Patents Issued in June 14, 2011
  • Patent number: 7959832
    Abstract: The present invention is a transparent conductor containing electrically conductive particles, a binder, and an ultraviolet absorber. The transparent conductor of the present invention is so arranged that the ultraviolet absorber in the transparent conductor absorbs ultraviolet light even during irradiation of the transparent conductor with ultraviolet light, and is thus able to suppress influence of ultraviolet light on the electrically conductive particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Yasuda, Chieko Yamada
  • Patent number: 7959833
    Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion material contains a metal oxide comprising M1, M2 and oxygen, wherein M1 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba and may contain an element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Mg, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Bi and Pb, and wherein M2 comprises Cu as an essential element and may contain an element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni. The mole ratio of M2 to M1 (M2/M1) is 1.2 to 2.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Tohma, Kazuo Sadaoka, Yoshio Uchida
  • Patent number: 7959834
    Abstract: The photostabilizing electronic excited state energy—particularly singlet state energy from a UV-absorbing molecule has been found to be readily transferred to (accepted by) ?-cyanodiphenylacrylate compounds of formulas (I) and (V) having an alkoxy radical preferably in the four (para) position (hereinafter methoxycrylenes) on one or both of the phenyl rings: wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a straight or branched chain C1-C12 alkoxy radical, preferably C1-C8, more preferably C1-C4, and most preferably methoxy, and any non-alkoxy radical R1 or R2 is hydrogen; and R3 is a straight or branched chain C1-C24 alkyl radical, preferably C12-C24, more preferably C20; wherein A and B are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of oxygen, amino and sulfur; R1 and R3 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of C1-C30 alkyl, C2-C30 alkylene, C2-C30 alkyne, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C1-C30 substituted alkylene, C2-C30 substituted alkyne, aryl, substituted aryl, het
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Hallstar Innovations Corp.
    Inventors: Craig A. Bonda, Anna Pavlovic
  • Patent number: 7959835
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards chemiluminescent systems useful in the practice of methods of intrusion detection, compositions useful for intrusion detection and methods for their formation, and to covert intrusion detection techniques and compositions therefore containing an infrared light generating chemiluminescent system, blended into an earthen-like carrier that enable one to detect whether any movement has breached an area during a certain time frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cyalume Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl Cranor, Eric Domingos, Luis Fidalgo
  • Patent number: 7959836
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of shaped articles such as, for example, sheeting, films, tubes, bottles, preforms and profiles, having high transparency and low haze, and comprising immiscible blends of at least one polyester comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, and a copolyamide or a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The components of the immiscible blend have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into the polymer composition to produce transparent shaped articles. These articles may have one or more layers and can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into the compositions to produce shaped articles having oxygen-scavenging properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Wesley Raymond Hale, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Mark Edward Stewart, Martin Emerson Rogers, Spencer Allen Gilliam, Michael Duane Cliffton, Emmett Dudley Crawford, David Scott Porter, Gary Wayne Connell, Marcus David Shelby
  • Patent number: 7959837
    Abstract: A method of compacting material such as but not limited to cathode material for electrochemical cells. A mixture is inserted into a die cavity and the mixture is compacted into a disk shape by the action of a first plunger pressing down on the material and a second plunger pressing upwardly on the material. Flashing of material during ejection of the disk from the die is prevented by fitting a polymeric sleeve around the outer surface of the first plunger. The sleeve flexes to bulge outwardly and does not enter the die cavity during compaction of material and returns to its original position during ejection of the compacted disk from the die. Contact between the disk and sleeve prevents flashing during ejection. Alternatively, a polymeric seal ring is placed around the outer surface of the first plunger. The disk presses against the seal ring preventing flashing of material during ejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Albert A. Andrews, Robert D. Freeman, Otis Neil Taylor, David Leon Watson, Eric V. Ball
  • Patent number: 7959838
    Abstract: An epoxy resin composition suitably used for a prepreg which can complete curing in a short time even at a low temperature and secure a sufficient usable period under preservation at room temperature, in comparison with conventional epoxy resin compositions. An epoxy resin composition comprising at least one of an epoxy resin, an amine compound having at least one sulfur atom in the molecule thereof, and a reaction product of an epoxy resin and an amine compound having at least one sulfur atom in the molecule thereof, and an amine compound having at least one sulfur atom in the molecule thereof, and a urea compound and a dicyandiamide, wherein each of the contents of the sulfur atom and the urea compound in the epoxy resin composition is respectively 0.2 to 7% by mass and 1 to 15% by mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Takano, Akitada Yanase, Tadashi Sakai, Kiharu Numata, Akihiro Ito, Masato Taguchi, Junichi Muramatsu, Kazuya Goto, Kazuki Koga
  • Patent number: 7959839
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite article having a decal occurs in a mold. The mold includes a surface that defines a mold cavity. A decal is introduced to the surface of the mold. A polyurethane elastomer composition is applied into the mold cavity to form an elastomeric layer over the decal. The composite article including the elastomeric layer and the decal may then be demolded from the mold. Alternatively, a paint composition is applied into the mold cavity to form a paint layer over the decal. The polyurethane elastomer composition is applied into the mold cavity to form an elastomeric backing layer over the paint layer. The composite article including the paint layer, the decal, and the elastomeric backing layer may then be demolded from the mold. The composite article may be a seat for an all-terrain vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: David Debiasi, Jon P. Pavlinac
  • Patent number: 7959840
    Abstract: A method of constructing a shaft seal assembly includes attaching a PTFE seal element to an outer metal case and disposing a bore of the PTFE seal element onto a mandrel. Then, heating the PTFE seal element while on the mandrel. Further, cooling the PTFE seal element while on the mandrel and, removing the shaft seal assembly from the mandrel. The resulting seal element provides a reliable seal against a running surface of a shaft in use, while at the same time producing low running torque against the running surface of the shaft. Further, a minimal axial push force is required to install the shaft seal assembly onto the shaft, thereby reducing the potential of damage to the seal element or inversion of the seal element during installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Federal Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick R. Hatch
  • Patent number: 7959841
    Abstract: Uniformly dense, diamond-silicon carbide composites having high hardness, high fracture toughness, and high thermal stability are prepared by consolidating a powder mixture of diamond and amorphous silicon. A composite made at 5 GPa/1673K had a measured fracture toughness of 12 MPa·m1/2. By contrast, liquid infiltration of silicon into diamond powder at 5 GPa/1673K produces a composite with higher hardness but lower fracture toughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Yusheng Zhao
  • Patent number: 7959842
    Abstract: Techniques for forming a carbon nanotube (CNT) structure are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: SNU & R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Yong Hyup Kim, Eui Yun Jang
  • Patent number: 7959843
    Abstract: In a method of fabricating a structure by plastically deforming a processing portion provided at a movable segment, a restraint segment configured to restrain movement of the movable segment is provided before an external force is applied to the processing portion. After processing of the processing portion is completed, the restraint segment is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Zaitsu, Chienliu Chang, Masao Majima, Hironobu Maeda
  • Patent number: 7959844
    Abstract: Plastic containers are injection molded of HDPE blow molding grade resin having a density of about 0.960 to 0.965 g/cc and a melt index of about 0.7 to 1.0 g/10 min. at injection temperatures of 570° F. to 670° F. and mold cavity pressures of 20,000 psig to 27,000 psig. Relatively thin walled, rigid, livestock feed containers can be manufactured using about 20% to 50% less material while retaining strength and durability comparable to containers molded of HDPE injection molding grade resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Maxi-Life, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor A. Sahm, III, Charles Hansen
  • Patent number: 7959845
    Abstract: The invention provides an injection molding method of stone-based composite material and equipment thereof, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. putting raw materials into a charging device and then pushing the raw materials into a preforming machine barrel of a preforming device by a pressing component in the charging device; b. keeping the temperature being between 15° C. and 55° C. and compacting the raw materials with the rotation of a preforming screw and transporting the raw materials into a collecting block; c. injecting the raw materials into a mold through a mold gate under the injection force of 50 Mpa to 180 Mpa; d. keeping the temperature of the mold between 140° C. and 200° C. and curing time between 40 seconds and 300 seconds; and e. opening the mold to get the product. The invention has the advantages of simple production process, high acceptance rate of products manufactured, high production efficiency and low production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Haitian Plastics Machinery Group
    Inventors: Jianming Zhang, Jianbo Zhang, Xumin Zhang, Hongbo Zhang
  • Patent number: 7959846
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a hinge (50) and a method of molding the hinge. The hinge comprises: a first part (52) and a second part (54) connected together during moulding to allow relative pivotal movement between the parts. The second part is molded over the first part after molding of the first part to form an interface (68) between the second part and the first part at which relative pivotal movement is allowed. After moulding of the second part the second part shrinks in a controlled manner to provide a predetermined frictional force at the interface between the first part and the second part in order to resist said relative pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul White, Keith Sydney Levett
  • Patent number: 7959847
    Abstract: Methods and systems of stereolithography for building cost-efficient and time-saving multi-material, multi-functional and multi-colored prototypes, models and devices configured for intermediate washing and curing/drying is disclosed including: laser(s), liquid and/or platform level sensing system(s), controllable optical system(s), moveable platform(s), elevator platform(s), recoating system(s) and at least one polymer retaining receptacle. Multiple polymer retaining receptacles may be arranged in a moveable apparatus, wherein each receptacle is adapted to actively/passively maintain a uniform, desired level of polymer by including a recoating device and a material fill/remove system. The platform is movably accessible to the polymer retaining receptacle(s), elevator mechanism(s) and washing and curing/drying area(s) which may be housed in a shielded enclosure(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ryan Wicker, Francisco Medina, Christopher Elkins
  • Patent number: 7959848
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing fibers made from one or more polymers or polymer composites, and to structures that can be produced from such fibers. In one embodiment, the fibers of the present invention are nanofibers. The present invention also relates to apparatus for producing fibers made from one or more polymers or polymer composites, and methods by which such fibers are made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Darrell H. Reneker, George Chase, Oludotun Dosunmu, Woraphon Kataphinan
  • Patent number: 7959849
    Abstract: Method of applying a layer of material (25, 26) to the inner wall of a cycle tyre (20) in the form of a torus, with an inner wall (28) and an outer wall (29) and having a crown (22) extended by two sidewalls (21), two beads (23a, 23b) and two bead wires (30a, 30b) placed in said beads, said tyre having a given nominal inflation pressure, which comprises the following steps: the tyre (20) is turned inside-out so as to bring the inner wall (28) to the outside of the torus and the outer wall (29) to the inside of the torus; the outer torus wall (29) of the tyre is extended by applying an internal inflation pressure to said outer wall (29) above the nominal inflation pressure of said tyre; the layer of material (25, 26) is applied to the inner wall (28) of the tyre (20); and the tyre (20) is turned inside-out so as to bring the inner wall (28) and the outer wall (29) back into their initial positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Societe de Technologie Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique, S.A.
    Inventors: José Merino Lopez, Luc Bestgen, Frédéric Pialot
  • Patent number: 7959850
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for blow forming containers (2). A parison (1) is stretched by means of a stretching rod (11) within a blow mold and molded into the container (2) by applying blow pressure following thermal conditioning. Pressurized gas is introduced into the container (2) through the stretching rod (11). The pressurized gas is laterally introduced from a pressure chamber into an interior space of the stretching rod (11). The stretching rod comprises at least one passage opening (53) between a tip (51) facing the blow mold and an end (52) of the stretching rod, which faces away from the blow mold. Said passage opening (53) extends into the interior space of the rod so as to deliver the pressurized gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: KHS Corpoplast GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolf Jaksztat, Günther Godau
  • Patent number: 7959851
    Abstract: Strips containers are formed using two continuous webs in thermoformable and heat-sealable material facing each other. The webs are indexed along a feed line through different operating stations that transform the webs into a continuous strip of containers, each one of which is provided with a mouth. The containers are arranged according to two parallel rows that are opposed to a longitudinal median zone. The mouths of the containers of the upper row are arranged on the upper longitudinal edge of the strip and face upwards, whilst the mouths of the containers of the lower row are arranged on the lower longitudinal edge and face downwards. The method enables productivity to be increased and waste to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Sarong Societa' per Zioni
    Inventors: Primo Finetti, Andrea Bartoli
  • Patent number: 7959852
    Abstract: Device for manufacturing a metal foam. The device includes at least two feed pipes for introducing gas. The at least two feed pipes are arranged next to one another. Each of the at least two feed pipes project into a foamable melt. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Hütte Klein-Reichenbach Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Franz Dobesberger, Herbert Flankl, Dietmar Leitlmeier
  • Patent number: 7959853
    Abstract: Stopper rod having an elongated body of refractory material, a passageway extending longitudinally in the body from an end thereof which is uppermost in use, a carrier rod having a part fixedly received in the passageway and a further part outside of the passageway for attachment to a lifting device for the stopper rod. The passageway has an enlarged part which defines a sealing surface spaced from the end of the body, an insert around the carrier rod having at least a part thereof received in the enlarged part, a retention element on the carrier rod, and an expandable element disposed between the insert and the retention element. The material of the insert has a co-efficient of thermal expansion no greater than that of the carrier rod. Expansion of the expandable element, in use, is greater than that of the carrier rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Mark A. Payne
  • Patent number: 7959854
    Abstract: A heat resistant alloy comprising, in % by weight, over 0.6% to not more than 0.9% of C, up to 2.5% of Si, up to 3.0% of Mn, 20 to 28% of Cr, 8 to 55% of Ni, 0.01 to 0.8% of Ti and 0.05 to 1.5% of Nb, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, the value of (Ti+Nb)/C being 0.12 to 0.29 in atomic % ratio. When the alloy further contains up to 0.5% of Zr, the value of (Ti+Nb+Zr)/C is 0.12 to 0.29 in atomic % ratio. When the alloy is heated at a temperature of at least about 800 degrees C., a fine Ti—Nb—Cr carbide or Ti—Nb—Zr—Cr carbide precipitates within grains to thereby retard creep deformation and give an improved creep rupture strength. The alloy is therefore suitable as a material for hydrogen production reforming tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Takahashi, Kunihide Hashimoto, Makoto Hineno
  • Patent number: 7959855
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to white precious metal alloy compositions comprising at least one of platinum and palladium alloyed with gold, silver, and optionally one or more additional alloying elements. More specifically, and in one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to white precious metal alloy compositions that are suitable for the manufacture of jewelry and other finished articles. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing finished articles from such white precious metal alloy compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Heru Budihartono
  • Patent number: 7959856
    Abstract: Aluminum alloys and castings are provided that have excellent practical fatigue resistances. The alloy includes, based upon 100 mass %, 4-12 mass % of Si, less than 0.2 mass % of Cu, 0.1-0.5 mass % of Mg, 0.2-3.0 mass % of Ni, 0.1-0.7 mass % of Fe, 0.15-0.3 mass % of Ti, and the balance of aluminum (Al) and impurities. The alloy has a metallographic structure, which includes a matrix phase primarily of ?-Al and a skeleton phase crystallizing around the matrix phase in a network shape. The matrix phase is strengthened by precipitates containing Mg. Because of the strengthened matrix phase, and the skeleton phase that surrounds it, the castings have high strength, high fatigue strength, and high thermo-mechanical fatigue resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Hajime Ikuno, Hiroshi Hohjo, Yoshihiko Sugimoto, Isamu Ueda, Hiroaki Iwahori
  • Patent number: 7959857
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of radiation sterilizing a plurality of medical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Abigail Freeman, Brian Riggs, Robert Harrison, Greg Simmons
  • Patent number: 7959858
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of Cu and the derivatives thereof, for the decontamination of prions, especially for decontaminating medical devices or medical surgical devices at risk, for decontaminating work surfaces, and for decontaminating any potentially infectious compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: Sylvain Lehmann, Jérôme Solassol
  • Patent number: 7959859
    Abstract: A device for sanitizing a space includes a tank having an interior space for holding an aqueous sanitizing liquid, the tank having a bottom sector, a front sector having a rear wall, and a rear sector having a front wall, the rear sector front wall and the front sector rear wall forming a substantially “V”-shaped air pathway within the interior space. A reactor vessel is positioned within the bottom sector of the tank, a top edge of the reactor vessel in spaced relation from a notch in the “V”-shaped air pathway. A vibratable ultrasonic head array is positionable within and beneath a top edge of the reactor vessel and is submergable within the reactor vessel for vibrating the disc to form an atomized fog of particles from the liquid. Air can be drawn into the air inlet, and the formed atomized fog can be exhausted from the exhaust outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Sparks, Roy Beckett
  • Patent number: 7959860
    Abstract: A drape including a sensing device according to the present invention is disposed over a top surface of a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed therein. A portion of the drape is pushed down into the basin to form a drape container for collecting a sterile medium. The thermal treatment system may be of the type that either heats or congeals the sterile medium. The sensing device includes electrodes that are typically disposed through the drape and sealed. The electrodes provide signals indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks or other conditions within the drape container to the system to facilitate control of system operation. In addition, the sensing device includes a fuse to limit the drape to a single use. The system disables the fuse to indicate prior use and detects tampering to bypass the fuse, thereby preventing use of the drape for subsequent medical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7959861
    Abstract: Device and method for detecting the presence of known or unknown toxic agents in a fluid sample. Targets in the sample are bound to releasable receptors immobilized in a reaction region of a micro- or nano-fluidic device. The receptors are selected based on their affinity for classes of known toxic agents. The receptors are freed and the bound and unbound receptors separated based on differential electrokinetic mobilities while they travel to a detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Gabriel Lopez, Linnea Ista, Steven R J Brueck, Aurelio Evangelista Lara, Mangesh Bore
  • Patent number: 7959862
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for the concentration and lysis of cells or viruses and a method of concentrating and lysing cells or viruses using the microfluidic device include: magnetic beads, a reaction chamber in which the magnetic beads are accommodated and a laser source. The reaction chamber includes a plurality of electrodes which cross each other and are separated by a dielectric to generate an electric field and a vibrating part agitating the magnetic beads in the chamber. The laser source radiates a laser onto the magnetic beads in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-kyoung Cho, Jeong-gun Lee, Sung-young Jeong
  • Patent number: 7959863
    Abstract: A liquid state detecting sensor for detecting a state of a liquid including a liquid concentration detecting element, a holder member, and an enclosing member as defined herein, wherein the holder member has a configuration in which respective portions of a lower end surface facing the enclosed region are located higher than or at a same height as a lowest hole periphery at the rim of the element holding hole from which the detecting element protrudes, and at least one of circulation holes formed in the enclosing member is a bubble-discharging hole which has an upper end located higher than the lowest hole periphery and a lower end located lower than a surface peripheral edge of the lower end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamoto, Yoshikuni Sato, Takeo Sasanuma, Akihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7959864
    Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses and mixtures are described for detecting hydrogen sulfide in a formation fluid downhole. A detection mixture is combined with the formation fluid downhole. The detection mixture includes metal ions for reacting with hydrogen sulfide forming a metal sulfide, and charged nanoparticles sized so as to inhibit significant aggregation of the metal sulfide so as to enable spectroscopic detection of the metal sulfide downhole. The combined mixture and formation fluid is then spectroscopically interrogated so as to detect the presence of the metal sulfide thereby indicating the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the formation fluid. The mixture also includes chelating ligands for sustaining thermal endurance of the mixture under downhole conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Li Jiang, Oliver C. Mullins, Gale H. Gustavson, Christopher Harrison, Bhavani Raghuraman, Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Jimmy Lawrence, Kosta Ladavac, A. Ballard Andrews, Timothy Gareth John Jones, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos
  • Patent number: 7959865
    Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturized gas chromatograph and injector for the same. Said micro-GC is compact and simple and economical to construct. Dead volumes are largely avoided in order to achieve reliable and reproducible measured results. Said miniaturized gas chromatograph comprises at least one injector, one separation column and a detector which are combined on a circuit board to give a gas chromatography module. The injector comprises a first sheet with channels, which is provided with a second sheet with channels and which may be displaced relative to the latter, whereby at least one of the sheets is provided with a layer of plastic, in particular a chemically inert plastic on the side of the sheet facing the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: SLS Micro Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Schmidt, Mathias Mahnke, Uwe Lehmann
  • Patent number: 7959866
    Abstract: A tube assembly includes an inner tube telescoped into an outer tube. The inner tube is dimensioned to define a substantially annular space between the inner and outer tubes. Portions of the inner tube near its open top are configured to permit venting as the inner tube is inserted into the open top. However, the vent is closed during insertion of a closure into the tube assembly or prior to inserting a closure into the tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Jamieson W. M. Crawford, Norman J. Hutton, Margie M. Ferguson, Michael Iskra
  • Patent number: 7959867
    Abstract: The papermaking sheet member includes inorganic fibers, and the inorganic fibers include a lump-shaped cohered fiber which coheres as a lump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kariya, Tsutomu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7959868
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus is comprised of a plurality of exhaust gas passages, and a filter body 3 installed in the exhaust gas passages. The exhaust gas passage contains a filter-conducting portion 100 of conducting the exhaust gas to the filter body 3, and a filter-bypassing portion 200 of bypassing the filter-conducting portion 100 by branching out to an exhaust gas passage adjacent from the filter-conducting portion 100. When PMs are deposited on the filter-conducting portion 100 and an exhaust gas pressure loss is increased, the exhaust gas is branched out from the filter-bypassing portion 200 to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Emitec Gesellschaft fuer EmissionTechnologie MGH
    Inventors: Susumu Sarai, Seiji Okawara
  • Patent number: 7959869
    Abstract: An air-transporter conditioner device includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. An electro-kinetic system is disposed in the housing to create an airflow moving from the inlet to the outlet. A timer measures a time period corresponding to the electro-kinetic system and causes an indicator light to illuminate when the measured period reaches a threshold. An arc sensing circuit detects arcing between the first and second electrode arrays of the electro-kinetic system. The electro-kinetic system is turned off in response to arcing being detected by the arc sensing circuit. An indicator light can also specify that arcing has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Sharper Image Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew J. Parker, Tristan M. Christianson, Gregory S. Snyder, Edward C. McKinney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7959870
    Abstract: An unloading device includes: a separator connected to a suction hose connected to the reactor and to another suction hose connected to a vacuum car, the separator separating a catalyst sucked from the reactor by the vacuum car from air; a flexible container bag for storing the catalyst dropped from the separator; and a dumping hose provided between the separator and the flexible container bag for transferring the catalyst dropped from the separator to the flexible container bag. The separator includes a blower unit for blowing a gas to the catalyst unloaded in the separator body toward a lower cone and a cover that openably closes a catalyst outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Softard Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yanokuchi, Keiichi Yamaguchi, Masayuki Kidokoro, Katsuhiko Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7959871
    Abstract: A disinfection apparatus for disinfection of objects, such as health care objects, is disclosed. The disinfection apparatus includes a disinfection chamber, and a channel system with at least one wash channel. The wash channel is arranged to transport a cleaning liquid to nozzles directed substantially transversely thereto to distribute cleaning liquid in the disinfection chamber. The wash channel, which supports the nozzles, has a releasable quick coupling which at least at one end engagingly cooperates with the rest of the channel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Getinge Disinfection AB
    Inventor: Christer Jönsson
  • Patent number: 7959872
    Abstract: A system for water purification, filtration and item sanitization are described herein. In one embodiment, a water filtration device uses an extruded carbon sheet or granulated activated carbon to filter unpurified, gravity-fed water. A filtering medium is provided within a lower opening of an upper reservoir for filtering unfiltered water passing therethrough, the filtering medium being located above and not extending into a lower reservoir. The device can be a stand-alone water container or incorporated within a water purification system having a further purification technology located in a base in fluid communication with the water container. The base can include controls for informing a user when the water filtration or item sanitization has been completed. Practical applications include drinking water filtration, sanitization of household items, medical equipment, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Tersano Inc.
    Inventors: Justin L. Namespetra, Scott P. Hickey, Steve L. Hengsperger
  • Patent number: 7959873
    Abstract: A biosensor is comprised of a free and a biofunctionalized recognition self-sensing nanocantilever, a dock adjacent to the ends of the nanocantilevers, and a gap between the nanocantilevers and dock. The self-sensing cantilevers each include a semiconductor piezoresistor defined in a pair of legs about which the cantilevers flex. A bias power or current is applied to the piezoresistor. The sensitivity of the cantilevers is optimized for a given ambient temperature and geometry of the cantilevers and dock by minimizing the force spectral density, SF, of the cantilevers to determine the optimum bias power, Pin. A sub-aN/?Hz force sensitivity is obtained by scaling down the dimensions of the cantilevers and supplying an optimum bias power as a function of temperature and geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael Roukes, Hongxing Tang, Jessica Arlett, James Maloney, Benjamin Gudlewski
  • Patent number: 7959874
    Abstract: A fluid-ejection device includes a handheld and/or mountable enclosure, a removable tip, a cap, a pneumatic fitting, and a controller. The removable tip has a fluid-ejection mechanism located at an end thereof. The cap is disposed on the end of the removable tip such that just the fluid-ejection mechanism is exposed through the cap. The pneumatic fitting extends from the enclosure and is receptive to placement of the removable tip thereon. The controller is situated within the enclosure to cause the removable tip to eject fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Blair M. Kent, Manish Giri, Preston Seu
  • Patent number: 7959875
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfeatures interconnected to provide a configurable fluid transport system for processing at least one reagent. Inserts are provided to removably interfit into one or more of the microfeatures of the chip, wherein the inserts include sites for interactions with the reagent. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic chip and the inserts provide an efficient and accurate approach for conducting parallel assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Rheonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng Zhou, Lincoln Young
  • Patent number: 7959876
    Abstract: A fluidic device includes a first reservoir to receive a first fluid, a second reservoir to receive a second fluid, and a main channel coupled to the first and second reservoirs through one or more branch channels. A first one-use pump generates a pressure difference to move one or both of the first and second fluids when a container in the first one-use pump is broken. A second one-use pump generates a pressure difference to move one or both of the first and second fluids when a container in the second one-use pump is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Kuo-Yao Weng
  • Patent number: 7959877
    Abstract: Biological sampling apparatus have a barrel defining a chamber with a narrow passageway at one end and an absorbent analytical test means in the chamber. In one embodiment, an integral frit is provided with a first portion acting as a splash filter and located in the chamber, and a second portion integral with said first portion acting as a wick. The second portion extends through the narrow passageway. A portion of the splash filter is hydrophobic, and at least a portion of the wick is treated with a wetting agent and is hydrophilic. In another embodiment, a splash filter is located in the chamber and a separate hydrophilic wick is provided having a first portion located in the narrow passageway and a second portion located outside the passageway and barrel. The second portion has a bulbous portion capable of absorbing substantially more fluid sample than the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Javanbakhsh Esfandiari
  • Patent number: 7959878
    Abstract: The bottom of the cuvette comprises a curved raceway placed so as to guide the oscillating movement of a ball inserted into the cuvette. In addition, the cuvette comprises means of attachment, in two perpendicular directions, to adjacent unit cuvettes. The cuvettes can thus be stored as plates in a feed magazine of an analytical device. The analytical device comprises several stations placed around a rotary ring. Only where it is desired to determine the clotting time of the blood contained in the cuvette a ball is introduced into the latter, at a ball distribution post. The cuvette equipped in this way is then brought to a station where the test is carried out. The major advantage of the invention is the polyvalence of the cuvette and of the analytical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Immunodiagnostic System France
    Inventor: Alain Rousseau
  • Patent number: 7959879
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently producing aromatic dicarboxylic acids (e.g., terephthalic acid). In one embodiment the process/apparatus reduces costs by recovering and purifying residual terephthalic acid present in the liquid phase of an initial oxidation slurry. In another embodiment the process apparatus reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Grupo Petrotemex, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Robert Lin, Marcel de Vreede
  • Patent number: 7959880
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatuses for producing hydrogen peroxide using microchannel technology. An exemplary process for producing hydrogen peroxide comprises flowing feed streams into intimate fluid communication with one another within a process microchannel to form a reactant mixture stream comprising a hydrogen source and an oxygen source such as, without limitation, hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. Thereafter, a catalyst is contacted by the reactant mixture and is operative to convert a majority of the reactant mixture to hydrogen peroxide that is withdrawn via an egressing product stream. During the hydrogen peroxide chemical reaction, exothermic energy is generated and absorbed by the fluid within the microchannel as well as the microchannel itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Bin Yang, William Allen Rogers, Jr., Paul William Neagle, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Dongming Qiu, David J. Hesse, Micheal Lamont
  • Patent number: 7959881
    Abstract: The method for scrubbing an amine type extractant after stripping to be able to regenerate the same so that the amine type extractant can be repeatedly reused as it is in the extraction stage in the solvent extraction process, when an amine type extractant is regenerated by scrubbing an amine type extractant (A) containing an iron and a zinc chloro complex ion obtained by back extracting a cobalt with a hydrochloric acid aqueous solution from the amine type extractant after extracting a cobalt. The method is characterized by comprising the procedures of the following (1) to (3). (1) an amine type extractant (B) is obtained by adding an aqueous solution containing a sulfite ion to an amine type extractant (A) and stirring the mixture and reducing a ferric (III) chloro complex ion to divalent. (2) an amine type extractant (C) is obtained by adding an aqueous solution containing an oxidizing agent to the amine type extractant (B) and stirring the mixture and oxidizing a sulfite ion to sulfate ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Shoji, Hiroshi Kobayashi