Patents Issued in February 13, 2007
  • Patent number: 7175856
    Abstract: A drug formulation in the form of a dry powder is provided which when mixed with water forms a palatable oral suspension substantially free of bitter taste, the dry powder being formed of a drug, preferably des-quinolone, which in solution has a bitter taste, and a pH modifying agent which is preferably an alkaline material such as L-arginine, where upon mixing the dry-powder in water causes the drug to have reduced solubility or precipitate in-situ to form a palatable oral suspension essentially free of bitter taste. An oral suspension, methods for making same and a method for masking the bitter taste of drugs employing one or more pH modifying agents are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
    Inventors: Ismat Ullah, Gary J. Wiley
  • Patent number: 7175857
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of granules or powders, suitable as coating agents and binders for oral or dermal pharmaceutical forms, for cosmetics or food supplements, consisting essentially of (a) a copolymer, consisting of free radical-polymerized C1- to C4-esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid and further (meth)acrylate monomers which contain functional tertiary amino groups, (b) 3 to 25% by weight, based on (a), of an emulsifier having an HLB of at least 14, (c) 5 to 50% by weight, based on (a), of a C12- to C18-monocarboxylic acid or of a C12- to C18-hydroxyl compound, where the components (a), (b) and (c) are simultaneously or successively blended or mixed with one another, optionally with addition of a pharmaceutical active compound and/or further customary additives, fused in a heatable mixer, mixed, the melt is cooled and comminuted to give granules or powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Roehm GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Petereit, Christian Meier, Erna Roth, Andreas Gryczke
  • Patent number: 7175858
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products are provided. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with setting fluid to produce the flowable composition. A feature of the subject methods is that the dry reactants include a particulate calcium and/or phosphate reactant having a mean particle size of less than about 8 ?m and narrow size distribution. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including the repair of hard tissue defects, e.g., bone defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Skeletal Kinetics LLC
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, David Delaney, Duran Yetkinler
  • Patent number: 7175859
    Abstract: A composition comprising extract of one or more plants of one or more of the following plant families: Cissus, Vernonia and Brillantasia. Such compositions have beneficial activity principally in controlling weight gain and obesity, especially in conjunction with chitosan or a chitosan derivative and an antioxidant such as vitamin C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Gateway Health Alliances, Inc.
    Inventor: Julius Enyong Oben
  • Patent number: 7175860
    Abstract: A composition extracted from nut husks including a method of forming the composition, where the composition is useful in healing wounds. The method includes collecting pecan husks, pressing the pecan husks thereby expressing fluid from the husks, and collecting the expressed fluid. The extraction process is conducted in an inert environment thereby preventing oxidation of the expressed fluid. After collection, the expressed fluid can be transferred to storage prior to use, such as in foil packets or glass tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Haskell Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Weston Haskell
  • Patent number: 7175861
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition contains a therapeutically effective amount of an active ingredient, in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent for the active ingredient, in which the active ingredient is i) a polar solvent extract of Polygala, the polar solvent being water or a mixture of water and methanol or ethanol; ii) an aqueous fraction resulting from an extraction of the polar solvent extract with an organic solvent; iii) an organic eluate by introducing the polar solvent extract or the aqueous fraction into a reverse phase chromatography column, and eluting the column with water and an organic solvent; or iv) a filtrate having a molecular mass less than 30000 in the organic eluate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry Technology and Development Center
    Inventors: Feng-Nien Ko, Cheng-Ko Liu, Yu-Feng Han, Pin-Fun Chen
  • Patent number: 7175862
    Abstract: A process for producing a kakadu plum powder having an increased amount of naturally occurring ascorbic acid and high ORAC value. The process of preparing the extract includes the following: disintegrating kakadu plum fruit; treating the disintegrated kakadu plum material with enzymes to at least partially digest the material; juicing the kakadu plum material and drying the juice to produce a powder. In a preferred embodiment, the kakadu plum juice is further clarified with ultrafiltration and concentrated by performing reverse osmosis on the kakadu plum juice. The resultant kakadu plum powder has a natural ascorbic acid content of at least about 15% and a naturally occurring Oxygen Reduction Absorption Capacity value of at least 1500.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Pusateri, Gopi R. Menon, Luis I. Vergel de Dios, Lance E. Schlipalius
  • Patent number: 7175863
    Abstract: A method for isolating stone cells and stone cell clusters from fruit. A puree of a stone cell-containing fruit is treated to provide a chemically induced separation of fibrous fruit pulp from stone cells and stone cell clusters. The method provides free-flowing stone cell powder for use as a mild abrasive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Den-Mat Corporation
    Inventors: Eckart Mathias, Joseph Campanale
  • Patent number: 7175864
    Abstract: A brewed malt beverage having improved foaming properties due to the addition of caffeine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph L. Owades
  • Patent number: 7175865
    Abstract: Described are methods for preparing frozen dough compositions that exhibit desirable frozen storage stability and that can also exhibit desirable baked organoleptic (e.g., taste, smell, and texture) properties, as well as related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Lonergan
  • Patent number: 7175866
    Abstract: Citrus juice beverages having an oil soluble flavor antioxidant added thereto are provided. A tocopherol antioxidant, other than alpha-tocopherol, is added to a citrus juice beverage, such as orange juice, to preserve the flavor sensory attributes of stored juice without deteriorating the initial flavor sensory attributes of the juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tropicana Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristin Parshall, Richard N. McArdle, Cindy L. Hart, Renee Mellican
  • Patent number: 7175867
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to metastable mineral-amino acid complexes that are formed by combining a mineral oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate an amino acid and an organic acid. The complexes may be used to fortify a variety of food and beverage products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Baldwin, Ahmad Akashe, Manuel Marquez-Sanchez, Bary Lyn Zeller
  • Patent number: 7175868
    Abstract: A method for demolding a body of frozen confection encased in a flexible disposable mold includes the steps of slicing the mold, applying heat to the mold sufficient to soften a surface portion of the body of confection to permit the mold to slip from the body, directing gas into the slit mold to open the mold and to separate the mold from the body, and applying suction to the mold to pull the mold free of the body. The invention further includes an assembly for effecting the method, the assembly including a slicer, a heater, a blower, and a suction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Cool Dog, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter B. Franklin
  • Patent number: 7175869
    Abstract: Soy derived materials such as soy milk, soy flour, soy concentrates, and soy protein isolates, are deflavored by adjusting the pH of an aqueous composition of such soy derived materials using membrane electrodialysis to a pH of about 9 to about 12 to solubilize the soy proteins and to release the flavoring compounds and thereafter passing the pH-adjusted composition to an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff up to about 50,000 Daltons under conditions at which the flavoring compounds pass through the membrane, leaving the retained soy material with improved flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. Brown, Colin P. Crowley, Xiao-Qing Han
  • Patent number: 7175870
    Abstract: A form of garlic and process for making same in which cloves of garlic are cut into bits, blanched or baked to reduce the strength of the garlic flavor and bitterness, and then fried to produce ready-to-use, crunchy, roasted flavor garlic pieces that can be conveniently stored and dispensed from a shaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Garlic Company
    Inventors: John Layous, Richard Gorski, Peter Mattson
  • Patent number: 7175871
    Abstract: Described are synthetically produced substantially pure enol ether compositions which are cis and/or trans isomers of enol ethers having the structures: wherein R1 is C4–C10 straight chain alkyl or C9 8-alkenyl; and wherein R2 is C1–C4 alkyl, C3–C4 2-alkenyl, C4 3-alkenyl or C10 non-allenic alkadienyl and uses thereof in imparting, augmenting or enhancing the aroma and/or taste of a consumable material such as a perfume composition, a cologne, a perfumed article such as a soap, cosmetic, hair preparation or detergent, a foodstuff, a chewing gum or an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage such as a carbonated beverage or fruit liquer. Also described is a process for synthesis of such enol ethers by means of (i) first forming an acetal having the structure: R1—CH2—CH(OR2)2 (ii) then carrying out a thermal decomposition reaction at pH<7 and then (iii) fractionally distilling the resulting reaction product to provide the enol ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc
    Inventors: Braja Dulal Mookherjee, Anubhav P. S. Narula, Subha M. Patel, Edward Mark Arruda, Patrick M. Merritt
  • Patent number: 7175872
    Abstract: Pyridinium-Betain compounds of the general formula (A): wherein R1 is H or a primary amino acids that is attached to the structure, X is OH or its ionized form O?, Y is OH, SH, or their ionized forms O? and S?, Z is H, an alkyl group, or a glycosidic group, or a phosphate or ester derivative thereof, and n is an integer of 0 to 4 to represent the chain length of the compound. A counter-ion is associated with these compounds and is preferably an ion of sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, nitrate, carbonate, sulphate, phosphate, or the like. These compounds can be used as taste modifiers in various foodstuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Thomas Hofmann, Harald Ottinger, Oliver Frank, Tomislav Soldo, Imre Blank, Renaud Villard, Fabien Robert
  • Patent number: 7175873
    Abstract: A method of coating an implantable medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed. The method includes applying a formulation on a first polymer layer containing a therapeutic substance to form a second layer. The formulation can contain a highly hydrophobic polymer or a solvent which is a poor solvent for the drug or the polymer of the first layer. The formulation can have a low surface tension value or a high Weber number value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wouter E. Roorda, Syed F. A. Hossainy, Ni Ding, Fuh-Wei Tang, Stephen D. Pacetti
  • Patent number: 7175874
    Abstract: A coating for implantable devices, such as stents, and a method of making the same is disclosed. Moreover, an apparatus for depositing the coating is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Pacetti
  • Patent number: 7175875
    Abstract: The apparatus for processing an in-process substrate by generating a plasma have a processing chamber with an observation window, in which the in-process substrate is disposed; plasma generating means for generating a plasma in the inside of the processing chamber; irradiation means for projecting a light beam into the inside of the processing chamber through the observation window; detection means for detecting the light projected and reflected from the inside wall of the chamber by the irradiation means; and data processing means for obtaining information on the state of contamination of the inside wall of the processing chamber by processing signals obtained through detection of the reflected light by the detection means, and thereby permitting simultaneously monitoring of both the state of contamination of an inside wall of the processing chamber and foreign materials suspended in the processing chamber, with a single observation window and an optical system composed of one unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakano, Toshihiko Nakata
  • Patent number: 7175876
    Abstract: Patterned articles can be prepared by applying a release polymer to a substrate in a desired pattern, applying a substrate-adherent polymer over the pattern and substrate, and mechanically removing the substrate-adherent polymer from the pattern without requiring solvent. Suitable mechanical removal methods include applying adhesive tape to the substrate-adherent polymer and peeling the tape and substrate-adherent polymer away from the pattern, and abrading the substrate-adherent polymer from the pattern using impact media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: M. Benton Free, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • Patent number: 7175877
    Abstract: Disclosed is a film comprising PMMA and a fluorescent substance having a xanthene skeleton and a lactone ring and/or a fluorescent substance having a xanthene skeleton and a group —COOR, where R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, capable of forming an intramolecular lactone ring, said fluorescent substances being dispersed in the PMMA. The film is useful as an optical memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Riken
    Inventors: Takuo Tanaka, Satoshi Kawata, Takayuki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7175878
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making an antiglare stack by vacuum evaporation on an organic substrate (1) at a temperature lower than 150° C., comprising steps which consist in depositing at least a layer of material having a refractive index different from that of MgF2 (4, 4?), preparing the surface of the thus coated substrate, and depositing an outer MgF2 layer (5) without ionic assistance. The resulting antiglare stack on organic substrate exhibits good adherence and good scratch resistance. The invention is applicable to ophthalmic lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Yvon Helmstetter, Jean-Daniel Bernhard, Frederic Arrouy
  • Patent number: 7175879
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a method of obtaining fibrous carbon materials by carbonization of cellulosic fibrous materials carried out continuously or batchwise in the presence of at least one organosilicon compound. Characteristically, said organosilicon compound is chosen from the family of cyclic, linear or branched polyhydrosiloxanes which are substituted with methyl and/or phenyl groups and the number-average molecular mass of which is between 250 and 10 000, advantageously between 2 500 and 5 000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Snecma Propulsion Solide
    Inventors: Pierre Olry, Sylvie Loison, Mark Kazakov, Alentin Trouchnicov
  • Patent number: 7175880
    Abstract: A surface treatment system in which gas for a deposition reaction is injected into a deposition chamber and power is applied to form a deposition reaction to form a deposition layer at a surface of an object or surface treatment, wherein the deposition chamber has a plurality of deposition spaces disposed in parallel and a convey unit for conveying one or more objects of surface treatment to each deposition space or discharging the objects of surface treatment from each deposition space after a deposition reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Cheon-Soo Cho, Dong-Sik Youn, Hyun-Wook Lee, Samchul Ha, Hyun-Woo Jun
  • Patent number: 7175881
    Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance apparatus includes a transfer roller and a dressing oil tank configured to contain dressing oil. A wick is configured to pass dressing oil from the tank to the transfer roller. A buffer brush is configured to receive dressing oil from the transfer roller and spread the dressing oil on a bowling lane. The wick may comprise a foam material having a first region having a first capillarity and a second region having a second capillarity differing from the first capillarity. The wick may also be maintained in contact with the transfer roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: QubicaAMF Worldwide, LLC
    Inventors: Adam P. Baker, Gary J. Ford, Mark D. Kilpatrick, Matthew E Popielarz, G. Joe Burroughs
  • Patent number: 7175882
    Abstract: A protective coating is formed on a metallic surface by contacting the surface with an aqueous solution of fluorometallate followed by an aqueous solution containing vanadate ions. The process does not require the use of any organic substances, but provides a corrosion resistant surface having good heat conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Shawn E. Dolan, Lawrence R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7175883
    Abstract: Polysiloxane sols preparable by subjecting (1) in a first stage (A) a silicon compound of the general formula I: (ZoL—)mSi(H)n(R)p, ??(I) which is free of carbamate groups and where o is an integer from 1 to 5; m is 0, 1, 2 or 3; n is an integer from 1 to 4; p is 0, 1 , 2 or 3; Z is a reactive functional group, excluding carbamate group; L is an at least divalent, linking, organic group; H is a hydrolyzable, monovalent, organic group or hydrolyzable atom; R is a nonhydrolyzable, monovalent, organic group; to partial hydrolysis and condensation in the presence (B) of at least one crosslinking agent, and then subjecting (2) in a further stage, the reaction mixture (1) to complete hydrolysis and condensation with (C) a hydrolyzable, carbamate-functional silicon compound of the general formula II: {[HR1N—(O)C—O—]rL—}sSi(H)t(R)u ??(II) where R1 is a hydrogen atom or group R; r is an integer from 1 to 5; s is 1, 2 or 3; t is 1, 2 or 3; u 0, 1 or 2; and their use as coating materials, adhesives, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Coatings AG
    Inventors: Peter Hommmes, Manuela Niemeier, Heinz-Peter Rink, Jochen Henkelmann, Lucien Thiel
  • Patent number: 7175884
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a layer system, in particular for a sensor element for determining a physical variable of a gas to be measured, preferably for determining the concentration of a gas component or the temperature in an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The layer system is composed of a ceramic carrier and at least one functional layer to which a solvent is added. A barrier layer is deposited on the ceramic carrier and the functional layer is deposited on the barrier layer. The barrier layer prevents the solvent from penetrating the ceramic carrier from the functional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joerg Renz
  • Patent number: 7175885
    Abstract: The present invention provides a combinatorial approach for preparing arrays of chemically sensitive polymer-based sensors which are capable of detecting the presence of a chemical analyte in a fluid in contact therewith. The described methods and devices comprise combining varying ratios of at least first and second organic materials which, when combined, form a polymer or polymer blend that is capable of absorbing a chemical analyte, thereby providing a detectable response. The detectable response of the sensors prepared by this method is not linearly related to the mole fraction of at least one of the polymer-based components of the sensors, thereby making arrays of these sensors useful for a variety of sensing tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Robert H. Grubbs, Robert D. Sanner, Eric J. Severin
  • Patent number: 7175886
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for micron and submicron particles formation of a substance using the GAS process, comprising a particles formation vessel (22) and means for introducing a solution of the substance and a supercritical fluid into the particles formation vessel (22), wherein said means comprise a nozzle (27) having a central orifice (39) serving to carry a flow of solution, and a plurality of separate outer orifices (41) serving to carry a flow of pure supercritical fluid or a flow of supercritical fluid mixed with a modifier, such that the solvent is extracted from the solution by the supercritical fluid and precipitation of micron and submicron particles occurs. Also a process is described, carried out with such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Dompe' pha.r.ma S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Del Re, Matteo Putrignano, Gabriele Di Giacomo, Cesare Di Palma
  • Patent number: 7175887
    Abstract: A first member is configured to undergo sliding contact with a surface of a second member. The surface of the first member is roughened by irradiating the surface of the first member with a laser to form first recesses in the surface of the first member. The surface of the first member is then cleaned followed by a finely roughening step of irradiating the first recesses formed in the surface of the first member with a plasma to form second recesses which are shallower than the first recesses. Thereafter, a fluorocarbon resin is coated on the surface of the first member so that the fluorocarbon resin securely contacts and adheres to the surface of the first member due to the rough and clean state thereof. The surface of the first member is then subjected to a heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Calsonic Compressors Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Toshio Watakabe, Akira Matsuno
  • Patent number: 7175888
    Abstract: The present invention is a turbine engine component comprising a superalloy substrate, a bond coat overlying the substrate having a thickness in the range of about 0.0005 inch to about 0.005 inch, a thin alumina scale overlying the bond coat, and a thermal barrier coating (TBC) overlying the thin alumina scale, the TBC having a thickness in the range of about 0.0025 inch to about 0.010 inch, and comprising at least mischmetal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mary B. Johnson, legal representative, Robert William Bruce, Lyman A. Johnson, deceased
  • Patent number: 7175889
    Abstract: To provide a retardation film (optical compensation sheet) using a liquid crystal compound excellent in both the wavelength dispersion property and the refractive index anisotropy, disclosed is a retardation film having an optically anisotropic layer formed of a compound represented by formula (I): [(R1)a—M—(L1)]b—(L2), wherein R1 represents an alkyl group, at least one —CH2— group in the alkyl group may be substituted by —O—, —S—, —C(?O)—, —N(R2)—, —CH?CH— or —C?C—, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, M represents a group comprising three or more aromatic rings, L1 represents a single bond or a divalent alkylene group, the —CH2— group in the alkylene group may be substituted by —O—, —S—, —C(?O)— or —N(R2)—, L2 represents a b-valent cyclic, alkene or alkyne group, a represents the number of R1s substituted to M, and b represents an integer of 2 to 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Ohkawa, Michitaka Matsuumi, Hideyuki Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7175890
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a film that includes at least one layer of anisotropic polymer material. The method can include polymerizing a mixture of a filtered polymerizable mesogenic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Verrall, Jeremy Ward, James Hanmer, David Coates
  • Patent number: 7175891
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy, characterized in that it comprises one or more compounds of the formula I and one or more compounds of the formula IA in which R1, R2, ring A, ring B, L1-4, Z1, Z2, X1 and X2 are as defined in claim 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heckmeier, Sabine Schoen, Peer Kirsch
  • Patent number: 7175892
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a polymer emulsion used for manufacturing a recording medium, characterized in comprising at least a polymer compound (A) which shows hydrophilicity at a temperature region not higher than a specific temperature (temperature-sensitive point), whereas lipophilicity in a temperature region above the temperature-sensitive point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Funakoshi, Hiroaki Takanohashi
  • Patent number: 7175893
    Abstract: A corrosion protection covering method for spliced regions of reinforcing steel is disclosed. The covering may include an outer, heat shrinkable layer and a flowable inner layer. The covering is applied to the spliced region, and then heated, causing the outer layer to constrict and thereby seal the taped area. The heat also causes the inner layer to liquify and fill any voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: State of California, Department of Transportation
    Inventors: Deane M. Coats, Robert A. Reis
  • Patent number: 7175894
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a fluid-injectable internal bag layer, a base-material layer superposed on an external periphery of the internal bag layer and impregnated with a photo-curing resin, and an outer layer superposed on an external periphery of the base-material layer and having transparency. The base-material layer is formed of a composite member serving as a reinforcing fiber layer impregnated with the photo-curing resin, and a grid net superposed on the composite member and preventing flow of the photo-curing resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sakura Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7175895
    Abstract: An elastomeric article includes a substrate body formed from an elastomeric material, and a plurality of porous beads capable of containing a treatment within the pores of the beads and dispensing the treatment to an end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Allen Janssen
  • Patent number: 7175896
    Abstract: A layered composite contains the following layers: (I) a layer I composition containing (a) from 0 to 80 parts by weight of at least one polyamide; (b) from 0 to 100 parts by weight of at least one polyamine-polyamide copolymer; and (c) from 0 to 80 parts by weight of at least one polyamide; and (II) a layer II composition containing at least one ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Guido Schmitz, Harald Haeger, Hans Ries, Wilfried Bartz
  • Patent number: 7175897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive article which can be used as a layer in or a cover for various articles in which a hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface is desired. The adhesive article includes a base layer having a first surface and a second surface and a coating layer formed on the first surface of the base layer, where the coating layer contains at least one adhesive resin and at least one hydrophilic polymer; at least one adhesive resin (which can be a hydrophobic polymer) and at least one surfactant; or at least one adhesive resin, at least one hydrophilic polymer and at least one surfactant. Given the application, the coating layer can be formulated to provide either a hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface. The polymer portion of the coating provides the coating layer with sufficient hydrophilic properties to increase the rate fluid transport across (or in the area near) the coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Baron, Paul Boulier, Michael Gilbert, Thanh V. Nguyen, Frank Rizzo, Frank Y. Shih
  • Patent number: 7175898
    Abstract: A single-sidedly or double-sidedly pressure-sensitively adhesive, elastic adhesive sheet comprising at least one layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and having a maximum stretchability of more than 200% and a recovery of more than 60% after stretching to ? of its maximum elongation, said pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) being based on a chemically crosslinked polyurethane, wherein the starting materials for the chemically crosslinked polyurethane include at least one isocyanate-reactive substance having a functionality of more than 2.0, in an amount of at least 5% by weight, based on the weight of the polyurethane composition, where the molecular weight of at least one of the starting materials used to form the polyurethane is being greater than or equal to 1000, at least one difunctional polyisocyanates are being used to form the polyurethane, and the ratio of maximum tensile stress to stripping stress is of said elastic adhesive sheet being more than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: tesa Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Lühmann, Philippe Hesse, Sianty Sunarto, Uwe Schümann, Kirstin Weiland, Andreas Junghans
  • Patent number: 7175899
    Abstract: A rubber or plastic floor mat has a series of parallel upper ribs on its upper surface which define slots in which respective strips or carpeting or the like are removably held. The strips are retained along their lengths by retaining means which run continually or continuously along the slots. The strip retainers include hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO), and/or overhanging edges above the strip edges, preferably formed in one-piece fashion along the side of the upper ribs adjacent the slots. The overhangs may be interrupted, e.g., crenelated as seen from above, and may include bevels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: R&L Marketing & Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald N. Kessler
  • Patent number: 7175900
    Abstract: A cushioning and positioning pad has a body formed from superposed layers of resiliently compressible foam material and a reinforcing sheet embedded between adjacent layers. The reinforcing sheet is of such stiffness as to resist contraction along its length and width dimensions, but is resiliently bendable in response to the application of a force along its thickness dimension. The reinforcing sheet resists undesirable contraction lengthwise and widthwise of the pad when the latter is encapsulated in a curable coating of material which shrinks as it cures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Contour Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7175901
    Abstract: The combination of ingredients, especially for use in the formulation of a one or two-pack retroreflective ink, comprising retroreflective elements, microbeads additional to said retroreflective elements and/or constituting said retroreflective elements at least in part, binder chemicals for attaching the retroreflective elements and microbeads to a substrate to which the ink is to be applied, and a coupling agent for coupling the microbeads and cross-linking the binder chemicals, the coupling agent being unreactive until the printing process is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Reflec plc
    Inventor: Brian Sagar
  • Patent number: 7175902
    Abstract: The subject invention provides non-woven fabrics having yarns of varying characteristics. In a preferred embodiment the subject invention provides nonwoven fabrics that comprise yarns of different deniers or cross sections. The use of these yarns gives the nonwoven fabric a unique appearance and advantageous properties. The subject invention further pertains to the processes used to produce these fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Cerex Advanced Fabrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert E. Ortega, R. Wayne Thomley, Jan Mackey, Charles F. Shafer
  • Patent number: 7175903
    Abstract: A heat sealable film for use in food packaging comprises a resin composition comprising vinyl chloride homopolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and plasticizer in an amount greater than about 15% by weight of the resin composition. In one embodiment, the film is adapted to provide a controlled oxygen transmission of at least 500 cc/in2/24 hours. The embodiment is also adapted to heat seal on conventional packaging equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hopton, Carl M. Sullivan, Paul N. Georgelos
  • Patent number: 7175904
    Abstract: In one embodiment or the present invention, a non-vinyl flooring is described comprising a flooring substrate having a non-vinyl composition comprising a terpolymer comprising ethylene, methyl acrylate and acrylic acid and a copolymer comprising ethylene and methacrylic acid. In one embodiment of the present invention, the non-vinyl flooring comprises a resilient non-vinyl floor tile comprising a non-vinyl composition comprising a terpolymer and a copolymer. In another embodiment of the present invention, the non-vinyl flooring comprises a resilient non-vinyl sheet flooring comprising a non-vinyl composition comprising a terpolymer and a copolymer. Methods for making the non-vinyl tile and non-vinyl sheet flooring are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Congoleum Corporation
    Inventors: Risi Oshilaja, John Pearson, David Lan
  • Patent number: 7175905
    Abstract: Composite coated wood products, and methods to produce such products, are described by embodiments of the invention. Composite layers may comprise polymer and fillers, such as organic fillers and inorganic fillers. The composite layers may also be foamed in some embodiments of the invention. Such composite coated wood products may be structural or non-structural pieces that may provide safe, economical, easy to manufacture construction products that may be utilized with wood composites, and other plastic composites. Such products may also promote uniformity of appearance in objects constructed with the composite coated wood products in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventors: Barry James Curtis, Robert W. Beckwith, Richard Neisius