Patents Issued in February 16, 2016
  • Patent number: 9260653
    Abstract: Photoluminescent nanodiamond particles of dynamic synthesis have enhanced photoluminescent properties produced as a result of minimizing the nitrogen content of impurities or imperfections in the nanodiamond lattice and by location of photoluminescent structures on the outer surface of the nanodiamond particles. This inhibits suppression (i.e. inactivity) of emission and enhances the intensity of the emission. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Technology Center
    Inventors: Olga Shenderova, Igor Vlasov, Suzanne Ani Ciftan Hens, Vesna Borjanovic
  • Patent number: 9260654
    Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing method for a light emitting device including a light emitting element and a wavelength converting part which converts light emitted from the light emitting element into light of another wavelength. The manufacturing method includes a first step and a second step. The first step is a step of applying onto the light emitting element and drying a first liquid mixture in which phosphor and plate-like particles are dispersed in polyhydric alcohol having a valence of two or more to form a phosphor layer. The second step is a step of applying onto the phosphor layer and firing a second liquid mixture in which a translucent ceramic precursor is dispersed in a solvent to form the wavelength converting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Washizu, Takuji Hatano, Yoshihito Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9260655
    Abstract: Quantum-dot binding ligands with easy to synthesize alkyl-acids are provided. The quantum-dot binding ligands include a multiplicity of carboxy binding ligands in combination with an alkyl backbone, and optionally a solubilizing group. The ligands and coated nanostructures of the present invention are useful for close packed nanostructure compositions, which can have improved quantum confinement and/or reduced cross-talk between nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Freeman, Paul T. Furuta, Robert Dubrow
  • Patent number: 9260656
    Abstract: Colloidal silica particles containing a fluorescent dye compound, composed of a silica particle containing a silica component and a fluorescent dye compound chemically bound or adsorbed thereto, wherein the colloidal silica particles containing a fluorescent dye compound have an average diameter of 30 nm or less, and wherein said silica particles are used simultaneously as fluorescent-labelling nanobeads; a fluorescent nano-material comprising said colloidal silica particles; and a biochip and an assay method using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKUSHIMA
    Inventors: Hideki Aizawa, Michio Ohkubo, Michihiro Nakamura, Hirokazu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9260657
    Abstract: This invention relates to chrysene compounds that are useful in electroluminescent applications. It also relates to electronic devices in which the active layer includes such a chrysene compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Weishi Wu, Norman Herron, Vsevolod Rostovtsev, Jeffrey A. Merlo, Weiying Gao
  • Patent number: 9260658
    Abstract: Provided is an organic electroluminescence element containing an anode, a cathode and a plurality of organic layers including a light emitting layer sandwiched between the anode and the cathode, wherein at least one of the organic layers contains: a blue phosphorescence organic metal complex which is coordinated with a ligand having a structure represented by Formula (1); and a compound represented by Formula (H1), provided that Formula (H1) includes a structure represented by Formula (H2),
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Rie Katakura, Hideo Taka
  • Patent number: 9260659
    Abstract: Red-emitting phosphors may comprise a nitride-based composition represented by the chemical formula MaSrbSicAldNeEuf, wherein: M is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, Li, Na, K and Zn, and 0<a<1.0; 1.5<b<2.5; 4.0?c?5.0; 0?d?1.0; 7.5<e<8.5; and 0<f<0.1; wherein a+b+f>2+d/v and v is the valence of M. Furthermore, nitride-based red-emitting phosphor compositions may be represented by the chemical formula MxM?2Si5-yAlyN8:A, wherein: M is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, Li, Na, K and Zn, and x>0; M? is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; 0?y?0.15; and A is at least one of Eu, Ce, Tb, Pr, and Mn; wherein x>y/v and v is the valence of M, and wherein the red-emitting phosphors have the general crystalline structure of M?2Si5N8:A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Shengfeng Liu, Yi-Qun Li, Ka Y. Leung, Dejie Tao
  • Patent number: 9260660
    Abstract: A novel material for a liquid crystal composition that can be used for various liquid crystal devices is provided. A novel cyanobiphenyl derivative represented by General Formula (G1) is provided. In General Formula (G1), R1 represents a single bond or a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Note that in General Formula (G1), R1 may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent are fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), a cyano group (CN), a trifluoromethylsulfonyl group (SO2CF3), a trifluoromethyl group (CF3), a nitro group (NO2), an isothiocyanate group (NCS), and a pentafluorosulfanyl group (SF5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Momoko Kato, Yasuhiro Niikura, Tetsuji Ishitani
  • Patent number: 9260661
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal composition having a sufficiently low viscosity (?), a sufficiently low rotational viscosity (?1), a high elastic constant (K33), and a negative dielectric anisotropy (??), the absolute value of the negative dielectric anisotropy being large, without a reduction in the refractive index anisotropy (?n) or the nematic phase-isotropic liquid phase transition temperature (Tni) thereof. By using the liquid crystal composition, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display element, such as a VA-type liquid crystal display element, which eliminates or reduces the risk of a faulty display and realizes high display quality and a high-speed response. The liquid crystal display element including the liquid crystal composition according to the present invention may be suitably used as a liquid crystal display element for active-matrix driving and may also be used as, for example, a VA-type or PSVA-type liquid crystal display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Go Sudo, Shotaro Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9260662
    Abstract: Liquid crystal mixture comprising one or several compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, M1, M2, X, A, and m are defined herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Ji Li, Toshiaki Nonaka, Ayako Ogawa, Hans-Rolf Dübal, Barbara Hornung, Wolfgang Schmidt, Rainer Wingen
  • Patent number: 9260663
    Abstract: A liquid crystal composition is described, including a liquid crystalline compound (A), and at least one nitrogen-containing compound (B) selected from compounds represented by formula (1) and compounds represented by formula (2), wherein R? is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group that is bonded to the nitrogen atom via a chain-shaped hydrocarbon group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group, R2 and R3 are independently a divalent organic group that is bonded to the nitrogen atom via a chain-shaped hydrocarbon group, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group or *—CO—R4—, A1 is a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring, X1 is a cyclic ether group or a polymerizable unsaturated group, and R10 is a divalent organic group that is bonded to the primary amino group via a chain-shaped hydrocarbon group or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: JSR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tokuhisa, Yuusuke Uesaka
  • Patent number: 9260664
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting so-called residual coke from a coke oven chamber while the door of the coke oven chamber is being opened. A collecting device is moved up against a guide plate arranged under the door of the coke oven chamber before the door of the coke oven chamber is opened, and the coke that falls out of the coke oven chamber falls across the guide plate into a collecting device. The collecting device is moved to a horizontal position after the coke has been collected so that the upper edge of the collecting device is at the height of the bottom of the coke oven chamber. The push-out device of the coke oven operating machine moves over the collecting device between the suspensions so that the coke is pushed out of the collecting device back into the coke oven chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Badura
  • Patent number: 9260665
    Abstract: The invention discloses a coal decomposition method and equipment in cycle heating gas style. The coal decomposition equipment can avoid introducing impurity, ensure a pure decomposed gas and keep continuous heating without extrinsic heat source, which includes an airtight kiln body with coal inlet and coal outlet; a facility for impelling and decomposing coal set in the kiln body; a coal decomposed gas collecting pipe set in one end of the airtight kiln body, and a high temperature gas input pipe set in the other end of the airtight kiln body; wherein the coal decomposed gas collecting pipe is connected with a post-processing facility and communicates with the high temperature gas input pipe through a circle pipe, and the circle pipe and/or the high temperature gas input pipe comprises a heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Shucheng Zhu
  • Patent number: 9260666
    Abstract: A method is described for reducing the carbon footprint of any commercially important industrial conversion process. The output of this conversion process can be combustible fuels, chemicals, electricity or heat energy. In its broadest form, a carbon negative module outputs energy to a conversion energy and this energy replaces conventional fossil-fuel based energy. A sequesterable carbonaceous solid is produced by the carbon negative process which represents a net carbon withdrawal from the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vital Aelion, Daren Daugaard, Wilson Hago
  • Patent number: 9260667
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combination process for improved hydrotreating and catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon oils, including: contacting residual oil, catalytic cracking cycle oil, and optional distillate oil with a hydrotreating catalyst under hydrotreating conditions in the presence of hydrogen followed by separation of the reaction products to obtain hydrogenated tail oil and other products; contacting the hydrogenated tail oil and optional normal catalytic cracking feedstock oil with a cracking catalyst under catalytic cracking conditions followed by separation of the reaction products; wherein the hydrogenated tail oil and/or normal catalytic cracking feedstock oil are separated into at least two fractions prior to contacting the hydrogenated tail oil and/or normal catalytic cracking feedstock oil with the cracking catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Sinopec
    Inventors: Yongcan Gao, Chaogang Xie, Chuanfeng Niu, Jiushun Zhang, Lishun Dai, Hong Nie, Dadong Li, Jun Long, Jianguo Ma, Yan Cui
  • Patent number: 9260668
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for revamping an HF or sulphuric acid alkylation unit to an ionic liquid alkylation unit, wherein the HF or sulphuric acid alkylation unit comprise at least: —a reactor unit for contacting catalyst and hydrocarbon reactants; —a separator unit for separating a reactor effluent into a catalyst phase and an alkylate-comprising hydrocarbon phase; —a fractionator unit for fractionating the alkylate-comprising hydrocarbon phase into at least one stream comprising alkylate; —a catalyst phase recycle means to recycle at least part of the catalyst phase from the separator unit to the reactor unit; which method includes: —adapting the catalyst phase recycle means by providing a means for acid injection and/or a means for halohydrocarbon injection into the catalyst recycle means. The invention further provides a method for the production of alkylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Zhichang Liu, Chunming Xu, Rui Zhang, Xianghai Meng, Ana Cecilia Patroni, Peter Anton August Klusener, Albertus Vincentius Petrus Van Den Bosch
  • Patent number: 9260669
    Abstract: The use of neutral aqueous solutions of glyoxal (pH approximately 6 to 8.5) scavenges H2S that is present in natural gas and in oil better than glyoxal alone or base alone. The resulting scavenger combination significantly increases the reaction rate and the overall scavenging efficiency, i.e. capacity over glyoxal used alone. A buffer may be optionally used. In another embodiment, the combination of non-nitrogen-containing surfactants and glyoxal results in a significant increase in the reaction rate and the overall scavenging efficiency, i.e. capacity as compared to glyoxal used alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Vladimir Jovancicevic, Kyle C. Cattanach, Michael P. Squicciarini
  • Patent number: 9260670
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the selective hydrogenation of diolefins and sulfur compounds that are contained in a pyrolysis gasoline feedstream. The process includes utilizing a single hydrotreating reaction stage by introducing the pyrolysis gasoline feedstock that includes a diolefin concentration and an organic sulfur concentration into a reactor that is loaded with a high activity hydrotreating catalyst and which is operated under selective hydrogenation conditions. A reactor effluent having a reduced diolefin concentration and a reduced organic sulfur concentration is yielded from the reactor and is separated into a portion that is recycled as a reactor feed. The remaining portion of the reactor effluent is passed downstream for further processing or handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Dane Clark Grenoble, Paul Benjerman Himelfarb, Michael Norris Treybig, Brian Scott Vanderwilp
  • Patent number: 9260671
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of heavy oils using a catalytic hydrotreating process. More specifically, the invention relates to the presence of light hydrocarbon components in conjunction with the heavy oils for improved treatment of the heavy oils utilizing moderate temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Raheel Shafi, Esam Z. Hamad, Stephane Cyrille Kressmann, Ali Hussain Alzaid
  • Patent number: 9260672
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for deep desulphurization of cracked gasoline with minimum octane loss of about 1-2 units. In this process full range cracked gasoline from FCC, Coker, Visbreaker etc is sent to Diolefin Saturation Reactor for selective saturation of diolefins. After saturation of diolefins, the stream is sent to Splitter for splitting into three cuts i.e Light Cut (IBP-70° C.), Intermediate Cut (70-90° C.) and Heavy Cut (90-210° C.). The Light Cut which contains majority of the high octane olefins and mercaptan sulfur is desulfurized with caustic treatment using Continuous Film Contactor (CFC). The sulfur in the Intermediate Cut is also predominantly mercaptans and the cut can be desulfurized by caustic treatment using CFC along with Light cut or separately desulfurized before being sent for isomerization. The Heavy Cut containing mainly thiophinic sulfur compounds is treated either by using conventional HDS process or reactive adsorption process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Sarvesh Kumar, Alok Sharma, Brijesh Kumar, Anju Chopra, Santanam Rajagopal, Kumar Ravinder Malhotra
  • Patent number: 9260673
    Abstract: A method for operating a gasifier includes detecting a corrosive compound between a combustion chamber defined within the gasifier and an inner wall of a pressure vessel that at least partially surrounds the combustion chamber via a corrosion sensor and increasing the temperature of the inner wall of the pressure vessel to a temperature that is greater than a dew point of the corrosive compound via a heater that at least partially surrounds the pressure vessel. The method may also include adjusting a flow of at least one of a fuel, an oxidant and a diluent to the gasifier in response to the detection of the corrosive compound so as to modify the dew point of the corrosive compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: George Albert Goller
  • Patent number: 9260674
    Abstract: A biofuel consisting of a mixture of furanic compounds and polymethoxy benzene compounds which can be mixed with standard fuel consisting in hydrocarbons, and the process to obtain these compounds from sugar cane by converting cellulose, hemicellulose and sugars in furan derivatives and levullinic acid esthers and by converting lignin in alkoxy benzene compounds by hydrolyzing the cellulose and lignin of sugar cane first in a mixture of N alkyl imidazolium chloride, hydrochloric acid 37% and an alcohol, dehydrating pentoses and hexoses so obtained from cellulose, stabilizing the aldehyde groups as acetal and stabilizing the phenolic hydroxyls obtained from lignin as alkyl ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Pedro Manuel Brito da Silva Correia
  • Patent number: 9260675
    Abstract: The invention relates to fuel composition formed by a fuel mixture, whose one component is formed by partially dewatered stillage from the bioethanol production and the other one are milled materials, where the ratio of total of sodium weight and potassium weight in the ashes to the weight of the other non-combustible components of a value less than 1:5.85 and/or it set up to achieve the resulting ash melting temperature of the mixture higher than 760° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Milan Ptacek
  • Patent number: 9260676
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for processing a beer stream for the recovery of oil. The method include a step of extracting oil from a beer stream into an organic phase comprising an organic solvent to provide in the organic phase at least a portion of the oil. In general, a beer stream refers to a composition containing alcohol, water, oil, and particulates, and can be a result of a fermentation process. When the beer stream is a beer stream from a fermentation process, it can be referred to as a fermentation broth even if it is no longer being subjected to fermentation. The beer stream can contain other components commonly found in a stream coming off a fermentation process such as, for example, glycerol and acetic acid. A method for producing ethanol, and an ethanol production facility are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Faulconbridge, Robert Wills
  • Patent number: 9260677
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chromatographic separation process for recovering a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) product from a feed mixture, which process comprises the steps of: (i) purifying the feed mixture in a first separation step in a simulated or actual moving bed chromatography apparatus having a plurality of linked chromatography columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous organic solvent, to obtain an intermediate product; and (ii) purifying the intermediate product obtained in (i) in a second separation step using a simulated or actual moving bed chromatography apparatus having a plurality of linked chromatography columns containing, as eluent, an aqueous organic solvent, to obtain the PUFA product; wherein (a) the first and second separation steps are carried out sequentially on the same chromatography apparatus, the intermediate product being recovered between the first and second separation steps and the process conditions in the chromatography apparatus being adjusted between the first an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BASF Pharma Callanish Limited
    Inventors: Adam Kelliher, Angus Morrison, Anil Oroskar, Rakesh Vikraman Nair Rema, Abhilesh Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9260678
    Abstract: Process for the production of biocombustible or biofuel mixtures suitable for different conditions of use, starting from refined or raw vegetable oils, including those extracted from seaweed, and/or from used food oils and animal fats, each of which is pre-treated with specific treatments in order to yield a dried refined oil. The latter then undergoes transesterification with an excess of lower alcohols or bioalcohols, and a subsequent separation into a raw glycerine-based phase and a phase containing mixtures of fatty acid alkyl esters and the excess alcohols or bioalcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Nazzareno De Angelis
  • Patent number: 9260679
    Abstract: An aqueous cleaning composition and methods for use in the agricultural, food and beverage industry which comprises at least 3% of hydrogen peroxide and a plurality of non-ionic surfactants, wherein said cleaning composition is substantially free of any alkalinity source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Madison Chemcial Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David M Craft
  • Patent number: 9260680
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of a beverage, a beverage base, a beverage concentrate or a beverage additive having a reduced prolamin content from prolamin-containing raw materials, comprising the following steps: a) contacting the beverage or a precursor of the beverage with cross-linking enzymes to obtain modified prolamin; b) removing the modified prolamin at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: N-Zyme Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Pasternack, Stefan Marx, Dominik Jordan
  • Patent number: 9260681
    Abstract: An apparatus for the fermentation of a vegetable product in the form of crushed material, includes a first tank for containing the crushed material and a second collection tank for the gaseous products generated from the crushed material's fermentation, a first piping system adapted to let communicate a part of the first tank, where the gaseous products are gathered, with the second tank, a second piping system adapted to let communicate the second and the first tank, the system having a outlet in the first tank where, in use, the liquid of the crushed material is present, first and second valves associated respectively to the first and second piping system to make the two tanks selectively communicating conditionally to the open/closed status of said valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: L.A.S.I. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Remo Crosato
  • Patent number: 9260682
    Abstract: A disposable winemaking apparatus for fermenting wine containing skins, seeds, and stems that form a cap includes a single-use, dual chamber plastic bag that incorporates a mechanism to agitate and disperse the cap in order to maximize extraction of color and flavor. It also includes an integral press mechanism to squeeze out the fermented juice through a strainer, retaining the pomace in the disposable bag. The device may also be used for racking and transfer of wine during aging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Vijay Singh
  • Patent number: 9260683
    Abstract: Shown herein are compositions of, and methods of use for, molecularly imprinted polymers useful for extracting and/or detecting target molecule compounds of wine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: The Trustees of Dartmouth College, Constellation Brands U.S. Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Belbruno, Mark Kelm
  • Patent number: 9260684
    Abstract: A cell culture device comprises a well. A plurality of microwells are within the well, and a first common fluid volume is within the well above the microwells. A set of sub-microwells are within each microwell, and a second common fluid volume is within each microwell above the set of sub-microwells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Stemcell Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Egeler, Steven Woodside
  • Patent number: 9260685
    Abstract: Provided are a cultivating system for cultivating aquatic organisms including a load-bearing structure having a top portion with at least two top rims transverse to each other and defining a top portion, a bottom portion, and flexible tank adapted for receiving therein a growing medium and for cultivating therein aquatic organisms. Further, the tank can include at least two sidewalls extending such that at least in one cross-section taken along a plane perpendicular to said top portion, at least two of the sidewalls form a general V-shape converging towards the bottom portion. The system can also include a gas emitting arrangement linkable to a source of pressurized gas and comprising gas emitting nozzles disposed within the flexible tank at the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERVE LTD.
    Inventor: Ra'anan Herzog
  • Patent number: 9260686
    Abstract: A bioreactor system includes a growth chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and defining a cavity, a media reservoir is in fluid communication with the inlet, and a pump configured to perfuse a media from the reservoir into the inlet and through the growth chamber. A plurality of discrete scaffold members is packed within the growth cavity. Spaces between adjacent scaffold members define pores. The media is movable around the scaffold members and through the pores via the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: John Patrick Fisher, Andrew Yeatts, Elyse Geibel
  • Patent number: 9260687
    Abstract: An apparatus for contacting a fluid stream with microorganisms is provided, the apparatus comprising a housing having a contacting chamber therein defined by a wall of the housing; a first inlet for the fluid stream to be treated; a first outlet for removing a liquid culture medium stream containing microorganisms; a rotor assembly comprising an impeller moveable within the contacting chamber to promote contact between the fluid stream being treated and the liquid culture medium within the contacting chamber; wherein at a least a portion of the wall of the housing defining the contacting chamber is transparent to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Steven Skill
  • Patent number: 9260688
    Abstract: Method and systems that provide improved handling and/or culturing and/or assaying of cells, chemically active beads, or similar materials in microfluidic systems and microfluidic culture arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Paul J. Hung, Philip J. Lee, Luke P. Lee
  • Patent number: 9260689
    Abstract: Device for a photochemical process includes a reactor. A reaction medium is contained in the reactor and is guided in the reactor in a meandering manner. At least one reactor element is arranged in the reactor through which the reaction medium flows. A light-conducting liquid is utilized. The at least one reactor element comprises one of pipes connected at a bottom and being arranged vertically, pipes connected at a bottom and being inclined at an angle relative to a vertical plane, chambers connected at a bottom and being arranged vertically, and chambers connected at a bottom and being inclined at an angle relative to a vertical plane. The reaction medium is introduced into the reactor and removed therefrom over an upper reaction medium surface and without pressure and freely to the atmosphere such that the flow of the reaction medium is stress-free for micro-organisms disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ECODUNA AG
    Inventors: Martin Mohr, Franz Emminger
  • Patent number: 9260690
    Abstract: A system and method are described for electroporating a sample that utilizes one or more sets of electrodes that are spaced apart in order to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the electrodes. The first electrode is connected to the lower body of the system while the second electrode is connected to the upper body. Both electrodes are connected to a pulse generator. Each electrode has a sample contact surface such that the first electrode and the second electrode may be positioned to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the two sample contact surfaces and the sample may receive a selected electric pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Jarvis, Mike Byrom, Dmitriy Ovcharenko
  • Patent number: 9260691
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying or generating an attenuated mycoplasma bacterium, which bacterium comprises a mutation in at least one gene as listed and use of the bacterium in a vaccine for eliciting protective immunity against mycoplasma or for detecting infection by said bacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BIOPROPERTIES PTY LTD
    Inventors: Rima Youil, Youssef Abs El-Osta
  • Patent number: 9260692
    Abstract: The present invention describes blood cells chemically coupled with immunodominant myelin peptides and their use in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSITAT ZURICH
    Inventors: Roland Martin, Andreas Lutterotti
  • Patent number: 9260693
    Abstract: An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CYTONOME/ST, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Johnson, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande, Hugh Lewis, Bernard Bunner
  • Patent number: 9260694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the development and manufacturing of viral vaccines. In particular, the invention relates to the field of industrial production of viral vectors and vaccines, more in particular to the use of avian embryonic stem cells, preferably the EBx® cell line derived from duck embryonic stem cells, for the production of viral vectors and viruses. The invention is particularly useful for the industrial production of viral vaccines to prevent viral infection of humans and animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Valneva
    Inventors: Fabienne Guehenneux, Karine Moreau, Magali Esnault, Majid Mehtali
  • Patent number: 9260695
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the culturing of cells by continuous perfusion culturing of a cell culture comprising cell culture medium and cells, wherein cell culture medium is added to the cell culture, the cell culture is circulated over a filter module comprising hollow fibers resulting in an outflow of liquid having a lower cell density than the cell culture and the flow within the filter module is an alternating tangential flow. Preferably, culture medium is added at a particular perfusion rate and/or biomass is removed form the culture at least once. The method is especially suitable for the culturing of aggregating cells. The invention also relates to such a process wherein a biological substance, preferably an antibody, is produced by the cells, which biological substance may be further purified in downstream processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DPX Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: John Crowley, Maike Wubben, Jose Manuel Coco Martin
  • Patent number: 9260696
    Abstract: A method for producing NK cells from pluripotent stem cells, which includes culturing pluripotent stem cells in a first serum-free medium, aggregating the undifferentiated stem cells to form embryoid bodies, which are cultured to produce hematopoietic precursor cells, and culturing the precursor cells in a serum-free medium to produce the NK cells. Methods for using such NK cells, e.g., in the treatment of cancer and infectious disease are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Dan S. Kaufman, David A. Knorr
  • Patent number: 9260697
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for collection and processing of human biological material containing adipose, such as extracted during a lipoplasty procedure, is useful for multi-step processing to prepare a concentrated product (e.g., stromal vascular fraction) or a fat graft composition. The apparatus has a container with a containment volume with a tissue retention volume and a filtrate volume separated by a filter and with a tapered portion to a collection volume for collecting concentrate product. Inlet and suction ports provide access to the tissue retention volume and filtrate volume, respectively, and an extraction port provides versatile access for removal of target processed concentrate material or fat graft material, which access may be via a lumen through a rotatable mixer shaft. Access ports may be configured for access only from above the container. The apparatus is incorporatable into a variety of assemblies, systems, kits, methods and uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: THE GID GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: William W. Cimino, Adam J. Katz, Ramon Llull
  • Patent number: 9260698
    Abstract: Cell expansion systems and methods of use are provided. The cell expansion systems generally include a hollow fiber cell growth chamber, and first and second circulation loops (intracapillary loops and extracapillary loops) associated with the interior of the hollow fibers and exterior of the hollow fibers, respectively. Detachable flow circuits and methods of expanding cells are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen Delbert Antwiler
  • Patent number: 9260699
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel glucose dehydrogenase, a method for producing the glucose dehydrogenase, and applications of the glucose dehydrogenase. An isolated flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase comprising a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence with 80% or more identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and having glucose dehydrogenase activity is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyobo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Sumida, Hiroshi Aiba, Hiroshi Kawaminami, Rie Hirao, Yuu Utashima, Takahide Kishimoto, Shusaku Yanagidani
  • Patent number: 9260700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bilirubin oxidase from Magnaporthe oryzae, to the method of preparation thereof as well as use thereof notably for assay of bilirubin and for the application of enzymatic biofuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Nicolas Mano, Fabien Durand
  • Patent number: 9260701
    Abstract: Reaction solutions are disclosed herein comprising water, sucrose and a glucosyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes poly alpha-1,3-glucan. The glucosyltransferase enzyme can synthesize insoluble glucan polymer having at least 50% alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages and a number average degree of polymerization of at least 100. Further disclosed are methods of using such glucosyltransferase enzymes to produce insoluble poly alpha-1,3-glucan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark S Payne, Yefim Brun, Hongxian He, Thomas Scholz
  • Patent number: 9260702
    Abstract: Reaction solutions are disclosed herein comprising water, sucrose and a glucosyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes poly alpha-1,3-glucan. The glucosyltransferase enzyme can synthesize insoluble glucan polymer having at least 50% alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages and a number average degree of polymerization of at least 100. Further disclosed are methods of using such glucosyltransferase enzymes to produce insoluble poly alpha-1,3-glucan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark S Payne, Yefim Brun, Hongxian He, Thomas Scholz