Patents by Inventor Hidehiko Funaoka
Hidehiko Funaoka has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20140077405Abstract: Devices and methods of manufacturing a polyolefin microporous film are disclosed. An exemplary device includes a movement mechanism having a constraining means capable of mechanically constraining both widthwise edge parts of the strip-like and film-like microporous film precursor in the drying chamber; a drying means and a liquid seal tank. An exemplary method includes a step for mechanically constraining both widthwise edge parts of the strip-like and film-like microporous film precursor and a step for conveying the foregoing film precursor into the drying chamber. Another exemplary method includes a step for mechanically constraining both widthwise edge parts of the strip-like and film-like microporous film precursor at an entrance side of the drying chamber, a step for commencing extracting of the plasticizer from the film-like microporous film precursor, and a step for conveying the strip-like and film-like microporous film precursor into the drying chamber and for heating the foregoing film precursor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventor: Hidehiko Funaoka
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Patent number: 8075818Abstract: A method for producing a microporous polyolefin membrane formed by fine fibrils, the membrane comprising (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing Component (A), connected to each other, and having micropores of 0.05 to 5 ?m in average pore size and crystal lamellas of Component (A) or (B) being in a specific alignment state. The method includes extruding a solution of Component (A) or (B) in a solvent into a gel-like formed article; thermally setting the article, with or without stretching, at least at the crystal dispersion temperature of Component (A) or (B), but at melting point of Component (A) or (B) plus 30° C. or lower; and removing the solvent.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2004Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Toray Tonen Specialty Separator Godo KaishaInventors: Hidehiko Funaoka, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Patent number: 7815825Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane of high permeability and novel structure, and also provides a method of producing the same, wherein its average pore size is gradually decreases from at least one membrane surface towards its center. The method of producing the microporous polyolefin membrane comprises the steps of extruding the solution, composed of 10 to 50 weight % of (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing this polyolefin and 50 to 90 weight % of a solvent, into a gel-like formed article and removing the solvent therefrom, wherein a treatment step with a hot solvent is incorporated.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Tonen Chemical CorporationInventors: Hidehiko Funaoka, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Publication number: 20090098449Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane of high permeability and novel structure, and also provides a method of producing the same, wherein its average pore size is gradually decreases from at least one membrane surface towards its center. The method of producing the microporous polyolefin membrane comprises the steps of extruding the solution, composed of 10 to 50 weight % of (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing this polyolefin and 50 to 90 weight % of a solvent, into a gel-like formed article and removing the solvent therefrom, wherein a treatment step with a hot solvent is incorporated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: Tonen Chemical CorporationInventors: Hidehiko Funaoka, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Patent number: 7479243Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane of high permeability and novel structure, and also provides a method of producing the same, wherein its average pore size is gradually decreases from at least one membrane surface towards its center. The method of producing the microporous polyolefin membrane comprises the steps of extruding the solution, composed of 10 to 50 weight % of (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing this polyolefin and 50 to 90 weight % of a solvent, into a gel-like formed article and removing the solvent therefrom, wherein a treatment step with a hot solvent is incorporated.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Tonen Chemical CorporationInventors: Hidehiko Funaoka, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Publication number: 20050098913Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane of high permeability and novel structure, and also provides a method of producing the same, wherein its average pore size is gradually decreases from at least one membrane surface towards its center. The method of producing the microporous polyolefin membrane comprises the steps of extruding the solution, composed of 10 to 50 weight % of (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing this polyolefin and 50 to 90 weight % of a solvent, into a gel-like formed article and removing the solvent therefrom, wherein a treatment step with a hot solvent is incorporated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2003Publication date: May 12, 2005Applicant: TONEN CHEMICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Hidehiko Funaoka, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Publication number: 20050058823Abstract: A method for producing a microporous polyolefin membrane formed by fine fibrils, the membrane comprising (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing Component (A), connected to each other, and having micropores of 0.05 to 5 ?m in average pore size and crystal lamellas of Component (A) or (B) being in a specific alignment state. The method includes extruding a solution of Component (A) or (B) in a solvent into a gel-like formed article; thermally setting the article, with or without stretching, at least at the crystal dispersion temperature of Component (A) or (B), but at melting point of Component (A) or (B) plus 30° C. or lower; and removing the solvent.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2004Publication date: March 17, 2005Applicant: Tonen Chemical CorporationInventors: Hidehiko Funaoka, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Patent number: 6863177Abstract: A conductive propylene resin composition, which is used for packaging and automatic feeding of parts which is unlikely be electrically charged, which is resistive to a baking treatment and which does not produce wastes and can reduce a material cost and a processing cost, is provided. The composition contains of (1) a % by weight of a propylene polymer with a portion having not less than 95% by weight of crystallinity that occupies not less than 60% by weight of the propylene polymer, and contains not more than 20% by weight of ethylene; (2) b % by weight of a propylene random copolymer which has a tensile elongation of not less than 100% and contains 1 to 7% by weight of ethylene; and (3) c % by weight of an electrically conductive filler, wherein the following relationships are satisfied: a+b+c=100, 0.5?a/b?2.0 and 10?c?30.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Hikita, Satoshi Kosugi, Hidehiko Funaoka
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Patent number: 6824865Abstract: A microporous polyolefin membrane is formed by fine fibrils, comprising (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing component (A), connected to each other, and has micropores of 0.05 to 5 &mgr;m in average pore size and crystal lamellas of component (A) or (B) being in a specific orientation state. The membrane is produced by extruding a solution of component (A) or (B) in a solvent, into a gel-like formed article; thermally setting the article, with or without stretching, at least at the crystal dispersion temperature of component (A) or (B), but at melting point of component (A) or (B) plus 30° C. or lower; and removing the solvent.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Tonen Chemical CorporationInventors: Hidehiko Funaoka, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Patent number: 6666969Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane of high permeability and novel structure, and also provides a method of producing the same, wherein its average pore size is gradually decreases from at least one membrane surface towards its center. The method of producing the microporous polyolefin membrane comprises the steps of extruding the solution, composed of 10 to 50 weight % of (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing this polyolefin and 50 to 90 weight % of a solvent, into a gel-like formed article and removing the solvent therefrom, wherein a treatment step with a hot solvent is incorporated.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Tonen Chemical CorporationInventors: Hidehiko Funaoka, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Patent number: 6566012Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a microporous polyolefin membrane, high in pin puncture strength, adequate in pore diameter and high in porosity, comprising (A) an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more, or (B) a composition containing an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more, and having a porosity of 30 to 95%, bubble point exceeding 980 KPa and pin puncture strength of 4,900 mN/25 &mgr;m or more. The membrane can be used as a filter or as a separator for a battery.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Tonen Chemical CorporationInventors: Kotaro Takita, Hidehiko Funaoka, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Publication number: 20020022687Abstract: A conductive propylene resin composition, which is used for packaging and automatic feeding of parts which is unlikely be electrically charged, which is resistive to a baking treatment and which does not produce wastes and can reduce a material cost and a processing cost, is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Inventors: Osamu Hikita, Satoshi Kosugi, Hidehiko Funaoka
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Patent number: 6245272Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a microporous polyolefin membrane, high in elongation and porosity, low in shrinkage, and capable of improving battery characteristics, safety and productivity, when used for battery separators. The microporous polyolefin membrane of the present invention comprises (A) an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more, or (B) a composition containing an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more, and having a porosity of 45 to 95%, elongation at break of 300% or more, bubble point exceeding 980 KPa and thermal shrinkage in the TD direction of 3% or less. The present invention also provides a method for producing the above microporous polyolefin membrane.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Tonen Chemical CorporationInventors: Kotaro Takita, Hidehiko Funaoka, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
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Patent number: 6153133Abstract: A method for producing a highly permeable microporous polyolefin membrane including the steps of preparing a polyolefin solution containing 5-40 weight % of a polyolefin or a polyolefin composition and 95-60 weight % of a solvent, the polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of not less than 3.times.10.sup.5 and less than 1.times.10.sup.6 and a weight-average molecular weight/number-average molecular weight of 5-300, and the polyolefin composition having a weight-average molecular weight of not less than 3.times.10.sup.5 and less than 1.times.10.sup.6 and a weight-average molecular weight/number-average molecular weight of 5-300 as a whole, extruding the polyolefin solution, stretching the extrudate uniaxially at a draft ratio of 3-50 in a molten state, cooling the stretched extrudate to solidify to a gel-like sheet, removing residual solvent, drying the resultant sheet, and heat-setting at a temperature of 80.degree. C. or higher and its melting point or lower.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Tonen Chemical CorporationInventors: Norimitsu Kaimai, Kotaro Takita, Koichi Kono, Hidehiko Funaoka