Patents Issued in July 24, 2007
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Patent number: 7247370Abstract: The invention provides asymmetric membranes composed of a microporous substrate whose pores contain a crosslinked gel, the density of the crosslinked gel being greater at or adjacent to one major surface of the membrane than the density at the other major surface. The membranes are useful for separating matter from liquids and display good flux and good rejection at low pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: McMaster UniversityInventors: Ronald F. Childs, Alicja M. Mika, Jijun Ge, Chris McCrory
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Patent number: 7247371Abstract: Physical characteristics of ATO fine particles capable of exhibiting such optical properties as a high visible light transmittance, a low solar radiation transmittance, and a low haze value when the ATO fine particles are formed on a transparent substrate or in the substrate are clarified, and the ATO fine particles having the physical characteristics thereof are manufactured. The ATO fine particles having such physical characteristics that a size of a crystallite constituting the ATO fine particles is 4 to 125 nm, and that a specific surface area of the fine particles of 5 to 110 m2/g can exhibit the above-described optical properties, and an example of a method for manufacturing thereof is to parallel-drop an antimony chloride alcoholic solution and an ammonium hydrogen carbonate aqueous solution in a tin chloride aqueous solution, thoroughly wash generated precipitates, dry and calcinate them in an atmosphere, thereby the ATO fine particles are manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Chonan, Hiroko Kuno
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Patent number: 7247372Abstract: The invention relates to a filament excellent in incision resistance comprising as a primary component a polyethylene filament having a weight-average molecular weight of 300,000 or less and a ratio of a weight-average molecular weight to a number-average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of 4.0 or less as determined in the state of a filament as well as a modulus of 500 cN/dtex or more, and to a fabric excellent in incision resistance, a fibrous material for reinforcing cement mortar or concrete, and a rope, each of which comprises the filament. The filament can be produced by drawing a non-drawn polyolefin filament which comprises a polyethylene having a weight-average molecular weight of 60,000-600,000, a ratio of a weight-average molecular weight to a number-average molecular weight (Mw/Mn) of 4.5 or less, and a rate of birefringence (?n) of 0.008 or more, at a temperature not higher than the ?-relaxation temperature of said non-drawn filament.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Godo Sakamoto, Syoji Oda, Hiroki Murase
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Patent number: 7247373Abstract: A racquet string includes a core component whose principal component is a synthetic fiber, and a surface resin component, wherein fullerenes or by-product carbon particles derived from manufacture of fullerenes are blended into the surface resin component, and wherein the blended percentage content is in a range of at least 0.01 wt % and at most 5.0 wt % of the entire string. The surface resin component may be formed as a sheath component by coating or by composite spinning. It is preferable that the amount of fullerenes or by-product carbon particles derived from the manufacture of fullerenes that is included in the surface resin component is in a range of at least 0.1 wt % and at most 25 wt %. Thus, the durability of the racquet string is improved without substantially changing its physical properties.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Gosen Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Akagi, Kenichi Umano, Yutaka Masuda
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Patent number: 7247374Abstract: The invention relates to preserving the properties of active particles through use of an encapsulant which may be removable. The encapsulant may protect the active particles against premature deactivation. If desired, the encapsulant may be removed to rejuvenate the active particles. Various processes can be implemented to introduce encapsulated particles to embedding substances which may be used in various products.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: TrapTek LLCInventor: Gregory W Haggquist
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Patent number: 7247375Abstract: The invention involves encapsulation of phosphorescent molecules in polymeric matrices to prevent phosphorescence quenching. Specifically, polymers containing a significant portion of halogens have been found to be good matrices for encapsulation of phosphorescent molecules to provide strong phosphorescence at ambient conditions. Those encapsulated phosphorescent molecules can find a wide variety of applications for detection of many species, including biological and chemical molecules as well as micro-organisms.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Xuedong Song, Bin Wu
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Patent number: 7247376Abstract: A powder containing Fe—Ni nano-particles and a method for manufacturing the powder, wherein the powder containing Fe—Ni nano-particles includes a carrier and Fe—Ni nano-particles. The carrier is a ceramic particle with size of about micro-meter (?m). Fe and Ni atoms of the Fe—Ni nano-particles exist simultaneously on the surface of the carrier by electroless plating technology. The atomic ratio of the Fe and Ni atoms can be controlled by changing the relative concentration of the plating solution and the plating condition. The method for manufacturing the powder containing Fe—Ni nano-particles includes the following steps: preparation process, sensitization process, activation process, electroless plating process, and after-deposition process. The manufactured powder has small volume and large surface area. The contact chance between Fe/Ni bimetal and chlorinated organic substance is largely increased. It can be used to treat various environmental pollutants or for some catalytic reactions.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Inventors: Wen-Jauh Chen, Wei-Long Liu, Ting-Kan Tsai, Shu-Huei Hsieh, Jao-Jia Horng
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Patent number: 7247377Abstract: An absorbent composition of matter acts as a carrier for an active ingredient. The active ingredient is gradually released by the carrier in a controlled manner, which is compatible with the environment and current tendencies towards the use of organic and biodegradable products. The carrier is characterized as being particles obtained from the milling, separation, air wash and classification of the different fractions obtained from corncobs. The active ingredient is, for example, an essential oil, such as garlic oil or extract that may be combined with other essential oils for a synergistic effect that results in an improved insecticide/fungicide that is natural and contains no chemical additives. Alternatively, an artificially obtained substitute, for example, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), can be used as a substitute for mustard seed oil.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Inventors: Genaro Casas Jassan, Jose Represas de Almeida
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Patent number: 7247378Abstract: There are provided inorganic/polymer composite particles having good UV-scattering efficiency and improved dispersion stability in organic formulation; and a method for preparing the same, which comprises the following steps of (1) dispersing hydrophobic-treated inorganic particles in monomer and then adding initiator thereto; (2) emulsifying the inorganic dispersion of step (1) in presence of surfactant and dispersion stabilizer; and (3) suspension polymerizing the inorganic/monomer emulsion of step (2), to give inorganic/polymer composite particles.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Amorepacific CorporationInventors: Jin Woong Kim, Jong Won Shim, Young Ha Lee, Han Kon Kim, Hak Hee Kang
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Patent number: 7247379Abstract: Copper chromite particles can advantageously be used as black particles in electrophoretic media and displays. Preferably, the copper chromite particles are coated with a silica coating and a polymer coating.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Anthony Edward Pullen, Thomas H. Whitesides, Charles H. Honeyman, Barrett Comiskey, Jonathan D. Albert
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Patent number: 7247380Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a laminated phase retarder film that is superior in evenness, exhibits a biaxial optical property as a whole, and makes it possible to set the biaxial optical property over a wide range. This object is achieved by a laminated phase retarder film comprising a transparent resin film as a substrate and at least one coat layer having a refractive-index anisotropy laminated on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein a in-plane retardation value (R0) is not less than 20 nm, a retardation value (R?) in the film-thickness direction, which is calculated from a retardation value (R40) measured by inclining by 40 degrees around the slow axis of the film and the in-plane retardation value (R0), is greater than 40 nm.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, LimitedInventor: Akiko Shimizu
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Patent number: 7247381Abstract: An adhesive for bonding and securing a semiconductor chip to a circuit board and electrically connecting the electrodes of the two, and containing 100 parts by weight of an adhesive resin composition and 10 to 200 parts by weight of an adhesive resin composition and 10 to 200 parts by weight of an inorganic filler, a circuit board in which the circuit members are bonded together with the adhesive, and a method of producing the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1998Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd.Inventors: Itsuo Watanabe, Kenzo Takemura, Akira Nagai, Kazuhiro Isaka, Osamu Watanabe, Kazuyoshi Kojima
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Patent number: 7247382Abstract: An article including a panel structure mountable in an automobile vehicle to form a part of the vehicle interior thereof, and a process for making the same are disclosed. According to this process, an outer layer defining at least a portion of the exposed exterior surface of the structure is prepared by applying a first composition containing a thermoplastic polyurethane and a heat-activated crosslinking agent onto a mold surface and thereafter drying the composition. Next, a second composition comprising (i) a poly(vinyl chloride) resin and at least one plasticizer and/or (ii) a thermoplastic polyurethane resin material is gelled onto an inner surface of the outer layer while on the outer layer is retained on the mold surface. The gelled composition is then fused to form an inner layer interfacially chemically bonded to the outer layer. The layered composite structure is united with the reinforcing substrate so that the reinforcing substrate serves to reinforce the outer layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Magna Interior Systems Inc.Inventor: John A. Gardner, Jr.
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Patent number: 7247383Abstract: An integrated window design for optical transmission in combustion environments is described. The invention consists of an integrated optical window design that prevents and removes the accumulation of carbon-based particulate matter and gaseous hydrocarbons through a combination of heat and catalysis. These windows will enable established optical technologies to be applied to combustion environments and their exhaust systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: U.S. Department of EnergyInventors: Michael D. Kass, William P. Partridge, Jr.
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Patent number: 7247384Abstract: The present invention provides for a practical method of grafting oligo- and/or poly(ethyleneglycol) (OEG and/or PEG) derivatives onto hydrogen-terminated silicon surfaces, including the surfaces of silicon scanning probe microscopy (SPM) tips, by hydrosilylation of OEG and/or PEG-terminated alkenes. This invention is related to the development of silicon-based bio-devices, including biochips, biosensors such as SPM probes, microarrays, micro-fluidic systems, and implantable microdevices. This invention is also a practical method to modify (many) SPM probe tips with OEG/PEG derivatives and to subsequently modify the tip apex with functional single molecules to improve the specificity and resolution of AFM imaging and measurements. The functional molecules include the dendritic adsorbates with a functional group at their focal point and with or without a tripod-shaped framework.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: The University of HoustonInventors: Chengzhi Cai, Chi Ming Yam, Zhongdang Xiao, Jianhua Gu
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Patent number: 7247385Abstract: Branched copolymers of polypropylene (PP) and polysilanes are prepared by procedures involving melt phase hydrosilylation. Such branched copolymers may be formed in situ during the melt phase hydrosilylation or may be prepared by subsequent processing. The branched copolymers exhibit superior properties.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: University of WaterlooInventors: Costas Tzoganakis, Hauke Malz
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Patent number: 7247386Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treatment of a retroreflective sheet with a treatment composition that comprises a fluorinated compound having one or more silyl groups and an auxiliary compound selected from the group consisting of (i) one or more non-fluorinated compounds of an element M selected from Si, Ti, Zr, B, Al, Ge, V, Pb and Sn and (ii) an organic compound having a Si—H group. The invention also relates to compositions comprising (i) a fluorinated compound comprising one or more silyl groups and (ii) an auxiliary compound selected from the group consisting of organic compounds having a Si—H group.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gert A. M. Hooftman, Dorothee B. Loosen
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Patent number: 7247387Abstract: This invention provides a chemically coated surface for the plastics surface such as contact lens. The chemical surface coating comprises of at least one addition polymer prepared from addition monomers selected from a group consisting of acrylates and its derivatives, metharylates and its derivatives, styrene and its derivatives, acrylamide, methacrylamide, dimethacrylamide, N-monosubstituted acrylamide, N-monosubstituted methacrylamide, N,N-bissubstituted acrylamide, N,N-bissubstituted methacrylamide, vinyl acetate, vinyl pyrolidone, vinyl ether, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. This invention also provides a chemical process for making the chemically coated surface on the plastics surface. The process comprises: (a) contacting the plastics surface with a coupling agent solution, then (b) contacting the plastics surface with a first living radical polymerizing solution, and optionally (c) contacting the plastics surface with a second living radical polymerizing solution.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Sepax Technologies Inc.Inventor: Xueying Huang
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Patent number: 7247388Abstract: A vulcanizable adhesive composition, which comprises 100 parts by weight of phenolxylylene resin or phenolbiphenyl resin, 10 to 1,000 parts by weight of resol-type phenol resin, 0 to 1,000 parts by weight of novolak-type phenol resin, 10 to 1,000 parts by weight of unvulcanized nitrile rubber and 10 to 500 parts by weight of chlorinated polyethylene, is effectively applied to (hydrogenated) nitrile rubber with a nitrile content of 18 to 48%, and has a suppression effect on a decrease in the adhesiveness even if exposed to dip in various cryogenic liquids such as flon gas, polyalkylene glycol, water, etc. for a long time.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: NOK CorporationInventors: Kiyofumi Fukasawa, Tomohiro Kaise
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Patent number: 7247389Abstract: A heat-shrinkable film includes outer layers containing a polyester resin, and at least one inner layer being arranged between the outer layers and containing an olefinic resin including at least one ethylene-propylene-butene terpolymer. The film has an interlayer bonding strength between the inner layer and the outer layer of 3.0 N/15-mm or more. The inner layer may contain the ethylene-propylene-butene terpolymer in an amount of 45 percent by weight or more based on the total weight of the inner layer. The heat-shrinkable film is excellent in strength, abrasion resistance, solvent resistance, dimensional stability, and optical transparency, exhibits high shrinkability and high flexibility as a result of heating, and thereby yields beautiful finish after shrinkage. The heat-shrinkable film can be suitably recycled after use.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Fuji Seal International Inc.Inventor: Hideaki Umeda
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Patent number: 7247390Abstract: Herein is disclosed an oxygen barrier composition comprising an oxygen barrier polymer and an oxygen scavenging polymer. Preferably, the oxygen barrier polymer is selected from polymers or copolymers of vinyl alcohol, polyesters, polymers or copolymers of vinylidene dichloride, polymers or copolymers of epoxies, polysulfones, polymers or copolymers of acrylonitrile, polymers or copolymers of isocyanates, or polyamides other than MXD6; and the oxygen scavenging polymer either comprises an ethylenic backbone and a cyclic olefinic pendant group of structure I, or a polyester group of structure II or structure III: wherein q1, q2, q3, q4, and r are independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; m is —(CH2)n—, wherein n is an integer from 0 to 4, inclusive; X is null or a linking group; and, when r is hydrogen, at least one of q1, q2, q3, and q4 is also hydrogen. The oxygen barrier composition can be formed into an oxygen barrier layer of a packaging article.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LPInventors: Hu Yang, Ta Yen Ching, Gangfeng Cai
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Patent number: 7247391Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of producing a calendered, coated fibrous web, according to which method a fibrous web is coated with a coating colour containing a coating pigment, and the coated fibrous web is calendered. According to the invention, at least 1%, preferably 10 to 100% of the weight of the pigment comprises calcium oxalate, and calendering the coated web by online calendering. The properties of the calcium oxalate pigment are so advantageous for calendering that it is possible to obtain a reasonably high gloss already with a machine calender (online calendering), which will eliminate need for a separate offline calender in the production line of matt surface papers.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: M-real OyjInventors: Kirsi Nissinen, Petri Silenius
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Patent number: 7247392Abstract: An aluminum alloy heat exchanger having a tube composed of a thin aluminum alloy clad material, wherein, in the clad material, one face of an aluminum alloy core material containing Si 0.05–1.0 mass % is clad with an Al—Si-series filler material containing Si 5–20 mass %, and the other face is clad with a sacrificial material containing Zn 2–10 mass % and/or Mg 1–5 mass %, and wherein an element diffusion profile of the clad material by EPMA satisfies (1) and/or (2): L-LSi-LZn?40(?m) ??(1) L-LSi-LMg?5(?m) ??(2) wherein L is a tube wall thickness (?m); LSi is a position (?m) indicating an amount of Si diffused from the filler material; and LZn and LMg each represent a region (?m) indicating an amount of Zn or Mg diffused from the sacrificial material, respectively; and a method of producing the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignees: Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp., Denso CorporationInventors: Kazumitsu Sugano, Noriyuki Yamada, Akio Niikura, Yoshiaki Ogiwara, Masaki Shimizu, Kenji Negura, Sunao Fukuda, Yoshihiko Kamiya
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Patent number: 7247393Abstract: An intermetallic composition suitable for use as an environmentally-protective coating on surfaces of components used in hostile thermal environments, including the turbine, combustor and augmentor sections of a gas turbine engine. The coating contains the gamma-prime (Ni3Al) nickel aluminide intermetallic phase and either the beta (NiAl) nickel aluminide intermetallic phase or the gamma solid solution phase. The coating has an average aluminum content of 14 to 30 atomic percent and an average platinum-group metal content of at least 1 to less than 10 atomic percent, the balance of the coating being nickel, one or more of chromium, silicon, tantalum, and cobalt, optionally one or more of hafnium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, and cerium, and incidental impurities.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brian Thomas Hazel, Ramgopal Darolia, Brett Allen Rohrer Boutwell, David John Wortman
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Patent number: 7247394Abstract: A color OLED display having at least three different colored microcavity pixels including a light-reflective structure and a semitransparent structure comprising an array of light-emitting microcavity pixels each having one or more common organic light-emitting layers, said light-emitting layer(s) having first, second, and third light-emitting materials that produce different light spectra. The first light-emitting material producing light has a first spectrum portion that is substantially contained within a first color of the array, the second light-emitting material producing light has a second spectrum portion that is substantially contained within a second color that is different from the first color, and the third light-emitting material producing light has a third spectrum portion that is substantially contained within a third color that is different from the first and second colors.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Tukaram K. Hatwar, Jeffrey P. Spindler, Michele L. Ricks, Dustin L. Winters, Joel D. Shore
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Patent number: 7247395Abstract: A magnetic recording medium exhibiting low noise and having a sufficiently high coercive force includes a magnetic layer having a granular structure including ferromagnetic crystal grains with a hexagonal closed packed structure and a nonmagnetic grain boundary region of mainly an oxide intervening between the crystal grains. An underlayer has a body-centered cubic lattice structure. A nonmagnetic intermediate layer with the hexagonal closest packed structure includes Ru, Os, and/or Re, which are provided between the magnetic layer and the underlayer. A degree of mismatching ?=|d1?d2|/d1 is at most 10%, for instance, in a range from 2.5% to 7.0%, where d1 is a spacing of lattice planes of the crystal grains in the magnetic layer and d2 is a spacing of the lattice planes of the crystal grains in the intermediate layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Miyabi Nakamura, Takahiro Shimizu, Hiroyuki Uwazumi, Naoki Takizawa, Tadaaki Oikawa
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Patent number: 7247396Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium including an interlayer structure for crystallographically orienting a layer of a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) perpendicular magnetic recording material formed thereon, comprising in overlying sequence from a surface of a magnetically soft underlayer: (1) a first crystalline layer of a material having a first lattice parameter and a strong preferred growth orientation; (2) a second crystalline layer of a material having a second lattice parameter and the same strong preferred growth orientation as the first crystalline layer; and (3) a third crystalline layer of an hcp material, having a [0002] lattice parameter similar to or different from that of the second lattice parameter of the second crystalline layer and a strong <0002> preferred growth orientation, wherein: the second crystalline layer has a lower interfacial energy with the first crystalline layer and a higher interfacial energy with the third crystalline layer, owing to a lower surface energy of thType: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Thomas Patrick Nolan, Erol Girt, Chunghee Chang, Qixu Chen, Li-Lien Lee
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Patent number: 7247397Abstract: The invention provides a lubricant useful in magnetic recording media and optical recording media comprising a functionalized perfluoropolyether comprising multiple acrylate endgroups. More specifically, the lubricant of the invention is a functionalized perfluoropolyether comprising at least about two acrylate groups. In one embodiment, the lubricant of the invention is a functionalized perfluoropolyether comprising a perfluoropolyether tetraacrylate. A magnetic recording medium is also provided comprising a thin metal magnetic recording layer, said layer having a coating of the functionalized perfluoropolyether lubricant comprising at least about three acrylate end groups.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Imation Corp.Inventor: Ramon F. Hegel
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Patent number: 7247398Abstract: A switching system and control method therefor are provided and implemented with a fuel cell stack system. The switching system enables fuel cell stacks to be connected in series for providing power to a power user while removing the particular disadvantages of a series circuit. In the event of a stack fault, the faulty stack may be bypassed, whereby the remaining stacks provide power to the power user at reduced capacity. The stack is continuously monitored and is reintroduced to the series circuit if the fault clears. If the fault reoccurs a predetermined number of times after the stack has been reintroduced, a “reduced capacity” mode is initiated. Additionally, in the event of a reduced or an increased current demand, stacks are selectively switched in and out of the series connection, for limiting the overall operation voltage range of the fuel cell stack system.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Victor W Logan, James W Dandalides
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Patent number: 7247399Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a body, a fuel cell capable of generating power by chemical reaction and supplying the power to the body, a sensor to sense a tilt of the fuel cell, and a notifying portion to notify a user of information of the tilt sensed by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Akihiro Ozeki
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Patent number: 7247400Abstract: A polymer solid electrolyte type fuel cell includes an internal electrode in an ion exchange membrane made of a proton conductor, a voltage application device provided between the internal electrode and one of a fuel electrode and an oxidizer electrode. Applying voltage to the internal electrode makes it possible to control fuel and/or oxidizer movements in the electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yosuke Oyabe, Shinji Nezu, Naoki Ito
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Patent number: 7247401Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided that comprises a fuel cell for powering an electrical load, an oxidant supply device for supplying oxidant to the fuel cell, an energy storage device for providing at least temporary electrical power to drive the oxidant supply device and to the electrical load, and a control device which, in response to an increased power demand from the electrical load, directs the energy storage device to provide electrical power to the oxidant supply device, and then, when an increase in fuel cell power output has been detected, directs the energy storage device to provide electrical power to the electrical load. Methods for operating the fuel cell system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: NuCellSys GmbHInventors: Markus Aberle, Joachim Blum
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Patent number: 7247402Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generator and method for forming the same. More specifically, the present invention comprises a chamber containing a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), with a spiral-wound counter-current heat exchanger encompassing the chamber. The spiral-wound counter-current heat exchanger includes a first inlet and an outlet, where both the first inlet and the outlet are connected with the chamber such that reactants introduced into the power generator flow into the first inlet and past the SOFC, where the reactants react to produce energy and reaction products. The reaction products thereafter transfer heat to the reactants and subsequently exit through the outlet. A reactor can be positioned downstream of the SOFC for converting reactants not reacted by the SOFC.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Sossina Haile, Paul Ronney, Zongping Shao
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Patent number: 7247403Abstract: A nitridation treated stainless steel article (such as a bipolar plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell) having lower interfacial contact electrical resistance and better corrosion resistance than an untreated stainless steel article is disclosed. The treated stainless steel article has a surface layer including nitrogen-modified chromium-base oxide and precipitates of chromium nitride formed during nitridation wherein oxygen is present in the surface layer at a greater concentration than nitrogen. The surface layer may further include precipitates of titanium nitride and/or aluminum oxide. The surface layer in the treated article is chemically heterogeneous surface rather than a uniform or semi-uniform surface layer exclusively rich in chromium, titanium or aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Michael P. Brady, Heli Wang, John A. Turner
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Patent number: 7247404Abstract: An electrolyte in a lithium secondary battery includes an alkyl ammonium salt having a cation of the following Formula 1, a lithium salt, and an organic solvent: wherein R1 to R4 are independently a C1 to C6 alkyl, a C2 to C6 alkenyl, or substituents thereof. The lithium secondary battery has improved cycle life, high rate characteristics, and a high energy density due to an increase of the average discharge voltage at a high rate.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yongju Jung, Seok Kim, Jan-Dee Kim
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Patent number: 7247405Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery which comprises a positive electrode including carbon fluoride or sulfur as an active material, a negative electrode including calcium as an active material, and an electrolyte including an imide salt of calcium or a sulfonic acid salt of calcium.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Inoue, Masaharu Itaya, Masahide Miyake, Masahisa Fujimoto
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Patent number: 7247406Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy. The method includes the step of contacting the hydrogen storage alloy with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide where the concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide is at least about 42 weight percent. The method produces a hydrogen storage alloy with increased surface area.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Reichman, William Mays, Michael A. Fetcenko
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Patent number: 7247407Abstract: An electrode containing zinc-based particles suspended in a fluid medium is disclosed. The zinc-based particles have a multi-modal distribution, such as a bi-modal distribution, of particle sizes, particle morphologies and/or particle compositions. The electrode can be used as the anode in an alkaline battery, such as a primary alkaline battery.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Richard Edward Durkot, Lifun Lin, Peter Bayard Harris
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Patent number: 7247408Abstract: Provided is an anode for use in electrochemical cells, wherein the anode active layer has a first layer comprising lithium metal and a multi-layer structure comprising single ion conducting layers and polymer layers in contact with the first layer comprising lithium metal or in contact with an intermediate protective layer, such as a temporary protective metal layer, on the surface of the lithium-containing first layer. Another aspect of the invention provides an anode active layer formed by the in-situ deposition of lithium vapor and a reactive gas. The anodes of the current invention are particularly useful in electrochemical cells comprising sulfur-containing cathode active materials, such as elemental sulfur.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Sion Power CorporationInventors: Terje A. Skotheim, Christopher J. Sheehan, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, John Affinito
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Patent number: 7247409Abstract: The hydrogen storage alloy electrode comprises: a conductive core material; and an active material layer which contains a hydrogen storage alloy powder and is carried on said core material, and the alloy powder has any shape selected from the group consisting of spherical shapes, substantially spherical shapes and oval shapes. The core material comprises: a conductive sheet; and fibrous or columnar sintered nickel pieces bonded to the surface of the conductive sheet. Alternatively, the active material layer comprises: an active material layer A which contains a hydrogen storage alloy powder A with a mean particle size “a” and is carried on said core material; and an active material layer B which contains a hydrogen storage alloy powder B with a mean particle size “b” and is carried on said active material layer A (wherein a<b). Alternatively, the active material layer further contains a crushed alloy powder having on the surface thereof at least one selected from the group consisting of nickel and cobalt.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazutaka Ikeda, Susumu Kikuyama, Akiko Miyahara, Kohji Yuasa
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Patent number: 7247410Abstract: A complementary division method able to suppress a pattern deformation by wet washing, having the steps of determining a definite division length able to suppress the pattern deformation when wet washing to a width and distance of a pattern that is assumed the pattern deformation over an elasticity limit is easiest given by wet washing in advance, dividing the entire line-and-space patterns at the determined division length in the longitudinal direction to divide suitably the line-and-space pattern by a simple algorithm, and further providing a method of producing a mask and program.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yoko Watanabe, Shinji Omori
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Patent number: 7247411Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a first insulating substrate, thin film transistors formed on the first insulating substrate, and pixel electrodes connected to the thin film transistors each with an opening pattern. A second insulating substrate faces the first insulating substrate. A black matrix and color filters are formed on the second insulating substrate, and a common electrode covers the black matrix and the color filters. A protrusion pattern is formed on the common electrode. The protrusion pattern is pillar-shaped with top and bottom sides. The top and bottom sides of the protrusion pattern are shaped with a circle, a rectangle, or a rectangle with curved edges. The protrusion pattern includes a protrusion having a relatively small thickness, and a protrusion having a relatively large thickness. The former protrusion is used for domain partitioning, and the latter protrusion is used as a spacer.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jang-Kun Song
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Patent number: 7247412Abstract: An embodiment includes a method of correcting deviations of critical dimensions of patterns formed on a wafer in an extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) process. The embodiment includes preparing a reflection photo mask having a reflection layer and absorption patterns that are formed on the reflection layer to define reflection regions therebetween. An exposure process is performed using the reflection photo mask, thereby forming the patterns on the wafer. Critical dimensions of the patterns are measured. A reference critical dimension is set based on the measured critical dimensions of the patterns. Critical dimension deviations are determined by comparing the measured critical dimensions of the patterns with the reference critical dimension. Energy beams having energies corresponding to the critical dimension deviations are locally irradiated onto the reflection layer, thus locally varying the thickness of the reflection layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Myoung-Soo Lee
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Patent number: 7247413Abstract: An electrostatic latent-image developing toner comprising: a core particle and a shell layer formed on an outer portion thereof, wherein the shell layer comprises a crystalline polyester resin having a softening point from 60 to 120° C. at 70 to 100% by weight of the entire shell-layer constituent resin, and an image-forming method using the toner.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenichi Kido, Junji Machida, Masahiro Anno, Atsushi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 7247414Abstract: A method for producing resin particles mainly made of a resin material using a dispersion liquid in which a dispersoid containing the resin material is finely dispersed in a dispersion medium, the method comprising a dispersion medium removing step which comprises ejecting the dispersion liquid from a head portion in the form of droplets into a solidifying portion, conveying the droplets in the solidifying portion to remove the dispersion medium, and obtaining agglomerates each of which is composed of two ore more fine particles derived from the dispersoid, and a bonding step for welding and bonding the fine particles which constitute each of the agglomerates, thereby obtaining resin particles. The resin particles can be used for manufacturing a toner.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Satoru Miura, Koji Akioka, Ken Ikuma
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Patent number: 7247415Abstract: Toner particles are prepared by a process comprising providing an extrusion apparatus; adding resin particles and additive particles to a supply means in the extrusion apparatus; adding the resin particles and the additive particles to a blending chamber in the extrusion apparatus, which blending chamber is maintained at a temperature of from about 50° C. to about 120° C.; blending the resin particles and the additive particles to form a mixture; extruding the resin particles to form extruded material; injecting liquid substances, which have a lower boiling point than the melt temperature of the resin particles, into the blending chamber during extrusion without the application of a vacuum to remove the liquid substances prior to extrusion; and grinding the extruded material to form toner particles.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Mark E. Mang, Joseph L. Leonardo, Hui Chang, Robert R. Heim
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Patent number: 7247416Abstract: The invention relates to color toner compositions prepared from a process for the preparation of a dry toner powder from an aqueous pigment concentrate dispersion comprising: blending at least an aqueous-based pigment concentrate dispersion and a resin to produce a paste; charging the paste to an extruder to generate an extruded pigment/resin mixture; dispersing the extruded pigment/resin mixture in a low boiling organic medium to create an organic phase; dispersing the organic phase in an aqueous phase containing a particulate stabilizer and mixing the organic phase and the aqueous phase at elevated temperature and under shear force to form toner particles of a controlled size and shape; removing the organic solvent and particulate stabilizer from the formed particles; and washing, drying, and collecting the particles for use as a dry toner powder.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Nu-kote International, Inc.Inventors: Bing B Hsieh, Richard J. Thompson
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Patent number: 7247417Abstract: The present invention provides an optical recording medium that includes a recording layer composed mainly of an organic compound and can utilize blue-violet semiconductor laser light (390 to 420 nm in wavelength) as recording/reproducing laser light. The present invention also provides an optical recording/reproducing method using the optical recording medium. The optical recording medium 1 comprises at least a supporting substrate 2; a recording layer 3 on the supporting substrate 2, the recording layer 3 containing an organic compound as a major component; and a light-transmitting layer 5 on the recording layer 3, the light-transmitting layer 5 being capable of transmitting laser light with a wavelength of 390 to 420 nm for recording and reproducing information.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Narutoshi Fukuzawa, Takashi Horai, Hiroshi Take
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Patent number: 7247418Abstract: Both single-layer and multilayer imageable elements have a substrate and at least one imageable layer. The elements can be used to prepare either negative- or positive-working imaged elements, for example as lithographic printing plates. The imageable elements also include a radiation absorbing compound and a solvent-resistant polymer comprising pendant phosphoric acid groups, pendant adamantyl groups, or both. When this polymer comprises pendant adamantyl groups, they are connected to the polymer backbone through a urea or urethane group. The imageable elements have improved chemical resistance and thermal bakeability from the presence of the unique solvent-resistant polymer.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Shashikant Saraiya, Jayanti Patel, Ting Tao, Kevin B Ray, Frederic E. Mikell, James L. Mulligan, John Kalamen, Scott A. Beckley, Eric Clark
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Patent number: 7247419Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoresist composition suitable for image-wise exposure and development as a negative photoresist comprising a negative photoresist composition and an inorganic particle material having an average particle size equal or greater than 10 nanometers, wherein the thickness of the photoresist coating film is greater than 5 microns. The negative photoresist composition is selected from (1) a composition comprising (i) a resin binder, (ii) a photoacid generator, and (iii) a cross-linking agent; or (2) a composition comprising (i) a resin binder, (ii) optionally, addition-polymerizeable, ethylenically unsaturated compound(s) and (iii) a photoinitiator; or (3) a composition comprising (i) a photopolymerizable compound containing at least two pendant unsaturated groups; (ii) ethylenically unsaturated photopolymerizable polyalkylene oxide hydrophilic compound(s); and (iii) a photoinitiator.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: AZ Electronic Materials USA Corp.Inventors: Chunwei Chen, Ping-Hung Lu, Hong Zhuang, Mark Neisser