such gas tank is excellent in strength and heat resistance and has suppressed gas permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Somar Corporation
    Inventors: Naoyuki Takahashi, Yuichi Watanabe, Hideki Kikuchi, Takayuki Kawano
  • Patent number: 8039029
    Abstract: The capsule (2) for brewing food fragments comprises a filtering means (22) delimitating one filtering side of a brewing enclosure (20). It also comprises an overflow wall (3) positioned in the path of brewed liquid after the filtering means. The filtering means (22) are integral with the overflow wall (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Matthieu Ozanne
  • Patent number: 8039034
    Abstract: A method for preparing a beverage through a capsule (2) inserted in a beverage machine; the capsule comprising an enclosure (20) containing one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewing fluid is introduced in the enclosure to brew the said one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewed liquid is filtered by a filtering wall (22) and delivered from the capsule, wherein the filtering wall extends from substantially the bottom of the enclosure and said filtering wall is associated to an overflow wall (3) that forces the brewed liquid to traverse at least one overflow aperture (25). The method is particularly suitable for brewing a tea containing capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Matthieu Ozanne
  • Patent number: 8039071
    Abstract: Provided is a gas barrier layered product including a base material and a layer stacked on at least one surface of the base material, wherein the layer is formed of a composition including: a hydrolyzed and condensed product of at least one compound (L) containing a metal atom to which at least one characteristic group selected from a halogen atom and an alkoxy group has been bonded, wherein the compound (L) contains at least one compound (A) and at least one compound (B), wherein a mole ratio of the compound (A) / the compound (B) is in a range of 0.5/99.5 to 40/60; and a neutralized product of a polymer containing at least one functional group selected from a carboxyl group and a carboxylic anhydride group, wherein at least 55 mol % of a —COO— group contained in the at least one functional group has been neutralized with a metal ion having a valence of two or more. Also provided is a method for producing the gas barrier layered product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Oshita, Goki Uehara, Atsuhiro Nakahara, Osamu Kazeto, Manabu Shibata, Takehiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8029839
    Abstract: A microwavable crinkle-cut French fry potato includes deep groves and coatings of oil and encapsulated salt. Crinkle-cut potato pieces are prepared with a solids content of 40-50% by weight, frozen, sprayed with oil and coated with encapsulated salt. A carton for the potato pieces is formed from a single-piece blank provided with a pair of microwave susceptor surfaces and reinforced corners. A removable lid contacts the potato pieces during microwave reconstitute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: ProMark Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda E. Tiffany, Patricia A. Mason, Gary Neff
  • Patent number: 8029838
    Abstract: A method for storing respiring produce, particularly bananas, during ripening is disclosed. The method allows bananas to remain in the ripened condition for an extended period of time while, at the same time, having improved sweetness and taste characteristics. In this method, during ripening, the produce is maintained in a gas medium which comprises oxygen and carbon dioxide and has the following characteristics: PR=ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide=(20.94?B)/C=from about 1.8 to about 3.8; wherein B is the percentage (by weight) of oxygen in the gas medium and C is the percentage (by weight) of carbon dioxide is the gas medium, and the percentage (by weight) of oxygen (in the gas medium) is from about 1.0 to about 6.0, and the percentage (by weight) of carbon dioxide in the gas medium is from about 3.0 to about 10.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Chiquita Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Forsyth, Raul U. Fernandez, Gonzalo Marquez
  • Patent number: 8029837
    Abstract: Provided is a disintegrable or non-disintegrable oral flavor delivery product. The product includes a disintegrable or non-disintegrable chewable pouch with a plurality of perforations. The pouch encloses a non-tobacco flavor product that can be in a gel, semi-liquid, and/or liquid form. A user chews, sucks, and/or manipulates the pouch to cause the enclosed flavor product to leach out of the perforations into the user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Shalva Gedevanishvili, Dennis Geib, Bruce Waymack, William R. Sweeney, Cindy Hayes, Danielle R. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8025912
    Abstract: A method for storing respiring produce, particularly bananas, during ripening is disclosed. The method allows bananas to remain in the ripened condition for an extended period of time while, at the same time, having improved sweetness and taste characteristics. In addition, the method does not require separate handling and repackaging of the bananas between the starting of the ripening process and storage/shipment of the bananas. In this method, ripening is initiated by inserting additional gas into the banana package, such that the gas medium comprises from about 2.0% to about 5.0% oxygen, from about 5.0% to about 15.0% carbon dioxide, from about 0.8% to about 1.5% ethylene, the remainder of the gas medium being predominantly nitrogen, for a period of from about 0.5 to about 5 seconds. The composition of the gas medium in the package is then adjusted such that the gas medium has a ratio of oxygen to carbon dioxide which meets the following conditions: (20.94?B)/C=from about 1.8 to about 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Chiquita Brands Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Forsyth, Raul U. Fernandez, Gonzalo Marquez
  • Patent number: 8025943
    Abstract: A dilatation balloon and catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit. The catheter (10) includes shaft (12) and a dilatation balloon (24) at the distal end of the shaft. The balloon is inflated via a central lumen (14) in the shaft for delivery of a fluid inflation media. The balloon is fabricated from a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), preferably an engineering thermoplastic elastomer (ETE), with a non-compliant structural polymeric material. The combination may be a blend of the non-compliant structural polymer and the TPE. Alternatively, the combination may be a layered balloon having, for example, a non-compliant structural polymer inner layer and a soft, abrasion resistant, elastomeric outer layer. Methods for fabricating the balloon from the combination of a TPE and a non-compliant structural polymer are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Hamilton, Ronald A. Sahatjian
  • Patent number: 8017205
    Abstract: A packaged aqueous carbonated beverage comprising a container which replaces at least a portion of CO2 that permeates through the container or closure. The container comprises a polyester composition including a polyester suitable for packaging aqueous carbonated beverages and a carbonating agent. The aqueous carbonated beverage is disposed in the container such that the aqueous carbonated beverage has direct contact with the container and a closure seals the beverage in the container. The carbonating agent reacts with water in the carbonated beverage forming CO2 for replacing at least a portion of CO2 that permeates through the container or closure. A corresponding method of packaging an aqueous carbonated beverage is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Yu Shi
  • Patent number: 8003181
    Abstract: An anticorrosion sleeve including a resin sleeve and a metal sleeve tightly received in the resin sleeve. The metal sleeve has a gradually expanding outer diameter thereof toward one circular edge thereof in a tapered shape in cross section so that the metal sleeve expands the resin sleeve in diameter when the metal sleeve is inserted into the resin sleeve. The resin sleeve includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion. The metal sleeve includes an engagement end portion, an intermediate portion, and a tapered end portion in that order. The outer circumference of the engagement end portion of the metal sleeve is engaged beforehand with a step between the inner circumferences of the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion of the resin sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Tabuchi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Ishikawa, Yuji Tsuda
  • Patent number: 7993715
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polyethylene material that has a plurality of unidirectionally oriented polyethylene monolayers cross-plied and compressed at an angle to one another, each polyethylene monolayer composed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and essentially devoid of resins. The present invention further relates to ballistic resistant articles that include or incorporate the inventive polyethylene material and to methods of preparing the material and articles incorporating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Shalom Geva, Yuval Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7445434
    Abstract: A coating material for a thermal barrier coating having excellent corrosion resistance and heat resistance comprises a substrate, an undercoat made of an aluminum-containing heat-resistant alloy, Cr2O3 layer as a middle layer on the undercoat, and a top coat made of ZrO2 based ceramic on the middle coat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Tocalo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Harada, Tatsuo Suidzu, Yakema Teratani
  • Patent number: 7396494
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite film comprising an organic polymer film; the organic polymer film having an elastic modulus of less than or equal to about 105 gigapascals when measured at room temperature; and a bundle of carbon fibers disposed in the organic polymer film; each bundle comprising a column and an end face; each bundle also having a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the column and passes through the center of the column; the end face being fibrillated so as to have a surface area measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that is about 110 to about 250% greater than the surface area of a cross-section of the carbon fiber measured at the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Sueoka, Yoichi Taira
  • Patent number: 7378136
    Abstract: A low fringing film coating includes a transparent polymeric layer having a surface, and a plurality of projections extending away from the surface. The projections have a mean height of 0.05 to 1 ?m and a mean distance between projections of 0.5 to 2 mm. The coating can be produced by coating a polymeric composition onto a substrate. The polymeric composition includes a polymeric material, a good solvent for the polymeric material and a poor solvent or the polymeric material. The solvents are at least partially evaporated to form a low fringing transparent polymeric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Pokorny, Robert A. Yapel, Jason W. Balich
  • Patent number: 7371439
    Abstract: The present invention can provide an antireflection film improved in the scratch resistance while having a sufficiently high antireflection property, and a polarizing plate and a display device using the antireflection film, the antireflection film antireflection film comprising: a transparent support; and as an outermost layer, a low refractive index layer containing a fluorine-containing polymer, wherein the low refractive index layer comprises at least one inorganic fine particle having an average particle size of 30 to 100% of the thickness of the low refractive index layer; the polarizing plate using the antireflection film for one of two protective films of a polarizer in the polarizing plate; and the image display device using the antireflection film or polarizing plate for the outermost surface of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Naohiro Matsunaga, Shuntaro Ibuki
  • Patent number: 7354633
    Abstract: A retardation film containing a polyalcohol ester, a polycarboxylic acid ester, and a cellulose ester, wherein a total acylation degree of the cellulose ester is in the range of 2.4-2.8; and a Mw/Mn value of the cellulose ester is in the range of 1.4-3.0, provided that Mw represents a weight average molecular weight and Mn represent a number average molecular weight of the cellulose ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Saito, Kunio Shimizu, Isamu Michihata
  • Patent number: 7354632
    Abstract: Provided are: a long optical laminate prepared by laminating two obliquely stretched long phase-difference films so that the respective delayed-phase axes cross each other at a specified angle, while at least one of the two phase-difference films is a film containing residual volatile component by 1000 ppm or less; a long optical element prepared by laminating the optical laminate on one surface of polarization film; a long broad-band ¼ wavelength plate; an optical member prepared by laminating a circularly polarized light separating layer of cholesteric liquid crystal on one surface of the broad-band ¼ wavelength plate; a broad-band circular element using the broad-band ¼ wavelength plate; and an optical product having the broad-band circular polarization element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Zeon Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihide Murakami, Kohei Arakawa
  • Patent number: 7354887
    Abstract: A high temperature liquid crystalline polyester (LCP) composition, and articles made therefrom, that provides “good” to “excellent” wear resistance at PVs (pressure×velocity) of at least 1.75 MPa-m/s (50,000 psi-fpm). The high temperature LCP being a matrix material containing lubricating fillers and having an onset of melting temperature of at least 320° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Joy Sawyer Bloom