Patents Issued in November 2, 2004
  • Patent number: 6811637
    Abstract: A source for supplying lengths of adhesive tape applies such adhesive elements with their outer surfaces facing outwards onto a gripping element consisting of a rotating drum. The drum in question applies the adhesive element on the outer surface of a reel of web material in such a way as to establish adhesive connection with the latter. As a result of a subsequent movement of the drum with respect to the reel, there is formed a loop of web material. Since the loop is separate from the reel, it can undergo a cutting action with the consequent formation of a free flap that can be used for unreeling the web material from the reel. After the web material has been unreeled for a certain stretch and the portion on which the aforesaid adhesive element was applied has been eliminated, on the same web material there may be applied a further adhesive element which is left uncovered for at least part of its surface provided with adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Fameccanica.Data S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Pelagatti, Giancarlo Casuscelli
  • Patent number: 6811638
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for heat treatment of non-woven composite elastic material including a non-woven elastic layer; a non-woven gatherable layer. The process includes stretching the material, heating the material and cooling the material. The material has a softer more cloth-like feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth B. Close, David J. Baer, Charles A. Smith, Stephen Primm, Walter A. Mattingly, Scott R. Lange
  • Patent number: 6811639
    Abstract: A process for producing a sealed crimp joint between two substrates, each substrate having a predefined crimp area utilized to form the crimp joint. The process includes the steps of: a) applying a photocurable sealant composition to a portion of the crimp area of at least one of the substrates, b) irradiating the photocurable sealant in place on the substrate to fully cure the sealant, and then c) forming a crimp joint between the two substrates utilizing the respective crimp areas thereof. The process is suitable for forming crimp joints between housing parts of an oil filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Chaplinsky, Jr., James A. Serenson
  • Patent number: 6811640
    Abstract: A roll-to-roll method of creating extended text labels includes introducing first and second web materials to a continuous, in-line, single pass, roll-to-roll press in a machine direction. In the machine direction of the press, selected graphics are printed on the first and second web materials. The first web material is selectively cut to create a foldable portion therein, with the foldable portion being in a substantially transversely folded relationship relative to the machine direction. The foldable portion of the first web material is then folded, and the first web material including the foldable portion and the second web material are joined to form a married web. The married web is then selectively cut such that at least one extended text label is created therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Quality Assured Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Franko, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6811641
    Abstract: A method, a laminator (10), and a belt, for creating a pre-press proof (200) with a thermal mark (190) which comprises laminating a pre-laminate sheet (240) consisting of a first thermoplastic layer, and a first support layer (150) to a receiver stock (160); removing the first support layer (150) forming a pre-laminated receiver stock (350); creating an imaged receiver sheet (140) with a second print layer (308) and a second support layer (170); laminating the imaged receiver sheet (140) with the pre-laminated receiver stock (350) using an embossing belt (110) with an embossing mark 115; and removing the second support layer (170) creating a pre-press proof with a thermal mark (230).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Roger S. Kerr, Larry R. Gartz
  • Patent number: 6811642
    Abstract: A production method of an absorbent body is provided. The method includes the steps of: supplying a first cover sheet on an outer surface of a rotating pattern drum, said pattern drum being provided with a concavity formed in a predetermined shape on the outer surface thereof; adapting the first cover sheet to the shape of the concavity and supplying an absorbent material into the concavity to form an absorbent material layer adapted to the shape of the concavity on the first cover sheet; supplying a second cover sheet toward the outer surface of the pattern drum; and separating the first cover sheet together with the absorbent material layer from the outer surface of the pattern drum and superposing the first cover sheet together with the absorbent material layer on the second cover sheet to produce an absorbent body comprised of the first cover sheet, the second cover sheet and the absorbent material layer interposed between the first cover sheet and the second cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Unicharm Petcare Corporation
    Inventor: Kengo Ochi
  • Patent number: 6811643
    Abstract: A method of making a microporous laminate sheet having a first film layer and a second layer. The first film layer includes a pore initiator and is bonded to the second layer in order to form a laminate sheet. The laminate sheet is then stretched using at least one CD intermeshing stretcher and at least one MDO stretching unit. Methods of making a microporous film is well as a microporous film laminate are also provided, along with an apparatus for stretching a film or laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Hughey McAmish, Kenneth L. Lilly
  • Patent number: 6811644
    Abstract: The purpose is to simplify the heat transfer process and extend the performance range of the corresponding installations. The purpose is achieved by arranging for opposite movements of the conveyor (4) with the cylindrical packings (5) and those of the conveyor (7, 7′) with the decoration, rotating the objects (5) by means of the movement of the conveyor (7, 7′) and applying the necessary heat to the conveyor (7, 7′). Such processes and devices are used in the foodstuffs and beverages industry among others to decorate cylindrical packings of different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Heineken Technical Services, B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Brandt, Daniel N. Wilkens, Neal D. Turner, Harold N. Turner
  • Patent number: 6811645
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing double labels (1). Two large labels (7, 9) of different size, each of the labels being detachably applied to respective carriers (11, 13) by their adhesive surfaces (35, 37), are respectively detached from their carriers (11, 13), and are adhered together by their facing adhesive surfaces (35, 37). The two labels (7, 9) are dimensioned in such a way that, for the double label, a free end (5) of the adhesive surface of one label (2) protrudes beyond the other label (3). A device for producing such double labels (1) comprises a dispenser (25) for detaching the labels (7, 9) from their carriers (11, 13) and for assembling the labels and adhering them together. The dispenser (25) has parallel dispensing edges (27, 29). The double label (1) has a fixed element, which can be written or printed on, and a free, flexible element (5) for fixing the double label (1) to an object to be labeled or to another carrier strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Bannert
  • Patent number: 6811646
    Abstract: A food package insert comprising a multi-part structure having at least one removable edge portion. The multi-part structure includes an oil and grease resistant cellulosic support web having first and second exterior surfaces, first and second facing interior surfaces, and a support web edge portion disposed adjacent the removable edge portion thereof. At least one hidden image is imprinted on one of the first and second facing interior surfaces. The hidden image is printed in a first color and a second color is imprinted over the first color in a pattern sufficient to substantially hide the hidden image. A colored film insert is attached to the fixed edge portion of the web between the facing first and second interior surfaces. The colored film insert is printed with the second color and is at least partially transparent for revealing a hidden image printed on one of the first and second interior surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Bryan A. Netsch
  • Patent number: 6811647
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing extra-wide veneers and using them for the production of continuous laminated wood boards by gluing and pressing them from a chain of extra-wide veneers assembled in several layers over and behind one another. The method invention consists in the fact that the veneers arriving with a producible width and grain running crosswise are brought together end to end to form a chain of veneers, stitched together at the junctions or attached with adhesive tape and the veneers thus assembled are cut to a given oversize in the direction of the grain so that the seams or junctions between the veneers are distributed irregularly across the width of laminated boards, not in line one over the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Dieffenbacher GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Graf, John Holbert
  • Patent number: 6811648
    Abstract: A machine for printing on containers and applying labels thereto, includes a printing blanket cylinder having a printing blanket thereon; inking assemblies applying ink to the printing blanket; a cylinder having mandrels for holding containers to be printed; a cylinder drive moving the cylinder to position each mandrel in sequence at a printing position adjacent the printing blanket; a mandrel drive rotating each mandrel positioned adjacent the printing blanket in order to rotate a container thereon against the printing blanket to print thereon, except for a predetermined area; a label applying device applying a label to the predetermined area of the container, substantially simultaneously with printing on the container; and a control arrangement which controls timing of the label applying device, the support member drive and the mandrel drive in a manner to ensure that the label is applied to the predetermined area on each container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Polytype America Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Dominico
  • Patent number: 6811649
    Abstract: A method of producing a lightweight heat resistant and insulative composite sheet, and containing glass fibers, consisting essentially of homogenized glass fiber and binder materials forming a first layer, binder material extending in a second layer on a surface of the first layer and bonded thereto, woven glass fiber facing cloth extending in a third layer on a surface of the second layer and bonded thereto so that the second layer is sandwiched between the first and third layers, binder material in all layers being cured, to integrate the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: UPF Corporation
    Inventor: Jack R. Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 6811650
    Abstract: An adhesive for silicone rubber, comprising at least the following: A 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane having an average of two or more alkenyl groups per molecule; B an organopolysiloxane having an average of two or more silicon bonded hydrogen atoms in each molecule, used in an amount such that the molar ratio of silicon bonded hydrogen atoms in component B to alkenyl groups in component A at which the molar ratio of the silicon bonded hydrogen atoms in this component to the alkenyl groups in component A is from 0.01 to 20 (i.e. from 1:100 to 20:1); C from 5 to 200 parts by weight of calcium carbonate powder with a BET specific surface area of from 5 to 50 m2g; and D a platinum-based catalyst, used in an amount capable of inducing curing in the present composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Silicones, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Takuman, Hideo Shinmi, Wataru Nishiumi
  • Patent number: 6811651
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the temperatures of at least one gas in a plasma processing environment prior to the at least one gas entering a process chamber. This temperature control may vary at different spatial regions of a showerhead assembly (either an individual gas species or mixed gas species). According to one embodiment, an in-line heat exchanger alters (i.e., increases or decreases) the temperature of passing gas species (either high- or low-density) prior to entering a process chamber, temperature change of the gases is measured by determining a temperature of the gas both upon entrance into the in-line heat exchanger assembly and upon exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Maolin Long
  • Patent number: 6811652
    Abstract: A method of making a multilayer paper web, wherein at least two paper sheets are formed and dried separately to a dry content of no more than 80% by weight, imparting a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions in the paper sheets during drying, combining the paper sheets into a multilayer web, in which void volumes are created between the raised and recessed portions of the combined sheets and drying the multilayer web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Holger Hollmark
  • Patent number: 6811653
    Abstract: A multi-purpose paper, a manufacturing method thereof, and an application thereof are provided. The method of manufacturing the multi-purpose paper comprises steps of (a) providing a papermaking material and obtaining a clean paper pulp by treating the papermaking material, (b) adding at least one functional additive into the clean paper pulp to form the multi-purpose paper, and (c) processing the multi-purpose paper to form thereon an uneven surface structure. The cultivating paper has the combined functions of weed control, pest control, supplying the required nutrients to plants to help develop the root system, maintaining moisture and breath for the root system. The multi-purpose paper can be carriers of agricultural antagonistic microorganisms and serve as the basic functional substrate for weed control, pest control, sowing, growing seedlings, fertilization, fertilizer saving, manpower saving and organic cultivating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Yuen Foong Yu Paper MFG Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 6811654
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calendering paper or board in the manufacture of coated grades of paper or board. At least one of the surfaces of an uncoated base material web is calendered, at least one layer of coating mix being applied onto said surface, and at least the coated surface of the base web is calendered again. The uncoated surface of the base web is calendered by means of a shoe calender having a nip length of at least 50 mm, and the coated surface of the base web is calendered by means of a calender having a nip length of 50 mm at the most.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Pauli Kytönen, Mikko Tani
  • Patent number: 6811655
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an equipment for combining in one single apparatus, the functions for filtering, decontaminating, and thickening paper pulp from used paper, while providing the complementary function of clarifying the filtrates. The apparatus (1) rotates at high speed. The paper pulp is introduced through the center of the apparatus (2) and driven at its angular speed. The pulp is then brought along a grate (6) with small size holes for separating the fibers from the greater part of the water. The thickened pulp is evacuated through extraction nozzles (8). The water is clarified in the clarification zone (12) and recycled or eliminated depending on uses. More complete embodiments of the apparatus include the functions of fractionating, de-inking and purifying the pulp with slots or holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Finidro-Financiamentos Energeticos, Lda.
    Inventor: Eric Haffner
  • Patent number: 6811656
    Abstract: A method for creating a material library of surface areas having different properties in which a substrate is coated. The substrate is subjected to a combined pretreatment procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Brinz, Ilona Ullmann
  • Patent number: 6811657
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the erosion profile of a metallic target in a sputtering device are provided by inserting a thin sensor into a gap between the target and a substrate pedestal. The sensor is configured to emit an energy beam toward the surface of the target and detect a reflection of the energy beam. The sensor may comprise a source element configured to emit a collimated light beam and a plurality of detectors arranged in a linear array. The sensor may also comprise optical fibers configured to reduce the size of the sensor. The detectors are positioned relative to the source element so that one of the detectors in the array will be illuminated by a reflection of the collimated light beam. The distance from the sensor to the target may be derived from the position of the detector illuminated by the reflected beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Jaso
  • Patent number: 6811658
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming interconnects embedding a metal such as copper (Cu) into recesses for interconnects formed on the surface of a substrate such as a semiconductor substrate. The method includes providing a substrate having fine recesses formed in the surface, subjecting the surface of the substrate to plating in a plating liquid, and subjecting the plated film formed on the surface of the substrate to electrolytic etching in an etching liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Akihisa Hongo, Naoki Matsuda, Kanji Ohno, Ryoichi Kimizuka
  • Patent number: 6811659
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for microelectrogravimetrically depositing an electroactive species onto an electrode or a plurality of electrodes comprising dispensing a solution containing the electroactive species from a microdispenser to form a hanging drop of the solution and contacting the electrode with the hanging drop of the solution, wherein the electrode is electrically coupled with the microdispenser to form an electrochemical cell, and applying a potential to the electrochemical cell. The application of the potential effects deposition of the electroactive species onto the electrode. The method of the invention eliminates the need for immersion of the electrode in a bath, reduces the volume of solution required by a factor of at least 10-100, and avoids uneven depletion of various components of the solution over successive applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Vachon, Jenn-Hann Wang
  • Patent number: 6811660
    Abstract: Various kinds of wastewater and water such as methane fermentation digestion liquids, domestic wastewater, sewage, service water, culture pond water, wastewater defined by an active sludge law and wastewater from food industries are decomposed, cleaned and treated with a high efficiency with oxygen radicals, hydroxyl radicals and diphenyl para picrihydoral radicals, and injurious materials are decomposed, cleaned and treated by oxidizing and reducing functions. An apparatus for cleaning dissolved organic matters and a trace amount of injurious materials consisting of a anode which is formed or welded by coating clay or glass with a material prepared by mixing 2 to 15% by weight of a transition metal with 1 to 10% of an oxidized transition metal and sintering the glass within a range from 800 to 1500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Takaaki Maekawa
  • Patent number: 6811661
    Abstract: A cathode cartridge of a testing device for electroplating is provided, and includes a dummy plate 7 as a negative pole provided outside a tabular front insulator 6. The dummy plate includes an orifice a having the same shape as a plated part 2a of a plated base 2 as a negative plate. Protruding portions 4 press contact to a peripheral part of the plated base 2a. A tabular cathode conductor 4 connects with a direct voltage source not soaked in a plating solvent. A tabular rear insulator 5 covers rear sides of the plated base 2 and the cathode conductor 4, and has a recess, into which the plated base 2 and the cathode conductor 4 are retained. A tabular front insulator 6 having an orifice having the same shape as the plated base 2a covers a front side of the cathode conductor 4. An elastic thin board 9 is sandwiched between the plate base 2 and the tabular front insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Yamamoto-MS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6811662
    Abstract: A sputtering apparatus is provided. The sputtering apparatus comprises cooling water system having a temperature-controlling device for controlling the temperature of the sidewalls of the reaction chamber. During the deposition process of titanium/titanium nitride, the sidewall temperature of the chamber is controlled at about 50° C.˜70° C. for reducing the difference of temperature distribution in the chamber so that the reaction temperature within the reaction chamber can be rendered substantially uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Powership Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 6811663
    Abstract: A microelectrode system suitable for use in preparative and analytical chemistry having a laminated structure with one or more apertures. In one embodiment a microelectrode system (1) comprises alternating layers of conductor (3) and dielectric (or insulator) (4). The laminated structure (2) comprises two conductor layers (3) and two dielectric layers (4) formed on a base (5) of silicon or a polymeric material. The conducting layers (3) form electrodes in the microelectrodes system (1). The laminated structure has formed within it an aperture in the form of a well (6) being open at one end (7) and closed at the opposite end (8). In another embodiment, the apertures take the form of through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sensorflex Limited
    Inventors: Neville John Freeman, Andrew Mount
  • Patent number: 6811664
    Abstract: A sensor element for determining the concentration of a gas component in a gas mixture, particularly for determining the oxygen concentration in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. The sensor element includes at least one pump cell, which has at least one first pump electrode located in a measuring gas chamber and at least one second pump electrode, located on a surface of the sensor element facing the gas mixture, as well as at least one concentration cell, which has at least one reference electrode located in a reference gas chamber and at least one measuring electrode, located in the measuring gas chamber, which cooperates with the reference electrode. The measuring gas chamber and the reference gas chamber are essentially located in the same layer level (plane) of the sensor element which has a layered construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Lenfers, Harry Braun, Walter Strassner, Lothar Diehl
  • Patent number: 6811665
    Abstract: Process for the production of a three-dimensional substrate provided with a protective and decorative laminar structure, in which a primer layer of a coating composition (I) which is electrically conductive in the stoved state is applied without spraying onto an electrically conductive substrate and stoved, whereupon a substrate not yet in the desired three-dimensional shape is shaped, whereupon a second coating layer of an electrophoretically depositable coating composition (II) is electrophoretically deposited and stoved and whereupon a plastic film is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Joachim Blum, Klausjörg Klein
  • Patent number: 6811666
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved aqueous cathodic electrocoating composition and a method for the electrodeposition of this composition; the composition comprises a cathodic electrodepositable composition comprising a binder of (a) a cathodically electrodepositable film forming resin and (b) a polyisocyanate crosslinking agent blocked with a compound that is non-hazardous and non-air polluting, such as, an alkoxy alkanol or an alkyl alcohol; wherein the improvement comprises the use of 0.1-5.0% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a water miscible amine acid zwitterion additive which is the reaction product of an amine acid and an alkylglycidy ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Ding Yu Chung
  • Patent number: 6811667
    Abstract: Waterborne CED coating agents containing resin solids and optionally pigments, fillers and/or conventional coating additives, wherein said CED coating agents contain at least one bismuth complex with ligands selected from the group consisting of hydroxyquinolines, 1,2-dioximes, 1,3-dioximes, and N,N′-diarylthiocarbazides and combinations thereof in an amount of 0.1 wt. % to 2.5 wt. %, calculated as bismuth and based on the resin solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Ulrich Hermann, Walter Kuehhirt, Rudolf Schipfer
  • Patent number: 6811668
    Abstract: In a system for operation or handling of a laboratory microchip (41) for chemical processing or analysis, the microchip (41) is mounted in a first physical unit (42). The microchip (41) is arranged on a mounting plate, such that it is readily accessible from the top and thus the fitting and removal of the microchip is considerably simplified. Furthermore, the first physical unit (42) comprises an optical device (43) for contactless detection of the results of the chemical processes conducted on the microchip. The supply systems necessary for the operation of the microchip are arranged in a module unit that has a separable connection with a second physical unit. The proposed modular layout enables ease of interchangeability of the required supply systems and thus, overall, ease of adaptability of the proposed system for various types of microchips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Berndt, Patrick Kaltenbach, Colin B. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6811669
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for electroplating conductive films on semiconductor wafers, wherein field adjustment apparatus is located in a reservoir between a cathode and an anode to influence the electric field used in the plating process. Field adjustment apparatus is presented having one or more apertures, which may be selectively plugged to adjust the electrical fields during plating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: David Gonzalez, Jr., Matthew W. Losey
  • Patent number: 6811670
    Abstract: A method for forming electroplating cathode contacts around the periphery of a semiconductor wafer including forming an insulating layer over a conductive layer extending at least around the periphery of a semiconductor wafer substrate; etching a plurality of openings around a peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer substrate through the insulating layer to extend through a thickness of the insulating layer in closed communication with the conductive layer said conductive area in electrical communication with a central portion of the semiconductor wafer substrate; filling the plurality of openings with metal to form electrically conductive pathways; planarizing the electrically conductive pathway surfaces; and, forming a metal layer over the electrically conductive pathway surfaces to form a plurality of contact pads for contacting a cathode for carrying out an electroplating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chung-Shi Liu, Chen-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 6811671
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, having a reduced-oxygen Cu—Zn alloy thin film (30) electroplated on a Cu surface (20) by electroplating, using an electroplating apparatus, the Cu surface (20) in a unique chemical solution containing salts of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), their complexing agents, a pH adjuster, and surfactants; and annealing the electroplated Cu—Zn alloy thin film (30); and a semiconductor device thereby formed. The method controls the parameters of pH, temperature, and time in order to form a uniform reduced-oxygen Cu—Zn alloy thin film (30), having a controlled Zn content, for reducing electromigration on the Cu—Zn/Cu structure by decreasing the drift velocity therein which decreases the Cu migration rate in addition to decreasing the void formation rate, for improving device reliability, and for increasing corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Lopatin, Alexander H. Nickel, Joffre F. Bernard
  • Patent number: 6811672
    Abstract: A method for forming a plating film, comprising the steps of: applying a plating film onto an object to be plated at a first current density for a predetermined period in a plating bath having a cathode capable of varying current and an anode and; and maintaining the object to be plated at a second current density lower than the first current density. According to the present invention, it is possible to improve solderability of a plating film for conventional lead-free solder by a simple method, which allows the productivity to further enhanced, resulting in a plating film with reduced production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Kobe Leadmikk Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Matsuo, Ryukichi Ikeda, Kimihiko Yoshida, Fumio Okuda
  • Patent number: 6811673
    Abstract: Matt surfaces are obtained when a metal is coated electrolytically with zinc from an electrolyte solution which contains zinc sulfate or an alkanesulfonate of zinc or mixtures thereof, and optionally further metal salts, sulfuric acid or an alkanesulfonic acid or a mixture thereof, and at least one additive selected from nitrogen-containing surface-active compounds, which may be ionic or nonionic, sulfur-containing anionic surface-active compounds, and surface-active compounds based on multifunctional alcohols having at least three hydroxyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gregor Brodt, Jens Haas, Werner Hesse, Hans-Ulrich Jäger
  • Patent number: 6811674
    Abstract: The present invention provides a palladium plating solution comprising at least 1 to 60 g/L, in terms of the amount of palladium, of a soluble palladium salt and 0.1 to 300 g/L of a sulfamic acid or its salt, the palladium plating solution being substantially free from a brightening agent. This plating solution can be used to form, on a substrate, a palladium plating having on its surface an acicular crystal, and, thus, a plating having excellent adhesion to resin can be provided on the surface of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Matsuda Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Ueki
  • Patent number: 6811675
    Abstract: This invention employs a novel approach to the copper metallization of a workpiece, such as a semiconductor workpiece. In accordance with the invention, an alkaline electrolytic copper bath is used to electroplate copper onto a seed layer, electroplate copper directly onto a barrier layer material, or enhance an ultra-thin copper seed layer which has been deposited on the barrier layer using a deposition process such as PVD. The resulting copper layer provides an excellent conformal copper coating that fills trenches, vias, and other microstructures in the workpiece. When used for seed layer enhancement, the resulting copper seed layer provide an excellent conformal copper coating that allows the microstructures to be filled with a copper layer having good uniformity using electrochemical deposition techniques. Further, copper layers that are electroplated in the disclosed manner exhibit low sheet resistance and are readily annealed at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventor: Linlin Chen
  • Patent number: 6811676
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for producing aluminum from alumina having a reservoir for collecting molten aluminum remote from the electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Northwest Aluminum Technologies
    Inventors: Donald R Bradford, Robert J. Barnett, Michael B. Mezner
  • Patent number: 6811677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum comprising an anode and an electrolytic tank where the electrolytic tank comprises an outer shell made from steel and carbon blocks in the bottom of the tank forming the cathode of the electrolytic cells. At least a part of the sidewall of the electrolytic tank consists of one or more evaporation cooled panels, and wherein high temperature, heat resistant and heat insulating material is arranged between the evaporation cooled panels and the steel shell. The invention also includes a method for maintaining a crust on the sidewall of the tank and for recovering heat from the cooling medium inside the panel for transformation into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Elkem ASA
    Inventors: Jan Arthur Aune, Kai Johansen, Per Olav Nos
  • Patent number: 6811678
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for reducing a beryllium oxide in solid state, and a method for achieving this reduction, are provided. The electrolytic cell and method employ an anode, a cathode formed in part from beryllium oxide, and a molten electrolyte which includes cations of a metal that is capable of reducing beryllium oxide. The reduction process involves operating the cell at a potential that is above a potential at which the reducing cations in the electrolyte will deposit as a metal on the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: BHP Billiton Innovation Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Lazar Strezov, Ivan Ratchev, Steve Osborn
  • Patent number: 6811679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for electrochemical oxidation of bromide to bromine, more particularly to oxidation of bromide ions in brine, bittern and effluents using an indigenous cation exchange membrane flow cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Gadde Ramachandraiah, Pushpito Kumar Ghosh, Venkata Rama Krishna Sarma Susarla, Sanjay S. Vaghela
  • Patent number: 6811680
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for planarizing a material layer on a substrate. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including forming a passivation layer on a substrate surface, polishing the substrate in an electrolyte solution, applying an anodic bias to the substrate surface, and removing material from at least a portion of the substrate surface. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided which includes a partial enclosure, polishing article, a cathode, a power source, a substrate carrier movably disposed above the polishing article, and a computer based controller to position a substrate in an electrolyte solution to form a passivation layer on a substrate surface, to polish the substrate in the electrolyte solution with the polishing article, and to apply an anodic bias to the substrate surface or polishing article to remove material from at least a portion of the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Liang-Yuh Chen, Wei-Yung Hsu, Alain Duboust, Ratson Morad, Daniel A. Carl
  • Patent number: 6811681
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product directed to controlling corrosion of a conductive structure in contact with a corrosive environment and coated with a semiconductive coating, where the corrosion is controlled by a controllable filter and a corresponding electronic control unit configured to process at least one stored or measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Applied Semiconductor International Ltd.
    Inventors: David B. Dowling, Farshad Khorrami
  • Patent number: 6811682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting cycle oils produced in catalytic cracking reactions into light olefin and naphtha. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for hydroprocessing a catalytically cracked light cycle oil in order to form a hydroprocessed cycle oil containing a significant amount of tetralins. The hydroprocessed cycle oil is then re-cracked in an upstream zone of the primary FCC riser reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Gordon F. Stuntz, George A. Swan, III, William E. Winter, Michel Daage, Michele S. Touvelle, Darryl P. Klein
  • Patent number: 6811683
    Abstract: A process for producing a diesel fuel stock from bitumen uses steam and a hydroisomerized diesel fraction produced by a gas conversion process, to respectively stimulate the bitumen production and increase the cetane number of a hydrotreated diesel fuel fraction produced by upgrading the bitumen, to form a diesel stock. The diesel stock is used for blending and forming diesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Stephen Mark Davis, Michael Gerard Matturro
  • Patent number: 6811684
    Abstract: There is provided a process for converting hydrocarbons using a catalyst comprising macrostructures having a three-dimensional network of particles comprised of porous inorganic material. The particles of the macrostructures occupy less than 75% of the total volume of the macrostructures and are joined together to form a three-dimensional interconnected network comprised of pores having diameters greater than about 20 Å. The macrostructures can be made by forming an admixture containing a porous organic ion exchanger and a synthesis mixture capable of forming the porous inorganic material; converting the synthesis mixture to the porous inorganic material; and removing the porous organic ion exchanger from the inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Gary David Mohr, Wilfried Jozef Mortier, Xiaobing Feng, Per Johan Sterte, Lubomira Borislavova Tosheva
  • Patent number: 6811685
    Abstract: A self-cleaning strainer which may be installed upstream of a heat exchanger to prevent debris greater than a critical size from reaching the heat exchanger. The strainer is preferably mounted just upstream of a heat exchanger in order to minimize the possibility of debris reaching the heat exchanger. The strainer comprises a screen element which can be advanced across the flow path of the fluid between two rollers. The screen element is placed so that the fluid must flow across the screen element face to continue through the process pipe; the screen may be perpendicular or parallel to the fluid flow axis of the strainer body or at an intermediate angle to it. Flow blocking members are used so as to direct the flow to pass through the screen element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Amar S. Wanni, Thomas M. Rudy, Marciano M. Calanog
  • Patent number: 6811686
    Abstract: Apparatus of unitary construction and including an oil filter support, an oil cooler and an oil filter is employed to filter and cool engine oil, the oil passing along a serpentine path in the oil cooler after being filtered and before being returned to the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Tony Sorce