Patents by Inventor Kentarou Kobayashi

Kentarou Kobayashi 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).

  • Patent number: 10960356
    Abstract: Provided is a membrane module which has a simple and easy structure to restrain its vessel from being increased in costs, and which allows to fabricate the vessel by a simple and easy work, and further to locate an inlet for a fluid, and others at respective predetermined positions of the membrane module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uda, Kentarou Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10906004
    Abstract: Provided is a spiral membrane module which is suitable for being set up in the vertical direction since at one end of its pressure vessel, the supply of feed liquid and the discharge of concentrated liquid can be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uda, Kentarou Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20200070096
    Abstract: Provided is a spiral membrane module which is suitable for being set up in the vertical direction since at one end of its pressure vessel, the supply of feed liquid and the discharge of concentrated liquid can be attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uda, Kentarou Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20190111397
    Abstract: Provided is a membrane module which has a simple and easy structure to restrain its vessel from being increased in costs, and which allows to fabricate the vessel by a simple and easy work, and further to locate an inlet for a fluid, and others at respective predetermined positions of the membrane module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro UDA, Kentarou KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8962108
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizing plate placed on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizing plate placed on the other side of the liquid crystal cell, a retardation film placed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizing plate, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer placed between the liquid crystal cell and the retardation film, wherein the first and second polarizing plates have absorption axes whose directions are substantially orthogonal to each other, the retardation film is a norbornene resin-containing stretched film and has a refractive index ellipsoid satisfying the relation nx?nz>ny, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive that may be produced by crosslinking a composition including a (meth)acrylate (co)polymer and a crosslinking agent including a peroxide as a main component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yuusuke Toyama, Masayuki Satake, Kenji Yoda, Kentarou Kobayashi, Shuuji Yano
  • Publication number: 20140027370
    Abstract: A separation membrane module includes: a pressure container having a tubular shape; a plurality of separation membrane elements loaded in the pressure container so as to be aligned in the axial direction of the pressure container; and a coupling member coupling together the separation membrane elements adjacent to each other. The separation membrane element includes a central tube and a pair of end members 3A and 3B fixed to both end portions of the central tube. The coupling member 5A is configured to be engaged with at least one of the end members 3A and 3B located on both sides of the coupling member 5A. In addition, a sensor is mounted in the coupling member 5A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentarou Kobayashi, Takahisa Konishi, Makoto Kobuke
  • Publication number: 20130334124
    Abstract: Provided is a separation membrane module including: a tubular pressure container 7 in which a raw liquid is filtered through a separation membrane to produce a permeate liquid; and an internal member 5A provided in the pressure container 7. The internal member 5A is equipped with a sensor for detecting characteristics of at least one of the raw liquid and the permeate liquid. A detected signal generated by the sensor is transmitted from an antenna 65. The internal member 5A has an antenna holding portion 54 in which the antenna 65 is embedded. A gap between the antenna holding portion 54 and an inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure container 7 is sealed with a sealing member 42.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahisa Konishi, Kentarou Kobayashi, Makoto Kobuke
  • Publication number: 20130277309
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a membrane filtration device able to supply electric power to a sensor under various conditions, including situations in which a plant is not operating. The membrane filtration device of the present invention comprises a membrane element for generating a permeate by filtering a liquid to be filtered through a filtration membrane, and includes a pressure-resistant container for containing the membrane element, a sensor for sensing the properties of the liquid flowing through the membrane filtration device, an electric-power-generating unit for generating electric power, and a primary battery. The sensor, the electric-power-generating unit, and the primary battery are provided inside the pressure-resistant container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Inoue, Takahisa Konishi, Kentarou Kobayashi, Makoto Kobuke
  • Publication number: 20130220002
    Abstract: A submodule is used to know exactly fouling of a membrane surface in a separation membrane module. The membrane separation apparatus of the present invention includes: a separation membrane module (1) configured to produce at least a permeate fluid from a feed fluid; and at least one submodule (2) having a separation membrane (23) made of the same material as a separation membrane in the separation membrane module (1). A deposition member (22) is provided on a surface of the separation membrane (23) in the submodule (2), and the feed fluid is supplied onto the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentarou Kobayashi, Takahisa Konishi, Makoto Kobuke, Kouji Maruyama, Makiko Namba
  • Patent number: 7852441
    Abstract: A liquid crystal panel of the present invention comprises at least: a liquid crystal cell comprising a liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal molecule that is oriented in homogeneous alignment with no electric field applied thereto; a first polarizer placed on one side of the liquid crystal cell; a first optical element placed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer; and a second polarizer placed on the other side of the liquid crystal cell, wherein the first optical element is substantially optically isotropic, the liquid crystal cell has an initial alignment direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of an absorption axis of the first polarizer, and the absorption axis of the first polarizer is substantially perpendicular to an absorption axis of the second polarizer. The liquid crystal panel shows less discoloration of images even when the screen is viewed from oblique directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Shuuji Yano, Kenji Yoda, Kentarou Kobayashi, Masatoshi Tomonaga
  • Patent number: 7812902
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus in which light leakage occurring from a peripheral portion of a screen is small, and which has excellent display uniformity in a high humidity environment. A liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizing plate placed on a viewer side of the liquid crystal cell; and a second polarizing plate placed on an opposite side of the viewer side of the liquid crystal cell, wherein a dimensional change ratio (C1) of the first polarizing plate is larger than a dimensional change ratio (C2) of the second polarizing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kiya, Shuuji Yano, Kenji Yoda, Kentarou Kobayashi, Masatoshi Tomonaga, Shouhei Maezawa, Yusuke Toyama
  • Publication number: 20100225854
    Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal panel which contributes to reduction in thickness and is excellent in optical properties and a liquid crystal display apparatus. The liquid crystal panel of the present invention includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer disposed on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizer disposed on another side of the liquid crystal cell, a first optical compensation layer and a first negative C plate disposed between the first polarizer and the liquid crystal cell, and a second negative C plate and a second optical compensation layer disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer, in which the first optical compensation layer is disposed between the first polarizer and the first negative C plate, the second optical compensation layer is disposed between the second negative C plate and the second polarizer, the first and second optical compensation layers each include a coating layer functioning as a ?/4 plate, and each have a thickness of 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ikuo Kawamoto, Seiji Umemoto, Takashi Kamijou, Hideyuki Yonezawa, Kazuya Hada, Kentarou Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100208177
    Abstract: The present invention provides a laminated optical film capable of contributing to thinning of each of a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus and of simplifying its manufacturing steps, and a method of manufacturing the laminated optical film. The laminated optical film is used in a liquid crystal display apparatus and arranged on a viewer side of a liquid crystal cell. The laminated optical film includes: a polarizer; and a retardation layer which is arranged on one side of the polarizer, has a refractive index ellipsoid showing a relationship of nx>ny=nz, and has an in-plane retardation value Re[590] of 90 to 190 nm. An angle formed between an absorption axis of the polarizer and a slow axis of the retardation layer is 5 to 85°. The retardation layer is formed of a liquid crystal material, and the retardation layer is arranged to be closer to the viewer side than the polarizer is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentarou Kobayashi, Ryoji Kinoshita, Junichi Inagaki, Mitsuhiro Kibata, Yoshiki Maeda, Hironori Yaginuma
  • Publication number: 20100157205
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus in which light leakage occurring from a peripheral portion of a screen is small, and which has excellent display uniformity in a high humidity environment. A liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizing plate placed on a viewer side of the liquid crystal cell; and a second polarizing plate placed on an opposite side of the viewer side of the liquid crystal cell, wherein a dimensional change ratio (C1) of the first polarizing plate is larger than a dimensional change ratio (C2) of the second polarizing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kiya, Shuuji Yano, Kenji Yoda, Kentarou Kobayashi, Masatoshi Tomonaga, Shouhei Maezawa, Yusuke Toyama
  • Publication number: 20100134737
    Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal panel and a liquid crystal display apparatus each of which: contributes to a reduction in thickness; and is excellent in optical characteristics, and a method of producing the liquid crystal panel with extremely high production efficiency. A liquid crystal panel of the present invention has a first polarizer, a first protective layer, a first optical compensation layer, a first negative C plate, a liquid crystal cell, a second negative C plate, a second optical compensation layer, a second protective layer, and a second polarizer in the stated order. The first optical compensation layer is arranged between the first protective layer and the first negative C plate to be in close contact with the first protective layer without using any adhesive. The second optical compensation layer is arranged between the second negative C plate and the second protective layer to be in close contact with the second protective layer without using any adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ikuo Kawamoto, Seiji Umemoto, Takashi Kamijou, Hideyuki Yonezawa, Kazuya Hada, Kentarou Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7619706
    Abstract: A liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal cell having an improved contrast ratio in an oblique direction and an improved color shift in an oblique direction is provided. A liquid crystal panel according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizer arranged on one side of the liquid crystal cell; a second polarizer arranged on another side of the liquid crystal cell; a negative C plate and a negative A plate arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer; and an isotropic optical element arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer. The negative C plate is arranged between the first polarizer and the negative A plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Shuuji Yano, Kenji Yoda, Kentarou Kobayashi, Kanako Itou
  • Patent number: 7602462
    Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to provide a polarizing element capable of increasing a contrast ratio in an oblique direction and reducing a color shift in an oblique direction of a liquid crystal display apparatus. A polarizing element according to the present invention includes a polarizer, a negative C plate, a positive A plate, and a positive C plate each arranged on one side of the polarizer. The positive A plate is arranged between the polarizer and the positive C plate such that a slow axis of the positive A plate is substantially perpendicular to an absorption axis of the polarizer. The positive C plate has RthPC[590] of ?60 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Koishi, Shuuji Yano, Kenji Yoda, Kentarou Kobayashi, Masatoshi Tomonaga, Naoto Ooe
  • Publication number: 20090231519
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel includes a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizing plate placed on one side of the liquid crystal cell, a second polarizing plate placed on the other side of the liquid crystal cell, a retardation film placed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizing plate, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer placed between the liquid crystal cell and the retardation film, wherein the first and second polarizing plates have absorption axes whose directions are substantially orthogonal to each other, the retardation film is a norbornene resin-containing stretched film and has a refractive index ellipsoid satisfying the relation nx?nz>ny, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive that may be produced by crosslinking a composition including a (meth)acrylate (co)polymer and a crosslinking agent including a peroxide as a main component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuusuke Toyama, Masayuki Satake, Kenji Yoda, Kentarou Kobayashi, Shuuji Yano
  • Patent number: 7557882
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display including: a liquid crystal panel; and a lighting device disposed on one side of the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel including: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizer disposed on one side of the liquid crystal cell; a second polarizer disposed on the other side of the liquid crystal cell; and a first optical element disposed between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer; the absorption axis direction of the first polarizer being substantially perpendicular to the absorption axis direction of the second polarizer, the first optical element having an optical indicatrix having a relationship of nx?nz>ny, the lighting device having: a maximum value of luminance in the wavelength range of 550±50 nm; and a relative luminance at a wavelength of 450 nm is 0.28 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kentarou Kobayashi, Masaki Hayashi, Shuuji Yano
  • Patent number: 7463320
    Abstract: A liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell; a first polarizer arranged on one side of the liquid crystal cell; a second polarizer arranged on another side of the liquid crystal cell; a negative biaxial optical element and a positive C plate arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer; and an isotropic optical element arranged between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer. Here, the negative biaxial optical element is arranged between the first polarizer and the positive C plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kentarou Kobayashi, Shuuji Yano, Naoki Koishi