Patents Issued in September 4, 2007
  • Patent number: 7264732
    Abstract: A continuous ammonium removal system comprising generally an ion-exchange medium, a brine source, and an oxidative reactor. The reactor can operate with ozone as an oxidant and bromide as an oxidation catalyst. Brine recycles continuously from the reactor to the ion-exchange medium for further ammonium removal. Modular components for inline static mixing, degassing, heat exchange, flow control and electrocoagulation affect ammonium removal from waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: New Earth Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk D. Bradley
  • Patent number: 7264733
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating heavy-metal-containing wastewater using a sulfidizing agent. Sulfidizing treatment is carried out by adding a sulfidizing agent to heavy-metal-containing wastewater, while detecting hydrogen sulfide gas generated from the wastewater, such as to maintain a state in which hydrogen sulfide gas is just starting to be generated from the wastewater. When separately recovering each of a plurality of metals from wastewater in which are mixed ions of the plurality of metals, there is repeated for each of the metals a process in which the acidity of the wastewater is adjusted to within a range suitable for the metal to be separated out and recovered, a sulfidizing reaction is carried out on that metal, and the metal sulfide produced is precipitated and filtered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Aquatech Corporation
    Inventors: Toyokazu Matsunami, Akifusa Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 7264734
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating dredged material in which liquid is first added to the dredged material, and dewatering the dredged material to obtain a filtrate and a solid portion. Contaminants are removed from the dredged material by at least one oxidation process. The solid portion may be used to form structural articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: AGL Resources
    Inventors: Joseph M. Kelly, Daniel J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7264735
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing drinking water having a reduced cluster width and being capable of emitting FIR (Far Infrared Rays) energy by using a solution derived by chemical treatment of a charge generating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Won Song Lee
  • Patent number: 7264736
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and a device for the removal of non-water soluble substances from solutions of aqueous metal extracts, by addition of at least one water-soluble cationic polyelectrolyte, containing a diallylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamide, neutralized or quaternised with mineral acid and subsequently polymerized, preferably dimethylaminopropylacrylamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventor: Detlef Kuboth
  • Patent number: 7264737
    Abstract: A water treatment system and method including a membrane-based boron removal unit includes a boron analyzer for detecting the concentration of boron in a treatment stream. The boron removal unit can be a reverse osmosis (RO) or electrodeionization (EDI) treatment unit. A controller responds to the detected boron concentration to control an operation of the RO or EDI units. In an EDI system, the controller may adjust current or voltage supplied to match current to changes in ionic load and maintain a portion of the dilute cell in a substantially regenerated state. In an RO system, the controller may control the high pressure side flow rate, the brine blowdown rate, the product water permeation rate, pH, or feed rate of chemicals in response to the detected boron concentration value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ionics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard D. Godec, Robert J. Ritz, William W. Carson, Thomas J. Susa
  • Patent number: 7264738
    Abstract: The present invention relates to gaseous discharge and applied biotechnology. In particularly, the present invention relates to a method for killing organisms in the course of conveying ballast water in ship, comprising applying a voltage with frequency of 400-40000 Hz between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode of the free radical generator, thereby forming strong ionization discharge of electric field strength of 250-600 Td between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, ionizing, dissociating, and exciting O2 and H2O, or O2, processing into active particles comprising O3, OH. and HO2, dissolving excitedly to obtain free radical solution mainly consisted of OH, adding the free radical solution to conveying pipeline of ballast water, conveying for 2-20 s in the pipeline, thereby killing organisms of ballast water selected from the group consisted of bacteria, single cell alga, and protozoan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Dalian Maritime University
    Inventors: Mindong Bai, Xiyao Bai, Xiaojian Zhou, Zhitao Zhang, Mindi Bai, Bo Yang, Chengwu Yi
  • Patent number: 7264739
    Abstract: A dendrimer complex comprising a dendrimer and an antimicrobial agent with the dendrimer complex placeable directly into a fluid to inhibit growth of microbes or rid the fluid of microbes. In a further embodiment of the invention the dendrimer complex is secured to a carrier, which is placed in a body of fluid and allowed to dispense the antimicrobial agent into the fluid. Once the antimicrobial agent is dispensed, the dendrimer complex can be removed and recycled to add functional groups to the dendrimer so that the dendrimer can be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph A. King, John E. Hill
  • Patent number: 7264740
    Abstract: A method is described for the surface treatment of metals to improve the strength, flexibility and fatigue life of the metal, which in a preferred embodiment includes the steps of thoroughly cleaning and drying the metal surface, etching the surface of the metal to remove sharp apexes and ends of cracks in the metal surface, water rinsing and drying the metal surface, and coating the surface with a low water miscible, water displacing, low surface tension corrosion preventive compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: David Hughes Horne
  • Patent number: 7264741
    Abstract: A coater having a substrate cleaning device is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of processing substrates in a coater equipped with a substrate cleaning device. The substrate cleaning device comprises an ion gun (i.e., an ion source) that is positioned beneath a path of substrate travel (e.g., beneath a substrate support) extending through the coater and that is adapted for treating a bottom major surface of a substrate. Certain embodiments involve an upward coating apparatus that is further along the path of substrate travel than the substrate cleaning device. In some embodiments of this nature, the upward coating apparatus is configured for depositing a photocatalytic coating upwardly onto the bottom major surface of the substrate. Certain embodiments of the invention involve a downward coating apparatus, wherein the substrate cleaning device is further along the path of substrate travel than the downward coating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Cardinal CG Company
    Inventor: Klaus Hartig
  • Patent number: 7264742
    Abstract: A method for removing at least a portion of a structure, such as a layer, film, or deposit, including ruthenium metal and/or ruthenium dioxide includes contacting the structure with a material including ceric ammonium nitrate. A material for removing ruthenium metal and amorphous ruthenium dioxide includes ceric ammonium nitrate and may be in the form of an aqueous solution including ceric ammonium nitrate and, optionally, other solid or liquid solutes providing desired properties. In one application, the method and material may be utilized to etch, shape, or pattern layers or films of ruthenium metal and/or ruthenium dioxide in the fabrication of semiconductor systems and their elements, components, and devices, such as wires, electrical contacts, word lines, bit lines, interconnects, vias, electrodes, capacitors, transistors, diodes, and memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 7264743
    Abstract: A method for forming fin structures is provided. Sacrificial structures are provided on a substrate. Fin structures are formed on the sides of the sacrificial structures. The forming of the fin structures comprises a plurality of cycles, wherein each cycle comprises a fin deposition phase and a fin profile shaping phase. The sacrificial structure is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Zhi-Song Huang, S. M. Reza Sadjadi
  • Patent number: 7264744
    Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic and a piezoelectric device capable of being fired at a low temperature and improving piezoelectric properties are provided. The piezoelectric ceramic and the piezoelectric device includes Pba[(Znb/3Nb2/3)xTiyZrz]O3 (where 0.94?a?1.02, 1<b?3, x+y+z=1, 0.05?x<0.125, 0.275<y?0.5, 0.375<z?0.6) or (PbeĀ·fMef)[(Zng/3Nb2/3)uTivZrw]O3 (where 0.96?e?1.03, 0.01?f?0.1, 1<g?3, u+v+w=1, 0.05?u<0.125, 0.275<v?0.5, 0.375<w?0.6, and Me indicates Sr, Ba or Ca). When an excessive amount of Zn is included, the firing temperature can be lower, and the piezoelectric properties can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Nanao, Masahito Furukawa, Hideya Sakamoto, Takeo Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7264745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Disclosed herein are 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-nonafluoro-1-hexene compositions for use in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, particularly in centrifugal compressor systems. Also disclosed are 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-nonafluoro-1-hexene in combination with hydrofluorocarbons, which are azeotropic or near azeotropic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mario Joseph Nappa, Barbara Haviland Minor, Allen Capron Sievert, Velliyur Nott Mallikarjuna Rao
  • Patent number: 7264746
    Abstract: A urea based granule blend configured for ice-melting and reducing granule caking, the blend comprising substantially pure urea granules comprising an ice-melting property and formaldehyde coated urea granules configured for reducing granule caking, wherein the blend is configured for ice-melting when in use and reducing granule caking when in storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Basic Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Robert M. Sands, Lawrence N. Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 7264747
    Abstract: A microporous diffuser includes a first elongated member including at least one sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings. The sidewall defines an interior hollow portion of the member. The diffuser has a second elongated member having a second sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings, the second member being disposed through the hollow region of the first member. The diffuser includes an end cap to seal a first end of the microporous diffuser and an inlet cap disposed at a second end of microporous diffuser for receiving inlet fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: William B. Kerfoot
  • Patent number: 7264748
    Abstract: A storage-stable aqueous miniemulsion whose disperse phase comprises a cholesteric mixture is prepared and is used for coating and printing on suitable substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhold J. Leyrer, Dhruva Ramkumar, Holger Schoepke
  • Patent number: 7264749
    Abstract: The present invention relates to alkyne compounds of the formula I P1—Y1-A1-Y3-(T1-B1-)m-T3-C?C-T4-(B2-T2-)n-Y4-A2-Y2—P2 ??(I) in which P1, P2 are each, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C12-alkyl, a polymerizable group or a group suitable for polymerization or a radical which carries a polymerizable group or a group suitable for polymerization, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 are each, independently of one another, a linking unit, B1, B2 are each, independently of one another, —C?C— or a linking group as defined for Y1 to Y4, A1, A2 are each, independently of one another, a single chemical bond or a spacer having from one to 30 carbon atoms, T1, T2, T3, T4 are each, independently of one another, a divalent saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic radical, and m, n are each, independently of one another, 0 or 1, with the proviso that at least one of the linking units Y3 or Y4 is a group —O—CO—O—, —O—CO—N(R)—, —(R)N—CO—O— or —(R)N—CO—N(R)—.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Parker, Norbert Schneider, Gerhard Wagenblast, Ruediger Sens
  • Patent number: 7264750
    Abstract: When produced as a single crystal ingot, a rare earth silicate single crystal 1 can be formed by cutting out from the single crystal ingot. The single crystal 1 has a crystal face F100 whose Miller indices can be determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystal face F100 is composed of a plurality of smooth partial region surfaces (for example, the partial region surface f100A and partial region surface f100B), the plurality of partial region surfaces each have an area detectable by X-ray diffraction, and the angles ? formed between the normal vectors of the plurality of partial region surfaces satisfy the following inequality: 0.1°???2.0°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Kurashige, Naoaki Shimura, Hiroyuki Ishibashi, Akihiro Gunji, Mitsushi Kamada
  • Patent number: 7264751
    Abstract: A yellow ZnS-based phosphor having improved color coordinates and luminance for use in intermediate- and low-voltage display devices using improved activators and coactivators has color coordinates (x, y) shifting to a yellow emission as the amount of an activator is increased. Therefore, the ZnS: (Au or Cu), In phosphor can be advantageously utilized for various display applications including vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs) and field emission displays (FEDs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sanghyuk Lee, Sanghoon Shin, Yongchan You, Joayoung Jeong
  • Patent number: 7264752
    Abstract: Conductive coatings usable for coating various elements of corona generating devices and method of forming such coatings are provided. The coatings include graphite and at least one transition metal oxide catalyst. When the conductive coatings are employed in elements of corona generating devices and the devices are activated, the conductivity of the elements is maintained in a manner that preserves the ability of a photoreceptor in an image forming device to retain an image charge in a fashion sufficient to allow subsequent development with toner. The coatings also function to scavenge ozone and neutralize nitrogen oxides formed during operation of corona generating devices. Corona generating devices including elements having such coatings are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Stephan V. Drappel
  • Patent number: 7264753
    Abstract: High resistance PEDT/PSS buffer layers are provided for use in electroluminescent devices such as, e.g., OLEDs. In accordance with another embodiment, there are provided OLEDs comprising high resistance PEDT/PSS buffer layers. In accordance with a further embodiment, methods have been developed for decreasing the conductivity of a PEDT/PSS layer cast from aqueous solution onto a substrate, by adding a cyclic ether co-solvent to the aqueous solution of PEDT/PSS prior to casting. In one embodiment, there are provided methods for decreasing the inherent conductivity of a PEDT/PSS layer cast onto a substrate so that this material can be used as an intermediate buffer layer in red, green, blue organic light emitting diodes (RGB OLEDs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Chi Zhang
  • Patent number: 7264755
    Abstract: An adjustable mold includes a distortable boundary, a flexible membrane, and a pressurizer, and method of use thereof. Pressure is applied to the flexible membrane, which causes the membrane to distort over the boundary. The shape of the boundary and the distortion of the flexible membrane control the optical characteristics of a lens resulting from the application and curing of a molding composition placed on the flexible membrane or to cast other items having variable shapes determined in part by the flexible membrane. In addition, a mold edge is used to allow casting in predetermined shapes, reducing need for grinding or edging. Visual and emission device calibration features used in conjunction with calibration reference images allow uniform selective distortion of the flexible membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Low Cost Eyesglasses, Inc.
    Inventor: Saul Griffith
  • Patent number: 7264756
    Abstract: The invention provides at a relatively low cost a carbon substrate that is formed from an opaque material and that has an extremely flat surface so that optical measurements can be made on the substrate. Graphite powder with a particle size of 10 ?m or less is mixed in a thermosetting resin such as a furan resin, and the mixture is molded into a sheet and calcined at 1400° C. in an inert atmosphere to produce a carbon substrate whose surface is then ground flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Suda, Atsunori Satake, Kunitaka Yamada, Hiroko Kaneko, Kaoru Kato
  • Patent number: 7264757
    Abstract: A controllable microscopic bubble nucleation in fluid polymer material production method and apparatus utilizing a gas pipe disposed in the conveyance screw shaft of an injection or extraction forming mechanism and a microbubble generating component, such as a microscopic perforation vented metal head or a microscopic perforation ceramic head, installed at the front extremity of the conveyance screw shaft. At the rear extremity of the gas pipe, a pressurization pump or a high pressure gas storage tank is admitted from an air intake opening, enabling the gas to be indirectly heated by an electric heater on the materials pipe. The high temperature gas is thereafter outputted from the microscopic perforations of the microbubble generating component such that high temperature microscopic bubbles are directly admitted into the section of liquid polymer material which is then uniformly amalgamated by the conveyance screw shaft and then deposited into a forming die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Everfocus Worldwide Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Tsung Chang, David William Hind
  • Patent number: 7264758
    Abstract: An electrical connector and a method for producing the same are described. A metallic wire is provided. The metallic is folded into a predetermined shape by upper and lower formation devices. One of the formation devices is replaced by a mold, and an insulative material is poured into the mold to cover part of the metallic wire and form a contact end protruding out of the insulative material. Thus, the electrical connector has an insulative housing and a plurality of metallic wires partially disposed inside the insulative housing with a contact end protruding out of the insulative housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Ted Ju
  • Patent number: 7264759
    Abstract: A grip for a sporting implement is formed of two rubber materials having different durometer rating and formed in a compression molded process. An underlisting is injection molded from one relatively hard rubber material providing desired torsional resistance and then an outer rubber layer is compression molded to the underlisting with the outer layer being having a durometer rating for providing desired tactile characteristics to the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Lamkin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E Lamkin
  • Patent number: 7264760
    Abstract: Tips of the lug portions of a board touch the bottom of the opening between projecting portions and step portions, when the upper mold and the lower mold are fit together with a battery and board inserted. Thus the board is retained in position in the molds certainly. After the molds are fit together, polyamide resin is injected into a molding space from a resin-material-injecting orifice provided in the upper mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kawabata, Hiroki Teraoka, Mikitaka Tamai, Hiroshi Osaka
  • Patent number: 7264761
    Abstract: An improved molded plastic elbow and a related mold assembly and manufacturing method are provided, wherein the elbow defines an internal flow path having a smoothly radiused inside turn. The elbow is formed by injecting plastic material into a tubular mold cavity formed by closed mold members in cooperation with a pair of slidably retractable core units of circular cross section and having distal ends in mating, angularly set end-to-end contact to form the internal flow path having a turn formed along the length thereof. Each core unit comprises an outer core pin to form an outer portion of the flow path and including a ramped track for slide-fit mounting of an inner slide segment which forms an inner portion of the flow path and further includes a curved inside edge to form a portion of the smoothly radiused inside turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: David V. Evans, Mark M. Ensworth
  • Patent number: 7264762
    Abstract: A process of making conductive polymeric fibers by electrospinning fibers from a blend of polymers dissolved in an organic solvent includes generating a high voltage electric field between oppositely charged polymer fluid in a glass syringe (4) with a capillary tip (5) and a metallic collection screen (2) and causing a polymer jet (3) to flow to the screen (2) as solvent evaporates and collecting fibers on the screen (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignees: Drexel University, Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Frank K. Ko, Alan G. MacDiarmid, Ian D. Norris, Manal Shaker, Ryzard M. Lec
  • Patent number: 7264763
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of compacts from comminuted material (12) such as lignocellulose material and/or other combustible material for burning in hearths, wherein the material (12) is placed into openings (11) of a mold (4) and then compressed to form compacts. The filling of a mold (4) with the material (12) and the compaction of the material (10) to form compacts (10) is performed in the pressing chamber (18) of a multi-platen press (1) with plungers (7) plunging into many openings (11) of a mold (4), and after compaction the mold (4) with the ram (3) is raised and additionally urged against the ram, while the finished compacts are driven out of the mold and then are pushed out of the press chamber (18) into a container (16) by an ejecting device. Moreover, an installation for the practice of the method includes a hopper (9) and a multi-platen press (1) with a mold raising-and-lowering device (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Dieffenbacher GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Gernot von Haas, Detlef Kroll
  • Patent number: 7264764
    Abstract: The manufacturing method of the invention manufactures a fuel filler pipe (branching pipe), where a breather pipe is branched off from a filler pipe main body. The manufacturing method extrudes a first extruded tubular member and a second extruded tubular member, conveys molds arranged on both sides of the first extruded tubular member and the second extruded tubular member, and forms the first extruded tubular member and the second extruded tubular member corresponding to molding surfaces of the molds, so as to mold the filler pipe main body and the breather pipe. The manufacturing method then thermally welds part of the second extruded tubular member with an outer wall of the first extruded tubular member and closes an opening end of the breather pipe to form a welding joint portion. A connection hole for connecting the conduit of the filler pipe main body with the conduit of the breather pipe is formed in the welding joint portion with a tool inserted through an opening of the filler pipe main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Natsushi Miura, Zenichi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7264765
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for smelting titanium metal by the thermal reduction of titanium oxide (TiO2) to titanium metal (Ti); a mixed salt of calcium chloride (CaCl2) and calcium oxide (CaO) contained in a reaction vessel is heated to form a molten salt which constitutes a reaction region, the molten salt in the reaction region is electrolyzed thereby converting the molten salt into a strongly reducing molten salt containing monovalent calcium ions (Ca+) and/or calcium (Ca), titanium oxide is supplied to the strongly reducing molten salt and the titanium oxide is reduced and the resulting titanium metal is deoxidized by the monovalent calcium ions and/or calcium. The method and the apparatus make it feasible to produce commercially titanium metal suitable for a variety of applications from titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Light Metal Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Ono, Ryosuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7264766
    Abstract: A feed apparatus feed apparatus for delivering particulate material to a foundry furnace having disposed therein a furnace form defining an annulus with the furnace exterior wall for receipt of the particulate material. The novel feed apparatus broadly includes a cover, having a top end, side wall, and a bottom end, the latter of which is adapted to fit on top of the furnace ring or melt deck floor; a rotatable tabletop that is adapted to fit on the top end of the cover while permitting air ingress into the cover and having at least one access port for delivering the particulate material into the interior of the cover; a form top that is adapted to fit within the cover on top of the furnace form to facilitate delivery of said particulate material into the annulus made by the furnace form and the furnace exterior wall; means for rotating the tabletop about the centerline of the cover; and means for centering the tabletop as it rotates about the centerline of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: David M. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7264767
    Abstract: A process and a device serve for decreasing the oxygen content of a copper melt. One or more flushing plugs, from which a scavenging gas emerges, are arranged in the perpendicular direction in the lower region of the copper melt. The scavenging gas ascends into the copper melt, and the copper melt itself is electrically stirred. The copper is initially melted in a shaft furnace, and then it is led to a treatment furnace via a transportation channel. As a result of flowing out of the flushing plugs, the scavenging gas ascends into the copper melt both in the region of the transportation channel and also in the region of the treatment furnace. The scavenging gas flows out of at least one of the flushing plugs with a composition corresponding to 30% to 70% reducing gas and 70% to 30% inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Norddeutsche Affinerie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinrich Schliefer, Alexander Khoury, Stefan Schneider
  • Patent number: 7264768
    Abstract: A device for magnetically annealing magnetoresistive elements formed on wafers includes a heated chuck and a delivery mechanism for individually placing the wafers individually on the chuck one at a time. A coil is adjacent to the chuck and generates a magnetic field after the wafer is heated to a NƩel temperature of an anti-ferromagnetic layer. A control system regulates the temperature of the heated chuck, the strength of the magnetic field, and a time period during which each chuck is heated to control the annealing process. The annealed elements are incorporated in the fabrication of magnetic memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Tuttle, Ronald A. Weimer
  • Patent number: 7264769
    Abstract: An apparatus for the delivery of molten metal includes a container that is pivotably supported by a transportable support structure. An actuator mounted upon the support structure and connected to the container is operable to pivot the container relative to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Umberto Afeltra, Miro Potparic
  • Patent number: 7264770
    Abstract: A method for mitigating stress corrosion cracking of a component exposed to a high temperature water in a high temperature water system is provided. The method comprises the steps of lowering corrosion potential conditions to a desired low corrosion potential in the high temperature water environment; and introducing a first material comprising zinc into the high temperature water environment, such that the desired low corrosion potential facilitates transport of the first material into cracks in a structure communicative with the high temperature water environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Louis Andresen, Young-Jin Kim, Sam Hettiarachchi, Thomas Pompilio Diaz, Thomas Martin Angeliu, Martin Mathew Morra
  • Patent number: 7264771
    Abstract: The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized components having at least one terminal end each for attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent by bonding the contacting components together using either a solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer, or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made within an active sterile field. Using a low-voltage electron beam instrument, such as the MIN-EBā„¢, a suitable sterile field sphere can be created. The terminal ends of the multiple components remain within the sterile field sphere until the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold C. Bilstad, Bradley H. Buchanan, Alan W. Martilla, Archie Woodworth
  • Patent number: 7264772
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for sterilizing cross-linked gelatin as well as to sterilized cross-linked gelatin. In particular, the methods of this invention employ E-beam sterilization techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ashby, Eduardo C. Sing, Richard J. Greff
  • Patent number: 7264773
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating a homogeneous aqueous mist solution containing a solvent such as water and a biocide agent such as chlorine dioxide, which would otherwise be unstable. The unstable biocide agent or chlorine dioxide is quickly dissolved or mixed with a mist of solvent causing the biocide agent to co-exist or co-mist therewith. The mist microencapsulates the biocide gas so that it does not decompose in the fumigation volume or space. The resulting homogenous mist solution provides a mist for delivering the biocide agent in a chemically stable form. Methods for mixing the separately generated mist and biocide gas include combining the mists in a Y-tube and then mixing the combination in a baffled mixing chamber, combining the mists in an area above their points of generation and then further mixing, and providing a series of mist generation units connected by a conduit for a carrier medium to pass to and connect the units and cause the mists to combine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Nanomist Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kayyani C. Adiga, Rajani Adiga
  • Patent number: 7264774
    Abstract: A method of sanitizing a drain having a drain conduit with a drain trap therein and an improved floor drain for use in the method of sanitizing. The method comprises the steps of (a) temporarily blocking the drain conduit at a position downstream of the trap and (b) at least partially back-filling the drain upstream of the blocked position with a sanitizing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: David Howard
  • Patent number: 7264775
    Abstract: An igniter assembly for a pulsed flame photometric detector having a filament comprising a resistive heating wire between about 0.08 millimeter and about 0.40 millimeter in diameter wound into a coil having an inner diameter between about 0.40 millimeter and about 3.2 millimeters. The filament has an applied protective coating of an alloy of gold and palladium. The filament is detachably connected to a cable and connector assembly that connects the filament to a source of power in the pulsed flame photometric detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith D. Wilson, Stephen B. Cummins, Douglas C. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7264776
    Abstract: A biological sample collection and test kit and a method of using the kit are disclosed in the application. The kit includes a swab, having a sample collection portion, a cover for covering the sample collection portion of the swab for hygienic purpose. Also disclosed is a package for the swab and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventors: Huiyan Guo, Hsaioho Edward Tung, Shaomin Sun, Yuchang Wu, Rong Yang, Yun Ling
  • Patent number: 7264777
    Abstract: A method of quantitatively determining surface area of a sample uses polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) dispersed in a solution containing the sample, and determining the amount of PVP that has deposited on the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: Alex E. Blum, Dennis D. Eberl
  • Patent number: 7264778
    Abstract: Carbon monoxide sensors suitable for use in hydrogen feed streams and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The sensors are palladium metal/insulator/semiconductor (Pd-MIS) sensors which may possess a gate metal layer having uniform, Type 1, or non-uniform, Type 2, film morphology. Type 1 sensors display an increased sensor response in the presence of carbon monoxide while Type 2 sensors display a decreased response to carbon monoxide. The methods and sensors disclosed herein are particularly suitable for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony H. McDaniel, J. Will Medlin, Robert J. Bastasz
  • Patent number: 7264779
    Abstract: The sampling pipette includes an ejector arm for separating from the pipette a cone that is fixed to the pipette. The pipette includes adjustment means enabling the length of the arm to be varied continuously over a range of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Gilson S.A.S.
    Inventor: Francois Viot
  • Patent number: 7264780
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for taking and examining samples, comprising a tube-shaped housing (50) in which a cartridge (30), a testing means (40) and a sample-taking means (10) are positioned, wherein a sample introduced by means of the sample-taking means (10) can be mixed with a content of the cartridge (30), and the testing means (40) is used to analyze the sample mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Oxoid (Ely) Limited
    Inventor: Stefan Sanner
  • Patent number: 7264781
    Abstract: Particulate material to be calcined is conditioned and then introduced into a stream of flue gases which transport the material along a sloping drying duct while drying the material. The dried material is then introduced into the same stream of flue gases upstream of the drying duct, and the flue gases transport the dried material along a sloping preheating duct while preheating the material. The preheated material is fed tangentially into the lower end of a vertical calcine reactor and calcined product is withdrawn tangentially from the upper end of the reactor. The flue gases used for drying and preheating are produced in the calcine reactor and are cooled during the drying and preheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Pneumatic Processing Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7264782
    Abstract: Reactor device (R) for carrying out chemical reactions requiring heat exchange, the reactor is elongate along an axis (XX?), and has, at a first end, at least one orifice (16) for supplying at least one reactant, at an opposite end, at least one orifice (18) for evacuating the effluents formed, a plurality of heat exchangers (12) separated by at least one internal partition (14) and passages for circulating the reactant or reactants and/or effluents, provided between the heat exchangers and the internal partitions. The reactor (R) has at least one enclosure (10) made of refractory material providing heat insulation and containing a heat exchangers (12) and internal partitions (14). The enclosure is contained in an envelope (20) to contain the reactant or reactants and/or effluents circulating inside the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Luc Nougier, Eric Lenglet