Patents Examined by Tri Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7844491
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a client application for enabling access to an online service and displaying advertisements while the user is accessing the online service. The client application receives play lists from the online service provider. The play lists include information about advertisements to be played and the order of play. The client application also receives match lists from the online service provider. The match lists include information about advertisements to be played when the user performs certain actions. The client application also displays a wide variety of sponsorship information in connection with the online service. The sponsorship information is displayed in hypertext format. The client application provides the user with information related to a sponsor when the user clicks on hypertext associated with the sponsor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: NetZero, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Haitsuka, Ronald Burr, Harold MacKenzie, Marwan Zebian, Terry Warren, Shane Blaser, Colin Giffen, Mark Goldston
  • Patent number: 7378040
    Abstract: This invention relates to flexible, transparent and conductive coatings and films formed using carbon nanotubes (CNT) and, in particular, single wall CNT, with polymer binders. Preferably, coatings and films are formed from CNT applied to transparent substrates forming one or multiple conductive layers at nanometer level of thickness. Polymer binders are applied to the CNT network coating having an open structure to provide protection through infiltration, and may comprise a basecoat, a topcoat, or a combination thereof, providing enhanced optical transparency, conductivity, moisture resistance, thermal resistance, abrasion resistance and interfacial adhesion. Polymers may be thermoplastics, thermosets, insulative, conductive or a combination thereof. A fluoropolymer containing binder is applied onto a CNT-based transparent conductive coating at nanometer level of thickness on a clear substrate. The fluoropolymers or blend can be either semi-crystalline or amorphous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Eikos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiazhong Luo, David J. Arthur, Paul J. Glatkowski
  • Patent number: 7357884
    Abstract: A conductive ink composition is obtained by dispersing, in an organic solvent, a solid material made from metal fine particles each coated with protective colloids each made of at least two organic compounds, the metal fine particles consisting of an alloy containing at least a noble metal. Each of the protective colloids is made from, e.g., a raw material containing an (A) amine and a (B) carboxylic acid. By applying and baking the conductive ink composition, grain growth is restrained. This allows acquirement of a metal film whose surface smoothness is excellent, and whose adhesiveness to an application target is improved as compared with that of a metal film made from a conventional conductive ink composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Fujii, Shigehiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7351360
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermally-conductive pastes for use with integrated circuits, and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to self-orienting microplates of graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gareth Hougham, Paul A. Lauro, Brian R. Sundlof, Jeffrey D. Gelorme
  • Patent number: 7351350
    Abstract: A processing agent for synthetic fibers contains a lubricant, a functional improvement agent and an emulsifier, each containing a specified kinds of components by a specified amount and also by a specified total amount so as to have improved characteristics of preventing occurrence of fluffs, yard breaking and uneven dyeing when applied to synthetic fibers at a specified rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Takemoto Yushi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Aratani
  • Patent number: 7347878
    Abstract: A method of achieving a permanent stone-wash effect on textile fiber materials, in which method the textile fiber materials are dyed with naphthol dyes and the dyed textile material is then after-treated with a stone-wash finish. Very fast dyeings having a permanent stone-wash finish are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Huntsman International LLC
    Inventors: Pedro Daniel Soares, Peter Scheibli
  • Patent number: 7331998
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous liquid formulations comprising 5-25% by weight of a dye composition comprising 70-95% by weight of a dye obtainable by reduction or thermal treatment of Direct Yellow 11 1-30% by weight of a blue direct dye and 0-20% by weight of a red direct dye (all based on the dye composition) 1-15% by weight of a saturated, cyclic or acyclic water-soluble amine comprising a primary, secondary or tertiary amino group and at least one further functional group selected from primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups, OH groups and ether groups, and 1-30% by weight of urea based on the total weight of the aqueous liquid formulation, wherein the total amount of water-soluble amine and urea does not exceed 40% by weight, and also their use for dyeing cellulose material especially paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Juergen Decker, Gero Nordmann, Ingo Klopp, Gunter-Rudolf Schroeder, Helmut Reichelt, Christoph Bomba
  • Patent number: 7320766
    Abstract: Dyed yarns typically have inferior color fastness compared with pigmented yarns. However, dyeing offers a virtually infinite selection of colors, flexibility and more uniformity than constructions of pigmented yarns in residential carpet and other yarn applications, such as apparel. It has been found that relatively small amounts of pigment (10 to 1000 ppm) incorporated into polymeric fibers, and particularly nylon fibers used in carpets, creates lightly pigmented yarns which, when overdyed, are highly uniform and have a higher degree of apparent dye light fastness compared to normal dyed yarns. This effect is observable for both anionic and cationic polyamide polymers, and dyeing of these slightly pigmented yarns can be conducted to produce yarns of almost any color of greater depth than the base yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: INVISTA North America S.ar.l.
    Inventor: Sundar Mohan Rao
  • Patent number: 7315106
    Abstract: An actuator element which functions stably in air and in vacuo, and can be driven at low voltages is described. A actuator element which includes at least two electrode layers, each of which is mutually insulated and comprises a gel composition comprising carbon nanotubes, an ionic liquid and a polymer, are formed on the surface of ion-conductive layer comprising a gel composition comprising an ionic liquid and a polymer, so that the actuator element is capable of being flexed or deformed by creating a potential difference between the electrode layers; and an actuator element wherein at least two electrode layers, each of which is mutually insulated, are formed on the surface of ion-conductive layer, conductive layer is formed on the surface of each electrode layer, and the actuator element is capable of being flexed or deformed by creating a potential difference between the conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kinji Asaka, Takanori Fukushima, Takuzo Aida, Atsuko Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7315043
    Abstract: A method for forming an organic semiconductor film, comprising applying to a base material a bicyclo compound and inducing a retro-Diels-Alder reaction in the bicyclo compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Ishikawa, Teigo Sakakibara, Daisuke Miura, Hidemitsu Uno, Noboru Ono
  • Patent number: 7309457
    Abstract: A chain antimony oxide fine particle group comprising antimony oxide fine particles which have an average particle diameter of 5 to 50 nm, are connected in the form of a chain and have an average connection number of 2 to 30 and preferably used for forming a hard coating film. The fine particle group can be prepared by a process comprising treating an alkali antimonate aqueous solution with a cation exchange resin to prepare an antimonic acid (gel) dispersion and then treating the dispersion with an anion exchange resin and/or adding a base to the dispersion. Also provided is a substrate with a film comprising a substrate and a hard coating film. The hard coating film includes a chain inorganic oxide fine particle group, in which inorganic oxide fine particles of 2 to 30 on the average are connected in the form of a chain, and a matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Catalysts & Chemicals Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Muraguchi, Masayuki Matsuda, Hiroyasu Nishida, Toshiharu Hirai, Mitsuaki Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 7300468
    Abstract: A method of laundering a fabric load is disclosed including the steps of processing a fabric load in an aqueous-based working fluid, substantially replacing the aqueous-based working fluid with a non-aqueous working fluid of the type which extracts some of the aqueous-based working fluid from the fabric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Patents Company
    Inventors: Tremitchell L. Wright, Joel A. Luckman
  • Patent number: 7264637
    Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the burning of natural fibers (e.g., wool, wool fibers, animal hair, cotton), synthetic fibers (e.g., acetate, nylon, polyester, viscose rayon), or blends thereof (e.g., wool/cotton blends), or fabrics or yarns composed of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or blends thereof, involving treating the fibers (or fabrics or yarns) with polyamic acid or at least one polyimidesiloxane (PISi) or mixtures of polyamic acid and at least one polyimidesiloxane. Also products produced by such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Jeanette M. Cardamone, Anand Purshottam Kanchager
  • Patent number: 7261742
    Abstract: A method of deodorizing a textile which comprises providing a solid composition comprising an inorganic salt, at least one of a malodor counteractant, an odor absorbent and an odor-masking agent, and applying the composition to the textile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Leskowicz
  • Patent number: 7249050
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to systems and methods for delivering products-on-demand to individuals and, more particularly, to delivery via vending machines. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the method of the instant invention is initiated when a customer makes an initial product selection. Based the customer's product choice, a determination is made as to whether or not that product qualifies for an alternate product offer. If it does not so qualify, the customer's original selection will be dispensed and the transaction ends. On the other hand, if the product does so qualify, the customer will be presented with an offer message that suggests that he or she should try an alternative product. Typically, the product that is offered as an alternative will be the one whose sale is most beneficial to the vending machine operator, e.g., the one yielding the greatest profit. If the customer accepts the alternate offer, the alternate product will be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, Andrew S. Van Luchene, Keith Bemer
  • Patent number: 7244276
    Abstract: A dry cleaning process for in-home dry cleaning comprising a non-aqueous dry cleaning step of contacting a laundry article with a non-aqueous dry cleaning composition whereby the liquor to cloth ratio (w/w) (LCR) is at most 20, and the composition comprises a) a non-flammable, non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent; b) from 0 to 0.1 wt. % water by weight of the composition; and c) less than 0.9 wt. % of a surfactant wherein the surfactant comprises at least one anionic headgroup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Maria Evers, Machiel Goedhart, Freddie Kerpels, Cornelis Gerhard Van Kralingen, Pieter Everhardus Overdevest, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Karin Vrieswijk
  • Patent number: 7211120
    Abstract: A method for forming a pattern of an organic semiconductor film comprises applying at least a bicyclo compound onto a base material, the bicyclo compound being converted to an organic semiconductor on the base material through retro-Diels-Alder reaction which removes a part of the bicyclo skeleton to allow extension of pi electron system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Ishikawa, Teigo Sakakibara, Daisuke Miura, Hidemitsu Uno, Noboru Ono
  • Patent number: 7211198
    Abstract: Laundry treatment compositions comprising 0.001–5 wt % of monomeric hybrid organic/inorganic nanoparticles having a particle size of 1–10 nm and 10–95% surfactant give ease of wash benefits to soiled fabric as well as prevention of adsorption of particulate soils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Javier Barraza, Teodora Atanassova Doneva
  • Patent number: 7208017
    Abstract: A processing agent for synthetic fibers contains four specified kinds of components (Components A, B, C and D) each by a specified amount and also by a specified total amount so as to have improved characteristics of preventing occurrence of fluffs yard breaking and uneven dyeing when applied to synthetic fibers at a specified rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Takemoto Yushi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamakita, Satoshi Aratani
  • Patent number: 7201778
    Abstract: A process for producing an ionic crosslinked fibrous material, such as a cellulosic fabric, paper, or other substrate, wherein the ionic crosslinked fiber exhibits an increased wrinkle resistance angle. A process for producing a cationized chitosan, wherein the cationized chitosan exhibits cationization at the C6 and ring hydroxyl sites and the reactivity of the ring NH2 sites is preserved. A process for applying a polycation to an anionic fibrous material to form an ionic crosslinked fibrous material. A process for producing a cationized fibrous material, wherein the process is performed as a pad-batch process, an exhaust fixation process, a pad-steam process, or a pad-dry-cure process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Carl Brent Smith, Mustafa Bilgen, Peter J. Hauser