Patents Issued in July 19, 2016
  • Patent number: 9394598
    Abstract: A thermal spray powder, which includes granulated and sintered cermet particles that contain a metal having an indentation hardness of 500 to 5,000 N/mm2, is disclosed. The granulated and sintered cermet particles have an average size of 30 ?m or less. The granulated and sintered cermet particles are composed of primary particles having an average size of 6 ?m or less. The granulated and sintered cermet particles have a compressive strength of from 100 to 600 MPa. It is preferable that the metal contained in the granulated and sintered cermet particles includes at least one selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, iron, aluminum, copper, and silver. The thermal spray powder is usable in a low-temperature thermal spraying process such as cold spraying using nitrogen as a working gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kazuto Sato
  • Patent number: 9394599
    Abstract: A method for fabricating crystalline surface structures (4) on a template (1). The method comprises the steps of providing a template (1) into a reaction environment, wherein one or more elements (3) required for the formation of the crystalline surface structure (4) are contained within the template (1); heating the template (1) inside the reaction environment to increase the mobility of the element (3) within the template (1), and to increase the surface diffusion length of the element (3) on the template-environment interface; and activating the template (1) by altering the conditions within the reaction environment, to make the mobile element (3) slowly migrate towards the template-environment interface and to make the element (3) organize on the surface of the template (1) as a crystalline structure (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Canatu Oy
    Inventors: David P. Brown, Jan Von Pfaler
  • Patent number: 9394600
    Abstract: A deposition mask assembly includes: a mask in which a deposition pattern is formed and a mask frame fixed to an edge of the mask, an opening being formed at a center of the mask frame. A first surface of the edge of the mask and a first surface of the mask frame adjacent to the opening which face each other are welded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-Won Han
  • Patent number: 9394601
    Abstract: Provided is a hard film formed on a surface of a base material, the hard film being comprised of a nano multi-layered structure formed by stacking a thin layer A, a thin layer B a thin layer C in order of thin layers A-B-A-C from the base material or being comprised of a structure formed by repeatedly stacking the nano multi-layered structure at least twice, wherein the thin layer A is comprised of Ti1-xAlxN (0.3?x?0.7); the thin layer B is comprised of Al1-yCryN (0.3?y?0.7); and the thin layer C is comprised of MeN (where Me is any one of Nb, V, and Cr).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: KORLOY INC.
    Inventors: Je-Hun Park, Jae-Hoon Kang, Seung-Su Ahn, Sung-Hyun Kim, Jung-Wook Kim, Sung-Gu Lee, Sun-Yong Ahn, Dong-Bok Park
  • Patent number: 9394602
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing glazing including a substrate provided with a coating including a layer consisting of a porous material, includes depositing on the substrate, via a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process in a vacuum chamber, a coating including a layer of a material including an element selected from Si, Ti, Sn, Al, Zr, In or a mixture of at least two of these elements, oxygen and carbon, the layer in addition optionally including hydrogen, heat treatment of the layer thus deposited, under conditions that enable at least one portion of the carbon to be removed and the layer of porous material to be obtained, wherein the deposition is carried out, on the substrate passing through the chamber, by the sputtering of a carbon target, under a reactive plasma atmosphere including a precursor of the element or elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Andriy Kharchenko, Jean-Paul Rousseau, Antje Jung, Christian Bernhard Petersen
  • Patent number: 9394603
    Abstract: A sputtering method and apparatus having at least one set of dual rotatable cylindrical sputtering targets mounted in a vacuum chamber. Magnet assemblies in hollow target cylinders provide erosion zones running long the parallel sides of a racetrack that act as target flux sources towards a substrate. These parallel erosion zones have a highly concentrated plasma density for rapid sputtering of the target and any reactive material. Features include the angular distance between normals to adjacent parallel erosion zones, the angle greater than 45° subtended at the center of the cylindrical target, placement of the substrate with respect to the targets, and pointing angles (orientation or tilt) of the racetracks toward the substrate and/or each other. These parameters form a relatively wide and efficient constant flux deposition region at the substrate, and allows for high deposition rates at constant reactive gas partial pressures with substantially uniform film stoichiometry and thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Soleras Advanced Coatings bvba
    Inventor: Wilmert De Bosscher
  • Patent number: 9394604
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing metal and ceramic coatings on a fluidized bed of particles or fibers are described. The method utilizes a unique apparatus to transfer vibratory motion through a wall of a deposition chamber in order to produce a fluidized bed of particle or fluidized bed of fibers inside the chamber. The method and apparatus are versatile, allowing particles of different shapes, sizes, materials and masses to be fluidized and coated. The fluidization process allows uniform and conformal coatings on particles and fibers. Coatings of pure metals, alloys, or ceramic materials can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Daniel Murphy Baechle, Eric D. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 9394605
    Abstract: A deposition system includes a system housing having a housing interior, a fixture transfer assembly having a generally sloped fixture transfer rail extending through the housing interior, a plurality of processing chambers connected by the fixture transfer rail, a controller interfacing with the processing chambers and at least one fixture carrier assembly carried by the fixture transfer rail and adapted to contain at least one substrate. The fixture carrier assembly travels along the fixture transfer rail under influence of gravity. A deposition method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: QUANTUM INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Norman L. Kester, Cliff J. Leidecker, John B. Glarum
  • Patent number: 9394606
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing polycrystalline silicon in which silicon is precipitated on a silicon core wire to obtain a polycrystalline silicon rod. In an initial stage (former step) of a precipitation reaction, a reaction rate is not increased by supplying a large amount of source gas to a reactor but the reaction rate is increased by increasing a concentration of the source gas to be supplied, and in a latter step after the former step, the probability of occurrence of popcorn is reduced using an effect of high-speed forced convection caused by blowing the source gas into the reactor at high speed. Thus, a high-purity polycrystalline silicon rod with little popcorn can be produced without reducing production efficiency even in a reaction system with high pressure, high load, and high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Kurosawa, Shigeyoshi Netsu, Naruhiro Hoshino, Tetsuro Okada
  • Patent number: 9394607
    Abstract: The present invention provides technology capable of suppressing a deposition of by-products in a substrate processing apparatus. When a process gas is supplied into a process vessel, an inert gas having a flow rate controlled by a flow rate controller is supplied to a first and second supply pipes through a third supply pipe, the inert gas of the first supply pipe is ejected into the process vessel by a first ejection part and the inert gas of the second supply pipe is ejected toward an inner wall surface by a second ejection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Masaya Nishida, Ryota Sasajima, Seiyo Nakashima, Tomoyasu Miyashita
  • Patent number: 9394608
    Abstract: A reactor having a housing that encloses a gas delivery system operatively connected to a reaction chamber and an exhaust assembly. The gas delivery system includes a plurality of gas lines for providing at least one process gas to the reaction chamber. The gas delivery system further includes a mixer for receiving the at least one process gas. The mixer is operatively connected to a diffuser that is configured to diffuse process gases. The diffuser is attached directly to an upper surface of the reaction chamber, thereby forming a diffuser volume therebetween. The diffuser includes at least one distribution surface that is configured to provide a flow restriction to the process gases as they pass through the diffuser volume before being introduced into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: ASM America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Shero, Mohith E. Verghese, Carl L. White, Herbert Terhorst, Dan Maurice
  • Patent number: 9394609
    Abstract: Methods are provided for depositing thin films by vapor deposition using two different metal halide reactants. In some embodiments aluminum fluoride thin films are deposited by atomic layer deposition methods in which a substrate is alternately and sequentially contacted with a first metal halide reactant comprising aluminum, such as AlCl3, and a second metal halide reactant comprising fluorine, such as TiF4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Miia Mäntymäki, Mikko Ritala, Markku Leskelä
  • Patent number: 9394610
    Abstract: A source for feeding one or more gaseous precursors onto a surface of a substrate and an arrangement for processing the substrate by way of subjecting the surface of the substrate to alternately repetitive surface reactions of the precursors, the source including a gas feed member for feeding at least one or more precursors onto the surface of the substrate. The gas feed member is adapted rotatable about a rotation axis, the rotation axis being arranged to extend substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: BENEQ OY
    Inventor: Runar Törnqvist
  • Patent number: 9394611
    Abstract: A method of making a gas separation membrane system by providing a porous support material having deposited thereon a metal membrane layer and imposing upon the surface thereof certain surface characteristics that provide for surface activation that enhances the placement thereon of a subsequent metal membrane layer. The gas separation membrane system is useful in the separation of hydrogen from hydrogen-containing gas streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: John Charles Saukatitis
  • Patent number: 9394612
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, with a body containing metallic material, preferably iron. The method includes the following steps to control degradation of the implant: (i) providing the body of the implant; and (ii) tribochemically treating at least part of the body surface by means of beam particles. An implant produced in this way is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK VI PATENT AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Bjoern Klocke
  • Patent number: 9394613
    Abstract: A process for coating an article includes the steps of contacting an article with a first solution to produce a coated article, the first solution includes a solvent and at least one non-conductive material comprising at least one oxide of a metal; contacting with a second solution the coated article having at least one surface with a non-conductive material layer, the second solution includes a solvent and at least one conductive material comprising at least one of the foregoing: graphite, metals, conductive ceramics, semi-conductive ceramics, intermetallic compounds, and mixtures thereof; and drying the coated article having at least one surface with a non-conductive material layer having the at least one conductive material in contact with at least one surface of the non-conductive material layer and the at least one surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Jaworowski, Sarah Arsenault, James T. Beals
  • Patent number: 9394614
    Abstract: A novel method for forming projections and depressions is provided. A novel sealing structure is provided. A novel light-emitting device is provided. A first step of forming a film containing at least two kinds of metals having different etching rates over a surface; a second step of heating the film so that the metal having a lower etching rate segregates; a third step of selectively etching the metal having a higher etching rate; and a fourth step of selectively etching the surface using a residue containing the metal having a lower etching rate are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yusuke Nishido
  • Patent number: 9394615
    Abstract: To manufacture a ceramic coated article, at least one surface of a conductive article is roughened to a roughness of approximately 100 micro-inches (?in) to approximately 300 ?in. The conductive article may then be heated and coated with a ceramic coating comprising a yttrium containing oxide to a thickness of approximately 10-40 mil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Y. Sun, Biraja P. Kanungo, Ren-Guan Duan, Hamid Noorbakhsh, Junhan Yuh, Dmitry Lubomirsky
  • Patent number: 9394616
    Abstract: The present invention can provide an etching composition for a chemical copper plating for the production of a printed-wiring board according to a semi-additive process, which comprises 0.2 to 5% by mass of hydrogen peroxide, 0.5 to 10% by mass of sulfuric acid, 0.001 to 0.3% by mass of phenylurea, 0.1 to 3 mass ppm of halogen ion and 0.003 to 0.3% by mass of tetrazoles, and wherein the ratio of the dissolution rate of the chemical copper plating (Y) to the dissolution rate of an electrolytic copper plating (X) at a liquid temperature of 30° C. (Y/X) is 4 to 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Kenichi Takahashi, Norifumi Tashiro
  • Patent number: 9394617
    Abstract: Disclosed are quaternary ammonium carbonates, bicarbonates, and mixtures thereof as anti-corrosive agents. The invention relates to a method for inhibiting the corrosion of metal surfaces by applying a composition containing one or more quaternary ammonium carbonate or bicarbonate. The disclosure is also directed to anti-corrosive coating for metal substrates containing these compounds, to metal substrates having these anticorrosive coatings, and to aqueous cleaning solutions containing these compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: LONZA INC.
    Inventors: Larry K. Hall, Joseph William Scheblein, Michael Yao-chi Chiang, Joseph Kimler
  • Patent number: 9394618
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for removing cuprous oxide deposits from a copper-containing water-based cooling system, such as those used to cool stators in industrial generators, without disrupting operation of the cooling system. A complexing agent, such as a 1,10-phenanthroline, e.g., 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (neocuproine), a 2,2-bipyridine compound, or the like can be introduced into the coolant fluid to facilitate dissolution of the deposits by forming a complex with the cuprous ions. The complexing agent can be dissolved in an alcohol at a concentration of about 4-5%, and then added to the coolant fluid to a concentration of about 6e-3 M or less to avoid undesirable precipitation of the agent. The complexing agent can be recovered by flowing the coolant mixture through an adsorbent material such as activated carbon, and the copper can be removed from the agent by reacting it with sodium sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: James C. Bellows, Christopher D. Mize
  • Patent number: 9394619
    Abstract: Methods of forming a microelectronic packaging structure and associated structures formed thereby are described. Those methods and structures may include forming an opening in a dielectric material of a package substrate, and then plating a conductive interconnect structure in the opening utilizing a plating process. The plating process may comprises a conductive metal and a dopant comprising between about 0.05 and 10 percent weight, wherein the dopant comprises at least one of magnesium, zirconium and zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Rajen S. Sidhu, Mukul P. Renavikar, Sandeep B. Sane
  • Patent number: 9394620
    Abstract: Described are apparatus and methods for electroplating one or more metals onto a substrate. Embodiments include electroplating apparatus configured for plating highly uniform metal layers. In specific embodiments, the apparatus includes a flow-shaping element made of an ionically resistive material and having a plurality of channels made through the flow shaping element. The channels allow for transport of the electrolyte through the flow shaping element during electroplating. The channel openings are arranged in a spiral-like pattern on the substrate-facing surface of the flow shaping element such that the center of the spiral-like pattern is offset from the center of the flow shaping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Mayer, David W. Porter, Edwin Goh, Bryan L. Buckalew, Robert Rash
  • Patent number: 9394621
    Abstract: A metal surface treatment method for a metal base material in order to improve the uniformity of a cathodic electrodeposition coating film, the method including: a surface treatment step for forming a chemical conversion film on a metal base material by contacting the metal base material with a metal surface treatment composition including zirconium and/or titanium ions and an adhesive imparting agent characterized in being at least one selected from the group consisting of (A) silicon-containing compound, (B) adhesive imparting metal ion, and (C) adhesive imparting resin; and a heating/drying step to heat and dry the metal base material, on which the chemical conversion film is formed, at 60° C. to 190° C. for at least 30 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Chemetall GmbH
    Inventors: Toshio Inbe, Kazuhiro Makino, Hiroshi Kameda, Masanobu Futsuhara
  • Patent number: 9394622
    Abstract: The device 1 according to the invention is suggested for gentle treatment of a flat material B to be treated with a treatment liquid F. The device 1 has the following components: at least one treatment chamber 20, in which the treatment liquid F can be accumulated up to a bath level M, at least one supply device 7 for the supply of the treatment liquid F into the at least one treatment chamber 20, at least one transport device 30, with which the material B to be treated can be transported in the horizontal position in a transport plane E below the bath level M through the at least one treatment chamber 20, at least one reception area 4 for the treatment liquid F, and at least one discharge device 40 with, respectively, at least one discharge opening 41 for the treatment liquid F for conveying it from the at least one treatment chamber 20 with a respective discharge rate into the at least one reception area 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Atotech Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ferdinand Wiener, Christian Thomas, Olaf Lorenz
  • Patent number: 9394623
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fabrication and application of compositions, devices, methods and systems for utilizing radiation more efficiently as compared to known systems. A synthesis method provides deposition of titania on a substrate without the use of an electrochemical reaction. An integrated architecture formed by the method of the present invention is comprised of vertically-oriented, one-dimensional, monocrystalline, n-type anatase nanowires in communication with a common transparent conductive substrate, and which are intercalated with a consortia of p-type quantum dots tuned for absorption of infrared and other radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventors: Craig Grimes, Thomas Latempa, Kevin Kreisler
  • Patent number: 9394624
    Abstract: A method for forming a topological insulator structure is provided. A strontium titanate substrate having a surface (111) is used. The surface (111) of the strontium titanate substrate is cleaned by heat-treating the strontium titanate substrate in the molecular beam epitaxy chamber. The strontium titanate substrate is heated and Bi beam, Sb beam, Cr beam, and Te beam are formed in the molecular beam epitaxy chamber in a controlled ratio achieved by controlling flow rates of the Bi beam, Sb beam, Cr beam, and Te beam. The magnetically doped topological insulator quantum well film is formed on the surface (111) of the strontium titanate substrate. The amount of the hole type charge carriers introduced by the doping with Cr is substantially equal to the amount of the electron type charge carriers introduced by the doping with Bi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Qi-Kun Xue, Ke He, Xu-Cun Ma, Xi Chen, Li-Li Wang, Cui-Zu Chang, Xiao Feng, Yao-Yi Li, Jin-Feng Jia
  • Patent number: 9394625
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanotubes is provided. First, a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface is provided. Second, a catalyst film is formed on the first surface of the substrate, wherein the catalyst film comprises a carbonaceous material. Third, a mixture of a carrier gas and a carbon source gas is flew across the catalyst film. Forth, a focused laser beam is irradiated on the substrate to grow a carbon nanotube array from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Xiang Luo, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 9394626
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating a monomer, pre-polymer, polymer or a corresponding mixture, in particular for producing a dope for producing a polymer fiber, in particular a p-aramide fiber, in which the monomer, pre-polymer, polymer, additives or a corresponding mixture is admixed with a solvent, blended, fused, homogenized and/or degassed and then discharged, which takes place at least partially in a reactor (7), is to force-feed the monomer, pre-polymer, polymer or a corresponding mixture into the reactor (7) using a force-feed device (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: List Holding AG
    Inventors: Pierre Liechti, Reinhard Geisler, Manuel Steiner
  • Patent number: 9394627
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses and methods of creating fibers, such as microfibers and nanofibers. The methods discussed herein employ centrifugal forces to transform material into fibers. Apparatuses that may be used to create fibers are also described. Described herein are fiber producing devices that have various types of outlet elements coupled to the fiber producing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: CLARCOR Inc.
    Inventors: Ed Peno, Roger Lipton
  • Patent number: 9394628
    Abstract: A method of forming a fiber made of peptide nanostructures is disclosed. The method comprises: providing peptide nanostructures in solution, and fiberizing the solution thereby forming at least one fiber of the peptide nanostructures. Also disclosed are methods of forming films and other articles using the peptide nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Ehud Gazit, Meital Reches
  • Patent number: 9394629
    Abstract: A method for forming a biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. In one embodiment, for example, an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is melt blended with an alcohol to initiate an alcoholysis reaction that results in a copolyester having one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the alcoholysis conditions (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, catalysts, temperature, etc.), a modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting aliphatic-aromatic polymer. Such lower molecular weight polymers also have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Wang, Aimin He
  • Patent number: 9394630
    Abstract: An artificial leather is provided having a raised nap to give an elegant appearance, and further has a good pilling-resistance without affecting the spinning performance. The pilling-resistant artificial leather is a sheet-form object including a microfiber having a monofilament diameter of 0.3 to 10 ?m and a polymeric elastomer, and having a raised nap made of the microfiber. The microfiber includes inorganic particles in a proportion of 0.01 to 5% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the microfiber, and a silicone oil in a proportion of 0.001 to 1% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the microfiber. The microfiber contains a polyester microfiber in a proportion of 90% by mass or more thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yanagisawa, Hisashi Murahara, Katsufumi Yanai
  • Patent number: 9394631
    Abstract: A core-sheath composite fiber includes a core component including an easily alkaline elutable polyester with a main repeating unit constructed of ethylene terephthalate containing 2.0 to 5.5 mol % of an isophthalic acid component containing a metal sulfonate group relative to a total acid component and 3.0 to 6.0 mol % of an adipic acid component relative to the total acid component, and a sheath component including a polyamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi Mizota, Takashi Ida, Hidetoshi Takanaga
  • Patent number: 9394632
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing chemical nanostructures having multiple elements, such as boron and nitride, e.g. boron nitride nanotubes, are disclosed. The method comprises creating a plasma jet, or plume, such as by an arc discharge. The plasma plume is elongated and has a temperature gradient along its length. It extends along its length into a port connector area having ports for introduction of feed materials. The feed materials include the multiple elements, which are introduced separately as fluids or powders at multiple ports along the length of the plasma plume, said ports entering the plasma plume at different temperatures. The method further comprises modifying a temperature at a distal portion of or immediately downstream of said plasma plume; and collecting said chemical nanostructures after said modifying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Alexander K. Zettl
  • Patent number: 9394633
    Abstract: A fiber bundle is provided that strikes an excellent balance among the properties and performance of the web and articles manufactured using this web, the productivity, processability, and cost. The fiber bundle comprising continuous fibers aligned in one direction is characterized in that the continuous fibers have crimps that form peaks and valleys in the width direction of the fiber bundle, and these crimps have a characteristic value A, defined as the absolute value of a slope with respect to the length direction of the fiber bundle of a straight line that connects the vertex of the peak with the vertex of the valley of adjacent crimps present in a single continuous fiber, of at least 0.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: ES FIBERVISIONS CO., LTD., ES FIBERVISIONS HONG KONG LIMITED, ES FIBERVISIONS LP, ES FIBERVISIONS APS
    Inventors: Yukiharu Shimotsu, Takayuki Nishitani
  • Patent number: 9394634
    Abstract: A woven shielding textile includes a set of weft yarns and a plurality of warp yarns, including a set of primary warp yarns and a set of secondary warp yarns. The set of primary warp yarns and the set of secondary warp yarns are selectively interlaced with the set of weft yarns using a double beam weaving system such that the woven shielding textile is warp-faced. A face surface is predominantly composed of the set of primary warp yarns and a back surface is predominantly composed of the set of secondary warp yarns, while the plurality of warp yarns alternates between the set of primary warp yarns and the set of secondary warp yarns. A substantial percent of light incident to the woven shielding textile does not pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Arun Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9394635
    Abstract: A weft feeder device for threads, in particular for weaving looms, of the type comprising a main body (1) within which there is housed an electric motor for the driving of a rotary shaft (2), the rotary shaft (2) driving into rotation, with its middle portion, a rotor (3), and a drum (T) rotatably mounted on the end portion of said rotary shaft (2) and kept fixed by magnetic means (6, 7), and wherein there are furthermore provided pairs of optical emitting/receiving sensors (E, R) are respectively arranged on the drum (T) and on an extension of the main body (I) of the weft feeder device which extends laterally to the lateral surface of the drum (T), said pairs of sensors (E, R) being apt to detect the presence/absence of a thread passing therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: ROJ S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alessandro Ballabio, Marco Covelli
  • Patent number: 9394636
    Abstract: A braided protective sleeve and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve has a wall extending along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The wall includes a plurality of braided yarns forming inner and outer surfaces of the sleeve. The inner surface bounds an internal cavity and the outer surface is exposed to the surrounding environment. The yarns are braided with one another in a X/Y braid pattern with X and Y being different numerical values from one another. The numerical values of X and Y can be selected as desired to provide the sleeve with the enhanced physical performance characteristics desired. A plurality of yarns extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis can be interlaced with the braided yarns. The interlaced yarns can be exposed to the internal cavity and concealed from the environment; exposed to the environment and concealed from the internal cavity, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Powertrain, Inc.
    Inventors: Tianqi Gao, Cassie M. Malloy, David A. Harris, Michael Piotrowski, Leigh Krauser
  • Patent number: 9394637
    Abstract: A method to prepare nonwoven webs which have good MD and CD strength, and are water disposable is provided. The method includes hydroentangling an airlaid web of no less than 50% by weight of natural cellulose fibers having a fiber length of no more than 3.5 mm and no more than 50% by weight staple fibers having a fiber length of no less than 8.0 mm. The airlaid web is not laid on a precursor web and no adhesive, binder or thermal bonding fibers are utilized. The airlayering and hydroentangling are conducted in a continuous operation. Products may be obtained according to the method of this invention that meet municipal guidelines for flushability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Jacob Holm & Sons AG
    Inventors: Richard Knowlson, Eric Mariani, Katherine Dyrmose Petersen
  • Patent number: 9394638
    Abstract: A non-woven fabric which is excellent in thermal resistance, mechanical strength, and thermal dimensional stability for applications exposed to high temperature circumstance and has an extremely large surface area and exhibit an excellent filter performance is obtained. The non-woven fabric is composed of polyimide fibers which are obtained by polycondensation of at least an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid and an aromatic diamine having a benzoxazole structure and have a fiber diameter in the range of 0.001 ?m to 1 ?m. The non-woven fabric is obtained by the steps of preparing a polyamic acid by polycondensation of an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid and an aromatic diamine having a benzoxazole structure, and electro-spinning the polyamic acid to form a polyimide precursor non-woven fabric; and imidizing a polyimide precursor fiber bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Nakamori, Satoshi Maeda, Tooru Kitagawa, Hisato Kobayashi, Yasuo Ohta
  • Patent number: 9394639
    Abstract: Motorized thread tensioner for a sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a motorized thread tensioner for a sewing machine may include a first disk, a second disk, a spring, a shaft having threads on a distal end, a nut threaded onto the threads of the shaft, and an electric motor. The shaft may be through the first disk, the second disk, and the spring. The electric motor may be coupled to the nut and configured to rotate the nut in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction. The rotation of the nut in the first rotational direction may cause the shaft to travel toward the electric motor. The rotation of the nut in the second rotational direction may cause the shaft to travel away from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Handi Quilter, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan K. Ruggles, Wynn Royce Jones, Richard Kimball Eich
  • Patent number: 9394640
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling sewing machine stitch length based on thread usage are provided. The techniques include a sewing machine computer storing a stitch length setting and using a thread movement sensor to sense the movement of thread as the thread is drawn from a spool due to the user moving an object relative to a sewing machine needle and thereby drawing thread from the needle and the spool. The techniques also include a sewing machine computer receiving information from the thread movement sensor and determining a length of thread drawn from the spool after formation of a previous stitch, comparing the length of thread with the stitch length setting, and operating a sewing machine motor to create a stitch when the length of thread drawn from the spool after formation of the previous stitch corresponds to the stitch length setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Arthur Bentley
  • Patent number: 9394641
    Abstract: A washing machine includes an inner tub arranged in an outer tub and a rotatable wave wheel. As every 1 kg load is increased, the height difference h1 between the clothes and water satisfies the formula h1=(?D2h?4V1)/(K?D2), wherein D is the diameter of the inner tub, h is the height of the wave wheel, V1 is the volume of the wave wheel, and K is the optimal clothes load between the wave wheel and the inner tub within the wave wheel height. The clothes overturn periodically while rotating along with the wave wheel. The clothes move towards the center of the wave wheel along the wave wheel while moving upward, overturn outwards in a uniform wobble way after reaching the climax of the wave wheel and fall to the bottom of the inner tub along the inner tub wall, and move towards the center of the wave wheel again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: HAIER GROUP CORPORATION, QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hai Shu, Peishi Lv, Sheng Xu, Lin Yang, Baozhen Cheng, Qiuying Gao
  • Patent number: 9394642
    Abstract: A basket assembly (24) for a washing machine includes a basket and a support bracket (36) adjacent the basket. The basket has a first end (54) and a second end (56) and defines a cavity at the first end for receiving laundry. The support bracket (36) includes a base (40) having a front side (42) and at least two attachment portions (60) extending from the front side. The attachment portions are spaced from each other and are connected to the second end (56) of the basket. At least two fins (74) integrally extend from the front side of the base toward the first end of the basket. The fins (74) are integral with the attachment portions (60) of the support bracket (36) for reinforcing the attachment portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: William J. McMaster, Stephen P. Serna, Gavin L. Jewell
  • Patent number: 9394643
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for a laundry treating appliance includes, among other things, a first raceway piece having an L-shaped cross section defining a first annular channel and a second raceway piece having an L-shaped cross section defining a second annular channel. The first raceway piece is attached to the second raceway piece with the first annular channel facing the second annular channel to define a raceway. The dynamic balancer device also includes a mass disposed in the annular raceway and movable therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: George W. Malheiros, Richard V. Oney, Scott T. Thalls
  • Patent number: 9394644
    Abstract: A washing machine of the present invention comprises a casing; a tub disposed inside the casing; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub, for accommodating laundry therein; and a gasket interposed between the casing and the tub, for preventing water in the tub from leaking between the tub and the casing. Wherein the gasket comprises a plurality of gasket nozzles for spraying water into the drum; and a plurality of connectors for supplying water to the respective gasket nozzles. Wherein the gasket nozzle comprises a spray guidance surface for refracting the an advancing direction of the water supplied through the connector so as to spray the water toward inside of the drum; and a plurality of protrusions provided adjacent to an finish end of the spray guidance surface on which the water guided along the spray guidance surface is separated, and arranged along an width direction of the spray guidance surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myong Hun Im, Sung Min Lee, Chang Woo Son
  • Patent number: 9394645
    Abstract: Provided is a laundry treatment machine. The laundry treatment machine may include a main body, a lid, and at least one hinge that supports the lid. The hinge may include a hinge housing filled with a fluid having a prescribed viscosity, an elastic member disposed inside the hinge housing, and a pair of cams disposed in the housing to move in linkage with the lid and the elastic member. A piston may be disposed between the moving cam and the elastic member to deform the elastic member according to a displacement of the moving cam. The piston may divide a cavity inside the hinge housing into a first space in which the elastic member is disposed and a second space in which the pair of cams are disposed. The piston may include a passage for the fluid to flow between the first space and the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngbae Park, Yongjun An
  • Patent number: 9394646
    Abstract: The present technology provides a carbon fiber reinforced plastic that includes carbon fibers covalently bonded to an energetic polymer and a polymer matrix. Also described is a method for recycling carbon fibers from the carbon fiber reinforced plastic material using microwave energy to separate the carbon fibers from the polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Kraig Anderson, Angele Sjong
  • Patent number: 9394647
    Abstract: Provided is an adhesive composition for organic fiber cords which does not contain resorcinol and formaldehyde and has a good adhesive property and is good for the environment, particularly for the work environment, and a rubber reinforcing material, a tire and a bonding method using the same. Also provided is an adhesive composition for organic fiber cords which contains (blocked) isocyanate compound and/or amine-based curing agent (A), epoxy compound (B), rubber latex (C), and a rubber reinforcing material, a tire and a bonding method using the same. The ratio of the mass of the (blocked) isocyanate compound and/or amine curing agent (A) a to the mass of the epoxy compound (B) b (the mass of (blocked) isocyanate compound and/or amine curing agent/the mass of epoxy compound), a/b is preferably not smaller than 0.1 and not larger than 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Ikeda, Emil Giza