Patents Examined by Richard D. Lovering
  • Patent number: 6582113
    Abstract: An article, such as a filter or film, has a treated laminate with an expanded PTFE membrane and a porous support scrim. The treated laminate is formed by contacting a laminate having an expanded PTFE membrane and a porous support scrim with an oleophobic treatment agent dissolved in an organic solvent. The oleophobic treatment agent is deposited onto the expanded PTFE membrane and porous support scrim as the organic solvent is removed. The oleophobic treatment agent is typically a fluoropolymer. The article can be used, for example, as a filter over a port in a housing of an electronics or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6579471
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for more efficient application of photoresist to a wafer surface. One aspect of the method comprises applying solvent to the wafer and spinning it to coat the entire wafer surface prior to the application of photoresist. This reduces surface tension on the wafer and reduces the amount of resist required to achieve a high quality film. The apparatus comprises adding a third solenoid and nozzle to the coating unit to accommodate the application of solvent to the center of the wafer surface. The method also describes incorporating a new solvent comprising diacetone alcohol, which is a low-pressure solvent, providing extended process latitudes and reduced material expenditures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John Whitman
  • Patent number: 6579917
    Abstract: A surface treatment agent for a model according to this invention can improve finish of a surface treatment for a model and can shorten time necessary for finish. The surface treatment agent is used for filling stair-steppings on a model surface, mainly comprising base resin which is cured by physical action and microparticles which have good wettability to the base resin and have a particle diameter equal to or smaller than the stair-stepping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Noguchi, Katsuhiro Shibata, Shigeki Matsuta
  • Patent number: 6569405
    Abstract: Microcapsules are prepared by a process comprising the steps of (i) spray-drying a solution or dispersion of a wall-forming material in order to obtain intermediate microcapsules and (ii) reducing the water-solubility of at least the outside of the intermediate microcapsules. Suitable wall-forming materials include proteins such as albumin and gelatin. The microcapsules have walls of 40-500 nm thick and are useful in ultrasonic imaging. The control of median size, size distribution and degree of insolubilization and cross-linking of the wall-forming material allows novel microsphere preparations to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Quadrant Healthcare (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Andrew D. Sutton, Richard A. Johnson, Peter J. Senior, David Heath
  • Patent number: 6569907
    Abstract: To provide thermal evaporation preparations and a method of thermal evaporating chemicals whereby the chemicals can be efficiently evaporated. Thermal evaporation preparations, wherein the preparation is in the form of a solid at ordinary temperature but molten by heating into a liquid as a whole, and a chemical employed as the active ingredient is evaporated from the ingredients of the preparation thus liquefied by heating, and a method of thermal evaporating chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Earth Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuya Kubo, Shusaku Tsutsumi, Kouichi Takata, Takahiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6569954
    Abstract: The physical properties of high performance composites can be tailored by using blends to make the composites. The resulting composites are relatively easy to make and have long-term, high performance capabilities even in harsh service conditions. The blends of the present invention include at least one oligomer having an aromatic, aliphatic, or mixed aromatic and aliphatic backbone from one chemical family and an unsaturated hydrocarbon end cap and at least one polymer from a different chemical family. Upon curing, the oligomer in the blend addition polymerize to form composites possessing advanced properties with respect to those exhibited by the pure oligomer or the pure polymer. Coreactive oligomer blends can be used instead of a pure oligomer to form composites that include addition polymers, block copolymers, and the compatible polymer, thereby further achieving a tailoring of properties in the cured composite. The blends can be prepregged and cured to form composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing company
    Inventors: Clyde H. Sheppard, Hyman R. Lubowitz
  • Patent number: 6566574
    Abstract: A formulation and method of making that neutralizes the adverse health effects of both chemical and biological compounds, especially chemical warfare (CW) and biological warfare (BW) agents. The formulation of the present invention non-toxic and non-corrosive and can be delivered by a variety of means and in different phases. The formulation provides solubilizing compounds that serve to effectively render the chemical and biological compounds, particularly CW and BW compounds, susceptible to attack and at least one reactive compound that serves to attack (and detoxify or kill) the compound. The at least one reactive compound can be an oxidizing compound, a nucleophilic compound or a mixture of both. The formulation can kill up to 99.99999% of bacterial spores within one hour of exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Maher E. Tadros, Mark D. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6565768
    Abstract: Water-swellable hydrophilic polymers are prepared by neutralization of the acidic hydrogel having a degree of neutralization of 0-40 mol % to an ultimate degree of neutralization of 60-85 mol % by mixing with a neutralizing agent in a mincer comprising a system of screw, rotating blade, restricted flow zone and breaker plate, wherein the mincer has a power output of from 1000 to 6000 Wh/m3 the hydrogel passes through a zone having-an energy dissipation density of from 400 to 800 W/1 of mixing volume the average residence time of the hydrogel in the mincer is from 5 to 30 seconds the breaker plate has an open area of from 20 to 40%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Dentler, Norbert Herfert, Rudolf Schliwa, Uwe Stüven, Fritz Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 6566409
    Abstract: A lock unimolecular micelle includes at least one engineered acceptor specifically binding a ligand (or specifically a “key” unimolecular micelle) thereto. A key unimolecular micelle comprises a core molecule and a plurality of branches extending therefrom, at least one of the branches including a shank portion extending therefrom having a terminal moiety at an end thereof for binding to a complimentary acceptor of a lock unimolecular micelle. Together, the lock and key micelles form a unit, either irreversibly or reversibly bound wherein the lock micelles is a soluble receptor engineered to specifically bind to the specifically engineered key micelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: George R. Newkome, Charles N. Moorefield, Gregory Baker
  • Patent number: 6566408
    Abstract: Aqueous surfactant compositions of alkyl phosphate ester salts having a molar ratio of mono- to di-alkyl phosphate esters equal to or greater than 80:20, and amphoteric surfactants essentially free of tetra-alkyl ammonium moieties. The aqueous surfactant compositions have very low dermal irritation properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Rhodia, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Loraine Cotrell, Alvino Gabbianelli, Robert Lee Reierson
  • Patent number: 6562876
    Abstract: A process for cold-producing an oil-in-water emulsion having enhanced consistency and tactile properties involving: (a) providing an oil component; (b) providing an aqueous wax dispersion containing: (i) a wax component; and (ii) an emulsifier; (c) providing water; and (d) cold-stirring (a)-(c) to form the emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Achim Ansmann, Nicole Mertscheit, Rolf Kawa
  • Patent number: 6562403
    Abstract: A method of forming ligated nanoparticles of the formula Y(Z)x where Y is a nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of elemental metals having atomic numbers ranging from 21-34, 39-52, 57-83 and 89-102, all inclusive, the halides, oxides and sulfides of such metals, and the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal halides, and Z represents ligand moieties such as the alkyl thiols. In the method, a first colloidal dispersion is formed made up of nanoparticles solvated in a molar excess of a first solvent (preferably a ketone such as acetone), a second solvent different than the first solvent (preferably an organic aryl solvent such as toluene) and a quantity of ligand moieties; the first solvent is then removed under vacuum and the ligand moieties ligate to the nanoparticles to give a second colloidal dispersion of the ligated nanoparticles solvated in the second solvent. If substantially monodispersed nanoparticles are desired, the second dispersion is subjected to a digestive ripening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Klabunde, Savka Stoeva, Christopher Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6562872
    Abstract: An emulsion of perfluoroorganic compounds (PFOC) comprises a rapidly eliminable perfluorocarbon (PFC) and a slowly eliminable perfluorinated cyclic tertiary amine, perfluoro-N-4-(methylcyclohexyl)-piperidine and additionally comprises not less then three rapidly eliminable and three slowly eliminable PFOC admixtures with the critical temperature of dissolution in hexane (CTDH) close to that of main PFOC. The PFOC emulsion is stabilized with a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer having low viscosity to provide high dynamic oxygen capacity and enhancing oxygen delivery to tissues. To prepare the emulsion the stabilizing agent is heated up to 75° C., all components are saturated with carbon dioxide gas to minimize the reactogenicity in intravessel injection as a means of compensation for mass blood loses, perfusion of organs cut of blood flow, treating air-and fat embolism, obliterating vascular injuries of extremities and preventing toxic injuries caused by various xenobiotics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo Naucho-Proizvodstven-Naya Firma “Perftoran”
    Inventors: Evgeny Iliich Maevsky, Genrikh Romanovich Ivanitsky, Kirill Nikolaevich Makarov, Galina Mikhailovna Kulakova, Vladimir Viktorovich Arkhipov, Viktor Vasilievich Moroz, Ljudmila Nikolaevna Starovoitova, Raisa Yakovlevna Senina, Sergei Jurievich Pushkin, Albina Ivanovna Ivashina
  • Patent number: 6559183
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a nano-emulsion that contains 5-aminolevulinic acid as well as a carrier in an aqueous phase. This invention also relates to a pharmaceutical preparation containing this composition. The nano-emulsions of this type can be used in photodynamic therapy as well as in the photodiagnostic detection of proliferatives cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: ASAT AG Applied Science & Technology
    Inventors: Hans W. Schmid, Gerd Burmeister
  • Patent number: 6559223
    Abstract: Forming graft copolymers in water using labeling of water soluble polymers with photoinitiators. Water soluble polymers can form environmentally responsive hydrophobically stimulated cages. The cages, which contain initiating radicals after irradiation, may be “opened” or “closed” by changes in environmental conditions. When the cage is closed, the radicals are trapped inside and thus do not cause substantial polymerization of water soluble monomers in the same solution. When the cage is closed, the radicals escape and cause polymerization. In another variation, hydrogels and graft copolymers are formed by covalently linking phototoinitiator groups to water soluble polymers that do not form cages. Thus, monomers may form grafts to the polymer, allowing formation of physical hydrogels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Mark M. Green, Sung Yun Yang
  • Patent number: 6558652
    Abstract: A particulate glucomannan gel is produced by swelling a glucomannan-rich flour with water in the presence of ethanol, treating the swollen particles with an alkali to form gelled particles followed by drying. The dried gel particles are incorporated into hygenic or cosmetic preparations as a deposit-cleaning agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Shimizu Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Tadahiko Takata
  • Patent number: 6554995
    Abstract: A method of separating a petroleum-containing material into at least two fractions, an extraction system, and an extraction fluid therefor are provided. Petroleum-containing material as well as a solvent mixture comprising 50%-99% by volume sub-critical carbon dioxide and 1%-50% by volume of at least one co-solvent are introduced into an extraction column. The co-solvent can be propane, ethane, butane, propylene 2 methylpropane, 2,2 dimethylpropane, propadiene, dimethylether, chlorodifluoromethane, difluoromethane and methylfluoride. A fraction containing solvent mixture and solvated petroleum-containing material is removed from the top portion of the extraction column, while a dense fraction of the petroleum-containing material, as well as solvent mixture, is withdrawn from the bottom portion of the extraction column. Solvent mixture is recovered from the solvated petroleum-containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: SM Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Sprenger, Teddy J. Martinez
  • Patent number: 6553887
    Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a foam-forming composition, for suppression/containment of blast from explosive devices. The composition comprises, a) a surfactant 40-80% w/w b) a foam stabilizer 0-7% w/w c) a polyalkylene glycol 10-30% w/w d) water, balance to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada as represented by the Solicitor General Acting through the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
    Inventors: John G. Bureaux, George Cowan, Edward N. Cundasamy, J. Garfield Purdon
  • Patent number: 6550750
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a long lasting foam. The apparatus includes an injection chamber, an expansion chamber and a coiled hose which extends therebetween. The coiled hose includes a plurality of turns. A pressure generating pump is provided to force a stream of a foam solution into the injection chamber where it is mixed with a pressurized stream of air and passed through the injection chamber, through the coiled hose, and through the expansion chamber in order to yield a foam having desirable stability and expansion characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventors: David Kalkstein, John Edward Balkiewicz
  • Patent number: 6552091
    Abstract: The invention relates to block-copolymeric polyalkylene oxides containing styrene oxide, obtained by alkoxylation, and their use as low-foam pigment wetting agents in aqueous pigment pastes with or without cosolvent and in aqueous and low-solvent coating materials and printing inks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Goldschmidt AG
    Inventors: Tammo Boinowitz, Ellen Reuter, Stefan Silber, Joachim Venzmer