Patents Issued in July 8, 2008
  • Patent number: 7396388
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved integrated process for the removal of heavy hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and water from a raw natural gas feed stream. More specifically, the integrated process of the present invention comprises a three step process involving the adsorption of heavy hydrocarbons and water on an adsorbent bed selective for the same, a subsequent aqueous lean amine treatment for the absorptive removal of acid gases, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, and an adsorptive removal of water. The process of the present invention results in a highly purified dry natural gas product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: BASF Catalysts LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Mitariten
  • Patent number: 7396389
    Abstract: Unless an abnormality exists in piping introducing a pressure from front and rear of DPF 22 into a differential pressure sensor 45, pulsations of pressure propagation through an exhaust passage 21 is offset in a detection value of a pressure difference of the differential pressure sensor 45, and an amplitude of the detection value of the DPF pressure difference resulting from pulsation of the pressure becomes small. If a crack exists in one of the piping 3a and 3b, the influence of a pulsation of the pressure appears in the DPF pressure difference and the amplitude of the detection value of the DPF pressure difference becomes large. The amplitude of the detection value of the DPF pressure difference is compared with the reference value and is detected as being abnormal when it is large, utilizing the phenomenon described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kariya, Tsukasa Kuboshima
  • Patent number: 7396390
    Abstract: An oxygen enrichment apparatus includes an oxygen enriching unit for generating oxygen-enriched air and a discharge unit for discharging the oxygen-enriched air transferred from the suction unit. The oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen enriching unit has an oxygen concentration ranging from about 25% to 35%. The apparatus also includes a suction unit for suctioning the oxygen-enriched air from the oxygen enriching unit and a control unit for controlling the operation of the suction unit. The main body is provided with a display unit for indicating a state that the oxygen-enriched air is being discharged out by the discharge unit. The oxygen enriching unit has at least one oxygen enriching membrane for generating the oxygen-enriched air and a condensed water treating unit is installed at an air passage for guiding the oxygen-enriched air from the oxygen enriching unit to the discharge unit via the suction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Hayashi, Toshiyuki Yoshida, Yasuo Oshima, Yoshitaka Murata, Teruyuki Yasuda, Hiroyuki Senoo
  • Patent number: 7396391
    Abstract: A venting aperture is formed in an upper wall of a casing, a gas-permeable membrane supporting body is mounted to the casing so as to communicate between the venting aperture and an external portion through a communicating aperture, and a gas-permeable membrane is disposed so as to shut off the communicating aperture. A cylindrical protective wall is disposed so as to protrude integrally from the casing so as to surround the gas-permeable membrane supporting body. A leading edge region of an external surface of the protective wall is formed so as to have an inclined surface in which a wall thickness gradually decreases from a root end toward a leading edge, and a groove having a groove direction in a direction of projection of the protective wall is formed so as to extend from a root of the protective wall to a leading edge and so as to communicate between an internal portion and an external portion of the protective wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuma Waida
  • Patent number: 7396392
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for treating at least one fluid, in a container that holds at least one mass of a particulate material between two perforated walls. Near the upper part of the mass, at least one deflector extends from the first wall towards the second wall. Fluid flows through the walls horizontally, and the deflector is positioned at an angle to this horizontal fluid flow direction. With this particular apparatus configuration, an area close to the second wall and opposite the adjacent end of the deflector is formed, which is generally free of particulate matter; thus, resulting in a more efficient treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Lehman, Benoît Davidian, Philippe Fert
  • Patent number: 7396393
    Abstract: An antiallergen filter of the present invention is characterized in that a water-insoluble high-molecular weight anti-allergenic agent having a phenolic hydroxyl group and a moisture-absorbing material are carried on a filter. Because of using the water-insoluble high-molecular weight substance as an anti-allergenic agent, the antiallergen filter of the present invention is free from a problem that the anti-allergenic agent flows and drops or is detached from the filter due to moisture in the atmosphere, etc. even in a highly humid environment or the like. Further, since the moisture-absorbing material is carried on the filter, moisture that the anti-allergenic agent requires for adsorbing and capturing an allergen and inactivating its allergic activity can be effectively retained on the filter. Thus, the antiallergen filter of the present invention can effectively exert its anti-allergenic effect over a prolonged period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Inagaki, Ryousuke Suga, Takahiro Nakajima, Mitsuhito Teramoto, Taro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7396394
    Abstract: The invention provides a displacement electroless gold plating solution that is low in toxicity, can be used at a pH near to neutrality, and affords good solder adhesion and film adhesion. The displacement electroless gold plating solution contains a non-cyanide water-soluble gold compound and a hydrogensulfite compound. Preferably, the plating solution further contains a thiosulfuric acid compound or an aminocarboxylic acid compound. Sodium hydrogensulfite, potassium hydrogensulfite, ammonium hydrogensulfite or the like can be used as the hydrogensulfite compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Aiba, Kazumi Kawamura, Hirofumi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7396395
    Abstract: A composition of a water-repellent agent has a solvent and a solute. The solvent is water. The solute is dissolved in water and has isocyanate-acryl, non-ionic fluoro-acryl, 4,4-dipheylmethane diisocyanate, zinc acetate and polyethylene wax. Isocyanate-acryl has a concentration in a range of 10˜40 gram in per liter of the water-repellent agent (i.e. 10˜40%). Non-ionic fluoroacryl has a concentration in a range of 80˜150% t. 4,4-dipheylmethane diisocyanate has a concentration in a range of 5˜12%. Zinc acetate has a concentration in a range of 1˜20%. Polyethylene wax emulsion has a concentration in a range of 1˜40%. Therefore, a fabric treated with the present invention has good waterproof ability, widely enhanced color fastness in light and improved tear-resistance strength at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Everest Textile Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Tze Chen, Pi-Hsun Chang, I-Ling Cheng, Wen-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 7396396
    Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion ink comprises a water phase and an oil phase, wherein the water phase comprises a carbon black pigment having a pH of less than 8 dispersed therein by a water-soluble resin, and wherein the water phase also comprises a pH-adjusting agent to achieve a pH value for the water phase of 8 or greater. The ink maintains stable rheology on ageing, and provides a stable and consistent ink detection signal even after periods of non-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: GR Advanced Materials Ltd., Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: John Christopher Adams
  • Patent number: 7396397
    Abstract: In order to obtain an ink for oil-based ballpoint pens and an oil-based ballpoint pen which are excellent in handwriting sharpness, handwriting dryness, handwriting and feeling of writing, an ink composition includes an oil-soluble dye, water, an organic solvent whose vapor pressure at 20° C. is 0.5 mmHg or more and which dissolves the water, and an organic solvent whose vapor pressure at 20° C. is 0.1 mmHg or less and which dissolves the organic solvent whose vapor pressure at 20° C. is 0.5 mmHg or more. A total of these three components is 20 to 75% by mass based on an entire mass of the ink composition. A content of the water is 3.0 to 15.0% by mass based on the entire mass of the ink composition. An ink viscosity at 20° C. is 100 to 5,000 mPa·s. The water and the other components are formulated, mixed and stirred to produce the ink. A ballpoint pen refill with low vapor permeability is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Pilot Corporation
    Inventor: Hironobu Kanbayashi
  • Patent number: 7396398
    Abstract: An ink composition is provided including an amide compound represented by formula I, a coloring agent and a solvent. The amide compound and the polyhydric alcohol in the ink composition decrease the mobility of coloring agents and increase the adhesion to media, thereby minimizing the bleeding between colors of printed images, and improving the water fastness and dry and wet rub fastness to provide good color fastness on papers. The ink composition also improves the quality of the printed image, and also has good long-term storage stability. Thus, the ink composition can be widely used as ink-jet inks for ink-jet printers, printing inks, paints, textile printing, paper manufacturing, cosmetics manufacturing, ceramic industry, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-in Lee, Seung-min Ryu, Su-aa Jung
  • Patent number: 7396399
    Abstract: A bipyridine-based metal complex includes a complex of bipyridine-based ligands and metals, and is utilized in an ink composition. The bipyridine-based metal complex may be used alone, as well as in combination with other coloring agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-in Lee, Seung-min Ryu, Su-aa Jung
  • Patent number: 7396400
    Abstract: A water base erasable ink composition for use in marking pens which comprises 0.05-20% by weight of a colorant and 1-20% by weight of an oily material which is nonvolatile at normal temperatures (25° C.) and is dispersed in water, wherein the oily material has a viscosity of 5-40 mPa·s at 20° C. and is dispersed in water in the form of emulsion, and wherein the colorant is dispersed in the water with the aid of a polyvinyl alcohol resin as a dispersing agent which has a saponification degree of 70-85 mol % and of which aqueous solution of 4% concentration has a viscosity of 2-30 mPa·s at 20° C. in a weight ratio of the resin to the colorant of 0.5 to 5 and in an amount of 1 to 10% by weight based on the ink composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sakura Color Products Corporation
    Inventors: Keiko Nakamura, Hidetoshi Fukuo, Jiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7396401
    Abstract: Effect pigments based on a flake-form substrate that have a circular or elliptical shape or have the shape of a polygon, the preparation thereof, and the use thereof, for example, in paints or coatings, or as tracers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Jungnitz, Gerald Fuchs-Pohl, Reinhold Rueger
  • Patent number: 7396402
    Abstract: A dewatering aid for a slurry coating on a building product in which a coating formulation includes an hydraulic binder. A slurry is produced from said binder and dewatering aid and applied to the product to be coated. The resultant coating is then dewatered through said product. Dewatering can be accomplished with or without vacuum assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: James Hardie International Finance B.V.
    Inventors: Basil Naji, Milton O'Chee
  • Patent number: 7396403
    Abstract: Concrete products and dry concrete mixes comprise cement, acrylic coated carbon fibers, and any optional components such as silica fumes, slag, stone, sand, and/or other aggregates. Preferably, the acrylic coated carbon fibers have a length of about 2½ inches to about 6 inches. A method of reinforcing concrete comprises mixing the cement, the acrylic coated carbon fibers, any optional components (such as silica fumes, slag, stone, sand, and/or other aggregates), and water to form a cement slurry, and letting the slurry set to cure the cement and form bonds between the cement and the carbon fibers, thereby obtaining reinforced concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ogden Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Herbert Ogden
  • Patent number: 7396404
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forging cylindrical alkali halide melt-grown single-crystal-type ingots into rectangular blocks. The resulting rectangular blocks are devoid of peripheral cracks and fissures, and possess uniform properties and reduced levels of impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Olexy V. Radkevich, Efim Toutchinskii, Yuriy Yakovlev, Robert S. Zwolinski
  • Patent number: 7396405
    Abstract: There is disclosed a single crystal obtained by a single crystal pulling method, wherein an interval of striations incorporated into the single crystal due to temperature fluctuation of crystal melt at the time of crystal growth is controlled, and a method of growing a single crystal according to a single crystal pulling method, wherein a growth rate and/or a temperature fluctuation period are controlled so that V×F/sin ? may be in a certain range when a growth rate at the time of growing a single crystal is defined as V (mm/min), a temperature fluctuation period of crystal melt is defined as F (min), and an angle to the level surface of a crystal-growth interface is defined as ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Hoshi, Susumu Sonokawa
  • Patent number: 7396406
    Abstract: A single crystal semiconductor manufacturing method for realizing a dislocation-free single crystal while not varying or hardly varying electric power supplied to a heater when and after a seed crystal comes into contact with a melt. The allowable temperature difference ?Tc not causing dislocation in the seed crystal is determined according to the concentration (C) of the impurities added to the seed crystal (14) and the size (diameter D) of the seed crystal (14). When the seed crystal (14) comes into contact with the melt (5), electric power supplied to a bottom heater (19) is fixed, and a magnetic field produced by a magnet (20) is applied to the melt (5). Electric power supplied to a main heater (9) is controlled so that the temperature at the surface of the melt (5) which the seed crystal (14) comes into contact with may be a target value. After the seed crystal (14) comes into contact with the melt (5), single crystal silicon is pulled up without performing a necking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sumco Techxiv Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inagaki, Masahiro Shibata, Shigeki Kawashima, Nobuyuki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7396407
    Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of edge-angle-optimized solid phase epitaxy for forming hybrid orientation substrates comprising changed-orientation Si device regions free of the trench-edge defects typically seen when trench-isolated regions of Si are recrystallized to the orientation of an underlying single-crystal Si template after an amorphization step. For the case of amorphized Si regions recrystallizing to (100) surface orientation, the trench-edge-defect-free recrystallization of edge-angle-optimized solid phase epitaxy may be achieved in rectilinear Si device regions whose edges align with the (100) crystal's in-plane <100> directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Katherine L. Saenger, Chun-yung Sung, Haizhou Yin
  • Patent number: 7396408
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the production of diamond films with low misorientation through the deposition of diamond on a film system, whereby the film system exhibits a substrate film made of monocrystalline silicon or silicon carbide, at least one buffer film arranged on that, and at least one metal film made of a refractory metal arranged on that, whereby the diamond is deposited on the at least one metal film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Universität Augsburg
    Inventors: Matthias Schreck, Stefan Gsell, Bernd Stritzker
  • Patent number: 7396409
    Abstract: By uniformly forming an indefinite number of microscopic acicular crystals on a surface of a silicon substrate so as to be perpendicular to the surface of the substrate by plasma CVD method using a catalyst, it is possible to reliably, homogeneously and massively form an ultramicroscopic acicular silicon crystal having a substantial cone shape tapered so as to have a radius of curvature of not less than 1 nm to no more than 20 nm at its tip end and having a diameter of bottom surface of not less than 10 nm, and a height equivalent to or more than the diameter of bottom surface, at a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Covalent Materials Corporation, Techno Network Shikoku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akitmitsu Hatta, Hiroaki Yoshimura, Keiichi Ishimoto, Hiroaki Kanakusa, Shinichi Kawagoe
  • Patent number: 7396410
    Abstract: Epitaxial silicon carbide layers are fabricated by forming features in a surface of a silicon carbide substrate having an off-axis orientation toward a crystallographic direction. The features include at least one sidewall that is orientated nonparallel (i.e., oblique or perpendicular) to the crystallographic direction. The epitaxial silicon carbide layer is then grown on the surface of the silicon carbide substrate that includes features therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Christer Hallin, Heinz Lendenmann
  • Patent number: 7396411
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a single crystal includes the steps of: flowing a raw material gas toward a seed crystal in a reactive chamber so that the single crystal grows from the seed crystal; controlling the raw material gas by a gas flow control member having a cylindrical shape; passing the raw material gas through a clearance between the seed crystal and an inner wall of the gas flow control member; and flowing a part of the raw material gas to bypass the seed crystal. The method provides the single crystal having good quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tomohisa Kato, Shinichi Nishizawa, Fusao Hirose
  • Patent number: 7396412
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing fluid during semiconductor substrate processing operations. The apparatus includes a central fluid dispense bank comprising a plurality of dispense nozzles coupled to a plurality of fluid sources and a first processing chamber positioned to a first side of the central fluid dispense bank. The apparatus also includes a second processing chamber positioned to a second side of the central fluid dispense bank and a dispense arm adapted to translate between the central fluid dispense bank, the first processing chamber, and the second processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sokudo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishikawa, Rick Roberts
  • Patent number: 7396413
    Abstract: A serpentine tube used in the manufacture of a fluorescent lamp is coated with a reflective or phosphor material. A magnetic material and coating material slurry is placed within one end of a serpentine glass tube. A magnet is placed adjacent the magnetic material and coating material slurry and is moved in a path conforming to the shape of the serpentine tube. The magnet causes the magnetic material and coating material slurry to travel along therewith, coating a portion of the interior surface of the serpentine tube with a reflective, phosphor, or other material. In another embodiment of the invention, abrasive magnetic material is placed within the serpentine lamp for removing a previously coated material resulting in an aperture being formed. The present invention is particularly suited to the manufacture of serpentine fluorescent lamps that are used to illuminate flat panel displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: LCD Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Istvan Sedenszki, George Kovacs
  • Patent number: 7396414
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously coating and measuring a part. The apparatus includes a part support, a sprayer and a part measurer positioned adjacent to the part support and a display device positioned adjacent to the part support. The sprayer applies a coating to a section of the part while the part measurer continuously measures a dimension of the section of the part being coated. In one embodiment, an initial amount of coating and a final amount of coating are applied to the section of the part based on the dimension measurements and desired dimension of the part. In another embodiment, the amount of coating applied to the part is based on the desired coating thickness. As a result, the apparatus and method of the present invention significantly reduces the margin of error related to the application of coatings to parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 7396415
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a substrate is provided. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber, a substrate holder within the chamber, and first and second injector components. The reaction chamber has an upstream end and a downstream end, between which the substrate holder is positioned. The substrate holder is configured to support a substrate so that the substrate is within a plane extending generally toward the upstream and downstream ends. The first injector component is at the upstream end of the chamber and is configured to inject a first thin gas curtain toward a substrate supported by the substrate holder. The first injector component is configured to inject the first curtain generally along a first plane that is parallel to a first side of the substrate. The second injector component is configured to inject a second thin gas curtain toward the first side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: ASM America, Inc.
    Inventors: Chantal J. Arena, Chris Werkhoven, Ron Bertram
  • Patent number: 7396416
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning device comprises a chamber for cleaning a substrate; a substrate support installed in the chamber providing a surface for supporting the substrate during cleaning thereof; at least one cleaning solution supply outlet for spraying a cleaning solution onto a surface of the substrate; a vibration force generator for supplying a vibratory action; a vibration force generating shaft which receives said vibratory action from the vibration force generator so that said vibration force generating shaft vibrates for agitating the cleaning solution on the substrate; and a vibration force distributor for preventing a vibration force from being concentrated on a portion of the substrate below the vibration force generating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In-Joon Yeo
  • Patent number: 7396417
    Abstract: A degreasing method for descaling or removing laser scales from iron-containing metal part surface by treating the iron-containing metal part surfaces that is optionally tainted with laser scales with an aqueous solution containing at least one type of highly water-soluble and complexed with Fe ions carboxylic acid, at least one type of salt of at least one type of carboxylic acid exhibiting the same action and at least one type of fatty amine ethoxylate, wherein the solution is buffered, the Fe ions are carried into the solution and at least partially complexed, increasing the pH value of the solution for descaling with respect to at least one type of carboxylic acid. The entire concentration of carboxylic acids and the salts thereof is increased for descaling by 2 to 20% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Chemetall GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Fischer, Hanspeter Brunner
  • Patent number: 7396418
    Abstract: A process for removing particles from a reticle is described, wherein the process is performed by using a pellicle particle detector (PPD) and a particle removing tool disposed in front of the PPD as well as fixed to the PPD. The particle removing tool includes at least one gas spray member directed toward a surface of the reticle for removing particles. The process includes steps as follows, step (a) loading the reticle into the PPD through the gas spray member to detect whether the reticle has particles thereon; step (b) ejecting the reticle from the PPD; step (c) turning on the particle removing tool as well as going back to step (a) when particles are detected on the reticle, and ending the particle removal process when no particle is detected on the reticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Ching Lin, Yu-Cheng Yang
  • Patent number: 7396420
    Abstract: The present invention provides a steel sheet having a chemical composition comprising 0.15% or less C, 2.0% or less Si, 3.0% or less Mn, P, S, A1 and N in adjusted amounts, from 0.5 to 3.0% Cu, or one or more of Cr, Mo and W in a total amount of 2.0% or less, and having a composite structure comprising ferrite and martensite having an area ratio of 2% or more. The steel sheet is in the form of a high-strength hot-rolled steel sheet, a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet, or a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet. There is thus available a steel sheet excellent in press-formability and in strain age hardening property as represented by a ?TS of 80 MPa or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Saiji Matsuoka, Tetsuo Shimizu, Kei Sakata, Osamu Furukimi
  • Patent number: 7396421
    Abstract: A duplex stainless steel containing C, Si, Mn, P, S, Al, Ni, Cr, Mo, N (nitrogen, O (oxygen), Ca, Mg, Cu, B, and W, and the balance Fe and impurities, where a number of oxide-based inclusions, which have a total content of Ca and Mg of 20 to 40% by mass and also have a long diameter of not less than 7 ?m, is not more than a 10 per 1 mm2 of the cross section perpendicular to the working direction, or further, the number of oxide-based inclusions, which have a content of S of not less than 15% by mass and also have a long diameter of not less than 1 ?m, is not more than 10 per 0.1 mm2 of the cross section perpendicular to the working direction. Particularly, the contents of Cu, B and W are desirably 0.2 to 2%, 0.001 to 0.01%, and 0.1 to 4% by mass, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Omura, Satoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7396422
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rolling bearing which provides superior noiselessness and high corrosion resistance and longer life, and is manufactured at a low cost, a material for the rolling bearing, and an instrument including a rotating portion using the rolling bearing. A plurality of rolling elements are provided between an inner ring and an outer ring. At least one of the inner and outer rings and is formed of corrosion resistant bearing steel comprising a specific chemical component. The corrosion resistant bearing steel comprises eutectic carbides having an average value of circle equivalent diameter of 0.2 to 1.6 ?m, an average area of 0.03 to 2 ?m2, and an area ratio of 2 to 7%. The hardness of the corrision resistant bearing steel is HRC 58 to 62 by JIS. The amount of retained austenite in the corrosion resistant bearing steel is 6 volume % or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kent Engineering
    Inventor: Toshiaki Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 7396423
    Abstract: A welding structural steel product exhibiting a superior heat affected zone toughness, comprising, in terms of percent by weight, 0.03 to 0.17% C, 0.01 to 0.5% Si, 0.4 to 2.0% Mn, 0.005 to 0.2% Ti, 0.0005 to 0.1% Al, 0.008 to 0.030% N, 0.0003 to 0.01% B, 0.001 to 0.2% W, at most 0.03% P, at most 0.03% S, at most 0.005% O, and balance Fe and incidental impurities while satisfying conditions of 1.2?Ti/N?2.5, 10?N/B?40, 2.5?Al/N?7, and 6.5?(Ti+2Al+4B)/N?14, and having a microstructure essentially consisting of a complex structure of ferrite and pearlite having a grain size of 20 ?m or less. The method includes the steps of preparing a slab of the above-described composition, heating the slab to 1,100° C. to 1,250° C. for 60-180 minutes, hot rolling the heated slab in an austenite recrystallization range at a 40% or more rolling reduction followed by controlled cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: POSCO
    Inventors: Hong-Chul Jeong, Hae-Chang Choi
  • Patent number: 7396424
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hard precious metal alloy member comprising casting a material consisting essentially of a gold alloy, which has a gold content of from 37.50 to 98.45 wt %, and contains gadolinium in an amount of not less than 50 ppm, but less than 1,5000 ppm; subjecting the material to a solution heat treatment; and subjecting the material to an aging treatment after the solution heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Kazuo Ogasa
  • Patent number: 7396425
    Abstract: A method of production of peeling layer paste used for producing a multilayer electronic device, having a step of preparing a primary slurry containing a ceramic powder having an average particle size of 0.1 pm or less, a binder, and a dispersion agent and having a nonvolatile concentration of 30 wt % or more, a step of adding to the primary slurry a binder-lacquer solution to dilute the primary slurry to prepare a secondary slurry having a nonvolatile concentration of 15 wt % or less and a content of the binder of 12 parts by weight or more with respect to 100 parts by weight of the ceramic powder, and a high pressure dispersion treatment step of running the secondary slurry through a wet jet mill to apply to the secondary slurry a shear rate of 1.5×106 to 1.3×107 (1/s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tamotsu Ishiyama, Shigeki Sato
  • Patent number: 7396426
    Abstract: A method for making a reinforcing structure for a vehicle tire includes laying down at least one continuous thread element onto a support element, generating one or more layers. A path of the at least one thread element is substantially concentric with a rotation axis of the tire. The at least one thread element is laid down according to an undulated trajectory including a plurality of waves succeeding each other along a line circumferentially extended around the rotation axis of the tire. A tire for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, a pair of annular anchoring structures, reinforcing structures disposed at axially opposite side portions of at least one carcass ply of the carcass structure, a belt structure, a pair of sidewalls, and a tread band. Each reinforcing structure includes one or more layers of at least one continuous thread element extending according to the undulated trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Mariani, Maurizio Marchini
  • Patent number: 7396427
    Abstract: A laminating method for forming a laminated layer in the form of a transparent film on a surface of an image on a printed object includes the steps of transferring a laminate having a laminated layer and a heat resistive base material layer to the surface of the printed object for laminating to form a laminated printed object, and a rear edge peeling step of peeling off the heat resistive base material layer from a rear edge portion of the laminated printed object by exerting an active force on the rear edge of the printed object in the carrying direction. Subsequently to the rear edge peeling step, a front edge peeling step peels off the heat resistive base material layer from a front edge of the laminated printed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Nagata, Kenji Suzuki, Teruaki Okuda, Hiroshi Ochiai, Yoshinari Yasui
  • Patent number: 7396428
    Abstract: A laser weldable PBT-series resin composition comprises a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)-series resin (A), and at least one resin (B) selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate-series resin (b1), a styrenic resin (b2), a polyethylene terephthalate-series resin (b3) and an acrylic resin (b4). The PBT-series resin (A) may be a PBT homopolyester, or a PBT-series copolymer modified with not more than 30 mol % of a copolymerizable monomer (e.g., a bisphenol compound or an adduct thereof with an alkylene oxide, and an asymmetrical aromatic dicarboxylic acid). The ratio (weight ratio) of the resin (B) relative to the PBT-series resin (A) [the former/the latter] is about 0.1/1 to 1.5/1. The resin composition may comprise a glass fiber. The resin composition is excellent in laser weldability, and can improve in welding strength of a shaped article formed from the resin composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Win Tech Polymer Ltd
    Inventors: Mitsunori Matsushima, Kouichi Sakata, Katsunori Takayama
  • Patent number: 7396429
    Abstract: A functional mixture is provided that comprises at least one multi-functional Michael acceptor, at least one multi-functional Michael donor, and at least one weakly basic catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Beckley, Thomas Frederick Kauffman, Michael John Zajaczkowski, David William Whitman
  • Patent number: 7396430
    Abstract: A proximity head and associated method of use is provided for performing confined area planarization of a semiconductor wafer. The proximity head includes a chamber defined to maintain an electrolyte solution. A cathode is disposed within the chamber in exposure to the electrolyte solution. A cation exchange membrane is disposed over a lower opening of the chamber. A top surface of the cation exchange membrane is in direct exposure to the electrolyte solution to be maintained within the chamber. A fluid supply channel is defined to expel fluid at a location adjacent to a lower surface of the cation exchange membrane. A vacuum channel is defined to provide suction at a location adjacent to the lower surface of the cation exchange membrane, such that the fluid to be expelled from the fluid supply channel is made to flow over the lower surface of the cation exchange membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Boyd, Fritz C. Redeker, Yezdi Dordi, Michael Ravkin, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 7396431
    Abstract: A plasma processing system for treating a substrate includes a processing chamber including a first chamber portion configured to receive a first gas for providing a plasma space, and a second chamber portion configured to receive a second gas for providing a process space having process chemistry to treat the substrate. A substrate holder is coupled to the second chamber portion of the processing chamber, and configured to support the substrate proximate the process space, and a plasma source is coupled to the first chamber portion of the processing chamber, and configured to form a plasma in the plasma space. A grid is located between the plasma space and the process space, and configured to permit the diffusion of the plasma between the plasma space and the process space in order to form the process chemistry from the process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lee Chen, Hiromitsu Kambara, Caizhong Tian, Tetsuya Nishizuka, Toshihisa Nozawa
  • Patent number: 7396432
    Abstract: A composite shadow ring that is constructed of an upper ring and a lower ring assembled together by a plurality of dowel pins and a method for using the ring. The upper ring and the lower ring each has a predetermined outside diameter that is substantially the same, a planar top surface and a planer bottom surface parallel to the planar top surface. Each of the planar bottom surface of the upper ring and the planar top surface of the lower ring has at least two blind holes formed therein. A plurality of dowel pins are used to frictionally engage the at least two blind holes in the upper ring and the at least two blind holes in the lower ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chang-Jung Li, Wen-Ming Chen, Kun-Yen Fan, Wen-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 7396433
    Abstract: The process separates oil and water from a sludge mixture by directing the sludge mixture into a rapidly rotating friction dryer having a cylindrical chamber with a smooth inner surface and a rotating rotor having rotor arms extending into closely spaced relation to the inner surface of the chamber. The rotor is rapidly rotated to form an annular bed of the sludge material while moving the material particles in the mixture axially and tangentially and while frictionally generating heat between the rotor arms and the sludge material sufficient to evaporate the water in the sludge material to steam. At the same time, the oil in the mixture is heated by the steam and evaporated at a temperature below the normal atmospheric boiling point of the oil. Thereafter, the separated evaporated oil and the steam are removed from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Thermtech AS
    Inventor: Asbjørn Strand
  • Patent number: 7396434
    Abstract: A continuous and batch system to produce cellulose, native lignin and unicellular protein from any form of vegetation in a closed process. The biomass is mixed in the impregnate solution of nitric acid and/or ammonium hydroxide and water. After a period of time at room temperature and atmospheric pressure the chemical solution is recycled. The biomass is moved to the reactor and heated. Evaporated impregnate is recovered via absorption tower and recycled back to chemical solution. The biomass is moved to an alkaline solution, then cooled to separate pulp from black liquor. The black liquor is pumped to a separation tank and is treated to precipitate lignin. The solution is filtered to separate sweet liquor and lignin. The lignin is dried and the sweet liquor is fermented to produce unicellular protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Rodriguez Rivera, Kelly Anthony O'Flynn
  • Patent number: 7396435
    Abstract: Methods for conveying, mixing, leveling, and flaking dewatered pulp to produce pulp flakes suitable to be used in a dryer. Methods for producing a consistent flow rate of pulp, and, for producing uniform pulp flakes in terms of pulp flake size and pulp flake moisture content. A method includes introducing a dewatered pulp to a rotating shaftless screw conveyor. The pulp is deposited from the screw conveyor onto a moving belt conveyor through a chute. The pulp is leveled with a rotary doctor located above the belt conveyor to produce a substantially even rate of mass flow of pulp along a length of belt conveyor. Uniform and consistent quantities of pulp per unit time can then be fed from the belt conveyor to a pulp flaker that then translates into an even rate of pulp mass flow to the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Co.
    Inventors: Ramon C. DeZutter, Christopher Q. Tveter
  • Patent number: 7396436
    Abstract: A process for making a unitary fibrous structure comprises steps of: providing a fibrous web comprising a plurality of cellulosic fibers randomly distributed throughout the fibrous web and a plurality of synthetic fibers randomly distributed throughout the fibrous web; and causing co-joining of at least a portion of the synthetic fibers with the cellulosic fibers and the synthetic fibers, wherein the co-joining occurs in areas having a non-random and repeating pattern. A unitary fibrous structure comprises a plurality of cellulosic fibers randomly distributed throughout the fibrous structure, and a plurality of synthetic fibers distributed throughout the fibrous structure in a non-random repeating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Dennis Trokhan, Dean Van Phan, Osman Polat
  • Patent number: 7396437
    Abstract: Method and system for controlling web formation in the forming section of a paper machine includes measuring the amount of white water occurring during drainage in at least one drainage region of the forming section; and carrying out the web formation control on the basis of the white water measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Raymond P. Shead, Johann Moser
  • Patent number: 7396438
    Abstract: A method of making a formed, dried lignocellulose fiber material comprising (a) providing an aqueous lignocellulose fiber pulp slurry having an effective consistency; (b) de-watering the slurry to provide a de-watered material at an effective de-watering rate under an effective pressure to prevent or reduce the formation of fissures and voids within the material; (c) drying an effective amount of the de-watered material at an effective temperature and period of time to provide the formed, dried lignocellulose fiber material having a thickness of at least 5 mm. The formed, dried lignocellulose material may be used to make a lignocellulose fiber-resin composite material of use as a cost effective structural member, as a substitute for steel, in, for example, bridges, processing equipment, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Tembec Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. N. Scobie