Patents Issued in October 25, 2016
  • Patent number: 9476126
    Abstract: Provided is a metal-resin complex in which a metal alloy and a resin composition that are heterogeneous materials are integrated with each other, and more particularly, a method for producing a metal-resin complex capable of improving bonding strength by producing a metal alloy having a more uniform etching surface using an alkaline aqueous solution to which a chelating agent is added and an acid aqueous solution to which the chelating agent and an amic acid are added, and injection-molding the resin composition by using the produced metal alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ILKWANGPOLYMER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Kyung Lee, Yong Wan Jo
  • Patent number: 9476127
    Abstract: A method for treating a cooling water system comprises adding, in a cooling water system having calcium hardness of 250 mg/L or less as CaCO3, a treatment agent containing a (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer. The (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer comprises a structural unit (a) derived from a (meth)acrylic acid-based monomer (A) represented by the following general formula (1) and a structural unit (b) derived from a specific (meth)allyl ether-based monomer (B) represented by the following general formula (2), a content of the structural unit (b) is 1 to 15 mol % relative to 100 mol % of structural units derived from all the monomers, a weight average molecular weight of the (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer is 7,000 to 28,000, and at least one of the main chain terminals of the (meth)acrylic acid-based copolymer is a sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Ikuko Chiba, Naohiro Nagai, Takanori Yoshino, Masato Nakano, Yuki Sano
  • Patent number: 9476128
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of cleaning steel sheet, said method of cleaning steel sheet feeding a cleaning solution activated by ultrasonic waves of a frequency of 0.8 MHz to 3 MHz to a surface of steel sheet at an angle inclined by 1 to 80° with respect to a line perpendicular to the surface of the steel sheet in a direction opposite to the running direction, thereby enabling megasonic waves to be applied to cleaning of running steel sheet and improving the cleaning effect and cleaning speed, and a continuous cleaning system of steel sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Uemura, Tadashi Sakon, Eiichi Kuboyama, Daisuke Sawada
  • Patent number: 9476129
    Abstract: The solar fuels generator includes an ionically conductive separator between a gaseous first phase and a second phase. A photoanode uses one or more components of the first phase to generate cations during operation of the solar fuels generator. A cation conduit is positioned provides a pathway along which the cations travel from the photoanode to the separator. The separator conducts the cations. A second solid cation conduit conducts the cations from the separator to a photocathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Joshua M. Spurgeon
  • Patent number: 9476130
    Abstract: An ion-exchange membrane method electrolytic cell comprising a coil cushion arranged between a conductive plate and a cathode in a cathode chamber, and further an ion-exchange membrane arranged in contact with the cathode. The conductive plate is not perforated, and the coil cushion is arranged so that its axial direction is in agreement with the vertical direction of electrolytic cell. Preferably the coil cushion is made of a metal coil and has an impact resilience of 7-17 kPa. The cathode preferably has supported electrode catalyst and is made of an expanded metal with strands of 0.1-1.0 mm width and 0.1-1.0 mm thickness, and having SW of 0.5-5.0 mm and LW of 1.0-10 mm, and 48-60% open area. The electrolytic cell is energy-saving, and damage thereof can be avoided over a long period, and elevation of voltage and reduction of current efficiency with time can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: TOSOH CORPORATION, CHLORINE ENGINEERS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Suemoto, Fumio Sadahiro, Tsuyoshi Nomura, Kenji Sakamoto, Yoshiyuki Kodama
  • Patent number: 9476131
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell comprising an anode and a cathode compartment separated by a membrane, housing corresponding electrodes. The anode and the cathode compartments having external walls with frame-type flanged areas in the contact area of both compartments. The flanged areas having mounting bores marking an inner area and an outer area of the electrochemical cell a, gas-diffusion electrode resting on a support system, a porous material resting on the gas-diffusion electrode, and devices for the inlet and outlet of gas and electrolyte. At least one circumferential gasket frame is in the contact area of both compartments, between the frame-type flanged areas of the external walls of both compartments, said gasket resting on the membrane, with the porous material and the gas-diffusion electrode resting on the frame-type cathodic flanged area and the circumferential gasket frame overlapping in this area with the porous material and the gas-diffusion electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: UHDENORA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Randolf Kiefer, Peter Woltering, Rainer Weber, Andreas Bulan, Michael Grossholz
  • Patent number: 9476132
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell for producing hydrogen gas and cupric chloride. The cell comprises: an anode compartment comprising an anode for disposition in an anolyte, wherein the anolyte is cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid; a cathode compartment comprising a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises an electrocatalyst; a plurality of ion exchange membranes disposed between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment; and at least one center compartment defined by a pair of said ion exchange membranes and comprising at least one element for removal or sequestering of copper ions that cross at least one of said membranes from the anode compartment. Also described is a method for CuCl/HCl electrolysis in the production of hydrogen using the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Kettner, Lorne Stolberg, Hongqiang Li, Alexi Shkarupin, Sellathurai Suppiah
  • Patent number: 9476133
    Abstract: A portable hydrogen and oxygen supply system produces gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen from water. It separates the gasses and vents them into two separate chambers. The supply system creates water disassociation through an array of concentric hexagonal hydrogen collector tubes, anode rods and a cathode matrix, all of which are submersed in water. The anode rods and cathode matrix are supplied DC electrical current. The water separates (disassociates) as atomic hydrogen is drawn to the negatively charged anode rods and the atomic oxygen is drawn to the positively charged cathode matrix. The hydrogen, on its path to the anode, passes through the walls of the hydrogen collector tubes to be collected in the first chamber. The oxygen is unable to pass through the walls of the tubes, and remains outside the tubes to be collected in the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Brian Daniel Gilman
  • Patent number: 9476134
    Abstract: High purity copper having a purity of 6N or higher, wherein content of each of the respective components of P, S, 0, and C is 1 ppm or less, and nonmetal inclusions having a particle size of 0.5 ?m or more and 20 ?m or less contained in the copper are 10,000 inclusions/g or less. As a result of using high purity copper or high purity copper alloy as the raw material from which harmful P, S, C, O-based inclusions have been reduced and controlling the existence form of nonmetal inclusions, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of rupture of a bonding wire and improve the reproducibility of mechanical properties, or reduce the percent defect of a semiconductor device wiring formed by sputtering a high purity copper target with favorable reproducibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Shindo, Susumu Shimamoto, Atsushi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9476135
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electro-chemical plating (ECP) process which utilizes a dummy electrode as a cathode to perform plating for sustained idle times to mitigate additive dissociation. The dummy electrode also allows for localized plating function to improve product gapfill, and decrease wafer non-uniformity. A wide range of electroplating recipes may be applied with this strategy, comprising current plating up to approximately 200 Amps, localized plating with a resolution of approximately 1 mm, and reverse plating to remove material from the dummy electrode accumulated during the dummy plating process and replenish ionic material within the electroplating solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yi Chang, Liang-Yueh Ou Yang, Chen-Yuan Kao, Hung-Wen Su
  • Patent number: 9476136
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an electrodeposition process of nickel-cobalt coatings (2), from aqueous solutions containing nickel and cobalt salts, by applying a pulsed waveform in the cathodic current range. It also refers to nickel-cobalt coatings (2), obtained by this process in a substrate (1), having a dendritic structure (4) supported by a base-layer (3) at the interface with the substrate, and being thus mechanically stable. Such nickel-cobalt coatings (2) have application in energy storage and conversion areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TECNICO, INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO DE SETÚBAL, INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE ENGENHARIA DE LISBOA
    Inventors: Maria de Fátima Grilo da Costa Montemor, Maria João Pedroso Carmezim, Rui Pedro Tavares da Silva, Sónia C. da Conceição de Matos Eugenio, Maria Teresa Oliveira de Moura e Silva
  • Patent number: 9476137
    Abstract: A metal oxide film suitable for protection of metals, composed mainly of aluminum. A metal oxide film includes a film of an oxide of a metal composed mainly of aluminum, having a thickness of 10 nm or greater, and exhibiting a moisture release rate from the film of 1E18 mol./cm2 or less. Further, there is provided a process for producing a metal oxide film, wherein a metal composed mainly of aluminum is subjected to anodic oxidation in a chemical solution of 4 to 10 pH value so as to obtain a metal oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Tohoku University, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Yasuyuki Shirai, Hitoshi Morinaga, Yasuhiro Kawase, Masafumi Kitano, Fumikazu Mizutani, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9476138
    Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a composite plating liquid. The composite plating liquid includes: a plating metal salt; a sulfate of at least one element selected from alkali metals and alkaline earth metals; boric acid; a carbon nanotube; and a dispersant. Also, there is provided a plating method of plating a member using the composite plating liquid, and a composite plating film formed by the plating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD, SHINSHU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yoriyuki Suwa, Kenji Kawamura, Syuzo Aoki, Masao Nakazawa, Susumu Arai
  • Patent number: 9476139
    Abstract: Provided are cleaning methods and systems to remove unintended metallic deposits from electroplating apparatuses using reverse current deplating techniques. Such cleaning involves positioning a cleaning (deplating) disk in an electroplating cup similar to a regular processed substrate. The front surface of the cleaning disk includes a corrosion resistant conductive material to form electrical connections to deposits on the cup's surfaces. The disk is sealed in the cup and submerged into a plating solution. A reverse current is then applied to the front conductive surface of the disk to initiate deplating of the deposits. Sealing compression in the cup may change during cleaning to cause different deformation of the lip seal and to form new electrical connections to the deposits. The proposed cleaning may be applied to remove deposits formed during electroplating of alloys, in particular, tin-silver alloys widely used for semiconductor and wafer level packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Peng Chua, Steven T. Mayer, Thomas A. Ponnuswamy, Santosh Kumar
  • Patent number: 9476140
    Abstract: An electrodeposited nano-twins copper layer, a method of fabricating the same, and a substrate comprising the same are disclosed. According to the present invention, at least 50% in volume of the electrodeposited nano-twins copper layer comprises plural grains adjacent to each other, wherein the said grains are made of stacked twins, the angle of the stacking directions of the nano-twins between one grain and the neighboring grain is between 0 to 20 degrees. The electrodeposited nano-twins copper layer of the present invention is highly reliable with excellent electro-migration resistance, hardness, and Young's modulus. Its manufacturing method is also fully compatible to semiconductor process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chih Chen, King-Ning Tu, Taochi Liu
  • Patent number: 9476141
    Abstract: A system for growing a crystal ingot from a melt is provided. The system includes a first crucible, a barrier, and a shield. The first crucible has a first base and a first sidewall forming a first cavity for containing the melt. The barrier is disposed within the first cavity of the first crucible to inhibit movement of the melt from outward of the barrier to inward of the barrier. The barrier extends from the first base to above the melt. The barrier has an inner arm and an outer arm extending upward to form a channel therebetween. The shield extends downward between the inner arm and the outer arm to inhibit passage of contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SunEdison, Inc.
    Inventor: Tirumani Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 9476142
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal according to a Czochralski method: bringing a sharp end of a seed crystal into contact with a silicon melt; melting the seed crystal from the end up to a position at which the seed crystal has a predetermined diameter; growing the silicon single crystal without a Dash-Necking process, wherein the seed crystal is melted while a crucible is rotated at a rotational speed of 2 rpm or less, and the rotational speed of the crucible is decelerated to below the rotational speed at the time of the melting within 10 minutes after an end of the melting and a start of the crystal growth. The method avoids reduction in success rate for dislocation-free single crystal growth in manufacture of a heavy, large-diameter ingot and improves the productivity by the dislocation-free seeding method without the necking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuaki Mitamura
  • Patent number: 9476143
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and mask structures for epitaxially growing substantially defect-free semiconductor material. In some embodiments, the method may comprise providing a substrate comprising a first crystalline material, where the first crystalline material has a first lattice constant; providing a mask structure on the substrate, where the mask structure comprises a first level comprising a first opening extending through the first level (where a bottom of the first opening comprises the substrate), and a second level on top of the first level, where the second level comprises a plurality of second trenches positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the first opening. The method may further comprise epitaxially growing a second crystalline material on the bottom of the first opening, where the second crystalline material has a second lattice constant different than the first lattice constant and defects in the second crystalline material are trapped in the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Benjamin Vincent, Voon Yew Thean, Liesbeth Witters
  • Patent number: 9476144
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming heterojunction stressor layers is described. A germanium precursor and a metal precursor are provided to a chamber, and an epitaxial layer of germanium-metal alloy formed on the substrate. The metal precursor is typically a metal halide, which may be provided by subliming a solid metal halide or by contacting a pure metal with a halogen gas. The precursors may be provided through a showerhead or through a side entry point, and an exhaust system coupled to the chamber may be separately heated to manage condensation of exhaust components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Errol Antonio C. Sanchez, David K. Carlson
  • Patent number: 9476145
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to flexible ceramic fibers and to methods for making same. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to flexible ceramic fibers that are heat and chemical resistant, and to a method for making same. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to flexible ceramic nanofibers, and to a method for making same. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to electrospun flexible ceramic nanofibers, products that include such fibers, and to methods of making same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Darrell Reneker, George Chase, Woraphon Kataphinan, Prathyusha Katta
  • Patent number: 9476146
    Abstract: IR-emitting or reflecting polymer fibers are formed by blending a high concentration of IR-emitting or reflecting particles with a thermoplastic polymer and meltblowing fibers which have an average diameter of 20 ? or less. The meltblowing process allows for inclusion of a high concentration of the IR-emitting or reflecting particles, yet allows fibers to be formed. These can be formed into a soft, air-permeable, nonwoven web. The fibers can be monocomponent or bicomponent or multicomponent and can be textured or shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CLOPAY PLASTIC PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Carol Blaney, Leopoldo V. Cancio, Gregory K. Jones
  • Patent number: 9476147
    Abstract: Processes for producing carbon fiber, the filament thereof and pre-oxidized fiber are provided. In one embodiment, the gel spinning of polyacrylonitrile filament is achieved by using small-molecule gelling agent, and the carbon fiber obtained thereby is increased by 15% to 40% in tensile strength and by 20% to 35% in toughness. In another embodiment, the melt spinning process of polyacrylonitrile is conducted by using imidazole type ion liquid as plasticizer, the process reduces environment pollution, is suitable for industrial production and the fiber produced thereby is improved in its strength. In yet another embodiment, polyacrylonitrile pre-oxidized fiber is produced by melt spinning, so low cost and controllable pre-oxidization of polyacrylonitrile can be achieved. In a further embodiment, high strength carbon fiber is manufactured by using polymer thickening agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: DONGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Muhuo Yu, Huaiping Rong, Keqing Han, Yiwei Zhang, Yincai Tian, Qinli Dong, Hui Zhang
  • Patent number: 9476148
    Abstract: A knitted sock includes a specially shaped toe with multiple gores and extra fabric length to cover portions of a wearer's toe digits, permitting the sock to assume a relaxed form with reduction of pressure on or along a wearer's toe digits. A sock toe portion may include left and right side boundaries, a first left side gore proximate to the left side boundary, a second left side gore distanced (e.g., inset) from and non-intersecting with the first left side gore, a first right side gore proximate to the right side boundary, and a second right side gore distanced (e.g., inset) from and non-intersecting with the first right side gore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: INTERLOOP LIMITED
    Inventor: Yaser Riaz
  • Patent number: 9476149
    Abstract: Methods for electrospinning a hydrophobic coaxial fiber into a superhydrophobic coaxial fiber mat can include providing an electrospinning coaxial nozzle comprising a core outlet coaxial with a sheath outlet, ejecting an electrospinnable core solution from the core outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, ejecting a hydrophobic sheath solution from the sheath outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, wherein the hydrophobic sheath solution annularly surrounds the core solution, applying a voltage between the electrospinning coaxial nozzle and a collection plate, wherein the voltage induces a jet of the electrospinnable core solution annularly surrounded by the hydrophobic sheath solution to travel from the electrospinning coaxial nozzle to the collection plate to form the hydrophobic coaxial fiber comprising an electrospinnable polymer core coated with a hydrophobic sheath material, and wherein collection of the hydrophobic coaxial fiber on the collection plate yields the superhydrophobic coaxial fib
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Daewoo Han
  • Patent number: 9476150
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a frame support portion, a moving device, a movable member and a detecting device. The frame support portion is configured to be detachably mounted with a mounting portion of an embroidery frame. The mounting portion has a specific shape that corresponds to a type of the embroidery frame. The moving device is configured to move the frame support portion. The movable member is configured to move in a first direction by a movement amount corresponding to the type of the embroidery frame, in conjunction with an operation in which the mounting portion of the embroidery frame is mounted on the frame support portion. The detecting device configured to detect the movement amount of the movable member, and to detect the type of the embroidery frame mounted on the frame support portion based on the detected movement amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi, Takahira Osamura
  • Patent number: 9476151
    Abstract: A hoop frame unit having a frame support structure, a hoop frame assembly, and a machine carriage assembly. The hoop frame assembly has a front fabric retainer, a rear fabric retainer, a first end retainer, and a second end retainer. Retainer clips mate with retainer seats on each of the retainers to secure fabric zones of quilt cores in place for machine sewing. The machine carriage assembly is supported by a front carriage track and a rear carriage track which are affixed on opposing ends to the frame support structure. The machine carriage assembly incorporates a lateral carriage element for carriage lateral movement, and a pair of longitudinal tracks on the lateral carriage element to provide for machine longitudinal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Gracewood Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Matthews Bagley
  • Patent number: 9476152
    Abstract: A tufting machine for forming tufted articles such as carpets including one or more needle bars carrying a series of spaced needles. The needles are arranged in 2 or more transverse rows of needles, with the needles of each transverse row of needles being mounted in a mini-staggered arrangement along the one or more needle bars. A series of gauge parts are mounted below backing material passing through the tufting machine. The gauge parts each engage corresponding ones of the needles of each transverse row of needles following penetration of the backing material by the needles, so as to form multiple tufts of yarns in the backing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Card-Monroe Corp.
    Inventor: Lewis Card, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9476153
    Abstract: The knitting spirality stabilizer is constituted of a frame (1) and a circle pattern constituted of one fixed ring (2) and one movable ring (3). A layout circumferentially located on the movable ring regulates the operation diameter according to the fabric. The layout includes external rests (4), which can be height regulated and position stabilized using external pins (6). External magnets (7) are located on the external rests. Turn wheels (10) on the external rests enable smooth fabric rolling without wears. Internal mechanism (9) is positioned inside the frame and constituted of foldable frame (11) and internal pins (16) for the initial placement. Internal rests (12) on the foldable frame correspond to the external rests, and have their own respective turn wheels (10) and internal magnets (8). Internal and external magnets have opposite polarity to create a magnetic field. Flexible bands (13) are used as drivers during the fabric passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Georgios Lagogiannis
  • Patent number: 9476154
    Abstract: Washing machine appliances and damper assemblies are provided. A damper assembly includes a cylinder defining a central longitudinal axis, the cylinder including a sidewall that defines an interior, the sidewall defining a central bore and a pocket concentrically surrounding the central bore, the sidewall including an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder that each connect the pocket and the central bore. The damper assembly further includes a piston partially disposed in the central bore and movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the cylinder. The damper assembly further includes a tube assembly concentrically surrounding the piston and at least partially disposed in the pocket, the tube assembly having a length that is less than a length of the pocket. The piston is further movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Haier U.S. Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Parag Mantri, Savio Sebastian Kathayanatt, Christopher Nils Naber, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi, Paul Owen Davis, Anoop Singh
  • Patent number: 9476155
    Abstract: A roller washing machine and the washing method thereof, comprises four layers of mutually sleeved washing tubs and a water containing tub, wherein, a first tub, a second tub, a third tub and a fourth tub are arranged from inside to outside sequentially and particles are stored in a space between the second tub and the third tub; a plurality of first openings used for dewatering are arranged on the walls of the second tub and of the third tub, and a second opening allowing the particles to be put in and recycled is arranged on the wall of the second tub. The roller washing machine integrates such functions as clothes washing, separation of clothes and the particles, recycling and storage of the particles, dewatering of the particles, thus realizing 100% put-in and recycling of the particles, simplifying washing procedures and shortening washing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: HAIER GROUP CORPORATION, HAIER GROUP TECHNIQUE R&D CENTER
    Inventors: Zhengbao He, Chunfeng Lao
  • Patent number: 9476156
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable terminal including a clothes information input unit, to which at least one of fiber blending ratio information of clothes and laundry care symbol information is input, a display unit to display the information input via the clothes information input unit, a storage unit in which a plurality of clothes treatment methods is stored, the clothes treatment methods being classified based on the at least one of the fiber blending ratio information of clothes and information on a handling method of clothes, and a controller that selects at least one of the clothes treatment methods stored in the storage unit based on the information input via the clothes information input unit, and allows the selected clothes treatment method to be displayed on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Mijin Jung, Kyounghoon Ham, Mikyung Ha, Nayoung Youk
  • Patent number: 9476157
    Abstract: A drain hose has a simple structure which absorbs vibration of a drain pump, and a washer has the same. The washer includes a main body, a drain pump disposed at the lower portion of the main body, a drain hose to guide wash water pumped by the drain pump to the outside of the main body, and an anti-vibration member formed of a material differing from the drain hose, and including a corrugation part connected between the drain pump and the drain hose and absorbing vibration of the drain pump during drainage of the wash water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Ho Park, Doo Young Ryu, Chan Woo Park, John Ha Park
  • Patent number: 9476158
    Abstract: Provided is a dryer. In the dryer, foreign substances such naps generated during a drying process are filtered by a filter unit, and the foreign substances attached to the filter unit are automatically removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seung-Phyo Ahn, Jeong-Yun Kim, Sang-Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 9476159
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the functionality remaining in a functional fabric, the method comprising the steps of: providing a used functional fabric having a known original functionality, a current wear, and a current unknown functionality, providing a light source, providing a detector, optically measuring the current wear using the light source and the detector, and evaluating the current unknown functionality using a correlation that expresses the current unknown functionality as a function of the current wear, optionally the detector further comprises a digital camera, and wherein the method further comprises the step of: obtaining a magnified image of the functional fabric and quantifying the fractal dimension using a box-method fractal analysis on the image. The method may be applied the insecticide treated fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TDA Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Brian France, William Wallace Ellis, Brady Clapsaddle, William Bell, Ronald Cook
  • Patent number: 9476161
    Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a defibrating unit which defibrates a defibration object including fibers; a cylinder unit which allows a defibrated material which is defibration-processed in the defibrating unit and introduced via an introduction port to pass through a plurality of holes that is on a cylindrical surface by rotating; a supplying unit which is provided with a supply port which supplies additive agents that bond the plurality of fibers in the cylinder portion; and a bonding unit which forms a sheet by bonding the fibers and the additive agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Naotaka Higuchi, Masahide Nakamura, Kazuma Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 9476162
    Abstract: A cellulosic tissue includes cellulosic fibers that include at least one of (a) chemically pulped fibers and (b) mechanically pulped fibers. The cellulosic fibers include (i) from about 10% to about 50% by weight eucalyptus fibers having a lignin content of at least about 20% by weight, and (ii) a percentage by weight of regenerated cellulosic microfibers. The cellulosic fibers further include virgin chemically pulped fibers, recycle fiber in an amount of up to 50%. The eucalyptus fiber has been prepared from eucalyptus chips by alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping, exhibiting an ISO brightness of at least 0.82×(% VCP)+0.795×(% RF)0.98+0.84×(% APMP), in which % VCP is the percentage of virgin chemical pulp in the sheet, % RF, the percentage of recycle fiber, and % alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP), the percentage of APMP eucalyptus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lee, Daniel W. Sumnicht
  • Patent number: 9476163
    Abstract: A set of cast concrete paving slabs is laid in a pattern side by side and end to end to cover an area to be paved. Each of the slabs members has side and end spacer abutments to hold an adjacent slab member at a predetermined spacing. Each of the slabs has a longitudinal slot in the upper surface defining a false joint parallel to the sides so as to divide the upper surface into parallel strips. There are different types of slabs some with both strips divided by transverse slots and some with only one strip with a slot. This forms in the finished product apparent strip pieces of many different lengths to simulate wood planks. Each of the parallel strips has a molded upper surface defining a series of wavy lines recessed from other parts of the upper surface and dyed darker than the remaining part of the slab thus simulating a wood grain appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Barkman Concrete Ltd
    Inventor: Wayne Patram
  • Patent number: 9476164
    Abstract: An industrial mat that has a support core configured and arranged to support other components of the mat; and upper and lower layers that provide upper and lower surfaces of the mat, with the layers protecting the support core. Bumpers are provided upon the longitudinal sides of the core, the front and rear end sides of the core, or upon all sides to protect the core from damage due to transport or installation of the mat. The bumpers are typically made of wood, or of a plastic or elastomeric material and have a shape that absorbs impact and shock forces. The mat also includes lifting elements of D-shaped rings, O-shaped rings, chains, or cables attached to the upper or lower layer or the support core, with the lifting elements configured and dimensioned to provide certified overhead lifting of the mat for installation and reclamation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Quality Mat Company
    Inventors: Joe Penland, Jr., Rustin Penland, Scott Calvert, Thomas O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9476165
    Abstract: Jointed concrete pavement is formed of concrete cured around a dowel. The dowel includes a welded seam carbon steel hollow tube and a pair of end caps. The end caps are attached to opposite axial ends of the hollow tube. The pavement comprises a fracture groove over the dowel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher P. Schenk
  • Patent number: 9476166
    Abstract: A system for regulating temperature and moisture on a field, while also absorbing an impact force from the field, uses adjacently joined panels positioned beneath the field, and that have sufficient thermal mass to transfer heat between an underlying fluid and the field. The temperature of the fluid regulates the temperature of the field, such that the field can be heated and cooled accordingly. The panels have water exfiltration and infiltration holes to drain moisture buildup from the field, and aeration channels for circulation. An interior region of each panel is defined by tube channels. The tube channel carries at least one fluid tube through the joined panels. The fluid tube carries a fluid having a predetermined temperature. The heat transfers between the fluid and the field through the plurality of panels. The temperature of the fluid can be adjusted to affect the temperature on the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Gary J. Hydock
  • Patent number: 9476167
    Abstract: A semi-permanent walkway construction comprising multiple sections of walkway decking configured to be longitudinally connected by rail and splicer structure on lower surfaces of the decking. The rail and splicer structure is generally U-shaped and mates in a male/female fashion, with the rails downward-facing, and the splicers upward-facing with perforated bottom walls so that the rail and splicer structure buries itself in soft terrain to anchor the joined walkway sections. In a further form, a junction rail is provided to create a welding shelf to connect walkway sections in lateral and parallel configurations in addition to the longitudinal configuration provided by the rails and splicers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory P. Welch
  • Patent number: 9476168
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a paving operation includes applying asphalt to a surface using a screed mounted on a paving machine, scanning a surface of the asphalt as it is applied by the screed immediately behind the paving machine using a thermal scanner mounted on the paving machine, and transmitting a signal indicative of a scanned temperature of the asphalt from the paving machine. The signal is received at the compactor and is indicative of the scanned temperature of the asphalt. The signal is used to notify a compactor operator at the compactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Alan Oetken, Ronald Utterodt
  • Patent number: 9476169
    Abstract: An attachment is pivotally connected to a compact loader and operable to level uncured concrete. A base of the attachment is removably securable to the loader and a horizontal roller support is pivotally connected to the base on a first side thereof and pivotal about a vertical pivot axis. A screed roller is suspended from the roller support and driven by a drive motor which may be mounted in the tube forming the roller. The roller support and attached screed roller pivot between a stowed position extending along a side of the loader, generally parallel to the direction of travel, and an extended position in which the roller support and screed roller extend up to approximately ninety degrees to the side of the loader. Pivot bearings are preferably included on both sides of the base so that the roller support may be pivotally mounted on either side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Ronald A. Knapp
  • Patent number: 9476170
    Abstract: A shield system for a hydrodemolition apparatus has a loop whose ends are secured to opposite sides of a reciprocating nozzle carrier. The loop may be supported by a supporting structure surrounding the frame along which the nozzle carrier reciprocates. The loop overlays portions of one or more gaps through which one or more nozzles extend to work an underlying surface. The nozzles have access to the underlying surface through the gaps under the nozzle carrier, but the balance of the gaps are covered by the loop which is drawn or pushed by the nozzle carrier during reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MAC & MAC HYDRODEMOLITION INC.
    Inventors: Gerard J. MacNeil, David B. MacNeil, Gordon MacNeil, Vernon Bose, Jesse MacNeil, Brett MacNeil, Edward van Gool
  • Patent number: 9476171
    Abstract: The invention provides a construction comprising a structural element and at least one cable (101) arranged in tension to carry at least a part of the weight of the structural element. The cable defines an outer surface (102) onto which at least one strake (104) forms a protrusion for reducing rain and wind induced vibrations. The strake has a height being a distance from a strake root part connected to the outer surface of the cable and a strake end part terminating the strake outwards away from the cable, and the strake has a width being transverse to the height, the width decreasing in the direction from the strake root part towards the strake end part. The height is less than 5 percent of the diameter of the cable. Furthermore, the strake comprises a first strake surface portion facing away from the cable, which first strake surface portion is concave or straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
    Inventors: Christos Thomas Georgakis, Kenneth Kleissl
  • Patent number: 9476172
    Abstract: The invention provides a construction comprising a structural element and at least one cable (100) arranged in tension to carry at least a part of the weight of the structural element. The cable defines an outer surface (102) onto which a plurality of strakes (104) form protrusions for reducing rain and wind induced vibrations. Each strake has a height being a distance from a strake root part connected to the outer surface of the cable and a strake end part terminating the strake outwards form the cable, a width being transverse to the height, and a length transverse to the height and width and along which length the strake is connected to the cable. The length of each strake is shorter than the circumference of the outer surface, and the height is less than 5 percent of the diameter of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
    Inventors: Christos Thomas Georgakis, Kenneth Kleissl
  • Patent number: 9476173
    Abstract: A support stand includes a base, a plurality of legs pivotally attached to the base, a post extending from the base in an upright orientation, and a slider disposed on the post and slidable upwardly and downwardly thereon. The plurality of legs are each connected to the slider so that all of the legs are movable simultaneously to deploy or stow the stand. To deploy, the support stand is placed in a desired location, and the slider is released from a fixed position relative to the post, thereby allowing the slider and the connected plurality of legs to each fall simultaneously to a lower end of the support stand. With the downward movement of the slider, the plurality of legs also pivot to an extended position, with outer ends of each leg disposed on a ground surface to support the support stand. Then, the slider is fixed to the post at a lower end thereof to ensure that the plurality of legs remain in their extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TrafFix Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Wielenga, Felipe Almanza, Geoffrey Maus, Jeremy Smith, Guadalupe Garcia, Kevin Gasperini
  • Patent number: 9476174
    Abstract: A portable perimeter warning indication system configured for denoting the safety status of neighboring areas. The system includes a base member and a telescoping pole. The base member operates between a closed and open position. The telescoping pole is in selective communication with the base member and contains a strap housing. The telescoping pole is configured to extend and locate the strap housing at a particular height. The strap housing includes a retractable strap configured to indicate a perimeter between two or more points. The strap visually indicates the individual safety status of each area on either side of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: James Patterson
  • Patent number: 9476175
    Abstract: Disclosed are soil additives capable of hydrophilizing soil particles and/or increase available water capacity in soil. The soil additive are capable of increasing the available water content/capacity (AWC) in soils, the additive in one embodiment comprising a polymer composition having a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion, wherein the hydrophobic portion of the copolymer binds with the soil particle surface and the hydrophilic portion of the copolymer can bind with water. This results in the prevention, arrest or decelerated loss of water from the targeted area, for example the plant root zone, which allows for improved water usage efficiency by plants, grasses, vegetation, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: RHODIA OPERATIONS
    Inventors: Zhiyun Chen, Jean-Christophe Castaing, Marie-Pierre Labeau
  • Patent number: 9476176
    Abstract: A pile driver system for installing or removing foundation elements, such as piles, anchors, and conductors, in a subsea ground formation, includes a closed housing defining a cavity, an impact weight accommodated inside the housing, a hydraulic circuit for reciprocating the impact weight, which circuit comprises one or more valves, a cylinder, and a piston accommodated in the cylinder and connected to the impact weight, a pump for withdrawing water from the surroundings of the pile driver and providing pressurized water to the hydraulic circuit, and at least one outlet for returning water to the surroundings. The exhaust of the hydraulic circuit communicates with the cavity and the outlet is located in the wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: IHC HOLLAND IE B.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Arentsen, Michael Schaap