Patents Issued in March 15, 2016
  • Patent number: 9284638
    Abstract: A mask assembly, a deposition apparatus for flat panel displays including the same, and associated methods, the mask assembly including an open mask having a plurality of first openings, and a pattern mask coupled to the open mask, the pattern mask having a plurality of second openings disposed within an area bounded by the first openings, wherein the open mask is formed of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient that is lower than a thermal expansion coefficient of the pattern mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Woo Ko, Ikunori Kobayashi, Sang-Shin Lee
  • Patent number: 9284639
    Abstract: An alkali-containing transition metal sputtering target, the method of making the same, and the method of manufacturing a solar cell using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: APOLLO PRECISION KUNMING YUANHONG LIMITED
    Inventor: Daniel R. Juliano
  • Patent number: 9284640
    Abstract: A method for producing a graphene layer on a multilayered plate containing, as the graphene forming matrix, an external layer composed of a metal or a metal alloy and, as a support substrate, the transition metals and/or their alloys and/or metalloids and/or their solutions and compounds, the method involving subjecting the multilayered plate to heat treatment in the following stages: plate heating until the plate reaches a temperature that is between 0.5° C. and 50° C., annealing, at a constant or variable temperature from the temperature range, for a period between 60 and 600 seconds and cooling, with the cooling rate maintained between 0.1 and 2° C./min in the temperature range of 1,200° C.-1,050° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: ADVANCED GRAPHENE PRODUCTS SP. Z.O.O., POLITECHNIKA LODZKA
    Inventors: Piotr Kula, Antoni Rzepkowski, Robert Pietrasik, Radomir Atraszkiewicz, Konrad Dybowski, Wojciech Modrzyk
  • Patent number: 9284641
    Abstract: A processing device for producing semiconductor layers and coated substrates treated with elemental selenium and/or sulphur includes an evacuable processing chamber for receiving a substrate to be processed. The substrate has a metal layer and/or a layer containing metal. A heating device provides convective heating of the substrate to a predetermined temperature. A first source of elementary selenium and/or sulphur vapor is located outside the processing chamber and connected to the processing chamber via a first feed line and/or a second source of elementary selenium and/or sulphur vapor is located inside the processing chamber. The elementary selenium and/or sulphur vapor is guided past the metal layer and/or layer containing metal, chemically reacting said layer with selenium or sulphur in a targeted manner. The substrate is heated and the elementary selenium and/or sulphur vapor is mixed and guided past the substrate by forced convection of a gas conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Volker Probst
  • Patent number: 9284642
    Abstract: A method for forming an oxide film by plasma-assisted processing includes: (i) supplying a precursor reactive to none of oxygen, CxOy, and NxOy (x and y are integers) without a plasma to a reaction space wherein a substrate is placed; (ii) exposing the precursor to a plasma of CxOy and/or NxOy in the reaction space; and (iii) forming an oxide film on the substrate using the precursor and the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Ryu Nakano, Naoki Inoue
  • Patent number: 9284643
    Abstract: A reactor for conducting vapor phase deposition process is disclosed. The reactor includes a reactive precursor reservoir beneath a powder reservoir and separated from it by valve means. A reactive precursor is charged into the reactive precursor reservoir and a powder is charged into the powder reservoir. The pressures are adjusted so that the pressure in the reactive precursor reservoir is higher than that of the powder reservoir. The valve means is opened, and the vapor phase reactant fluidized the powder and coats its surface. The powder falls into the reactive precursor reservoir. The apparatus permits vapor phase deposition processes to be performed semi-continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Pneumaticoat Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David M. King, Alan W. Weimer, Paul Lichty
  • Patent number: 9284644
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing gas flow manifold is provided that allows for the gas flow characteristics of the manifold gas flow paths to be individually adjusted outside of a semiconductor processing chamber. The gas flow manifold may be connected to a process gas dispersion device inside the semiconductor processing chamber. The process gas dispersion device may have multiple gas flow channels, each channel separately connected to a manifold gas flow path and targeted at a region on the semiconductor wafer. The adjustment of the individual manifold gas flow paths may vary the amount of process gas dispersed through each process gas dispersion gas flow channel onto the corresponding region of the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Madrigal, Frances Katherine Zelaya, Hsiang-Yun Lee, Kaihan Abidi Ashtiani
  • Patent number: 9284645
    Abstract: A method of metallizing the surface of a substrate electrolessly, by spraying one or more oxidation-reduction solutions thereonto. The steps of this method include: a) physical or chemical treatment to reduce the surface tension of the substrate before metallization; b) electroless metallization of the surface of the substrate treated in step a), by spraying one or more oxidation-reduction solutions in the form of one or more aerosols thereonto; and c) formation of a top coat on the metallized surface. Compact devices for implementing this method and the products obtained are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Jet Metal Technologies
    Inventor: Samuel Stremsdoerfer
  • Patent number: 9284646
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a metal deposit on the surface of a solid substrate, said method including at least: 1) a step of functionalizing the surface of the substrate by means of —O—P, —O—P—O, —O—S, or —O—S—O groupings; 2) a step of mixing the substrate with metal or metal-oxide particles sublimated at a low temperature; 3) a step of heat-treating the substrate obtained above after step 2), it being understood that said step 3) is only carried out when metal is utilized in the above step 2), said step 3) also being carried out at a temperature that is lower than the temperature for melting the metal in question and further being carried out in the air so as to oxidize said metal; and 4) a step of reducing the metal oxide obtained in step 3) or the metal oxide utilized in step 2) in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Silvain, Cecile Vincent, Jean-Marc Heintz
  • Patent number: 9284647
    Abstract: A sliding surface of a high-temperature portion is subjected to an electro-discharge surface treatment with one or both of a high-temperature hard material (4) and a material having a lubricating property at a high temperature (6). The high-temperature hard material (4) is any or a mixture of cBN, TiC, TiN, TiAlN, TiB2, WC, Cr3C2, SiC, ZrC, VC, B4C, Si3N4, ZrO2, and Al2O3. The material having the lubricating property at the high temperature (6) contains chromium and/or chromium oxide (Cr2O3) and/or hexaboron nitride (hBN). An electrode formed by compression molding of the high-temperature hard material, and the high-temperature lubricating material containing at least one of Cr and hBN and having the lubricating property at the high temperature is used as the electrode for the electro-discharge surface treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ochiai, Mitsutoshi Watanabe, Mikiya Arai, Shigeru Saburi, Eiji Nakayama, Akihiro Goto, Masao Akiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9284648
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and compositions where the presence of cobalt and or nickel have been depleted from the surface layer(s) of a cobalt, chromium, nickel containing alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Shi, Bernard Li
  • Patent number: 9284649
    Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method of fabricating a stack, including replacing a metal layer of a stack imprint structure with an oxide layer, patterning the oxide layer stack using chemical etch processes to transfer the pattern image and cleaning etch residue from the stack imprint structure to substantially prevent contamination of the metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Feldbaum, Justin Jia-Jen Hwu, David S. Kuo, Gennady Gauzner, Kim Yang Lee, Li-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 9284650
    Abstract: Corrosion inhibitor compositions, methods of inhibiting or reducing corrosion, and methods of manufacturing corrosion inhibitor compositions are disclosed herein. In certain methods, the corrosion inhibitor compositions may be added to an aqueous industrial system having at least one surface. The aqueous industrial system may be a water recirculating system, a cooling water system, a boiler water system, a pulp slurry, a papermaking process, a ceramic slurry, a mixed solid/liquid system, or an oil-field system. A method of manufacturing a corrosion inhibitor composition may include reacting an alkanolamine with a fatty acid to form a fatty acid ester reaction product and reacting the fatty acid ester reaction product with an alkyl halide or an acrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Monk
  • Patent number: 9284651
    Abstract: A device and a process for producing high purity CO by electrolysis of CO2 in a Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell stack and a gas separation unit, also the gas separation unit may be a Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Friis Claus Pedersen, Bøgild John Hansen, Thomas Rostrup-Nielsen, Jens Ulrik Nielsen, Henrik Olsson, Kim Hedegaard Andersen
  • Patent number: 9284652
    Abstract: A system for hydrogen gas enhancement of hydrocarbon fuel combustion employs a closed electrolyzer vessel into which water is circulated, and an electrode plate assembly immersed in the vessel to dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Only water is used as the electrolyte fluid without any additives. An air injector in the water return line injects air bubbling for enhanced dissociation of water in the electrode plate assembly. The electrode plate assembly is formed by one or more unit stacks of 7-plates each, including two outer cathode plates, a middle anode plate, and two spaced inner plates between each cathode plate and the anode plate. The generated hydrogen and oxygen gases are maintained in a stable condition in the output gas flow by an electromagnetic coil assembly that separates the hydrogen gas from oxygen gas. The system can obtain 180% reduction in hydrocarbon fuel usage in a vehicle engine, and 20 times reduction in carbon emission from vehicle exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: TASOS INC.
    Inventor: Tasos Aggelopoulos
  • Patent number: 9284653
    Abstract: Electrolyzed water containing chlorine gas and hydrogen gas is provided, wherein the electrolyzed water has improved storage stability and provides satisfactory cleaning efficiency. In a fine bubble electrolyzed water generating apparatus and a method for generating fine bubble electrolyzed water, an electrolytic apparatus having a three-chamber structure is provided including an anode chamber with an anode electrode, a cathode chamber with a cathode electrode, an intermediate chamber, and diaphragms and provided between the intermediate chamber and each of the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. An acidic electrolyzed water storage tank and an alkaline electrolyzed water storage tank ii are provided adjacent to the apparatus. The respective storage tanks are in communication with the anode chamber and the cathode chamber through pipes. The respective storage tanks are in communication with nanobubble generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Tech Corporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 9284654
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for fabricating a monolayer or multilayer metal structure in LIGA technology, in which a photoresist layer is deposited on a flat metal substrate, a photoresist mold is created by irradiation or electron or ion bombardment, a metal or alloy is electroplated in this mold, the electroformed metal structure is detached from the substrate and the photoresist is separated from this metal structure, wherein the metal substrate is used as an agent involved in the forming of at least one surface of the metal structure other than that formed by the plane surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ROLEX SA
    Inventor: Clément Saucy
  • Patent number: 9284655
    Abstract: A method by which a steel component can be produced, which is provided with a metallic coating which adheres well and which provides protection against corrosion, from a flat steel product produced from a steel material containing 0.3-3 wt.-% manganese and having a yield point of 150-1100 MPa and a tensile strength of 300-1200 MPa coated with an anti-corrosion coating which comprises a coating of ZnNi alloy which is electrolytically deposited on the flat steel product, which coating is composed in a single phase of ?-ZnNi phase and which contains, as well as zinc and unavoidable impurities, 7-15 wt.-% nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Patrick Kuhn, Manfred Meurer, Jens Kondratiuk, Wilhelm Warnecke, Werner Schuler
  • Patent number: 9284656
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device, such as a solar cell, including a copper-containing-grid metallization structure that contains a metal phosphorus layer as a diffusion barrier is provided. The copper-containing-grid metallization structure includes, from bottom to top, an electroplated metal phosphorus layer that does not include copper or a copper alloy located within a grid pattern formed on a front side surface of a semiconductor substrate, and an electroplated copper-containing layer. A method of forming such a structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kathryn C. Fisher, Qiang Huang, Satyavolu S. Papa Rao
  • Patent number: 9284657
    Abstract: A replenisher which is capable of supplying Zr ions to a metal surface treatment solution, while suppressing an increase in the HF concentration in the metal surface treatment solution, so that a chemical conversion coating film can be continuously formed on a steel sheet by electrolysis and contains (A) zirconium hydrofluoric acid or a salt thereof and/or (B) hydrofluoric acid or a salt thereof and (C) a fluorine-free zirconium compound. The total concentration (g/l) of zirconium ions derived from the components (A) and (C) is 20 or more, and the ratio of the total molar amount (MF) of the fluorine ions derived from the components (A) and (B) relative to the total molar amount (MZr) of the zirconium ions derived from the components (A) and (C), namely MF/MZr is 0.01 or more but less than 4.00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIHON PARKERIZING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Yoshida, Hiroki Sunada, Shigeki Yamamoto, Hidehiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9284658
    Abstract: A process of repairing defects on a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component wherein defects on a surface of a CFRP component are selectively repaired by electrodeposition coating. With this process a reduction of coating material and work force as well as weight of the repaired CFRP component can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Rouven Kott, Armin Fangmeier, Simone Schroeder, Thomas Lemckau
  • Patent number: 9284659
    Abstract: A method for crystallizing a substance dissolved in a solvent, including the following steps: introducing a solvent volume containing the substance into a chamber having a preset temperature, humidity, and gas composition, adding a predetermined volume of a precipitant to the solvent volume containing the substance, allowing the solvent to evaporate while simultaneously observing structural changes in the solvent volume containing the substance and the precipitant by means of dynamic light scattering, detecting weight changes and determining the molarities, making an association with the location in the phase diagram on the basis of the DLS measurement and the results of the molarity determination, allowing a predetermined number of crystal nuclei to form by adding solvent or adding precipitant, putting the solvent volume containing the substance and the precipitant into a metastable state by adding solvent and/or protein solution or by allowing the concentration of the dissolved substance to decrease by allo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Xtal Concepts GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Betzel, Rolf Hilgenfeld, Dierk Hilterhaus, Thomas Klupsch, Peter Muehlig, Karsten Dierks, Arne Meyer
  • Patent number: 9284660
    Abstract: An apparatus of producing a silicon single crystal including: an imaging device; a heat shield that has a circular opening; a first operation unit that operates the imaging device and takes a real image of the heat shield and a mirror image of the heat shield reflected on a surface of the silicon melt, measures a spacing between the real image and the mirror image, and calculates a position of a melt-surface; a second operating unit that operates the imaging device and takes an image of a bright-zone in the vicinity of the solid-liquid interface, and calculates a position of the melt-surface based on the image of the bright zone; and a controlling unit that refers a data of the position of the silicon melt obtained by the first operation unit and the second operation unit, and controls the position of the silicon melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SUMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi Takanashi, Ken Hamada
  • Patent number: 9284661
    Abstract: A process for the production of multicrystalline silicon ingots by the induction method comprises charging a silicon raw material into the melting chamber of a cooled crucible enveloped by an inductor, forming a melt surface, and melting, wherein the mass rate of charging the silicon raw material and the speed of pulling the ingot are set such that provide for the melt surface position below the upper plane of the inductor but not lower than ? of the height thereof and the melt surface is kept at the same level. In doing this the melt surface position is kept at the same level by maintaining one of the output parameters of the inductor feed within a predetermined range. The process provides for casting multicrystalline silicon ingots suitable for solar cell fabrication and it is notable for higher efficiency and lower specific energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Solin Development B.V.
    Inventors: Sergii Beringov, Volodymyr Onischenko, Anatoly Shkulkov, Yuriy Cherpak, Sergii Pozigun, Stepan Marchenko, Andrii Shevchuk
  • Patent number: 9284662
    Abstract: Fibers can be formed from monomers derived from a biorenewable source. In an embodiment, a fiber forming composition that includes a monomer or mixture of monomers with at least one monomer being derived from a biorenewable source in placed in a fiber producing device. At least a portion of the fiber forming composition is ejected through an opening of the fiber forming device. The ejected fiber forming composition is subjected to light at wavelengths sufficient to activate a reaction which causes solidification of the fiber as the fibers are ejected from the fiber producing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Regents of The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ellison, Dustin W. Janes
  • Patent number: 9284663
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that comprise polymeric winged fibers. The winged fibers have a high surface area because of their structure, which includes a core surrounded by a plurality of lobes. Channels of one micron or less in width are formed between adjacent lobes to form paths for the capture and/or transport of gases, liquids or particles. The winged fibers are assembled in woven or non-woven fabrics for use in wipes, absorbent pads, composite structures, apparel, outdoor wear, bedding, filtration systems, purification/separation systems, thermal and acoustic insulation, cell scaffolding, and battery membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: Allasso Industries, Inc., North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Walter Chappas, Harry M. Barnes, III
  • Patent number: 9284664
    Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric additives for concrete formed of a polyoxymethylene (POM) copolymer, POM copolymers can be utilized to form fibrous additives for concrete, i.e., microfibers and/or macrofibers. The POM copolymers can include one or more chemical groups, e.g., end groups and/or pendant groups that can increase the polarity of the POM and increase the hydrophilicity of the formed fibers, which can improve miscibility of the fibers in wet concrete. Chemical groups of the POM copolymers can bond with components of the concrete or can hydrolyze to form groups that can bond with components of the concrete, e.g., form covalent or noncovalent (e.g., electrostatic or ionic) bonds with one or more components of the concrete binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Ticona LLC
    Inventors: Steven Bassetti, Robert M. Gronner, Thomas Heyer, Hanno Hueckstaedt, Arvind Karandikar
  • Patent number: 9284665
    Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for removing sulfur from a fiber made from a polymer comprising imidazole groups, said method comprising: a) contacting never-dried sulfate anion containing polymeric-fiber with an aqueous salt solution comprising halide anions to displace at least a portion of the sulfate anions with halide anions; and b) rinsing the fiber to remove displaced sulfate anions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher William Newton, David J. Rodini, Joseph Lenning Lowery, Steven R. Allen, Vlodek Gabara
  • Patent number: 9284666
    Abstract: A network layer is provided that contains at least one thermoplastic biodegradable substance. The network layer contains at least one colored first material in a first direction, the first colored material exhibiting a first absorption coefficient, and at least one colored second material in a second direction, the second colored material exhibiting a second absorption coefficient. The colored first material and the colored second material are in contact with each other, a coloration of the first material is different from a coloration of the second material, and the second absorption coefficient is different from the first absorption coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: BONAR N.V.
    Inventors: Ives Jean Jenny Ghislain Swennen, Kris Luc Rob Coen
  • Patent number: 9284667
    Abstract: A woven fabric includes a plurality of interlaced multifilament yarns, wherein at least one of the multifilament yarns includes first and second filaments having a pentagram cross-section, and the first and second filaments have a degree of modification between 1.4 and 2.6. The woven fabric has at least one surface calendered so that at least part of the multifilament yarns are compressed and the first and second filaments interlock with one another to retain low air permeability after repeated washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SUNTEX FIBER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hung-Yu Pai
  • Patent number: 9284668
    Abstract: Devices and systems for use in soft tissue repair are provided, as are methods of manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, an implantable surgical construct includes an implant and a continuous braided closed filament loop that is attached to the implant. The continuous loop can be formed from a single strand of filament such that portions of the filament, sometimes referred to as tails, can be arranged with respect to each other to form a braided configuration. A related method of manufacture can involve passing portions of a single strand of filament around different sets of posts and selectively over and under each other to create the braided configuration. Other devices, systems, and methods of manufacturing are also provided, including some that involve using multiple strands of suture to form a continuous braided closed filament loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: MEDOS INTERNATIONAL SÁRL
    Inventor: Stephen Johnson
  • Patent number: 9284669
    Abstract: Methods of preparing polymeric webs include hot melt blending of thermoplastic resins and processing aids. The process aids include hindered amine N-substituted succinimide oligomers. The webs prepared from the blends may be in the form of films or non-woven fibrous webs. Non-woven microfiber webs are useful as filtration media. Among the polymeric webs produced are electret webs. The processing aids also function as charge-enhancing additives for the electret webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Fuming B. Li, John M. Sebastian, Marvin E. Jones, John M. Brandner, David A. Olson, Justin L. Keough
  • Patent number: 9284670
    Abstract: A digitizer is operably coupled to a quilting machine controller, wherein an operator can input free hand or traced patterns for regulating operation of a sewing head. The digitizer can be an X-Y encoder wherein the encoder includes a transparent or translucent sensing zone which provides for the operator to input a pattern while simultaneously viewing a portion of a textile, which can itself include a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ABM International, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal A Schwarzberger
  • Patent number: 9284671
    Abstract: A tool module (16) comprises a module body (15) comprising at least two contact surfaces (22, 27). They are separated from one another by means of a groove (30) and one of them extends into the groove (30). A fixed and accurate fit of the tool module (16) on each bar is ensured by means of this groove. Yarn filaments or very fine dirt particles, grout or wear on the accommodations can be accommodated by the groove. In addition, a simple and failure-free assembly is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: GROZ-BECKERT KG
    Inventors: Mario Gläsel, Michael Schink
  • Patent number: 9284672
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance may include a tub and a basket located at least partially within the tub and at least partially defining a laundry treating chamber. A drive system may operatively couple the tub to the basket and may be operative to rotate the basket about a rotational axis. The tub and the basket may each have a base with an effective stiffness, and the effective stiffnesses may be matched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Brenner M. Sharp
  • Patent number: 9284673
    Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine having a first washing tub and a second washing tub, the method having the operations: receiving a first operating command to be performed in the first washing tub; determining whether the operating command can be performed; and when the operating command can be performed, performing the operating command in the first washing tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung Chan Jun, Jung Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9284674
    Abstract: Provided are a washing machine and a washing method. The washing machine includes a cabinet, an outer tub disposed in the cabinet and provided with an opened top through which wash water is supplied into the outer tub, an inner tub that is disposed in the outer tub to receive laundry and rotates about a vertical axis, a base that supports the cabinet and stores the wash water that is splattered from the outer tub by rotation of the inner tub, and an electrode sensor that is disposed on the base to detect the wash water splattered out of the outer tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Soonan Park, Yongtae Kim, Kichul Cho
  • Patent number: 9284675
    Abstract: A method for washing laundry and a washing machine, in which balancing of the laundry load is effectively carried out. The method for washing includes supplying wash water mixed with a detergent, spinning or rinsing the laundry by rotating the washing machine drum in which the laundry is located, thereby causing the laundry to be repeatedly lifted within and then fall towards the bottom of the drum. The method further involves balancing the laundry by repeatedly accelerating and decelerating the drum. The wash water is then drained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Bon Kwon Koo, Kyo Soon Chae, Byung Keol Choi, Deok Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 9284676
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a drum type washing machine including a body, a tub arranged in the body, and a drum rotatably installed in the tub, and an inner surface of a rear wall of the has a flat portion along a rotating direction of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Choi, Phil Soo Chang, Bong Wha Kwak, Jeong Hoon Kang, Hoon Wee, Tae Jin Park, Sung Jin Cho, Sang Wook Kim, Gyu Sung Na
  • Patent number: 9284677
    Abstract: A laundry machine is provided that includes a tub that holds washing water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, a drive having a rotational shaft connected to the drum, a bearing housing that rotatably supports the rotational shaft, a motor that rotates the rotational shaft, and a suspension assembly that supportably buffers vibration of the drum. An up/down direction height of a front of the tub is greater than a left/right direction width of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Ig Geun Kwon, Soo Bong Kim
  • Patent number: 9284678
    Abstract: A method for applying a processing composition to laundry in a laundry treatment appliance with a rotatably mounted drum is provided. The method includes setting a predefined residual moisture content in the laundry by adding water and by rotating the drum. The method further includes applying a processing composition to the laundry in liquid form or in the form of fine droplets. The processing composition is sprayed onto the laundry by an introduction apparatus while the drum is moved at a speed at which the laundry lies against the drum or at a faster speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hanau, Hartmut Schaub, Ingo Schulze
  • Patent number: 9284679
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the presence of a drying rack based on image data of the laundry located in a treating chamber of a laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, James P. Carow, Shreecharan Kanchanavally, Sathish Andrea Sundaram
  • Patent number: 9284680
    Abstract: A shirt press finishing machine has a torso for carrying a shirt and a pair of front part and rear part side press irons. Iron receiving surfaces of the front and rear parts of the torso are covered with cushioning sheet materials and long and thin bags expanded by gas are attached to both sides of the front and rear sheet materials over substantially the entire longitudinal length of the sheet materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sankousha Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi
  • Patent number: 9284681
    Abstract: An adjustable iron holder having an outer housing with a pivoting iron holding plate for storing a steam iron in either a toe down or toe up position that is adjustable relative to a vertical axis for optimal draining, and a removable drain receptacle for collecting water drained from the iron or which may leak from the iron to reduce the formation of mineral deposits and/or rust in or on the iron. The iron holder may be provided with a removable ironing board bracket that supports a folded ironing board. A removable water cup may be provided on one side wall of the outer housing for containing a supply of water to be used by the steam iron, and a removable accessory storage cup may be provided on the opposed side wall for holding the cord of the iron or miscellaneous small items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: John N. Hays, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9284682
    Abstract: A method for treating a fabric for ultraviolet radiation protection is disclosed which comprises the steps of adding zinc oxide nanoparticles to a solution of 3-glycidyloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane, adding silicon dioxide to the mixture of zinc oxide nanoparticles and 3-glycidyloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane, placing a fabric in the mixture of zinc oxide nanoparticles, 3-glycidyloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane, and silicon dioxide, curing the fabric, and washing the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: THE SWEET LIVING GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Robert B Kramer, Ronald Kramer, Nicholas Marshall, Jason Rosenberg, Ram B Gupta
  • Patent number: 9284683
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly durable, water resistant, and water and/or oil repellent outdoor textile fabric. The outdoor textile fabric may be prepared by treating the front surface of the textile fabric with an aqueous treatment composition containing a fluorochemical agent and applying a second treatment composition containing a polyurethane to the back surface of the textile fabric. The outdoor textile fabric may be used in a variety of outdoor applications including automotive and marine applications, as a cover, canopy or banner, in military applications, as an awning, tent, umbrella, or in casual outdoor furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Huntsman International LLC
    Inventors: Juergen Arnold, Betty Tilley, Ray Seals, Robert Manley
  • Patent number: 9284684
    Abstract: An insert inlet tube assembly for a flash tank including a sidewall and an insert inlet port has been conceived, the insert inlet tube assembly may comprise: a tubular section configured to be inserted into the inlet port and fixed to the inlet port, and an insert outlet of the tubular section, and inserted into an inlet port of the chamber, wherein the insert inlet tube extends inward of the sidewall and the insert outlet has an elongated cross-sectional shape oriented substantially parallel to a center vertical axis of the flash tank and substantially perpendicular to a radial line of the flash tank, such that the insert outlet is substantially tangential to the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Andritz Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Grogan, Walter Edward Nellis, Tyson Bradford Hunt
  • Patent number: 9284685
    Abstract: A foil apparatus for a paper making machine includes a foil member positionable relative to forming fabric of a paper making machine, and a pulse generator coupled to the foil member, the pulse generator being adjacent to the foil member for forming a nip between the foil member and the forming fabric, the nip for creating movement in a slurry stock for reducing flocculation. A method of dewatering a forming fabric in a paper making machine includes moving a forming fabric carrying a slurry stock through a dewatering area of the paper making machine; positioning a foil apparatus for supporting the forming fabric, the foil apparatus having a foil member defining a work surface and a pulse generator coupled to the foil member adjacent the work surface; and forming a nip between the work surface and the forming fabric by positioning the pulse generator relative to the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: RPM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James D. White, Karl Lemme
  • Patent number: 9284686
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a process for adjusting a papermaking process for producing parent rolls of convolutely wound web material having a machine direction (MD) and a cross-machine direction (CD) coplanar and orthogonal thereto that improves the characteristics of the parent rolls of wound web material to improve downstream convertability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bryan J. Lindsey, David Alan Ross, Brent William Broehm
  • Patent number: 9284687
    Abstract: The use of GH61 polypeptides in the treatment of pulp, for improving tear strength and/or tensile strength of the corresponding paper materials, such as paper, linerboard, corrugated paperboard, tissue, towels, corrugated containers and boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Pierre Cassland, Hui Xu, Henrik Lund