Patents Issued in November 13, 2007
  • Patent number: 7294269
    Abstract: An organic matter disposer is disclosed, including a tub, a drum rotatably provided in the tub so as to store organic matters therein, a stirrer provided in the drum so as to stir the organic matters, a driving device for rotating the drum and the stirrer, and a heating device for drying the organic matters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Gu Kim, Tae Hee Kwak
  • Patent number: 7294270
    Abstract: A photographic waste liquid treatment method comprises an electrolytic oxidation treatment for photographic waste liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Miyazaki, Kazuhiko Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7294271
    Abstract: A process for biological restoration of ground water in a mineralized sandstone formation using a nutrient source. The process is used in conjunction with mining uranium using in-situ pump and treat technology. The restoration of the ground water is designed to meet federal and state regulations. The process includes pumping the contaminated ground water from the mineralized sandstone formation using production wells to the ground surface. The ground water is then circulated through at least one ion exchange column. The ion exchange column is used to capture any residual uranium remaining in solution. The treated ground water then flows from the ion exchange column through at least one reverse osmosus unit. The reverse osmosus unit is designed to help decrease any remaining dissolved solids in solution, such as sodium and chloride. From the reverse osmosus unit, the ground water is circulated through at least one de-carbonation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Power Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland A. Huffman, Lawrence J. Reimann
  • Patent number: 7294272
    Abstract: A waste treatment system suitable for domestic use and capable of producing water suitable for recycling within the household. The system includes a bioreactor (30) and a decomposition chamber (16). The bioreactor (30) is adapted to digest liquid-base waste material using bacteria and is operable under anaerobic, anoxic and/or aerobic conditions. The decomposition chamber (16) decomposes substantially solid waste generated in the bioreactor. The bioreactor and decomposition chamber are in fluid communication such that substantially solid waste material generated in the bioreactor can be transferred to the decomposition chamber for further treatment. Resulting solids may optionally be forwarded to a vegetation cell (24) and the liquid (34) leaving the bioreactor may be optionally passed to a membrane treatment unit (40) and a disinfection unit (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Aqua Clarus Holdings Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Roy Victor Ames, Matthew John Etherington, Nicholas Michael Czeperko, Ian Joseph Ugarte
  • Patent number: 7294273
    Abstract: The present invention may be used in methods for treatment of drinking water contaminated with algal metabolites. An inflow of water in a drinking water treatment facility may have multiple types of algal metabolites wherein each algal metabolites has a concentration of less than 20 ?g/l. The water may contain indigenous bacteria that may serve as a bioreactor inoculum. The water may be dosed with a biodegradable electron donor at a concentration of less than 7 mg/l to form water, electron donor solution. The water, electron donor solution may be processed through a fixed-bed bioreactor for an empty bed bioreactor contact time of less than 30 minutes. An effluent of the fixed-bed bioreactor may have an algal metabolite concentration for each algal metabolite of less than 10 ng/l.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventors: Jess C. Brown, Chance V. Lauderdale, Robert S. Cushing
  • Patent number: 7294274
    Abstract: A filtration system is provided with filter media operable to remove solids, particulate and colloidal matter from a process fluid. Acoustic, vibration and sonic energy may be used to clean associated filter media to allow substantially continuous filtration of process fluids. The filtration system may be satisfactorily used with process fluids having a relatively high concentrations of solids, particulate and colloidal matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Phase Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Kirker, Berkeley F. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7294275
    Abstract: A method of and system for removing phosphorus from wastewater using a waste sludge that has a high affinity for phosphorus. So the waste sludge can be used in a flow-through contact reactor to remove the phosphorus from a wastewater stream, the waste sludge is pelletized. The waste sludge pellets are packed into one or more flow-through contact reactors. In the configuration described herein, phosphorus removal is maximized by flowing the wastewater through the reactor(s) in a “pulsed” manner, rather than continuously. Thus, wastewater is flowed through the reactor(s) for a period of time and stopped for a period of time. By giving the sludge absorbent a rest period, the absorption capacity of the sludge is increased significantly, thus decreasing the frequency of regeneration or replacement of the sludge. Sludge regeneration can be accomplished with a stripping step using an alkaline solution of pH 13, followed by rinsing with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventor: Philip L. Sibrell
  • Patent number: 7294276
    Abstract: A process to substantially remove the fluorinated anionic surfactants from fluoropolymer dispersions comprising the following steps: a) addition to the fluoropolymer dispersion of an anionic polyelectrolyte; b) contact of the dispersion with an anionic exchanger; c) separation of the dispersion from the anionic exchanger and recovery of the dispersion substantially fluorinated anionic surfactant free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Solvay Solexis S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Malvasi, Tiziana Poggio, Valeri Kapeliouchko
  • Patent number: 7294277
    Abstract: A method of determination of the conditions of exhaustion of a filtering cartridge for filtering carafes with replaceable cartridges is described, in which an initial identification of impedance of the water to be filtered is provided for in order to consequently calculate an important parameter for definition of the efficient lifespan on the filtering cartridge. Furthermore a carafe operating in compliance with such method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: LAICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Moretto
  • Patent number: 7294278
    Abstract: A method and apparatus creates gas-enriched fluid that is used to treat wastewater. In one embodiment, the wastewater is withdrawn from a supply of wastewater to be treated, and the wastewater is delivered in an atomized manner to a vessel pressurized with gas to form gas-enriched wastewater. The gas-enriched wastewater is then delivered to the supply of wastewater to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignees: Wayne State University, TherOx, Inc., DynamOx, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Richard Spears, Richard Crilly, Ray Rydman, James Gessert, Steve Myrick
  • Patent number: 7294279
    Abstract: A method for releasing a micromechanical structure. A substrate is provided. At least one micromechanical structural layer is provided above the substrate, wherein the micromechanical structural layer is sustained by a sacrificial layer of a silicon material. An amine-based etchant is provided to etch the silicon material. That is, during performing a post-cleaning procedure with an amine-based etchant, polymer residue and the sacrificial layer of silicon can be simultaneously removed without any additional etching processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fei-Yun Chen, Tzu-Yang Wu, Shih-Shiung Chen
  • Patent number: 7294280
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a design for an external cavity single mode laser wherein a short optical path length for the optical cavity (e.g., ˜3 to 25 mm) provides sufficient spacing of the longitudinal modes allowing a single wavelength selective element, such as a microfabricated etalon, to provide a single mode of operation, and optionally a selectable mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David W. Sherrer, Hui Luo
  • Patent number: 7294281
    Abstract: An optical information recording medium, which includes both of a land surface and a groove surface as a recording track and presents high signal quality. The optical information recording medium includes both a land and a groove as the recording track on a substrate, in which a laser light is irradiated from a reverse side of the substrate to thereby carry out a recording and a reproduction, and an inclination angle of a groove side is 25° or more and 40° or less, and both of arithmetic average roughness (Ra) on the land surface and the groove surface are assumed to be 0.2 to 0.7 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takemoto, Mitsuo Arima, Tadao Suzuki, Yoshihito Fukushima, Hiroshi Nakayama, Atsushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7294282
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a substrate; and a platform elevated above the substrate and supported by curved flexures. The curvature of said flexures results substantially from variations in intrinsic residual stress within said flexures. In one embodiment the apparatus is a deformable mirror exhibiting low temperature-dependence, high stroke, high control resolution, large number of degrees of freedom, reduced pin count and small form-factor. Structures and methods of fabrication are disclosed that allow the elevation of mirror segments to remain substantially constant over a wide operating temperature range. Methods are also disclosed for integrating movable mirror segments with control and sense electronics to a produce small-form-factor deformable mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Iris AO, Inc.
    Inventor: Micheal Albert Helmbrecht
  • Patent number: 7294283
    Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a Penning discharge plasma source. The magnetic and electric field arrangement, similar to a Penning discharge, effectively traps the electron Hall current in a region between two surfaces. When a substrate (10) is positioned proximal to at least one of the electrodes (11, 12) and is moved relative to the plasma, the substrate (10) is plasma treated, coated or otherwise modified depending upon the process gas used and the process pressure. This confinement arrangement produces dramatic results not resembling known prior art. Using this new source, many applications for PECVD, plasma etching, plasma treating, sputtering or other plasma processes will be substantial improved or made possible. In particular, applications using flexible webs (10) are benefited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Process Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Madocks
  • Patent number: 7294284
    Abstract: The present invention provides a Mn—Zn ferrite which is low in the loss in the frequency range between a few 10 kHz and a few 100 kHz and high in the saturation magnetic flux density in the vicinity of 100° C. The present invention comprising the steps of compacting a powder having a specific surface area (based on the BET method) of 2.0 to 5.0 m2/g and a 50% particle size of 0.7 to 2.0 ?m into a compacted body having a predetermined shape and obtaining a sintered body by sintering the compacted body. It is preferable that a Mn—Zn ferrite comprises, as main constituents, 54 to 57 mol % of Fe2O3, 5 to 10 mol % of ZnO, 4 mol % or less (not inclusive of 0%) of NiO, and the balance substantially being MnO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichiro Fukuchi, Akira Kakinuma, Kenya Takagawa, Fumitaka Baba, Taku Murase
  • Patent number: 7294285
    Abstract: A liquid deicer composition suitable for use as a deicer or as a pre-coat for solid deicers is disclosed. The composition typically includes molasses solids, magnesium chloride, and a corrosion inhibitor. In one implementation the liquid deicer composition includes molasses solids; magnesium chloride, and a corrosion inhibitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sears Petroleum & Transport Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Koefod, Richard Hunt Rose, III
  • Patent number: 7294286
    Abstract: A cocktail composition for liquid scintillation measurements, formed by a solution of a) two solvents, one aromatic and the other one polar, b) one additive enhancing the luminous efficiency, c) two scintillators, one primary and the other one secondary, d) one extracting agent, and e) at least one anionic or non-ionic surfactant. Without prior sample or vial treatments, this cocktail allows direct incorporation of a great number of radionuclides, at least 17, in an hydrochloric or nitric aqueous solution, providing stable samples for a period of several weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Repsol Quimica, S.A.
    Inventors: Leonor Rodriguez Barquero, Jose Maria Los Arcos Merino
  • Patent number: 7294287
    Abstract: Tetrahydro- and dihydroquinophenanthrine dione fluorescent whitening agents and a process for their preparation are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Damien Thurber Cole, Kevin Rodney Gerzevske
  • Patent number: 7294288
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing regioregular polymers, in particular head-to-tail (HT) poly-(3-substituted) thiophenes with high regioregularity, to novel polymers prepared by this process, to the use of the novel polymers as semiconductors or charge transport materials in optical, electrooptical or electronic devices including field effect transistors (FETs), electroluminescent, photovoltaic and sensor devices, to FETs and other semiconducting components or materials comprising the novel polymers, to a process of endcapping polymers and to endcapped polymers obtained thereof and their use in the above devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Guntram Koller, Birgit Falk, Clarissa Weller, Mark Giles, Iain McCulloch
  • Patent number: 7294289
    Abstract: Disclosed are conductive powder having a packing density of 68% by volume or more with a relative value preferably comprising 60 to 92% by weight of roughly spherical and silver-plated copper powder part of the surface of which has been coated with 3 to 30% by weight of silver based on an amount of roughly spherical copper powder with exposing at least a surface of a portion of an alloy of copper with silver, and the surface of which is coated with 0.02 to 1.0% by weight of an aliphatic acid based on an amount of the roughly spherical and silver-plated copper powder, and 8 to 40% by weight of silver powder, and a method for preparing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideji Kuwajima
  • Patent number: 7294290
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel photochromic composition for controlling the transmission of light comprising an organic polymer, photochromic dye, photosensitizer and an electron acceptor. The invention also includes a method for preparing photochromic films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: NGX, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramanujan Srinivasa
  • Patent number: 7294291
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing nuclear material is disclosed. Oxides or halides of actinides and/or transuranics (TRUs) and/or hydrocarbons and/or acids contaminated with actinides and/or TRUs are treated by adjusting the pH of the nuclear material to not less than about 5 and adding sufficient MgO to convert fluorides present to MgF2; alumina is added in an amount sufficient to absorb substantially all hydrocarbon liquid present, after which a binder including MgO and KH2PO4 is added to the treated nuclear material to form a slurry. Additional MgO may be added. A crystalline radioactive material is also disclosed having a binder of the reaction product of calcined MgO and KH2PO4 and a radioactive material of the oxides and/or halides of actinides and/or transuranics (TRUs). Acids contaminated with actinides and/or TRUs, and/or actinides and/or TRUs with or without oils and/or greases may be encapsulated and stabilized by the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Arun S. Wagh, M. David Maloney, Gary H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7294292
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a polymer optical waveguide, comprising the steps of: preparing a mold comprising a concave portion; bringing a substrate into contact with the mold, filling the concave portion with a core-forming curable resin; curing the core-forming curable resin in the concave portion; removing the mold from the substrate; and forming a clad layer on the substrate; wherein the mold comprises a cured resin layer and a reinforcing member, the cured resin layer has the concave portion, the reinforcing member has an introduction portion which communicates with the concave portion and an injection inlet which communicates with the introduction portion, and a discharge portion which communicates with the concave portion is provided in the reinforcing member, the cured resin layer and/or a space between the cured resin layer and the reinforcing member, and a resin injecting device which is used in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Akutsu, Shigemi Ohtsu, Keishi Shimizu, Kazutoshi Yatsuda
  • Patent number: 7294293
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diffraction optical element, according to the present invention, includes the steps of: supplying a photocurable resin onto a surface of a light-transmitting molding die in which a grating pattern is formed on the surface; irradiating the photocurable resin with light having a first wavelength through the molding die so as to cure a part of the photocurable resin; irradiating the photocurable resin with light having a second wavelength, which is longer than the firs wavelength, through the molding die so as to cure at least a part of the photocurable resin; and removing the cured resin from the molding die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7294294
    Abstract: A method of performing imprint lithography of a surface substrate includes a stamper having a thin lubricant coating thereon to facilitate release of the stamper from the imprinted surface to reduce degradation of image replication. Embodiments of the invention include stampers suitable for use in patterning servo information on magnetic recording media having a lubricant coating of from about 1 nm to about 20 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Koichi Wago, Gennady Gauzner
  • Patent number: 7294295
    Abstract: While steam is supplied to flow channels to heat inner cavity surfaces to a temperature equal to or higher than the heat distortion temperature of a molding resin, the resin mixed with a supercritical fluid is injected from an injection molding machine into a mold cavity. When the injection of a predetermined quantity of the resin is completed, the supply of the steam to the flow channels is stopped, and cooling water starts to be supplied to the flow channels. The inner cavity surfaces are thus quickly switched from a heated state to a cooled state, cooling and solidifying the resin into a molded product of good appearance which is free of broken cell marks on its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ono Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Sakamoto, Taiko Uno
  • Patent number: 7294296
    Abstract: A valved introducer sheath is used to facilitate the insertion of a flexible medical device into a body. The elongated valve of the valved introducer sheath is constructed of a foam material that is injected into the sheath and sliced longitudinally to create one or more self-sealing slits through which flexible medical devices can be passed. As a medial device is passed through the self-sealing slit(s) at a proximal end, the self-sealing slits seal around the medical device before opening at a distal end. The elongated valve is also affixed to at least some of the inner surface of the sheath. The valve will tear into halves along at least one of the self-sealing slits when the sheath is peeled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher T. Davey
  • Patent number: 7294297
    Abstract: In a method for producing a bristle from thermoplastic polymers through injection molding, the molten polymer mass is injected under pressure into a bristle-molding channel of predetermined length having a predetermined cross-section along this length and the channel is vented during injection molding. To produce injection-molded bristles with excellent bending behavior, the magnitude of the injection pressure is adjusted in dependence on the cross-sectional extension of the bristle-molding channel such that a shear flow is generated with high core speed in the center of the molten polymer mass flow and large shearing effect due to wall friction of the molten polymer mass under distinct longitudinal orientation of the polymer molecules at least in the region of the molten polymer mass close to the wall, which is maintained along the channel wherein the channel is simultaneously vented along its length to support maintenance of the shear flow. A device for carrying out the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Geka Brush GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Weihrauch
  • Patent number: 7294298
    Abstract: The present invention provides a functional film for transfer in order to furnish a surface of an article, even an article poor in flexibility, such as a board material, with a functional layer having a uniform thickness and a higher function, e.g. a transparent conductive layer having a lower electric resistance; an article furnished with the functional layer; and a method for producing the article furnished with the functional layer. A functional film for transfer comprising at least a functional layer 4 on a support 1, said functional layer 4 being releasable from the support 1, wherein the functional layer 4 is a compressed layer of functional fine particles, and further, on the functional layer 4 an adhesive layer 5 comprising at least an acrylic type monomer (M) and a silicone type resin (S) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Iijima
  • Patent number: 7294299
    Abstract: A granulating die B is provided with a resin discharge surface 5a to which a flow of water is contacted; and a plurality of nozzles 8 which communicate to a cylinder of an extruder are provided in this resin discharge surface 5a. Upon the resin discharge surface 5a, these nozzles 8 are not formed in at least one of its regions P which are in the direction of inflow of the flow of water and in the direction of outflow of the flow of water, and its regions R which are in directions orthogonal to this direction of inflow of said flow of water and this direction of outflow of said flow of water, but are only formed in the other regions Q thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Yamanaka, Shigeru Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7294300
    Abstract: A grinding plate for an electric hand grinder has a plate member having an upper plate surface with an upper plate edge, a lower plate surface with a lower plate edge for placement of a grinding means and extending at least partially beyond the upper plate edge, and a side surface extending from the upper plate edge to the lower plate edge, and having a pagoda-shaped contour in a projecting region of the lower plate edge and the grinding plate is produced by a method including punching out the plate body with the upper surface, the lower surface and the side surface from an elastic material in a desired shape; placing a round bar on the upper plate surface along the upper plate edge of the plate body with a parallel distance from it; pressing the round bar into the plate body so that an elastic material of the plate body is squeezed outwardly under the round bar; separating the squeezed out material along an outer edge of the round bar with a separating cut extending perpendicular to the plate surfaces; and r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Steffen Wuensch
  • Patent number: 7294301
    Abstract: A method for forming honeycomb structures, such as wall-flow honeycomb filters, which utilizes extrusion of multiple material supplies at once. Such methods may be used to form intermittent plugs or other structures in the cell channels during the extrusion process, for example. A die assembly is provided which includes secondary feedholes machined in the pins for intermittently or periodically injecting secondary material (e.g., plug material) into the cell channels of the honeycomb structure while it is being extruded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Thierry Luc Alain Dannoux, Michael Fischer, Thomas Dale Ketcham, Kenneth Richard Miller, Robert John Paisley
  • Patent number: 7294302
    Abstract: To control the thickness of the skin layer of a composite resin molded product by a viscosity difference obtained by varying the viscosity by adding another ultra-minute substance to a raw resin material. The composite resin molded product comprising the skin layer formed of a first thermoplastic resin and the core layer formed of a second thermoplastic resin is molded by injection. The viscosity difference between the resins is controlled by adding a carbon nanomaterial to one or the other of the thermoplastic resins. The thickness of the skin layer is controlled by the viscosity difference. The first thermoplastic resin and the second thermoplastic resin are of the same kind or different kinds of resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Koide, Yoshitoshi Yamagiwa, Masashi Suganuma
  • Patent number: 7294303
    Abstract: A broad band cholesteric liquid crystal film of the present invention comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal film obtained by polymerizing a liquid crystal mixture containing a polymerizable mesogen compound (a), a polymerizable chiral agent (b) and a photopolymerization initiator (c) between two substrates with ultraviolet light, and has a reflection bandwidth of 200 nm or more. The broad band cholesteric liquid crystal film of the present invention has a broad reflection band and is excellent in durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukuoka, Naoki Takahashi, Kazutaka Hara
  • Patent number: 7294304
    Abstract: There is disclosed a die for forming a honeycomb structure and a method of manufacturing the honeycomb structure by use of the die, in which variations of cell pitches are suppressed in a central portion and the vicinity of an outer periphery after drying and firing an extruded honeycomb structure, and the honeycomb structure having a uniform cell pitch can be manufactured. A die 1 for forming a honeycomb structure has a front surface provided with groovy slits 2 formed between cell blocks 3 and a back surface provided with back holes 4a communicating with the slits 2. The die 1 has a structure in which a pitch P of the adjacent cell blocks 3 is enlarged from a central portion of the front surface toward an outer periphery in a stepwise manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Wada, Tomohiro Iida, Jiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 7294305
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sterilizing a lumen device. A lumen and a container having an interface on a wall of the container are enclosed in a chamber. The lumen is placed across the interface so that one end of the lumen is in the container and the other end is in the chamber. Germicide is introduced into the chamber, and a pressure difference is created between the two ends of the lumen, so that the germicide flows through the lumen. The lumen may alternatively be placed across an interface which separates the chamber into two areas. Germicide is introduced into the chamber, and a pressure difference is created between the two areas of the chamber, causing the germicide to flow through the lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Szu-Min Lin, Paul Taylor Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7294306
    Abstract: An inspection tester that can be used anywhere as a primary screening tool by non-technical personnel to determine whether a surface contains explosives. It includes a body with a sample pad. First and second explosives detecting reagent holders and dispensers are operatively connected to the body and the sample pad. The first and second explosives detecting reagent holders and dispensers are positioned to deliver the explosives detecting reagents to the sample pad. A is heater operatively connected to the sample pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Haas, Randall L. Simpson, Joe H. Satcher
  • Patent number: 7294307
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for hematology testing, which has a sensing unit defining a counting orifice for the flow of a blood sample through the counting orifice to analyze the blood sample, and a pump unit having three syringes. A first syringe is coupled in fluid communication with the sensing unit on the inlet side of the counting orifice for injecting a stream of blood sample through the counting orifice. A second syringe is coupled in fluid communication with the sensing chamber on the inlet side of the counting orifice for simultaneously injecting a sheath of fluid surrounding the sample stream on the inlet side of the counting orifice. And a third syringe is coupled to the sensing chamber on the outlet side of the counting orifice for aspirating a sheath of fluid from the sensing chamber surrounding the sample stream on the outlet side of the counting orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Drew Scientific Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Lawrence Carver, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7294308
    Abstract: A cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with an open-ended vessel capable of receiving and holding fluid specimens or other materials for analysis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between a fluid sample present in the vessel and humans or the environment, the cap has a frangible seal which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device. The cap further includes a filter for limiting dissemination of an aerosol or bubbles once the frangible seal has been pierced. The filter is positioned between the frangible seal and a retainer. The retainer is positioned on the cap above the filter and may be used to contain the filter within the cap. The material of the retainer may be penetrable by a fluid transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel L. Kacian, Mark R. Kennedy, Nick M. Carter
  • Patent number: 7294309
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system comprising: a fluid container; a dispensing head in fluid communication with the fluid container; a displacement mechanism which delivers fluid from the fluid container to the dispensing head such that an aliquot of liquid is delivered to a distal end of the dispensing head where the aliquot of liquid is retained; and a pressurized gas displacement mechanism which delivers an aliquot of gas to the distal end of the dispensing head which causes the aliquot of liquid retained at the distal end of the dispensing head to separate from the distal end of the dispensing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Takeda San Diego, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Goldberg, William Spencer, Bruce K. Bridges
  • Patent number: 7294310
    Abstract: A liquid transport device capable of introducing and transporting a liquid and preventing a backward flow of the liquid in a small-sized analysis system is provided. The liquid transport device has a substrate 201, an ejection orifice 205, which is formed integrally with the substrate 201 and through which a liquid is ejected, a space portion 210, which is formed so as to communicate with the ejection orifice 205 and through which the liquid ejected from the ejection orifice flies, and a flow channel 204, which communicates with the space portion 210 and which is positioned within such a distance range that the flying liquid can reach the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeo Yamazaki, Takeshi Imamura
  • Patent number: 7294311
    Abstract: A clot retainer for generally separating liquid from solid components in a specimen enclosed in a container having a closure. The clot retainer includes fingers that are adapted to displace solid components of the specimen. The clot retainer can be inserted through the closure of the container without removing the container. A method of separating liquid from solid components in a specimen is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Bio/Data Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Coville
  • Patent number: 7294312
    Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus that make more accurate and reduces risk of filling reaction chambers of cartridge cells with blood samples to conduct blood coagulation tests of the type employing the plunger technique are disclosed. A cartridge holder is provided that secures a test cartridge in a fixed upright position and deflects the plunger flag of each cartridge cell to enable manual insertion of a blood dispenser deeply into the reaction chamber to fill the reaction chamber and avoid contamination of surfaces of the cartridge outside the reaction chamber. Preferably, the cartridge holder provides illumination of the reaction chamber during filling, so that the user can judge when the reaction chamber is properly filled with blood dispensed from the blood dispenser. The cartridge holder may incorporate image magnification to facilitate viewing of the reaction chamber as it is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Green, Douglas D. Nippoldt, William D. Zillmann, Brent E. Wallace, Jeff N. Rejent
  • Patent number: 7294313
    Abstract: A device for producing ammonia from urea pellets includes a pellet dispensing device, a pellet accelerator, a pellet shooting channel, and an ammonia reactor having a chamber or zone for shooting in urea pellets and a pellet deflector arranged on an end of the shooting path. The device further includes a urea pellet evaporation device and a hydrolytic catalytic converter. The urea pellets are removed from the reservoir in a regulated number/quantity by a dispensing device and transported to the accelerating device, where the pellets are moved from the pellet shooting channel into the ammonia reactor, where they are broken down into small pieces by impacting a pellet deflector at the end of the shooting path. The pieces are converted into a gas mixture containing ammonia and isocyanic acid by means of a urea evaporation device. The isocyanic acid is subsequently converted into ammonia and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Man Nutzfahrzeuge AG
    Inventors: Eberhard Jacob, Erwin Stiermann
  • Patent number: 7294314
    Abstract: What is disclosed herein deals with low to medium pressure, high temperature, all ceramic, air-to-air, indirect heat exchangers, novel ball joints, high load-bearing ceramic tube sheets, and tube seal extenders for ceramic tubes that are useful in such heat exchangers. Also disclosed are new and novel systems used in new and novel industrial processes such as chemical processing, sludge destruction and the production of particulates such as, for example, carbon black. Systems utilizing several heat exchangers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Robert G. Graham
  • Patent number: 7294315
    Abstract: Fluorine compounds such as C2F6, CF4, CHF3, SF6 and NF3, are made in contact with a fluorine compound decomposition catalyst and a catalyst the decomposition oft least one of CO, SO2F2 and N2O in the presence of water or in the presence of water and oxygen. The catalyst the decomposition oft least one of CO, SO2F2 and N2O preferably contains at least one selected from Pd, Pt, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Rh, Ir and Au in the form of a metal or an oxide. According to the invention, the fluorine compound can be converted to HF, which is liable to be absorbed by water or an alkaline aqueous solution, and a substance, such as CO, SO2F2 and N2O, formed by decomposition of the fluorine compound can also be decomposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kanno, Akio Honji, Hisao Yamashita, Shigeru Azuhata, Shin Tamata, Kazuyoshi Irie
  • Patent number: 7294316
    Abstract: A honeycomb structure that is a plurality of honeycomb segments (21) bonded into one piece by a bonding material (25), the honeycomb segments (21) each having a large number of through-channels (11) separated from each other by partition walls (20), the bonding material (25) being composed of components substantially the same as components composing the unified body of honeycomb segments (21), and the honeycomb segments (21) being bonded to each other at their planes substantially parallel to the direction of channels of through- channels (11), in which honeycomb structure each bonded plane (22) of each honeycomb segment (21) has a structure possessing an unbonded area (12) containing at least an edge portion opening to a periphery of its gas inlet side end face (15) and/or a periphery of its gas outlet side end face (17). With this honeycomb structure, there is no cracking caused by the thermal stress during the use, and excellent durability can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd
    Inventors: Takashi Harada, Yukio Miyairi, Yoshiyuki Kasai, Shinji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7294317
    Abstract: A reactor and heat exchanger assembly is provided with the heat exchanger integrally affixed to the reactor exit head and adapted to immediately cool reactor gases from the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: SD Lizenzverwertungsgesellschaft mbH & Co.
    Inventors: Barry Billig, Bhupendra Ranibhai Baria
  • Patent number: 7294318
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing various articles includes a chamber defining an airtight space and an entrance and exit. A vacuum pump is coupled to the chamber for withdrawing air therefrom which reduces the chamber air pressure. An ozone generator is coupled to the chamber for introducing ozone at atmospheric pressure therein following air withdrawal. This causes efficient diffusing of the ozone into the article for sterilizing it against anthrax. The ozone is then withdrawn into an ozone filter having a non-consumable catalyst for converting the ozone back into oxygen. The apparatus may be implemented using single or multiple chambers. A conveyor extending through water chambers surrounding respective sterilizing chambers may be utilized for conveying textile articles while more traditional conveyors may be utilized for traditional mail articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventors: Jimmie D. Miller, Blair Sutton