Patents Issued in February 13, 2018
  • Patent number: 9890466
    Abstract: This method for producing a mold for nanoimprinting in which a minute bumpy structure has been formed at the surface of a roller-shaped aluminum substrate of which the surface has been machined has: a polishing step for mechanically polishing the surface of the roller-shaped aluminum substrate, of which the surface has been machined, at least until the average crystal grain size changes; and a minute bumpy structure formation step for anodizing the aluminum substrate after the polishing step and forming a minute bumpy structure. The anti-reflective article has a minute bumpy structure at the surface, and in the wavelength region of visible light, has a color difference (E*) to the origin represented in the L*a*b* color system and derived by means of formula (1) of no greater than 0.9, or a chroma (C*) determined by means of formula (2) of no greater than 0.7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Shakagoori, Hiroshi Onomoto, Makoto Ookawa, Kazuya Takanashi, Katsumi Hara
  • Patent number: 9890467
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to coated electrodes comprising an electrically conductive substrate and a polymeric coating, and to methods for the preparation of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Biotectix LLC
    Inventors: Sarah Richardson-Burns, Jeffrey Hendricks
  • Patent number: 9890468
    Abstract: A method of making a breath sensing tube includes: (A) dispersing a nanowire material in a solution in a dielectriphoretic bath, such that the nanowire material is formed into individual nanowires and nanowire aggregates; (B) adsorbing the nanowire aggregates on a bath electrode through dielectrophoresis so as to obtain a nanowire-containing solution containing the individual nanowires; contacting sensor electrodes of a substrate with the nanowire-containing solution; and subjecting the nanowire-containing solution to dielectrophoresis, so that one of the individual nanowires is adsorbed to the sensor electrodes to interconnect the sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chien-Chong Hong, Kuan-Wen Chen, Wei-Han Wang, Chung-Hsuan Wu
  • Patent number: 9890469
    Abstract: A unitary graphene layer or graphene single crystal containing closely packed and chemically bonded parallel graphene planes having an inter-graphene plane spacing of 0.335 to 0.40 nm and an oxygen content of 0.01% to 10% by weight, which unitary graphene layer or graphene single crystal is obtained from heat-treating a graphene oxide gel at a temperature higher than 100° C., wherein the average mis-orientation angle between two graphene planes is less than 10 degrees, more typically less than 5 degrees. The molecules in the graphene oxide gel, upon drying and heat-treating, are chemically interconnected and integrated into a unitary graphene entity containing no discrete graphite flake or graphene platelet. This graphene monolith exhibits a combination of exceptional thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, surface smoothness, surface hardness, and scratch resistance unmatched by any thin-film material of comparable thickness range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Wei Xiong, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 9890470
    Abstract: A seed crystal holder according to the present invention for growing a crystal by a solution method, and that includes a seed crystal made of silicon carbide; a holding member above the seed crystal; a bonding agent configured to fix the seed crystal and the holding member; and a sheet member made of carbon which is interposed in the bonding agent in a thickness direction, and which has an outer periphery smaller than an outer periphery of the seed crystal in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuaki Masaki, Yutaka Kuba, Chiaki Domoto, Daisuke Ueyama, Yuichiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9890471
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a production method capable of producing a gallium nitride crystal at a lower pressure. [Solution] Provided is a method for producing a gallium nitride crystal, the method including a step of heating metal gallium and iron nitride in a nitrogen atmosphere at least to a reaction temperature at which the metal gallium and the iron nitride react.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: DEXERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Watanabe, Shinya Akiyama, Tatsuya Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9890472
    Abstract: The present invention provides a monolithic integrated lattice mismatched crystal template and a preparation method thereof by using low-viscosity material, the preparation method for the crystal template includes: providing a first crystal layer with a first lattice constant; growing a buffer layer on the first crystal layer; below the melting point of the buffer layer, growing a second crystal layer and a template layer by sequentially performing the growth process of a second crystal layer and the growth process of a first template layer on the buffer layer, or growing a template layer by directly performing a first template layer growth process on the buffer layer; melting and converting the buffer layer to an amorphous state, performing a second template layer growth process on the template layer grown by the first template layer growth process at the growth temperature above the glass transition temperature of the buffer layer, sequentially growing a template layer until the lattice of the template laye
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF MICROSYSTEM AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventor: Shumin Wang
  • Patent number: 9890473
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for batch processing of substrates during epitaxial film formation. In one example, a process chamber includes a chamber lid and substrate support. The chamber lid includes a centrally disposed gas inlet and a first gas deflector coupled to the chamber lid and adapted to direct the first process gas laterally across surfaces of a plurality of substrates. The lid also includes one or more gas outlets disposed radially outward of the centrally disposed gas inlet, and a plurality of lamps disposed between the centrally disposed gas inlet and the one or more gas outlets. The substrate support is rotatable and includes both a gas passage formed therein for introducing a second process gas to the internal volume of the process chamber and a second gas deflector adapted to direct the second process gas laterally across the surfaces of the plurality of substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Jacob Newman
  • Patent number: 9890474
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a crystal of a nitride of a Group-13 metal on the Periodic Table which has good crystallinity and has no crystal strain, and to provide a production method for the crystal. The crystal of a nitride of a Group-13 metal on the Periodic Table of the present invention, comprises oxygen atom and hydrogen atom in the crystal and has a ratio of a hydrogen concentration to an oxygen concentration therein of from 0.5 to 4.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Mikawa, Hideo Namita, Hirotaka Ikeda, Kazunori Kamada, Hideo Fujisawa, Atsuhiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 9890475
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for application of liquid polymeric material onto the active spinning zone of the cord of the spinning member of the spinning electrode, where the application means moving reversibly along the active spinning zone of the cord in the device for production of nanofibres through electrostatic spinning of liquid material in electrostatic field of high intensity between at least one spinning electrode and against it arranged collecting electrode. The liquid polymeric material is applied onto the cord around its whole circumference without any contact with gaseous environment in the spinning space, where the application means reversibly moves, whereas while the cord is leaving the application means the thickness of the layer of the liquid polymeric material is being reduced and immediately after leaving the application means the process of electrostatic spinning of the liquid polymeric material applied on the cord is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Elmarco S.R.O
    Inventors: Miroslav Maly, Pavel Sejak, Vit Stromsky, Milan Nydrle, Michal Bittner, Ladislav Mares, Jan Cmelik, Lenka Hanusova, Martin Podany, Radim Krenek
  • Patent number: 9890476
    Abstract: A spinning unit of an air jet spinning machine with a spinning nozzle, which serves the purpose of producing a yarn from a fiber composite fed to the spinning nozzle. The spinning nozzle features an inlet for the fiber composite, an internal vortex chamber, a yarn formation element protruding into the vortex chamber along with an outlet for the yarn produced inside the vortex chamber. The spinning unit is allocated with an additive supply, which is designed to supply the spinning nozzle with an additive. The additive supply includes at least one top frame fixed on the spinning nozzle, through which the additive is able to be fed to the spinning nozzle. In addition, a top frame for fixing on a spinning nozzle of an air jet spinning machine is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
    Inventors: Markus Kübler, Gernot Schäffler, Andreas Fischer
  • Patent number: 9890477
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides mint-containing composite cellulose fibers and production methods thereof. A mint-extract crude solution is prepared from a whole mint plant after at least one water extraction process and at least one ethanol extraction process to provide a mint-extract filtrate and mint-extract residues. The mint-extract filtrate is used as the mint-extract crude solution. The mint-extract crude solution is treated to prepare a mint-extract stock solution by at least a quenching process. A viscose spinning solution is prepared by mixing the mint-extract residues with one or more pulps selected from a cotton pulp, a wood pulp, a bamboo pulp, a wool pulp, a linen pulp, a silk pulp, a Tencel pulp, and a Modal pulp. The one or more pulps contain cellulose. A mint-viscose blend is prepared by dynamically mixing the mint-extract stock solution with the viscose spinning solution and then spun into the mint-containing composite cellulose fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BESTEE MATERIAL (TSINGTAO) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yixin Liu, Mingliang Jiang, Pengcheng Li, Jintao Wu, Xiaozhi Chen
  • Patent number: 9890478
    Abstract: The present invention is a wet type nonwoven fabric that includes two or more kinds of fibers, wherein the wet type nonwoven fabric includes a short fiber A that is constituted of a fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer and has a fiber diameter D of from 100 to 1000 nm and the ratio of a fiber length L to the fiber diameter D, L/D, in the range of from 100 to 2500 in from 4 to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the nonwoven fabric, and a binder fiber B that has a single fiber fineness of 0.1 dtex or less in from 10 to 50% by weight relative to the total weight of the nonwoven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Teijin Fibers Limited
    Inventor: Kenji Inagaki
  • Patent number: 9890479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyurethane resin including, as constituent units, a diol (a1) having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 10,000, an organic diisocyanate (b), and a chain extender (a2). The total concentration of urethane groups and urea groups in the polyurethane resin is 1.25 to 2.50 mmol/g based on the weight of the polyurethane resin. Hard segment domains of the polyurethane resin have an average domain size of 20 to 30 nm as measured with an atomic force microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: SANYO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD., TORAY OPELONTEX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Koike, Shinpei Funaoka, Kenzo Hori, Toshihiro Tanaka, Shingo Ito, Hiroshi Takayama
  • Patent number: 9890480
    Abstract: Poly-(caffeyl alcohol) (PCFA), also known as C-lignin, is a promising new source of both carbon fibers and pure carbon. PCFA can be used to produce carbon fibers by direct electrospinning, without blending with another polymer to reduce breakage. Analyses have shown that the carbon obtained from PCFA is superior to that obtained from other lignins. The fibers formed from PCFA are smoother, have a narrower diameter distribution, and show very low defects. The PCFA can be obtained by extraction from plant seed coats. Examples of these plants include the vanilla orchid, Vanilla planifolia, and Jatropha curcas. The fibers may be formed through electrospinning, although other methods for forming the fibers, such as extrusion with a carrier polymer, could be used. The fibers may then be carbonized to increase the carbon yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS
    Inventors: Richard Dixon, Nandika D'Souza, Fang Chen, Mangesh Nar
  • Patent number: 9890481
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method whereby deposits which have occurred on the surfaces of a fiber bundle during flameproofing treatment of a carbon fiber-precursor acrylic fiber bundle can be efficiently removed prior to carbonization treatment at high temperature. The method for production of carbon fiber bundle includes a step in which, after a carbon fiber-precursor acrylic fiber bundle has been heated and undergone flameproofing treatment, the fiber bundle is subjected to a plasma treatment involving contact with a plasma gas in gas phase, or to an ultraviolet treatment involving irradiation with ultraviolet in gas phase; and a step in which the fiber bundle having undergone the plasma treatment or the ultraviolet treatment is subjected to a carbonization treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Hamada, Hiroyuki Nakao, Hiromi Aso, Yoshitaka Kageyama
  • Patent number: 9890482
    Abstract: Methods for producing a pant, pants and methods for merchandising a pant. A pant is produced at a production facility by weaving right and left portions thereof using a multi-layer weaving process so as to produce an outer woven fly-cover layer and an inner woven left fly extension layer, or to form at least one pocket in at least one such portion, or both, and attaching the left portion of the pant to the right portion of the pant by stitching at least a portion of the crotch seam. The pant is then finished at a point of sale by stitching any remaining portion of the crotch seam and the inseams based on body dimensions and preferences of a purchaser to provide a custom fit. A pant produced at least in part by these steps is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Natalie A. Candrian
  • Patent number: 9890483
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite material for increasing adhesive strength between a first composite material layer including a fibrous substrate with reinforcement fiber bundles arranged crosswise, and a second composite material layer including second reinforcement fibers arranged randomly. The first composite material layer including a fibrous substrate having reinforcement fiber bundles crossing and being drawn and aligned first reinforcement fibers; and first thermoplastic resin, with at least each of the reinforcement fiber bundles is impregnated; and a second composite material layer including second reinforcement fibers arranged randomly in second thermoplastic resin. The first composite material layer and the second composite material layer bonded to each other. The first composite material layer has bores on at least a surface thereof that is to be bonded with the second composite material layer. The second reinforcement fibers and the second thermoplastic resin enter into the bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9890484
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a method for needling a spiral textile to create a needled preform, the method comprising receiving the spiral textile on a bed plate of a circular needle loom, engaging a positional structure of the spiral textile, rotating the spiral textile around the circular needle loom, depositing a predetermined number of layers of the spiral textile on the bed plate, and needling the spiral textile to create the needled preform. Moreover, the present disclosure also provides, in various embodiments, a method for creating a circular needled preform from a spiral textile, comprising attaching sacrificial fibers to at least one of the weft tow and the plurality of warp tows proximate at least one of the inside diameter and the outside diameter, and engaging the sacrificial fibers with an engagement mechanism on a circular needle loom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Lecostaouec
  • Patent number: 9890485
    Abstract: A knitted component including a knit element and a gusseted tongue is incorporated into an upper of an article of footwear. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The knit element and the gusseted tongue are formed together as a knitted component during a knitting process as a one-piece element. The gusseted tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and is joined with the knit element in an instep area of the upper. The knitting process includes steps of forming portions of the knitted component, transferring portions of the knitted component to opposite needle beds, shifting needle beds along a lateral direction to cause portions to overlap, and joining the overlapped portions by knitting to form the gusseted tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Podhajny
  • Patent number: 9890486
    Abstract: A loop cutting apparatus for a circular knitting machine which has a circular cylinder including a plurality of knitting needles movable independently includes an upper needle dial located on the circular cylinder and a plurality of yarn cutting needle sets radially centered about the axis of the circular cylinder. Each yarn cutting needle set includes a first cutter needle and a second cutter needle movable against the first cutter needle in a first yarn cutting displacement thereof. The first cutter needle has a yarn holding section leaned by a yarn and collaborated with the two abutting knitting needles at two sides to pick up and draw the yarn to form a pile loop and a first cutter section connected to the yarn holding section. The second cutter needle has a second cutter section staggered against the first cutter section in the first yarn cutting displacement to cut the pile loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen Wei Yu
  • Patent number: 9890487
    Abstract: A liquid-retaining sheet contains a liquid-retaining layer that is able to absorb a liquid component, and the liquid-retaining layer is formed from a nonwoven structural member containing a transparent fiber. In the liquid-retaining sheet, the transparency shown below is adjusted to not more than 0.27. Transparency=Whiteness (%) of a sheet impregnated with 700% by mass of water relative to the sheet mass/Basis weight (g/m2) The transparent fiber may contain a cellulose-series fiber substantially free from a carboxyl group (in particular, a regenerated cellulose fiber such as a solvent-spinning cellulose-series fiber). The proportion of the solvent-spinning cellulose-series fiber may be not less than 30% by mass in the transparent fiber. The liquid-retaining sheet may be a skin care sheet (in particular, a facial mask) that is impregnated with a liquid component containing a cosmetic preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KURARAY KURAFLEX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Ochiai, Kazuhisa Nakayama, Sumito Kiyooka, Nobuo Araya, Naoaki Moritani
  • Patent number: 9890488
    Abstract: Stain cleaning devices are presented including: a base forming a tapered cylinder and having a base upper opening and a base lower opening, the base configured for receiving a fabric; and a ring forming a tapered sleeve that is complementary with the base, where the ring includes a ring upper opening and a ring lower opening, and where the ring secures the fabric over the base. In some embodiments, devices further include: an insert disc having a top surface and a bottom surface, where the insert is positioned between the base upper opening and the fabric and where the insert includes, a washboard surface along the top surface and a soaking tray surface along the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the washboard surface includes a texture selected from the group consisting of: a raised cross texture, a raised parallel texture, and a number of raised individual features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Alix B. Reed
  • Patent number: 9890489
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance has a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment according to at least one cycle of operation and operated such that the extraction of liquid from the laundry load is controlled based on the inertia of the laundry load. A method for operating the laundry treating appliance to control the liquid extraction based on the detected inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Janke, Peter E. Zasowski
  • Patent number: 9890490
    Abstract: A method of detecting high friction events in a laundry treating appliance includes rotating the drum, determining, during the rotation, a torque of the motor, an acceleration of the drum, a speed of the drum, and/or an angular position of the drum at each of multiple speeds, and repeatedly estimating with a parameter estimator, during the rotation, viscous friction, coulomb friction, and total friction based on the torque, acceleration, speed, and/or angular position of the drum. A high friction even is determined based on the estimated viscous friction, coulomb friction and/or total friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Janke, Stephen L. Keres, Erol D. Sumer, Ran Zhao, Bradley D. Morrow, Nicholas C. Fugal
  • Patent number: 9890491
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus including a casing, an outer tub provided in the casing, an inner tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub and a pivot pivotably supported with respect to the casing. A supporting rod connected with the pivot and the outer tub to hang the outer tub in the casing. A moving member is movably provided along the supporting rod. A first connecting member connected with the moving member. A second connecting member whose position varies with respect to the first connecting member. A frictional member provided at any one of the first connecting member and the second connecting member. The moving member includes a pivot combining part provided to be combinable with the pivot to prevent the supporting rod from escaping through the other end of the moving member while the supporting rod is not connected with the outer tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Insik Yu, Youngjun Kim, Youngjong Kim
  • Patent number: 9890492
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method of determining inertia of a laundry load may comprise an extraction stabilization phase, where liquid is extracted from the laundry load by rotating the basket at first rotational speed, and a sensing phase. The sensing phase may include a deceleration phase, where the basket speed decreases to a second rotational speed, followed by an acceleration phase, where the basket speed increases back toward the first rotational speed. The inertia of the laundry load may be determined from data sensed during the deceleration and acceleration phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael Cabral Melo, Fernando Elias De Oliveira, Bradley D. Morrow, Maurilio Fabio Rodriques Catharino, Yingqin Yuan
  • Patent number: 9890493
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment and a dispensing system for dispensing treating chemistry for use in treating the laundry comprises, determining an amount of laundry in the treating chamber, setting at least one of a dilution and a delivery rate for the treating chemistry based on the determined amount of laundry to define a dispensing parameter and controlling the dispensing system to dispense the treating chemistry according to the dispensing parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Hendrickson, Janice M. Kaeding
  • Patent number: 9890494
    Abstract: A washing machine includes an outer tub that is configured to holding water. The washing machine includes an inner tub that is configured to exchange water with the outer tub and that is configured to rotate. The washing machine includes a pulsator that is located in a lower portion of the inner tub and that is configured to rotate. A method to operate the washing machine includes the actions of, each time that a wash cycle runs after a previous self-cleaning course, storing a cumulative number of times the wash cycle has run since the previous self-cleaning course. The actions further include selecting a subsequent self-cleaning course. The actions further include configuring settings of the subsequent self-cleaning course based on the stored cumulative number of times the wash cycle has run since the previous self-cleaning course. The actions further include conducting the subsequent self-cleaning course according to the configured settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yongwoon Jang
  • Patent number: 9890495
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus comprising a cabinet including a laundry introduction port, a door to open and close the introduction port, a hinge unit configuring a first rotating axis and a second rotating axis, the hinge unit including a first shaft and a second shaft configuring the first rotating axis and a third shaft and a fourth shaft configuring the second rotating axis, and a rotating shaft shifting unit that rotatably fastens the door to any one of the first rotating axis and the second rotating axis, the rotating shaft shifting unit including a first shifting unit and a second shifting unit selectively and rotatably fastening the fourth shaft to the cabinet. The fourth shaft includes a protrusion protruding toward the second shifting unit, and a fourth side flat surface is formed on the protrusion and supports the second shifting unit by establishing surface contact with the second shifting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Aram Lee, Jaeseok Kim, Incheol Kang
  • Patent number: 9890496
    Abstract: A housing for receiving an impeller is provided. The housing includes a transition duct that extends between a volute of the housing and an exhaust exit of the housing. Cross-sections of the transition duct continuously vary from an inlet cross-section of the transition duct to an outlet cross-section of the transition duct along a length of the transition duct. A related dryer appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee McLain, Christopher Edward O'Malley, Zhiquan Yu
  • Patent number: 9890497
    Abstract: A method of making garment material, the method having the steps: applying coagulant (34) to a substrate (32); applying a foam (38) of the polymeric material to the substrate (32); allowing the coagulant (34) to coagulate some of the foam (38); and removing uncoagulated foam (38) from the substrate (32) to leave a layer of coagulated polymeric material on the substrate (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: A T G CEYLON (PRIVATE) LIMITED
    Inventors: John Arthur Taylor, Agampodi Sunil Shantha Mendis, Mohamed Fazal Abdeen, Howard William Thomas Goth
  • Patent number: 9890498
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrophilic fluororesin sheet having significantly improved properties such as filtering performance which includes primary fibers and secondary fibers having a smaller fiber diameter than a fiber diameter of the primary fibers, the secondary fibers crosslinking in each of the primary fibers and/or crosslinking between different primary fibers in such a manner that no knots are formed at crosslinking points, the primary fibers and the secondary fibers including fluororesin fibers including polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], wherein a surface of the sheet to which hydrophilization treatment has been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nippon Valqua Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Setoguchi, Manabu Motoori, Tomohiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9890499
    Abstract: A paper recycling method includes defibrating first paper by dry type crushing into defibrated material, transporting the defibrated material using a first transport unit, deinking by an air flow classification of the defibrated material after the transporting by the first transport unit, transporting using the second transport unit the defibrated material after the deinking by the classifying process, and forming second paper with the defibrated material after the transporting by the second transport unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Yamagami
  • Patent number: 9890500
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet manufacturing apparatus including a rotatable drum unit in which a plurality of openings are formed; a web forming unit that forms a web by using a material containing fibers passing through the openings; a housing unit that covers at least a portion of the drum unit in which the openings are formed; a material supply port that is provided to supply the material in a direction along a rotational axis of the drum unit to the inside of the drum unit by airflow; and an air intake port that is provided to supply air that does not contain the material in the direction along the rotational axis of the drum unit to the inside of the drum unit. The web forming unit includes a mesh belt on which the material is deposited and a suction unit that sucks the material onto the mesh belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Naotaka Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9890501
    Abstract: A papermaking dryer fabric has a system of MD yarns interwoven with a system of CMD yarns in a single layer weave. The MD yarns have groups each formed of a plurality of adjacent MD yarns weaving in the group side-by-side the same weave path with the CMD yarns. The dryer fabric is flat woven with seaming loops at the widthwise edges of the fabric to make it endless. At least some of the seaming loops are formed by at least some MD yarns of the groups of MD yarns. The MD yarns forming the groups of MD yarns have a circular cross section and the CMD yarns are ungrouped CMD yarns and at least some of said CMD yarns have a non-circular cross section with a width to height ratio of more than 1. The dryer fabric has an air permeability between 25 cfm and 200 cfm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Anas Alias, Juergen Abraham
  • Patent number: 9890502
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to tissue webs and products, which generally have a basis weight less than about 80 grams per square meter (gsm) and a sheet bulk greater than about 5 cubic centimeters per gram (cc/g) comprising a blend of conventional papermaking fibers and high carbohydrate fillers. Surprisingly, the fillers may displace a relatively large amount of conventional papermaking fibers, such as hardwood kraft pulp, without negatively affecting important tissue properties such as caliper, bulk, slough, absorbent capacity and softness. In fact, in certain instances the use of fillers actually improves tissue properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, Bo Shi
  • Patent number: 9890503
    Abstract: A monoblock concrete crosstie for railway tracks that achieves a high performance in operation includes a steel structure that is formed from ultra-resistant high strength steel plates embedded in a concrete element and having pre-stressed cold rolled wires with ends that form button head knots which are anchored to the steel plates. A faceted geometry allows optimal material usage and in turn increases the crosstie-ballast interlocking and stability with respect to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GUTANNA INNOVATIVE CONCRETE AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Mauricio Javier Gutierrez Romero
  • Patent number: 9890504
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for sensing wear in machines designed to reduce or break-down material. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for sensing wear of reducing elements used by excavation machines such as surface excavation machines. The present disclosure relates to a wear sensing system including a multilevel wear sensor protection system. The multi-level wear sensor protection system includes a first level of protection, a second level of protection, and a third level of protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Stock, Ty Hartwick, Robert D. Franz
  • Patent number: 9890505
    Abstract: A precast concrete beam including a substantially planar web extending longitudinally between ends of the beam; a pair of flanges formed integrally with the web, each flange extending laterally from an elongate edge of the web and extending longitudinally between the ends of the beam so as to define a structure engaging surface of the beam; and a plurality of diaphragms formed integrally with the web and the flanges, each diaphragm spanning laterally between a side of the web and one of the flanges, wherein the diaphragms are spaced apart along the beam to thereby support the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: QUICKCELL TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD
    Inventor: Mohammad Hossein Shamsai
  • Patent number: 9890506
    Abstract: A hand-held barrier apparatus for forming a barrier between surfaces a hand-held housing, a pliable longitudinal element, and a first connector. The longitudinal element is retractably extendable from the hand-held housing and includes a first coupling member supported on an end thereof. The first coupling member has a mating surface. The first connector is configured to be movably disposed on the longitudinal element. The first connector has a first mating surface configured for detachable connection with the mating surface of the first coupling member of the longitudinal element such that the longitudinal element forms a first loop upon detachable connection of the first connector with the first coupling member of the longitudinal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Steven L. Weiner
  • Patent number: 9890507
    Abstract: A guard cable for a road, includes a plurality of wire ropes extending in a horizontal direction with respect to a plurality of supports provided on the side of the road at intervals. The wire ropes are shifted to a predetermined width from the supports to the roadway by a wire rope protrusion installation unit. The plurality of wire ropes provided between the supports are maintained at constant intervals by an interval maintenance plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KUMDONG STEEL CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD
    Inventors: Joong Suk Park, Mi Rye Seo
  • Patent number: 9890508
    Abstract: A mobile cleaning system to be used for cleaning organic liquids from a hard surface includes tanks for storing water, and for storing used, dirty water after cleanup. A water-based cleaner is sprayed onto the spill, which can be, but need not be, done in connection with the cleanup system. A high throughput vacuum system removes the hot water and the spill materials concurrently as the hot water is applied to the treated area. The vacuumed liquids are stored in an on-board tank for later disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Annihilator Cleaning Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Erick McCullum
  • Patent number: 9890509
    Abstract: A offshore structure (10) comprising a tube (12) having a longitudinal axis (32) and comprising an open-ended lower end (22) whose peripheral edge (24) is adapted to cut into the sea bed (14) as the offshore structure (10) is driven into it, the offshore structure (10) comprising: a plurality of stabilisers (18) each comprising a main body portion forming a hollow interior volume (23) and having an open lower end (22) whose peripheral edge (24) is adapted, in use, to cut into the sea bed (14), whereby in use, a trapped volume of fluids is retained in the hollow interior volume between the main body portion and the sea bed (14), each stabiliser (18) further comprising an outlet (34) communicating with its respective hollow interior volume (23) and a control means (36) to control, in use, the egress of the trapped volume of fluids from the hollow interior volume (23) of each respective stabiliser (18), and wherein the geometric centres of the hollow interior volumes (23) of the stabilisers (18) are radially off
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: RENEWABLE HYDROCARBONS LTD.
    Inventor: Peter Haigh
  • Patent number: 9890510
    Abstract: Process for installing an offshore tower, specifically a substructure, which basically comprises the following steps: a) dry manufacturing a foundation comprising a block (1, 1?) basically made of concrete and dry manufacturing a base section (25) of a shaft (2); b) applying said base section to said foundation block, forming a unit called the “starting unit”; c) moving said starting unit to the installation point of said substructure; and d) actuating in a controlled manner, first ballast valve means in such a manner that said starting unit sinks until resting on the seabed; having placed said foundation block or said starting unit in the body of water where the installation point said substructure is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: ESTEYCO ENERGIA, S.L., SEA WIND TOWERS S.L.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Fernandez Gomez, Jose Emilio Jimeno Chueca
  • Patent number: 9890511
    Abstract: The invention provides a seal for placement between a washer plate of a rock bolt and a rock face, wherein the washer plate has an outer edge at a perimeter thereof and wherein the rock bolt has a longitudinal axis, wherein the seal comprises a body made of a spongy material, wherein the body is planar and has an outer dimension that matches that or that is larger than that of outer edge of the washer plate and an inner dimension that has a void towards the center of the inner dimension through-which the longitudinal axis of the rock bolt can pass. The seal is for preventing the leakage of cementing grout (that is used in securing the rock bolt in a bore hole in a mass of rock below a rock face) between the washer plate and the rock face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Lyle Kenneth Adams
  • Patent number: 9890512
    Abstract: Disclosed is an economical and effective way of producing a modular retaining wall for a material to be retained, using only blocks which in and of themselves are of insufficient thickness to function as retaining wall blocks. The modular wall includes backer blocks and facing blocks which are connected by separate connectors in a back to back, spaced apart arrangement, thereby forming a hollow retaining wall. The hollow wall is filled with loose filler material to increase the mass and retaining capacity of the wall. None of the wall components is embedded in the material to be retained. Further disclosed are wall components and a wall kit for a modular retaining wall. A double sided decorative wall is also disclosed. The modular wall system allows for the construction of retaining walls and freestanding, double sided, decorative walls forming both straight and curved walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Les materiaux de construction Oldcastle Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Bertin Castonguay, Marc-Andre Lacas, Robert Daoust
  • Patent number: 9890513
    Abstract: A locatable slab assembly for overlying a manhole cover located beneath a lowermost surface of a pavement. The locatable slab assembly includes a slab body, a tubular member, a protective plug, and an electronic marker. The slab body is deposed to permit a central line of the slab body in line with a center line of the manhole cover. The electronic marker is configured to permit a region of the pavement in alignment with the center line of the manhole cover to be located. The locatable slab assembly together with the pavement thereon can be lifted to permit access of the manhole cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Long Time Win Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Hsien Wu, Cheng-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 9890514
    Abstract: A stackable bucket having a floor, a back wall, and two side walls has a tapered front to back floor but wherein the back wall is substantially rectangular. A diagonal bend allows each side plate to connect to the tapered floor and to the rectangular back wall. Gussets and double-ended reverse hooks may also be used to provide spacing between nested buckets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventors: Steve Wright, Bob Beales
  • Patent number: 9890515
    Abstract: A mining machine includes a boom, a handle coupled to the boom, a dipper coupled to the handle, and a dipper door pivotally coupled to the dipper. The mining shovel also includes a dipper door trip assembly including a trip motor coupled to the boom, a trip drum coupled to the handle, a linkage assembly coupled to the dipper door, a first actuation element extending directly from the trip motor to the trip drum, and a second actuation element extending directly from the trip drum to the linkage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Gross, Joseph J. Colwell, Richard Nicoson