Patents Issued in December 25, 2007
  • Patent number: 7311773
    Abstract: The invention provides a biopolymer crystal mounting device with which a biopolymer crystal having been grown in a solution containing a biopolymer can be taken out of the solution. The device can be manufactured efficiently without requiring labors and can be mass-produced with high yield. A biopolymer crystal mounting device comprises: a film member 12, which is made of a material possessing permeability to an electromagnetic wave, and which is integrally formed of a loop portion 16 holding a drop of solution containing a biopolymer crystal, a neck portion 18 and a body portion 20; and a tubular member 14 including a bearing hole 22 in which the body portion of the film member is inserted and supported. Further, the film member is inserted into and secured to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Protein Wave Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Sanjoh
  • Patent number: 7311774
    Abstract: Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making shaped nanocrystal particles are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method for forming a branched, nanocrystal particle. It includes (a) forming a core having a first crystal structure in a solution, (b) forming a first arm extending from the core having a second crystal structure in the solution, and (c) forming a second arm extending from the core having the second crystal structure in the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Eric C. Sher, Liberato Manna
  • Patent number: 7311775
    Abstract: This method for heat-treating a silicon wafer includes: a step of subjecting a silicon wafer to a high-temperature heat treatment in an ambient gas atmosphere of hydrogen gas, argon gas or a mixture thereof; and a step of lowering a temperature at a rate of 2° C./min or less in a nitrogen-gas-containing ambient atmosphere in a portion or all of a process of lowering a temperature to a wafer removal temperature following said high-temperature heat treatment. This silicon wafer has a defect-free layer which is formed by a high-temperature heat treatment and is included in a surface thereof, wherein an average iron concentration in said surface is 1×1010 atoms/cm3 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sumco Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsumi Kusaba, Hidehiko Okuda, Yoshihisa Nonogaki
  • Patent number: 7311776
    Abstract: Systems and methods for local synthesis of silicon nanowires and carbon nanotubes, as well as electric field assisted self-assembly of silicon nanowires and carbon nanotubes, are described. By employing localized heating in the growth of the nanowires or nanotubes, the structures can be synthesized on a device in a room temperature chamber without the device being subjected to overall heating. The method is localized and selective, and provides for a suspended microstructure to achieve the thermal requirement for vapor deposition synthesis, while the remainder of the chip or substrate remains at room temperature. Furthermore, by employing electric field assisted self-assembly techniques according to the present invention, it is not necessary to grow the nanotubes and nanowires and separately connect them to a device. Instead, the present invention provides for self-assembly of the nanotubes and nanowires on the devices themselves, thus providing for nano-to micro-integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Liwei Lin, Ongi Englander, Dane Christensen
  • Patent number: 7311777
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a quartz crystal element consists of the steps of producing plural quartz layers on a surface of a crystalline substrate having a lattice constant differing from that of quartz crystal, in which each of the quartz layers consists of a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase, and percentage of the crystalline phase in the quartz layer farther from the substrate is larger than percentage of the crystalline phase in the quartz layer adjacent to the substrate; and producing an epitaxially grown quartz crystal film on the surface of the quartz layer farther from the substrate by a reaction between silicon alkoxide and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Humo Laboratory, Ltd
    Inventors: Naoyuki Takahashi, Takato Nakamura, Satoshi Nonaka, Yoshinori Kubo, Yoichi Shinriki, Katsumi Tamanuki
  • Patent number: 7311778
    Abstract: A method of processing a polycrystalline film on a substrate includes generating a plurality of laser beam pulses, positioning the film on a support capable of movement in at least one direction, directing the plurality of laser beam pulses through a mask to generate patterned laser beams; each of said beams having a length l?, a width w? and a spacing between adjacent beams d?, irradiating a region of the film with the patterned beams, said beams having an intensity that is sufficient to melt an irradiated portion of the film to induce crystallization of the irradiated portion of the film, wherein the film region is irradiated n times; and after irradiation of each film portion, translating either the film or the mask, or both, a distance in the x- and y-directions, where the distance of translation in the y-direction is in the range of about 1?/n-?, where ? is a value selected to form overlapping the beamlets from the one irradiation step to the next, and where the distance of translation in the x-direction
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: James S. Im, Paul Christiaan van der Wilt
  • Patent number: 7311779
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a fluid processing method and apparatus. The apparatus includes a substrate support assembly positioned in a processing volume, a disk shaped member positioned in the processing volume in parallel orientation with a substrate supported on the substrate support assembly, a fluid outlet positioned in a central location of the disk shaped member, and a plurality of turbolators positioned on an upper surface of the disk shaped member, the turbolators being configured to generate a uniform turbulent flow of fluid traveling from the fluid outlet to a perimeter of the substrate. The method includes flowing a heated processing fluid over a plurality of turbolators that are positioned under a substrate being processed to control the temperature of the substrate during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Son T. Nguyen, Gary J. Rosen, Ian A. Pancham
  • Patent number: 7311780
    Abstract: A sufficient number of pick-and-place devices (e.g., rolls) whose periods of contact with a substrate are equal or substantially equal to one another are used to form continuous void-free uniform coatings despite the occurrence of unintended or intended coating caliper surges, depressions or voids. The wetted surfaces of the devices contact and re-contact the coating at positions on the substrate that are different from one another. Extremely uniform and extremely thin coatings can be obtained at very high rates of speed. The pick-and-place devices also facilitate drying and reduce the sensitivity of drying ovens to coating caliper surges. Equipment containing the pick-and-place devices is simple to construct, set up and operate, and can easily be adjusted to alter coating thickness and compensate for coating caliper variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William K. Leonard, David W. Leonard
  • Patent number: 7311781
    Abstract: An apparatus causes a substrate to rotate and supplies a treatment liquid to a substrate surface to make a treatment, without concern that a mixed substance is eluted from a cup in the use for a long time, or a thin film comes off from an inside wall surface to be contamination-causing substances even if the cup made of a water-repellent material for collecting a treatment liquid becomes hydrophilic. A cup 16 disposed to surround the sides and underside of a substrate W rotating while being held by a spin chuck 10, and serving to collect a treatment liquid diffused from the substrate to the surroundings, is made of a plastic material. Further, an inside wall surface of an upper-side cup part 24 of the cup 16, being a portion on which the treatment liquid having been diffused from the substrate impinges, is roughened to be a hydrophilic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen MGF, Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kentaro Tokuri, Kenya Morinishi, Masaki Iwami
  • Patent number: 7311782
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus utilized for thermal processing of substrates during semiconductor manufacturing. The method includes heating the substrate to a predetermined temperature using a heating assembly, cooling the substrate to the predetermined temperature using a cooling assembly located such that a thermal conductance region is provided between the heating and cooling assemblies, and adjusting a thermal conductance of the thermal conductance region to aid in heating and cooling of the substrate. The apparatus includes a heating assembly, a cooling assembly located such that a thermal conductance region is provided between the heating and cooling assemblies, and a structure or configuration for adjusting a thermal conductance of the thermal conductance region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Eric J. Strang, Wayne L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7311783
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for coating one or more workpieces such as components to be used in jet engines or industrial turbines. The apparatus comprises a device for simultaneously manipulating a workpiece about multiple axes while holding a center of the workpiece at a fixed position with respect to a source of coating material. The device for manipulating the workpiece preferably comprises a modular fixture while allows the workpiece to be simultaneously rotated about a first axis, rotated about a second axis at an angle to the first axis, and titled through a range of motion such as from +45 degrees to ?45 degrees with respect to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Burns, Richard W. Varsell
  • Patent number: 7311784
    Abstract: This invention relates to a plasma processing system. A common problem in the manufacture of semiconductors is the maintenance of a constant fluid flow throughout the chamber in which the semiconductors are being etched. The focus ring described herein helps control fluid flow such that all (or substantially all) of a substrate (e.g., semiconductor) surface is exposed to a constant flow of plasma throughout the etching process. An even fluid flow is maintained by adjusting the configuration of a focus ring, a pumping baffle, or a focus ring working with an auxiliary focus ring with respect to the semiconductor surface. By manipulating the position of the focus ring, pumping baffle, and auxiliary focus ring, fluid flow over the surface of the semiconductor can be increased, decreased, or kept stagnant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Steven T. Fink
  • Patent number: 7311785
    Abstract: An automatic air-blown cleaning apparatus for cleaning a liquid crystal display (LCD) component in an LCD assembly process. The automatic air-blown cleaning apparatus has an assembly station for receiving and assembling the liquid crystal display component, a conveying device for delivering the liquid crystal display component to the next assembly station, and an air filtering blower provided on the conveying device. The air filtering blower sends an air flow toward the liquid crystal display component to remove residual matter from the liquid crystal display component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: I-Min Chin, Chien-Wen Lai
  • Patent number: 7311786
    Abstract: A method for passivating sulfidic iron-containing rock comprising: contacting sulfidic iron-containing rock with a magnesium-containing substance, a manganese-containing substance, and a calcium-containing substance; and adjusting the pH of the system to below about 11, is provided. The method can be used to prevent acid rock drainage of metal-bearing rocks or to produce a pretreated ore or rock which can be contacted with a lixiviating agent to extract metals from the pretreated ore or rock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: University and Community College System of Nevada on Behalf of The University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Maurice C. Fuerstenau, Manoranjan Misra, Stefan Beck
  • Patent number: 7311787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for darkening a superficial layer of a workpiece which contains zinc by anodic oxidation. The workpiece is oxidized in a soaking bath containing an aqueous solution comprised of a hydroxide and of a nitrate. The anodic oxidation may be carried out in an aqueous solution containing NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 or NaNO.sub.3, and having a pH value ranging from 8 to 14, at a dipping bath temperature (T) ranging from 15 to 45.degree. C., and with a current density (i) ranging from 3.times.10.sup.?4 to 0.5 A/cm.sup.2. The workpiece is placed in the soaking bath at the beginning of the anodic oxidation after the voltage has already been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ewald Dorken AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kruse, Peter Meisterjahn
  • Patent number: 7311788
    Abstract: A sintered body with a composition consisting of 25% to 35% by weight of R (wherein R represents one or more rare earth elements, provided that the rare earth elements include Y), 0.5% to 4.5% by weight of B, 0.02% to 0.6% by weight of Al and/or Cu, 0.03% to 0.25% by weight of Zr, 4% or less by weight (excluding 0) of Co, and the balance substantially being Fe. This sintered body has a coefficient of variation (CV value) showing the dispersion degree of Zr of 130 or less. In addition, this sintered body has a grain boundary phase comprising a region that is rich both in at least one element selected from a group consisting of Cu, Co and R, and in Zr. This sintered body enables to inhibit the grain growth, while keeping the decrease of magnetic properties to a minimum, and to improve the suitable sintering temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Gouichi Nishizawa, Chikara Ishizaka, Tetsuya Hidaka, Akira Fukuno, Yoshinori Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 7311789
    Abstract: Dual phase steel sheet is made using a time/temperature cycle including a soak at about AC1+45° F. to AC1+135° F. and a hold at 850-940F, where the steel has the composition in weight percent, carbon: 0.02-0.20; aluminum: 0.010-0.150; titanium: 0.01 max; silicon: 0.5 max; phosphorous: 0.060 max; sulfur: 0.030 max; manganese: 0.8-2.40; chromium: 0.03-1.50; molybdenum: 0.03-1.50; with the provisos that the amounts of manganese, chromium and molybdenum have the relationship: (Mn+6Cr+10 Mo)=at least 3.5%. The sheet is preferably in the form of a strip suitable for coating in a continuous galvanizing or galvannealing line, and the product is predominantly ferrite and martensite. The strip may be galvanized or galvannealed at a temperature within thirty degrees F. of the temperature of the bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: United States Steel Corporation
    Inventor: David Paul Hoydick
  • Patent number: 7311790
    Abstract: A hybrid structure (50) and method of manufacturing the same including a structural ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material (42) coated with a layer of ceramic insulating tiles (24). Individual ceramic tiles are attached to a surface (22) of a mold (20). The exterior surface (32) of the tiles may be subjected to a mechanical process such as machining with the mold in place to provide mechanical support for the tiles. A layer of CMC material is then applied to bond the tiles and the CMC material together into a hybrid structure. The mold may include a fugitive material portion (26) to facilitate removal of the mold when the hybrid structure has a complex shape. Tiles located in different regions of the structure may have different compositions and/or dimensions. The gaps between adjacent tiles may be filled from the outside before the CMC material is applied or from the inside after the mold is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A. Morrison, Gary B. Merrill, Michael A. Burke, Jay Edgar Lane, Steven James Vance
  • Patent number: 7311791
    Abstract: A safety liner (20) for a vehicle tire (500) includes a tubular body (22) having a one-way valve (24). A service valve (50) is selectively insertable into the one-way valve (24). Tubular body (22) is compressible into a flattened circular shape by a compressive force, and when the compressive force is removed, the tubular body (22) resiliently assumes its original toroidal shape. Safety liner (20) is installed in the cavity (503) of vehicle tire (500) as the vehicle tire (500) is being installed on the tire rim (502). If a blowout or other leak occurs, safety liner (20) will cause the shape of vehicle tire (500) to be retained at a reduced profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Donald Albrecht
  • Patent number: 7311792
    Abstract: A process for splicing a first portion of absorbent material to a second portion of absorbent material to form a longer, continuous length of absorbent material suitable for uninterrupted sequential infeed to a processing machine. The process includes the steps of placing a trailing end of the first portion adjacent a leading end of the second portion and aligning the ends. A piece of splicing material is attached to the ends. The piece of splicing material has a fluid permeability at least about as great as a fluid permeability of the first portion of absorbent material and at least about as great as a fluid permeability of the second portion of absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Beitz, Alissa R. Bruss, Robert J. Makolin
  • Patent number: 7311793
    Abstract: A laminate from which decorative films can be precisely applied to a substrate. The laminate includes a polymeric cover sheet having opposite outer and inner major surfaces. A layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive is adhered to the inner major surface of the cover sheet. The structured pressure sensitive adhesive has a plurality of spaced passageways extending to at least one edge of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A decorative film is adhered to the structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is adhered to the major surfaces of the decorative film opposite the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A release liner extends substantially across the second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and a portion of the structured pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kristin L. Thunhorst, James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 7311794
    Abstract: The present invention provides miniaturized instruments for conducting chemical reactions where control of the reaction temperature is desired or required. Specifically, this invention provides chips and optical systems for performing and monitoring temperature-dependent chemical reactions. The apparatus and methods embodied in the present invention are particularly useful for high-throughput and low-cost amplification of nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Wafergen, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Joseph, Amjad Huda, Alnoor Shivji, Jie Zhou
  • Patent number: 7311795
    Abstract: A first substrate (11a) is positioned on a support surface (7) in a vacuum chamber with an upward-facing first bonding surface (12a) spin-coated with adhesive while a second substrate (11b) is held with downward-facing second bonding surface (12b) to a cover (3) by suction. While the vacuum chamber is being evacuated to a pressure of between 0.1 mbar and 2 mbar, a support pin (9) is extended through central openings (14a, 14b) of the substrates (11a, 11b) and then retracted with the second substrate (11b) released from the cover (3) and carried by radially extended balls (10). The support pin (9) is lowered to a position where the balls (10), acting against the first bonding surface (12a), deform the first substrate (11a). The first bonding surface (12a) being therefore slightly concave, the first and second bonding surfaces (12a, 12b) only touch close to their circumferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: OC Oerlikon Balzers AG
    Inventors: Thomas Eisenhammer, Jeff Ou-Yang
  • Patent number: 7311796
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus comprises: a chamber 12 having at least one opening and for generating plasma; a dielectric member 14 provided to cover the opening air-tightly; at least one wave guide 16 provided in the exterior of the chamber such that the one end side opposes the dielectric member; an electromagnetic wave source 20 provided on the other end side of the wave guide; a plurality of holes 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 provided on a surface opposing the dielectric member of the wave guide; and hole area adjusting means 18 provided in at least one of the above-mentioned holes so as to adjust the opening area of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ekisho Sentan Gijutsu Kaihatsu Center
    Inventors: Masashi Goto, Yukihiko Nakata, Kazufumi Azuma, Tetsuya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7311797
    Abstract: Components of semiconductor processing apparatus comprise thermal sprayed yttria-containing coatings that provide erosion, corrosion and/or corrosion-erosion resistance in plasma atmospheres. The coatings can protect substrates from physical and/or chemical attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. O'Donnell, John E. Daugherty
  • Patent number: 7311798
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for fabricating a laminate product having a pair of sheet materials spaced by a plurality of flexible parallel vanes which are secured to the sheet material so that planar movement of the sheet materials in opposite directions cause the vanes to shift between open and closed positions. The vane material is formed from a web of material by dyeing the material, drying the dyed material, applying spaced longitudinally extending lines of adhesive on opposite faces of the material, and cutting the material into a plurality of side-by-side strips with each strip having a bead of adhesive on each face and along opposite side edges. The cut material with adhesive applied thereto is taken up on a transfer roll and moved to a vane/strip handling station where the strips of material are processed and delivered to a laminating station in parallel overlapping relationship with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, David Hartman
  • Patent number: 7311799
    Abstract: The invention provides a hydrofluoric acid wastewater treatment method that achieves efficient recovery of hydrofluoric acid from hydrofluoric acid wastewater and also achieves sufficient reduction in the hydrofluoric acid concentration of the dehydrofluorinated water after treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Sasakura Engineering Co., Ltd., Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Mizutani, Mitsuo Maeda, Tamito Mukaida, Yasushi Nishimura, Yutaka Shiomi, Koji Harada, Yoshio Tanimoto, Toshiaki Muratani
  • Patent number: 7311800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to embossed tissue-towel paper products comprising one or more plies of tissue paper wherein at least one of the plies of tissue paper comprises a plurality of embossments wherein the at least one embossed plies have a total embossed area less than or equal to about 15% and an average embossment height of at least about 650 ?m and E factor of between about 0.0150 to about 1.0000 inches4 per number of embossments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Russell, Kevin Mitchell Wiwi, Mark Edwin Forry, Ward William Ostendorf, Michael Gomer Stelljes, Jr., Robert Stanley Ampulski
  • Patent number: 7311801
    Abstract: The object of the present invention provides a newsprint paper having a friction coefficient in an appropriate range, a sufficient sizing quality, a low “neppari” strength and excellent printability. A newsprint paper having a static friction coefficient in an appropriate range of 0.44-0.74, a sufficient sizing quality and a low “neppari” strength can be obtained by applying a coating solution containing an alkenyl ketene dimer represented by general formula 1 below and a paper surface-modifying agent on a newsprint base paper, especially a neutralized newsprint base paper containing 1% by weight or more and 30% by weight or less of calcium carbonate as a filler and 50% by weight or more of deinked pulp. wherein R1 and R2 represent an unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 8-30 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ono, Satoshi Ishioka, Fuminari Nonomura, Yasunori Nanri
  • Patent number: 7311802
    Abstract: Composite compounds of co-structured or co-adsorbed organic or mineral fillers or pigments containing at least two organic or mineral fillers or pigments of a different nature and the use thereof in the paper industry for manufacturing paper, filling or coating or for any other surface treatment of the paper as well as wood or metal or plastic or cement surface treatment compounds in the fields of aqueous and non-aqueous prints and plastics materials. Coating colors, uncoated filling compound and sheets of base paper for coating containing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Omya AG
    Inventors: Patrick A. Gane, Matthias Buri
  • Patent number: 7311803
    Abstract: Methods for uniformly distributing a flowing medium to a surface such as that of a rotary liquid permeable roll are disclosed where the flowing medium is distributed by a number of distribution units, the method including distributing the flowing medium to each of the distribution units and separately controlling the flow of the flowing medium to each of the distribution units whereby a uniform flow and an equal amount of the flowing medium is obtained in each of the distribution units. Distribution devices for uniformly distributing a flowing medium to such a surface are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Magnus Danielsson, Jörgen T. Lundberg
  • Patent number: 7311804
    Abstract: Doctor blades are provided for multiple positions within a paper or board making machine. A single doctor blade of a standard length or a reel of doctor blade material has markings which permit a variety of doctor blade sizes to be readily cut. If a standard length doctor blade is used, the length of the blade is chosen to be at least as long as the longest doctor blade required for a particular papermaking machine. If the material is in a reel, the markings may be at regular numbered intervals. If a pattern of rivets is connected to the blade, and the rivets must have a given relationship with a blade holder, blade length may be marked out in such a way that some blade material is discarded in order to position the rivets when shorter blades are cut from the blade reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Breiten, Markku Lemetyinen
  • Patent number: 7311805
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring a continuously advancing paper web from a dryer to a reel section is provided. The system includes a first fabric defining a first moving conveyor. The first fabric may be a permeable fabric, which is positioned downstream from the dryer. A second fabric, which may also be permeable and defines a second moving conveyor, is also included. The first moving conveyor overlaps the second moving conveyor for a predetermined distance, and the first and second moving conveyors are configured to receive the paper web between the conveyors. A vacuum device is rotatably disposed against the first moving conveyor, and the dryer and the vacuum device are disposed relative to each other to form an open draw. The vacuum device is configured to produce a vacuum to attract the web to the first fabric for transferring the advancing web into the predetermined distance where the first and second conveyors overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clarke, Thomas G. Neal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7311806
    Abstract: Papermaking felt containing a hydrophilic urethane resin that can maintain functions such as water drainage, wet-paper smoothness, and wet-paper transportability by imparting a hydrophilic property to the papermaking felt thereby preventing the deposition and accumulation of adhesive contaminants without impairing the compression recoverability of the felt thus sustaining its antifouling capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ichikawa Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ouchi, Kazumasa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7311807
    Abstract: A process for the separation of dichlorobenzene mixtures containing m- and p-dichlorobenzene in which: (i) the mixture is as an extracting agent contacted with a phosphoric ester of the general formula (I) as an extracting agent in which R1, R2 and R3 are identical or different and represent an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkyl or alkenyl radical and R1, R2, and R3 together contain at least 3C-atom and not more than 12 C-atoms, or a mixture of different phosphoric esters (I) of formula or is contacted with a phosphine oxide of the general formula (II) as an extracting agent in which R1, R2 and R3 are identical or different and represent an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkyl or alkenyl radical or hydrogen, and R1, R2 and R3 together contain at least 3 C-atoms and not more than 12 C-atoms, or a mixture of different phosphine oxides of formula (II) or a mixture of said phosphoric esters of formula (I) and phosphine oxides of formula (II), and subsequently (ii) the components of the mixture are
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Lanxess Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gültekin Erdem, Morris Leckebusch, Günter Olf, Kay-Jochen Rinck, Günter Zühlke
  • Patent number: 7311808
    Abstract: A device and method for increasing the mass transport rate of a chemical or electrochemical process at the solid and fluid interface in a fluid cell. The device includes a membrane in close contact with surface of the work piece, to separate the process cell into two chambers, so that fluid velocity at the work piece is controlled separately from the main cell flow. Thus the diffusion boundary layer is controlled and minimized by the rate that fluid is withdrawn from the work piece chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Qunwei Wu, Craig L. Brodeur, John E. Pillion, Jieh Hwa Shyu
  • Patent number: 7311809
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plating apparatus for a substrate which can plate a substrate under uniform pressure without increasing a load to be applied while holding the entire surface of a porous member in contact with the surface, to be plated, of the substrate. The plating apparatus for a substrate, includes: a substrate holder for holding a substrate; a cathode unit having a seal member for abutting against and sealing, in a water-tight manner, a peripheral portion of a surface, to be plated, of the substrate held by the substrate holder, and a cathode electrode which is brought into contact with the substrate to supply current to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Kurashina, Mizuki Nagai, Satoru Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kanda, Koji Mishima, Brett Baker, Hariklia Deligianni, Phillipe Vereecken
  • Patent number: 7311810
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an annealing apparatus and method for a semiconductor processing platform. The annealing apparatus includes a plurality of isolated annealing chambers, wherein each of the annealing chambers has a heating plate positioned in a sealed processing volume, a cooling plate positioned in the processing volume, and a substrate transfer mechanism positioned in the processing volume and configured to transfer substrates between the heating plate and the cooling plate. The annealing system further includes a gas supply source selectively in communication with each of the individual annealing chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yeuk-Fai Edwin Mok, Son T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7311811
    Abstract: Substantially uniform deposition of conductive material on a surface of a substrate, which substrate includes a semiconductor wafer, from an electrolyte containing the conductive material can be provided by way of a particular device which includes first and second conductive elements. The first conductive element can have multiple electrical contacts, of identical or different configurations, or may be in the form of a conductive pad, and can contact or otherwise electrically interconnect with the substrate surface over substantially all of the substrate surface. Upon application of a potential between the first and second conductive elements while the electrolyte makes physical contact with the substrate surface and the second conductive element, the conductive material is deposited on the substrate surface. It is possible to reverse the polarity of the voltage applied between the anode and the cathode so that electro-etching of deposited conductive material can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Homayoun Talieh, Cyprian Uzoh, Bulent M. Basol
  • Patent number: 7311812
    Abstract: A biosensor for determining the concentration of an analyte in a biological sample. The biosensor comprises a support, a reference electrode or a counter electrode or both a reference and a counter electrode disposed on the support, a working electrode disposed on the support, the working electrode spaced apart from the other electrode or electrodes on the support, a covering layer defining a sample chamber over the electrodes, an aperture in the covering layer for receiving a sample, and at least one layer of mesh in the sample chamber between the covering layer and the electrodes. The at least one layer of mesh has coated thereon a silicone surfactant. Certain silicone surfactants are as effective as fluorinated surfactants with respect to performance of biosensors. These surfactants, when coated onto the mesh layer of the biosensor, are effective in facilitating the transport of aqueous test samples, such as blood, in the sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Nigel John Forrow, Xiang Cheng Zhang, Catherine Ann McTigue
  • Patent number: 7311813
    Abstract: This invention is an improved distillation sequence for the separation and purification of ethylene from a cracked gas. A hydrocarbon feed enters a C2 distributor column. The top of the C2 distributor column is thermally coupled to an ethylene distributor column, and the bottoms liquid of a C2 distributor column feeds a deethanizer column. The C2 distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The top of the ethylene distributor is thermally coupled with a demethanizer column, and the bottoms liquid of the ethylene distributor feeds a C2 splitter column. The ethylene distributor column utilizes a conventional reboiler. The deethanizer and C2 splitter columns are also thermally coupled and operated at a substantially lower pressure than the C2 distributor column, the ethylene distributor column, and the demethanizer column. Alternatively, a hydrocarbon feed enters a deethanizer column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ineos USA LLC
    Inventors: Rian Reyneke, Michael Foral, Christos G. Papadopoulos, Jeffrey S. Logsdon, Wayne W. Y. Eng, Guang-Chung Lee, Ian Sinclair
  • Patent number: 7311814
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon fluids are produced by hydrocracking a vacuum gas oil stream, fractionating and/or hydrogenating the hydrocracked vacuum gas oil. The fluids typically have ASTM D86 boiling point ranges within the range 100° C. to 400° C. the range being no more than 75° C., they also have a naphthenic content greater than 60%, the naphthenics containing polycyclic materials, an aromatic content below 2% and an aniline point below 100° C. The fluids are particularly useful as solvents, for printing inks, drilling fluids, metal working fluids and as silicone extenders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Guyomar, Andre A. Theyskens
  • Patent number: 7311815
    Abstract: A method of preparing high linear paraffin or high end-chain monomethyl content products is accomplished by converting synthesis gas in a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to hydrocarbon products. These may be hydrotreated to provide an n-paraffin content of greater than 50% by weight, with substantially all branched paraffins being monomethyl end-chain branched paraffins. At least one non-linear paraffin isomer, which may be a monomethyl paraffin isomer, may be separated from the hydrocarbon products through distillation to provide an n-paraffin product having an n-paraffin content percentage by weight of the n-paraffin product that is greater than the initial n-paraffin content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Armen N. Abazajian
  • Patent number: 7311816
    Abstract: A device for determining the residual liquid content of solids cakes in a centrifuge basket. The device includes two electrodes protruding through a wall of the basket and into the solids cake; a conductivity or capacitance measuring device (13) measuring the conductivity of the solids cake between the electrodes; and evaluation and control units contactlessly receiving data from the measuring device to affect the operation of the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Bayer Technology Services GmbH
    Inventors: Ruth Kessler, Karl Helmut Berg, Karl-Gustav Pattberg, Werner Dick
  • Patent number: 7311817
    Abstract: A system for sanitizing and refilling a potable water system onboard a transport vehicle includes a potable water supply conduit, a potable water feed conduit, a potable water return conduit, a drain conduit, and a sanitizing and refilling station wherein the system is operable in a self-flush mode, a sanitizing mode using ozone, and a fill mode. A method of sanitizing and refilling a potable water system onboard a transport vehicle includes the steps of purging stagnant water from a sanitizing and refilling station, draining stagnant water from the transport's potable water system, sanitizing the transport's potable water system using ozone, draining the transport's potable water system, and filling the transport's potable water system by delivering fresh water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Semler Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Palm, Loren H. Semler, William E. Schulz
  • Patent number: 7311818
    Abstract: A water separation unit having an inner housing for storm water collection, separation of oils and debris from the storm water, and discharge of clean water. The inner housing is suspended inside an outer housing. The inner housing has a translatable floor with a plurality of hollow tubes extending upward from the floor and downward through the floor for passage of clean water from the inner housing and out the water separation unit. A plurality of conduits collect the clean water as it escapes from the inner housing and carries the clean water to a discharge tube and out the water separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Benjamin Gurfinkel
  • Patent number: 7311819
    Abstract: The present invention is an aquarium filter that treats water mechanically, chemically and biologically, provides maximum and uniform circulation and aeration of water, prevents channeling, reduces surface debris, reduces leaking and clogging, maximizes the viewable area, facilitates a slim profile, while being uncomplicated to install and inexpensive. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention is an aquarium filter comprising a first surface skimmer, a second surface skimmer, a first mechanical filter, a second mechanical filter, a plurality of drip trays, a plurality of biological filters, a first chemical filter, a second chemical filter, a pump and a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventors: Bradley Earl Hochgesang, Andrew Kent Hochgesang
  • Patent number: 7311820
    Abstract: A water distribution header for a swimming pool recirculation system includes a nozzle having an arcuate face with a plurality of dispensing apertures positioned thereon. The dispensing apertures are in fluid communication with an inlet having a ball joint thereon that is coupled with the filtering system return line. The ball joint allows the angle between the header and return line to be selectively varied to assure that the nozzle is directed toward the bottom surface of the pool. Accordingly, the nozzle directs multiple, radially projecting streams of water toward the bottom of the pool thereby propelling any large debris resting thereon toward the filtering system intake drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: C. Arthur Anderson
  • Patent number: 7311821
    Abstract: A water circulation unit includes an ejector (142), a convergent, and a pipe (146) which is arranged in the extension of the convergent. The ejection axis practically merges with the symmetry axis of the convergent, the two axes forming a common axis of the unit, and the distance between the water outlet of the ejector (142) and the downstream section of the convergent is between 0.4 and 1.6 times the length of the convergent. A guiding region is located just upstream of the upstream section of the convergent following the common axis, at least up to the water outlet of the ejector (142) when the outlet is located outside the convergent, the region ensuring that the water is essentially symmetrically guided around the common axis during the operation of the ejector. In a filter unit, a cartridge (154) is arranged around the water circulation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Joël Queirel
  • Patent number: 7311822
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compact design and provides an improved viewable area. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises a container having a height, a depth and a width. The container comprises a main cavity, a lower cavity, at least one side cavity and a filtration system. The lower cavity is located below the main cavity and a first plate separates the lower cavity from the main cavity and allows limited fluid communication between the lower cavity and main cavity. The volume of the lower cavity is substantially less than the volume of the main cavity. The side cavity is located adjacent to the main cavity and a second plate separates the side cavity from the main cavity and allows limited fluid communication between the side cavity and main cavity. The side cavity has a volume less than the main cavity and more than the lower cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventors: Bradley Earl Hochgesang, Andrew Kent Hochgesang