Patents Examined by Timothy Meeks
  • Patent number: 8637119
    Abstract: Film having liquid-water, grease, gas and water-vapor barrier properties, comprising a PVA film grafted on the surface with a fatty acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignees: Centre Technique du Papier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
    Inventors: Nicoleta Camelia Stinga, Daniel Samain, David Guerin
  • Patent number: 8632842
    Abstract: A stent with at least one severable supporting device and methods of coating using the same are disclosed. The severable supporting device can be an end tube or a tab attached to some portion of the stent by at least one “gate” or attachment. The end tube or tab may be part of the design of the stent when it is originally manufactured, or it may be attached to the stent in a secondary process by a biocompatible glue or solder. The end tube or tab can be used to support a stent during a coating process eliminating the need for a mandrel which would otherwise contact the stent during the coating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yung-Ming Chen, Eric Aldenbrook
  • Patent number: 8623464
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, a process for production of a water-absorbing article including a substrate and a coating film formed on the substrate and formed of a water-absorbing urethane resin is characterized in that: the process comprises an application step of applying a coating liquid to the substrate; the application step includes a step of supplying the coating liquid from a nozzle disposed above the substrate to a surface of the substrate conveyed horizontally; the coating liquid includes a solid matter and a solvent; the solid matter includes a mixture of a polyisocyanate, a polyol having ethylene oxide and a hydrophobic polyol; a concentration of the solid matter in the coating liquid is adjusted within a range from 5 to 30% in mass; and a viscosity of the coating liquid is adjusted within a range from 1 to 3 mPa·s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shigeo Hamaguchi, Yukihiro Ougitani, Yoshinori Akamatsu, Shinobu Arata
  • Patent number: 8609192
    Abstract: A method for guaranteeing the oxidation of a strip designed to prevent the selective oxidation of alloy elements of the steel in a continuous steel strip galvanizing annealing furnace having a pre-heating section and a hold section and provided only with radiant tubes. The oxidation of the strip is designed to prevent the selective oxidation of elements of the steel alloy. The novel method includes the following steps: installation of at least one modified tube capable of injection an oxidizing medium at least one point in the oven heating section and/or at least one point in the hold section and injection of the oxidizing medium by means of the modified tube(s), the oxidizing medium having a composition such that in the conditions of the temperature of the oxidizing medium and the steel strip and as a function of the chemical composition of the strip said medium has a dew point which guarantees an in-depth oxidation of the alloy elements of the steel strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens VAI Metals Technologies SAS
    Inventor: Pierre-Jérôme Borrel
  • Patent number: 8609179
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems for applying a coating to an ear of corn in a high throughput manner are disclosed. The system includes means for moving the ear of corn through the system and means for coating the ear of corn with a coating while passing through the system. The apparatus includes a carrying position for an ear of corn, an automated line having a plurality of the carrying positions, and an automated coating station adapted to apply a coating to the ear of corn on the automated line. The method includes staging a plurality of ears of corn on an automated line, passing the automated line through an ear coating process, and coating the plurality of ears of corn with a coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kurth, Thomas Edwin Arneson, Kirk David Shirar
  • Patent number: 8609190
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a getter device (1), wherein a getter material (3) is introduced into a container (2) and the getter material (3) is heated to a temperature under reduced pressure so that getter material (3) is deposited on an inside of the container (2). In order to be able to provide a getter device (1) in a short time that has a high getter capacity, it is provided according to the invention that during a deposition of getter material (3), the container (2) is moved relative to a zone (4) in which the container (2) is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Alvatec Alkali Vacuum Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Erhard Ogris
  • Patent number: 8609194
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for pretreatment an object to be white light scanned to enable accurate and consistent scanning. In those instances where the object part has a reflective or refractive surface or is made from a material having translucent or transparent properties the object must be pretreated to ensure accurate data collection during the scanning process. The object is coated with a composition forming a thin and uniform film of non destructive material coating to enhance the surface contrast characteristics for the mono-chromatic fringe pattern employed in the white light scanning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Level 3 Inspection, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Timothy McAfee, Wade Harris Rigsby
  • Patent number: 8609201
    Abstract: An infrared energy oxidizing and/or curing process includes an infrared oxidation zone having an infrared energy source operable to emit infrared energy that oxidizes a conductive thin film deposited or established on a glass substrate to establish a light transmissive or transparent conductive thin film for manufacturing of a touch panel. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process provides an in-line infrared energy curing process that oxidizes the conductive thin film on the glass substrate as the glass substrate is moved past the infrared energy source. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process bonds a thick film silver frit electrode pattern to the conductively coated glass substrate. Optionally, the infrared energy curing process reduces the transparent conductive thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Catherine A. Getz
  • Patent number: 8609203
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of a substrate surface using an atmospheric pressure plasma is disclosed. The method comprises providing an atmospheric pressure plasma in a treatment space between a first electrode and a second electrode, providing a substrate in contact with the first electrode in the treatment space, and applying a plasma generating power to the first and second electrodes. The first electrode has a predefined structure of insulating areas and conductive areas for plasma treatment of surface areas of the substrate corresponding to the areas in contact with the conductive areas of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fujifilm Manufacturing Europe B.V.
    Inventors: Bruno Alexander Korngold, Hindrik Willem De Vries, Eugen Aldea
  • Patent number: 8609189
    Abstract: The method of forming carbon nanotubes from carbon-rich fly ash is a chemical vapor deposition-based method for forming carbon nanotubes from recycled carbon-rich fly ash. The method includes first ultrasonically treating the carbon-rich fly ash to produce an ultrafine powdered ash, and then reacting the ultrafine powdered ash in a low pressure chemical vapor deposition reactor to form the carbon nanotubes. The ultrasonic treatment of the carbon-rich fly ash includes the steps of dissolving the carbon-rich fly ash in water to form a solution, then sonicating the solution, separating the ultrafine powdered ash from the solution, and finally drying the ultrafine powdered ash. The method provides for total conversion of the carbon-rich fly ash to carbon nanotubes having a variety of differing diameters and lengths, including multi-walled carbon nanotubes with a high degree of wall graphitization and C?C double bonds stretching at 1635 cm?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventor: Numan Abdullah Salah
  • Patent number: 8609202
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inscribing or marking surfaces (1), especially metal surfaces. In said method, the surface (1) that is to be inscribed or marked is coated with an absorption promoter (2) in a first step, whereupon a high-energy beam (4), e.g. a laser beam, which colors the surface (1) as a result of the interaction with the absorption promoter by means of a temperature increase, is applied to surface elements that re to be inscribed or colored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: tesa SE
    Inventors: Arne Koops, Sven Reiter, Norio Arai
  • Patent number: 8601691
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating coated components using multiple types of fillers are provided. One method comprises forming one or more grooves in an outer surface of a substrate. Each groove has a base and extends at least partially along the outer surface of the substrate. The method further includes disposing a sacrificial filler within the groove(s), disposing a permanent filler over the sacrificial filler, disposing a coating over at least a portion of the substrate and over the permanent filler, and removing the first sacrificial filler from the groove(s), to define one or more channels for cooling the component. A component with a permanent filler is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raul Basilio Rebak, Renee Bushey Rohling, Scott Andrew Weaver, Ronald Scott Bunker, Don Mark Lipkin, John Brian McDermott, Lawrence Bernard Kool, Ann Melinda Ritter
  • Patent number: 8597728
    Abstract: There is disclosed a film forming method of spraying an aerosol jetted from a nozzle on a film formation object, while continuously changing a spraying position of the aerosol, to form a film which continuously covers an upper surface, an outer surface and a curved surface, which enables continuous formation of a high-quality film by a simple process. This film forming method includes a first film forming step of continuously spraying the aerosol on an upper surface W01 and a curved surface W03 connected to the upper surface W01, to continuously form a film which covers the upper surface W01 and a film which covers at least part of the curved surface W03; and a second film forming step of continuously forming a film which covers an outer surface W02 and a film which further covers the film formed on the curved surface W03 in the first film forming step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Nitta, Tomokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 8597725
    Abstract: A method of termite proofing a building structure (1, 101), the building structure (1, 101) has a foundation (3) located below an adjacent finished ground level (5) and an external wall (2, 102) formed on the foundation (3) and defining an exterior surface (4, 104) of the building structure (1, 101). The exterior surface (4, 104) is defined at least in part by a cementitious material. The method comprises applying a curable composition (9) to the cementitious material throughout a lower region (8, 108) of the exterior surface (4, 104) extending from the foundation (3) to a predetermined height above the finished ground level (5), such that the composition (9) penetrates into and is retained within the cementitious material. The composition is allowed to cure within the cementitious material throughout the lower region (8). The said composition (9) cures within the cementitious material, thereby protecting the cementitious material against intrusion by termites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Termortar Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David Lees Saddington
  • Patent number: 8591986
    Abstract: A method of forming a deposit using a cold spray apparatus is disclosed. The method includes introducing a powder feedstock into a cold spray apparatus, and operating the cold spray apparatus to deposit the feedstock. The feedstock includes particles including an interior portion and an outer portion, wherein a melting point of the outer portion is less than a melting point of the interior portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Leonardo Ajdelsztajn, James Anthony Ruud, Timothy Hanlon
  • Patent number: 8592005
    Abstract: A method for forming a film by atomic layer deposition wherein vertical growth of a film is controlled, includes: (i) adsorbing a metal-containing precursor for film formation on a concave or convex surface pattern of a substrate; (ii) oxidizing the adsorbed precursor to form a metal oxide sub-layer; (iii) adsorbing a metal-free inhibitor on the metal oxide sub-layer more on a top/bottom portion than on side walls of the concave or convex surface pattern; and (iv) repeating steps (i) to (iii) to form a film constituted by multiple metal oxide sub-layers while controlling vertical growth of the film by step (iii). The adsorption of the inhibitor is antagonistic to next adsorption of the precursor on the metal oxide sub-layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.
    Inventor: Shintaro Ueda
  • Patent number: 8591994
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for coating the surface of a substrate comprises the following steps (i) oxidizing the surface of the substrate (ii) applying a composition comprising one or more quaternary ammonium compounds carrying one or more ethylenically unsaturated groups onto the oxidized surface of the substrate and (iii) curing the composition in order to form a coating layer, and substrates obtainable by the latter process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ciba Corporation
    Inventors: Ted Deisenroth, Carmen Hendricks-Guy, Andreas Mühlebach, Andrea Preuss, Werner Hölzl, Xinyu Huang
  • Patent number: 8591990
    Abstract: An arrangement of elongated nanowires that include titanium silicide or tungsten silicide may be grown on the exterior surfaces of many individual electrically conductive microfibers of much larger diameter. Each of the nanowires is structurally defined by an elongated, centralized titanium silicide or tungsten silicide nanocore that terminates in a distally spaced gold particle and which is co-axially surrounded by a removable amorphous nanoshell. A gold-directed catalytic growth mechanism initiated during a low pressure chemical vapor deposition process is used to grow the nanowires uniformly along the entire length and circumference of the electrically conductive microfibers where growth is intended. The titanium silicide- or tungsten silicide-based nanowires can be used in a variety electrical, electrochemical, and semiconductor applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The University of Western Ontario
    Inventors: Mei Cai, Xueliang Sun, Yong Zhang, Mohammad Norouzi Banis, Ruying Li
  • Patent number: 8586143
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of grafting, by covalent bonding, hollow or solid composite capsules onto any type of natural, artificial or synthetic, organic or inorganic, support, the capsules being chemically, physically or physico-chemically modified, so as possibly to improve their affinity with the support and to functionalize them, and then grafted, after the capsules and/or the support have been activated. The invention also relates to the capsules thus modified, to the supports grafted by the capsules, especially fibres and textiles, and also to the use of these grafted supports, especially fibres and textiles, for making up what are called “functional” articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: Yves Frere, Louis Danicher, Mahdi Merji
  • Patent number: 8586136
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium with high recording density and enabling stable flight of a magnetic head, with high manufacturing yields, is provided. The method includes layering a magnetic layer, a protective layer, and a lubricating layer in order on a substrate, and forming a medium for transfer. The method further includes transferring a magnetic pattern to the medium for transfer, and flattening a surface of the lubricating layer of the medium for transfer for which the magnetic pattern transferring is completed. The surface of the lubricating layer is flattened either by wiping the surface of the lubricating layer using a member without a cutting effect, or by heating the surface of the lubricating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Narumi Sato