Patents Issued in July 29, 2008
  • Patent number: 7404902
    Abstract: A composition for treating water contained in enclosures, such as swimming pools, spas, whirlpool tubs and cooling towers, which includes at least one boron compound, cyanuric acid, at least one mineral remover and at least one clarifier is provided. A composition and method for treating salt water contained in enclosures using halogen generators to generate sterilizing halogen in situ, wherein the method includes adding to the water effective amounts of a composition having at least one boron compound, cyanuric acid, at least one mineral remover and at least one clarifier, such that they are present in the water simultaneously is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Haviland Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Don H. Girvan, Paul J. Nederveld, Arthur F. Harre, III
  • Patent number: 7404903
    Abstract: A process for the separation of oil from invert mud drill cuttings. Invert mud drill cuttings are supplied to a mixing chamber of a jet pump. The invert mud drill cuttings are agitated within the jet pump to effect transformation of the solids-oil matrix of the invert mud drill cuttings. Oil is then separeated from the transformed solids-oil matrix in a separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: RJ Oil Sands Inc.
    Inventors: Wade Ralph Bozak, Michael E Kessick
  • Patent number: 7404904
    Abstract: There is a method of capturing, removing or collecting the particulate matter from a fluid containing a toxic liquid reaction and particulate matter produced from the reaction. The method includes partly or completely disposing a screen into the toxic fluid. Mixing the toxic fluid allowing the particulate matter to contact the screen. Moving the screen to capture the particulate matter on the screen. Removing the particulate matter from the screen by washing or scraping. There is also a cleaning apparatus to capture, remove or collect particulate matter from a toxic fluid. A cleaning apparatus contains at least a screen and a structure securing the screen. The cleaning apparatus can optionally include a scraping or washing means, a drive means, a flow inducer and a housing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Melvin Stanley
  • Patent number: 7404905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water treatment apparatus, method and system for use in the treatment of wastewater or contaminated water, the apparatus including an energisable material or base platform configured and arranged for placement in the flow of wastewater, the platform having a substantial surface area with a media layer suitable for use in hosting bacterial cultures, and further including an energisable layer attachable to the media layer which, when energized with an electrostatic negative voltage charge from a direct current power source, can attract suspended solids in the wastewater and bond aerobic bacterial cultures to the media layer, and whereby additional media can be introduced into the area about the energisable material or layer that can also attract suspended solids thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Water Rite Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Peter Musson
  • Patent number: 7404906
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating, preventing from growth, and neutralizing microorganisms in cutting fluids using high-frequency, low-energy ultrasound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ashland Licensing & Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Mario Swinnen, Eric D. Cordemans de Meulenaer, Baudouin O. Hannecart, Edward S. Beardwood
  • Patent number: 7404907
    Abstract: Ammonium perfluorooctanoate—also called APFO, PFOA or C8—is a surfactant associated with the production of Teflon®, and is also present in products such as fire-fighting foams and may be formed from the microbial degradation of grease-resistant coatings applied to items such as pizza boxes. APFO itself does not hydrolyze, photolyze, or biodegrade under environmental conditions and is biologically additive. A process by which APFO may be removed and recovered from water by electrosorption is discovered. Removal and recovery by electrosorption form an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method of removal and recovery of APFO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Kelydra Elizabeth Welcker
  • Patent number: 7404908
    Abstract: According to this manufacturing method, a copper foil is attached to both sides of an insulating material to form a substrate. First, a large number of through-holes is made in the substrate and the inside of the through-holes is made electrically conductive. Then, after one side of the substrate is coated with a photosensitive dry film having an outer masking layer attached thereto, a developing solution is caused to infiltrate into the through-bores from the other side to develop the photosensitive dry film as a plating resist. The photosensitive dry film is then exposed to be hardened. The outer masking layer is removed to copper-electroplate the inside of the through-holes and the like. Finally, the photosensitive dry film is removed to form a circuit pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Maruwa Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 7404909
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a microelectronic device and a microelectronic device. The method for manufacturing the microelectronic device, without limitation, may include forming a first mirror layer over and within one or more openings in a sacrificial spacer layer, and forming a dielectric layer over an upper surface of the first mirror layer and within the one or more openings. The method may further include subjecting the dielectric layer to an etch, the etch removing the dielectric layer from the upper surface and leaving dielectric portions along sidewalls of the one or more openings, and forming a second mirror layer over the first mirror layer and within the one or more openings, the dielectric portions separating the first mirror layer and the second mirror layer along the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Rothenbury
  • Patent number: 7404910
    Abstract: An etching solution which contains hydrogen fluoride (HF) and exhibits an etching rate ratio: etching rate for a boron-glass film (BSG) or boron-phosphorus-glass film (BPSG)/etching rate for a thermally oxidized film (THOX) of 10 or more at 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Kezuka, Makoto Suyama, Mitsushi Itano
  • Patent number: 7404911
    Abstract: The present invention relates to heat-transfer concentrates for solar installations, containing a) from 92 to 99% by weight of at least one polyglycol of the formula R—O—(CH2—CH2—O)n—H, in which n is an integer of from 3 to 500 and R is H, a C1- to C4-alkyl group or an aromatic radical having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, b) from 1 to 8% by weight of at least one corrosion inhibitor, with the proviso that its content of ethylene glycol and 1,2-propylene glycol is less than 0.2% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Clariant International Ltd.
    Inventors: Markus Hafner, Achim Stankowiak, Johann Schuster, Stefan Mauerberger
  • Patent number: 7404912
    Abstract: The present invention provides luminescent lanthanide metal chelates comprising a metal ion of the lanthanide series and a complexing agent comprising at least one salicylamidyl moiety. Also provided are probes incorporating the salicylamidyl ligands of the invention and methods utilizing the ligands of the invention and probes comprising the ligands of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kenneth N. Raymond, Stephane Petoud, Seth Cohen, Jide Xu
  • Patent number: 7404913
    Abstract: Fast, bright inorganic scintillators at room temperature are based on radiative electron-hole recombination in direct-gap semiconductors, e.g. CdS and ZnO. The direct-gap semiconductor is codoped with two different impurity atoms to convert the semiconductor to a fast, high luminosity scintillator. The codopant scheme is based on dopant band to dopant trap recombination. One dopant provides a significant concentration of carriers of one type (electrons or holes) and the other dopant traps carriers of the other type. Examples include CdS:In,Te; CdS:In,Ag; CdS:In,Na; ZnO:Ga,P; ZnO:Ga,N; ZnO:Ga,S; and GaN:Ge,Mg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Derenzo, Edith Bourret-Courchesne, Marvin J. Weber, Mattias K. Klintenberg
  • Patent number: 7404914
    Abstract: Polycrystalline materials containing crystallies of precursors to electrically conductive polymers and electrically conductive polymers are described which have an adjustable high degree of crystallinity. The intersticial regions between the crystallites contains amorphous material containing precursors to electrically conductive polymers and/or electrically conductive polymers. The degree of crystallinity is achieved by preparing the materials under conditions which provide a high degree of mobility to the polymer molecules permitting them to associate with one another to form a crystalline state. This is preferable achieved by including additives, such as plasticizers and diluents, to the solution from which the polycrystalline material is formed. The morphology of the polycrystalline material is adjustable to modify the properties of the material such as the degree of crystallinity, crystal grain size, glass transition temperature, thermal coefficient of expansion and degree of electrical conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marie Angelopoulos, Bruce Kenneth Furman
  • Patent number: 7404915
    Abstract: An objective is to provide an electromagnetic wave shielding material exhibiting an excellent electromagnetic wave shielding property, and also to provide a manufacturing method with quick and simple processing, in which a thin-line-state picture image can easily be formed. An electromagnetic wave shielding material exhibiting an excellent near-infrared shielding property can further be provided if desired. Disclosed is an electromagnetic wave shielding material possessing a support and provided thereon, a conductive metal layer, wherein the conductive metal layer satisfies at least one of the following conditions; (1) a void ratio of the conductive metal layer is 0.1-15%, (2) Glossiness of the conductive metal layer is 50-300%, and (3) Center line average surface roughness (Ra) of the conductive metal layer is 1-50 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Narito Goto, Takeshi Habu
  • Patent number: 7404916
    Abstract: Cellular or compact polyurethane moldings are produced by conveying at least one isocyanate component and at least one polyol component by a metering machine in dispensing manner into a mixing chamber via component lines to form a polyurethane reaction mixture. Subsequently, the polyurethane reaction mixture is discharged from the mixing chamber into a mold. The pressures of the components are registered by means of pressure transducers in the component lines and are transmitted to a monitoring device. The temporal profiles of the pressures are compared with reference pressure values stored in the monitoring device. A malfunction is signalled in the event of deviation of at least one of the measured pressure profiles from the reference pressure profile beyond a predetermined tolerance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hennecke GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Begemann, Klaus Sieben, Jürgen Wirth, Wolfgang Pawlik
  • Patent number: 7404917
    Abstract: A method for generating foam for gypsum product manufacturing includes injecting water through a conduit and injecting a foaming agent through the conduit to form a first solution comprising the water and the foaming agent. The method includes straining the first solution in the conduit and injecting air through the conduit to form a second solution comprising the water, the foaming agent and the air. The method also includes straining the second solution in the conduit to form foam and communicating the foam to a gypsum product manufacturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Eagle Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry G. Gannaway, Raymond J. Barnes, Floyd E. Sims
  • Patent number: 7404918
    Abstract: The present invention provides a product that includes (a) a wood-based product having a pair of outer surfaces; and (b) a silicone-containing material and a compound having a dianion each located on at least a portion of at least one outer surface, and the silicone-containing material at least partially penetrates at least a portion of at least one outer surface of the wood-based product. The invention also includes methods for manufacturing such product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Potlatch Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Hejna, Michael S. Urso
  • Patent number: 7404919
    Abstract: To provide a flexible mold (10) useful for manufacturing a PDP rib having a lattice pattern and other microstructures, and capable of highly precisely manufacturing the microstructures without involving defects such as occurrence of bubbles and pattern deformation. A flexible mold (10) comprises a base layer (2) made of a first curable material having a viscosity of 3,000 to 100,000 cps at 10 to 80° C. and a coating layer (3) coating a surface of the base layer (2) and made of a second curable material having a viscosity of 200 cps or below at 10 to 80° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Chikafumi Yokoyama, Akira Yoda, Hiroshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7404920
    Abstract: A molding-system clamp assembly of a molding system is disclosed, and includes a clamp piston, and a clamp ram, the clamp ram and the clamp piston each including inter-meshable structures to selectively inter-mesh the clamp piston to the clamp ram, in the unmeshed position the clamp piston and the clamp ram do not inter-mesh relative to each other, and inter-abuttable structures to selectively inter-abut the clamp piston relative to the clams ram, the inter-abuttable structures having an interposing body abuttable against the clamp ram and the clamp piston, the inter-abuttable structures to abut with each other so that the clams piston makes contact with the interposing body, and the inter-abuttable structures to transfer a mold-break force so that the mold-break force is applied from the clamp piston against the interposing body, and in response the mold-break force is transferred from the clamp piston through the interposing body and to the clamp ram, and once mold break has occurred, the clamp piston is de
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Joaquim Martins Nogueira
  • Patent number: 7404921
    Abstract: Free fibers (10) are deposited on a rotary support turntable (30) by means of a hollow deposition cone (40) having an outer wall surrounding a chamber and pierced by multiple perforations. The fibers are delivered to the outer surface of the perforated wall of the cone (40) in a cone feed zone that is remote from the zone for deposition on the turntable (30), and they are then held by suction being established inside the chamber, leading to suction through the perforations in the cone, so as to be transported by rotation of the cone from the cone feed zone to the zone for deposition on the turntable, and the fibers cease to be held on the cone in the deposition zone by localized interruption of the suction through the perforations in the wall of the cone, at least in said zone, such that the transported fibers are deposited on the turntable which is rotated about its own axis simultaneously with the cone being rotated. The fibers deposited on the rotary turntable (30) may be compacted and needled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventor: Renaud Duval
  • Patent number: 7404922
    Abstract: A powdery mixture of fine SiC powder with one or more oxide sintering additives of Al2O3, Y2O3, SiO2 and CaO is blended and uniformly dispersed in a polymeric SiC precursor to prepare a matrix-forming polymeric slurry. A preform of SiC fiber, which has quasi-stoichiometric composition with high crystallinity, is impregnated with the polymeric slurry and then hot-pressed at a temperature of 1600° C. or higher in presence of a liquid phase. Since the heat-resistant SiC fiber is used as strengthening fiber, the prepreg is sintered to a dense SiC composite excellent in mechanical properties by one-step hot-pressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kohyama, Yutai Katoh
  • Patent number: 7404923
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for cooling and/or rinsing at least one steel wire and/or tape, with a member for conveying at least one steel wire and/or tape, a basin which contains a cooling and/or rinsing liquid and is provided with outlets from which a certain number of successive liquid curtains flow in a turbulent manner, the at least one steel wire and/or tape being conveyed through the liquid curtains, and an adjustor for adjusting the number of successive curtains to be penetrated by the at least one steel wire and/or tape according to the cooling and/or rinsing that is to be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Le Four Industriel Belge
    Inventor: Jacques Bauden
  • Patent number: 7404924
    Abstract: A flotation device for mixing and aerating an ore-containing slurry, comprising a tank having a conical-shaped floor. A vertically positioned flotation assembly is located within the tank. The open bottom of the flotation assembly is shaped is positioned above the conical portion of the floor. The assembly has a middle section having a cage with spaced, vertical bars forming its outer circumference. A rotatable impeller is located within the middle section which draws slurry from the tank through the bottom section and into the middle section and thereafter through the cage and out of assembly. The impeller is attached to a rotatable shaft which is connected at its bottom portion to the upper side of the back plate to rotate the impeller in a plane normal to the shaft. A hollow, vertically situated tubular shaped upper section is located directly above the middle section through which the shaft passes. The upper section has an opening at its lower end which is blocked by the back plate of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: FFE Minerals Corp.
    Inventor: Carlos Q. Letelier
  • Patent number: 7404925
    Abstract: A marker paint comprises 42 wt % to 52 wt % pigment, 31 wt % to 37 wt % acrylic resin and 17 wt % to 21 wt % silicone resin excluding solvent. The pigment comprises cobalt titanium oxide, titanium nickel antimony oxide, cobalt aluminium oxide or cadmium sulphide selenium to give a green, yellow, blue or red color respectively. The marker paint is used in conjunction with an irreversible temperature indicating paint to determine if there is any debris and/or dirt on the irreversible temperature indicating paint to affect the accuracy of the temperature measurement of the irreversible temperature indicating paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Hugh M. L. Watson, Elaine C. Hodgkinson
  • Patent number: 7404926
    Abstract: A method and system for treating a fluid containing entrained cementitious particles involves drawing the fluid from a storage location, pre-filtering the fluid, dividing the pre-filtered fluid into a flow of permeate and a flow of bypass by passing said pre-filtered fluid through a tangential flow filter. The permeate flow is fluid that has passed through a polymeric membrane filter media disposed in the tangential flow filter, while the bypass flow is flow exiting said tangential flow filter without passing through said membrane filter media. The system and method also includes a pH probe for testing the pH of the filtrate, and a metering pump operated by a controller which injects a neutralizing agent into the filtrate to reduce the alkalinity of the filtrate before discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Frank G. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 7404927
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically staining or treating multiple tissue samples mounted on slides are provided, in which the slides and reagent bottles are held in fixed position, and the reagent and wash solutions brought to the slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Lemme, William Richards, Wayne Showalter
  • Patent number: 7404928
    Abstract: A thiol terminated ethylene oxide oligomer and the method of substituting the oligomer onto a gold nanocluster surface using a thiol-exchange reaction to form a charge-neutral, non-ionizable, water soluble, ethylene oxide protected gold nanocluster. The thiol terminated ethylene oxide oligomer has the formula CH3(OCH2CH2)xSH where x varies from one to ten. Also disclosed is the related method of making the thiol terminated ethylene oxide oligomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Edward E Foos, Arthur W Snow
  • Patent number: 7404929
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for the determination of the physical characteristics of a structured superficial layer of material using light scattering spectroscopy. The light scattering spectroscopy system comprises optical probes that can be used with existing endoscopes without modification to the endoscope itself. The system uses a combination of optical and computational methods to detect physical characteristics such as the size distribution of cell nuclei in epithelial layers of organs. The light scattering spectroscopy system can be used alone, or in conjunction with other techniques, such as fluorescence spectroscopy and reflected light spectroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Newton Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen F. Fulghum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7404930
    Abstract: The invention concerns the performing, in continuous flow, of a biological, chemical or biochemical protocol on substances to be analysed, comprising several steps which consists in: in causing a mobile analysis support (11) comprising means (12) for receiving substances to be analysed and reagents to move past; implementing the steps of the protocol on the substances as the mobile analysis support (11) moves past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Yves Fouillet, Raymond Charles, Nicolas Sarrut, Patricia Claustre
  • Patent number: 7404931
    Abstract: The invention concerns plasma separation on a microliter scale. The method/system according to the invention is able to provide plasma in the range of several microliters within a very short time as it is required, for example, in modern analyses by carrier-bound test elements. Plasma separation and plasma release is carried out in two separate consecutive steps of the method using the device according to the invention such that hemolysis during plasma separation can be avoided despite an accelerated procedure. The device comprises a disposable unit in which the device is characterized by an economical and simple method of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Guenter Frey, Norbert Ladiges, Siegfried Noetzel, Bernd Roesicke
  • Patent number: 7404932
    Abstract: A solid-phase nano extraction device includes an extraction tube whose inner surface has a nanostructure for a large contact area with object to be detected. The nanostructure can adsorb objects in an extremely short reaction time. A driving structure is designed for the solid-phase micro extraction device. The extraction tube is connected to the driving structure for the objects to enter the fiber under the force of concentration gradient, pressure difference, or capillary force, thereby being adsorbed onto the nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jin-Ming Chen, Chien-Te Hsieh, Yue-Hao Huang, Rong-Rong Kuo, Yu-Run Lin, Chiung-Wen Hu, Mu-Rong Chao, Kuen-Yuh Wu
  • Patent number: 7404933
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a diesel engine, which engine being operable in a plurality of modes including an idling mode, wherein the engine emits a relatively cool exhaust gas, and a running mode, wherein the engine emits a relatively hot exhaust gas, includes a solid NOx absorbent, whereby NOx is absorbed by the NOx absorbent during the idling mode and is desorbed and passed to atmosphere during the running mode and/or during acceleration from idling to running as the temperature of the exhaust gas increases, wherein during all modes the engine runs lean and the exhaust gas composition is lambda>1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Martyn Vincent Twigg
  • Patent number: 7404934
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating exhaust gases, which can be arranged in the exhaust-gas stream from an internal combustion engine or in the exhaust-gas line from stationary combustion installations and which has a feed-line connection stub and a discharge-line connection stub. Feed-line connection stub (3) and discharge-line connection stub (4) are held on the housing (6) which contains a filter material which has at least one fabric layer made from metal wires or metal fibers. For diversion, for retention of particulates from the in the incoming exhaust-gas stream (1) and for muffling in the exhaust-gas stream and for purification of exhaust gases, in the housing (6) there are shaped bodies (8) which consist of metallic materials (19.1, 19.2) as composite material (19), the empty spaces (11, 16, 17) which are present in the housing (6) being filled with metallic fiber material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Drafas GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Haag
  • Patent number: 7404935
    Abstract: An air conditioner device includes a first electrode array and a second electrode array. A mechanism, that cleans the electrode(s) in a first electrode array, includes a length of flexible insulating material that projects from a base of the second electrode array towards the first electrode array. As a user moves the second electrode array up or down within the conditioner housing, the electrode(s) in the first array are frictionally cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corp
    Inventors: Shek Fai Lau, Jimmy Luther Lee, Andrew J. Parker
  • Patent number: 7404936
    Abstract: The present invention provides new microreactor systems, catalysts, and chemical processes. Methods of making novel catalysts and reaction apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: Terry J. Mazanec, Yong Wang, Laura J. Silva, David P. VanderWiel
  • Patent number: 7404937
    Abstract: A reactor 20 has a plurality of tubular downcomers 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and risers 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, joined by sections 86, 88 in a continuous serpentine path the tubes dimensioned to provide substantially plug flow conditions for solid and liquid reagents fed into a first downcomer 24 with the products extracted from final riser 52. The reactor 20 is designed for a desired residence time by the number, height and diameter of the tubes. The downcomers 24, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may include a bend to improve residence time and to thereby reduce the number of tubes required for a desired overall residence time. The reactor 20 can be used in a leaching operation for producing synthetic rutile, where a pre-treated feedstock including ilmenite, leueoxene or titania slag is leached with hot HCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Austpac Resources N.L.
    Inventor: John Winter
  • Patent number: 7404938
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus utilizing hydrogen peroxide are useful to reduce NOx, SOx and mercury (or other heavy metal) emissions from combustion flue gas streams. Continuous concentration of hydrogen peroxide to levels approaching or exceeding propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide facilitates increased system efficiency. In this manner, combustion flue gas streams can be treated for the removal of NOx, SOx and heavy metals, while isolating useful by-products streams of sulfuric acid and nitric acid as well as solids for the recovery of the heavy metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Clyde F. Parrish
  • Patent number: 7404939
    Abstract: A sorbent composition comprising a vanadium compound and a TiO2 support material is disclosed. Methods of making and using the composition to remove heavy metals or heavy metal containing compounds from a fluid stream are also provided. Such methods are particularly useful in the removal of mercury and mercury compounds from flue gas streams produced from the combustion of hydrocarbon-containing materials such as coal and petroleum fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Cross, Glenn W. Dodwell, Marvin M. Johnson, Edward L. Sughrue, II, Jianhua Yao
  • Patent number: 7404940
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reduction of pollutants in combustion processes using combined rotating opposed fired air (ROFA) and fuel injection sorbents (FSI) for increased chemical reactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mobotec USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Mark Shilling, Edwin Haddad
  • Patent number: 7404941
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a medium purity silicon comprising: preparing, by carbothermic reduction of silica in a submerged arc-furnace a silicon with low boron content; refining the liquid silicon with oxygen or chlorine; treating the refined silicon under reduced pressure from 10 to 100 Pa with neutral gas injection; segregated solidification. The invention also concerns a medium purity silicon designed to serve as raw material for making silicon of electronic or voltaic quality, and having (in weight fractions): a total of impurities ranging between 100 and 400 ppm, with the content in metallic elements ranging between 30 and 300 ppm; a boron content from 1 to 10 ppm; a phosphorus/boron ratio ranging between 0.5 and 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ferropem
    Inventors: Gerard Baluais, Yves Caratini
  • Patent number: 7404942
    Abstract: Process for the production of hydrogen and the co-production of carbon dioxide in separate streams comprising the following operations: feeding of a solid to a first reaction zone (R1) in which a liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon, preferably natural gas or methane, is also fed, which reacts with the solid fed at its maximum oxidation degree (over-oxidized form), leading to the formation of the combustion products carbon dioxide and water and the solid at its minimum oxidation degree (reduced form); feeding of the solid in reduced form to a second reaction zone (R2) into which water is also fed, which reacts with the reduced form of the solid, producing hydrogen, steam and the solid at an intermediate oxidation degree (oxidized form); feeding of the solid in oxidized form to a third reaction zone (R3) into which air is also fed, obtaining, from the further oxidation of the solid, heat and the solid in over-oxidized form to be recycled to the first reaction zone (R1), wherein the solid contains at least one element
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Enitecnologie S.p.A., Snamprogetti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Domenico Sanfilippo, Franco Mizia, Alberto Malandrino, Stefano Rossini
  • Patent number: 7404943
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing the solubility of a fluorinated compound in an organic solvent are provided. In one embodiment, carbon dioxide gas pressure is applied to the solvent at a pressure effective to enhance the solubility of the fluorinated compound. The method may further include recrystallizing the fluorinated compound by reducing the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas. Also provided are methods of conducting a reaction using a fluorinated compound in an organic solvent. In one embodiment, the method comprises applying carbon dioxide pressure to an organic solvent comprising at least one substrate and a fluorinated catalyst, in an effective amount to solubilize the catalyst; and permitting the fluorinated catalyst to catalyze the reaction of the substrate to form a product. The catalyst is optionally separated from the reaction product and solvent after the reaction by the release of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Eckert, Philip G. Jessop, Charles L. Liotta
  • Patent number: 7404944
    Abstract: A process for removing sulfates such as hydrogen sulfate, sodium sulfate, and chloride from an ethanol stream by contacting the ethanol stream with a clay material to thereby remove at least a portion of the sulfates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Mitchell K. Oliver
  • Patent number: 7404945
    Abstract: A diagnostic reagent for use in the evaluation of a pharmacological effect of a medicine containing a pharmaceutical agent including an enzyme, an enzyme inhibitor or a receptor ligand or a prodrug of the pharmaceutical agent is provided. Further, a method of screening pharmaceutical agents each comprising an enzyme, an enzyme inhibitor or a receptor ligand and/or prodrugs of the pharmaceutical agents is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Company Limited
    Inventors: Asuka Ito, Tadashi Kohno, Isaburo Hosoi, Junko Hirayama, Kenji Maeda
  • Patent number: 7404946
    Abstract: An antiperspirant compositions and corresponding methods of application wherein the compositions comprise a) a skin-adhering system comprising i) a skin-adhering polymer, ii) one or more volatile solvents; b) antiperspirant active; c) thickening agent; and d) an anhydrous carrier in an amount sufficient to provide enhanced substantivity of antiperspirant actives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Andrea Demetrius Bowens-Jones, Antoinette Lynn Allen
  • Patent number: 7404947
    Abstract: The invention provides a hair treatment lotion of green tea, gentian, and geranium in aqueous solution, and methods for using this lotion to prevent or treat hair loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Maria Grazia Canalini
  • Patent number: 7404948
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel peptidic conjugates containing a Gly-His-Lys sequence and used for dermatology or cosmetology for stimulating hair growth or stopping hair fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Institut Europeen de Biologie Cellulaire
    Inventors: Anne-Marie Pinel, Michel Hocquaux
  • Patent number: 7404949
    Abstract: A method and composition is provided for managing in-grown hair which involves applying to those areas malonic acid or a salt thereof in a carrier. The method and composition allows for comfortable shaving of skin by minimizing the problem of in-grown hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Raymond Faryniarz, Michael Charles Cheney, Anthony William Johnson
  • Patent number: 7404950
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition and method which to treat diseases and to enhance a regulated immune response. More particularly, the present invention is drawn to compositions that are based on dendritic cells modified to express an inducible form of a co-stimulatory polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Baylor College of Medicine
    Inventors: David Spencer, Brent Hanks, Kevin Slawin
  • Patent number: 7404951
    Abstract: A method of reducing extracellular brain glutamate levels. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of reducing blood glutamate levels thereby reducing extracellular brain glutamate levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Yeda Research And Development Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Vivian I. Teichberg