Patents Issued in March 1, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180057748
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of thermoplastic composite materials. Specifically, the invention relates to a fluorinated, flame-retardant thermoplastic composition, to the prepreg prepared from said composition, to the composite material containing said prepreg, to the methods enabling manufacture, and to the uses of said material. The invention also relates to the use of a thermoplastic prepreg for manufacturing fire-resistant composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Gilles HOCHSTETTER, Marc AUDENAERT, Sébastien TAILLEMITE
  • Publication number: 20180057749
    Abstract: A reactor has an inner surface accessible to the hydrocarbon and comprising a sintered product of at least one of cerium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, zirconium oxide, boehmite and silicon dioxide, and a perovskite material of formula: AaBbCcDd03??. 0<a<1.2, G?b?1.2, 0.9<a+b?1.2, O<c<1.2, 0?d?1.2, 0.9<c+d?1.2, ?0.5<?<0.5. A is selected from calcium, strontium, barium, and any combination thereof. B is selected from lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and any combination thereof. C is selected from cerium, zirconium, antimony, praseodymium, titanium, chromium, manganese, ferrum, cobalt, nickel, gallium, tin, terbium and any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Yanfei Gu, Wenqing Peng, Shizong Wang, Chuan Lin, Lawrence Bernard Kool, Zhaoping Wu, Qijia Fu, Zhigang Deng
  • Publication number: 20180057750
    Abstract: Ultra-clean char is used to generate hydrocarbons and/or electricity in a clean environmentally friendly process. The ultra-clean char is produced by pyrolizing organic matter, such as coal or various organic waste. The pyrolized organic matter may be combusted in the presence of oxygen to produce heat, which can be used to generate electricity in a conventional boiler/generator system. Further, pyrolized organic matter can be combusted in the presence of carbon dioxide and further processed to produce various hydrocarbons. In other embodiments, the ultra-clean char may be subjected to an extraction process for capturing valuable rare earth elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Deborah Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20180057751
    Abstract: Clean, safe and efficient methods, systems, and processes for utilizing thermolysis methods to processes to convert various e-waste sources into Clean Fuel Gas and Char source are disclosed. The invention processes e-waste sources, such as for example whole circuit boards, to effectively shred and/or grind the waste source, and then process using thermolysis methods to destroy and/or separate halogen and other dangerous components to provide a Clean Fuel Gas and Char source, along with the ability to recover precious metals and other valuable components from the Char.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: HENRY W. BRANDHORST, JR., ULLRICH H. ENGEL, CHARLES T. LUDWIG, ERNEST J. ZAVORAL, SR.
  • Publication number: 20180057752
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of producing a solid carbon material. The method comprises providing a carbon-containing material formed through the heat treatment of carbonaceous feedstock. The carbon-containing material is capable of undergoing polymerisation. The method further comprises mixing the carbon-containing material with a polymerisation agent to form a material mixture. In addition, the method comprises heating the material mixture to a temperature at which polymerisation of the material mixture occurs so as to produce the solid carbon material. The method also comprises adding a further material into the material mixture before polymerisation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Chun-Zhu LI, Xun HU
  • Publication number: 20180057753
    Abstract: A method for forming catalytically treated pyrolytic vapor product from pyrolyzable material, the method comprising burning fuel in a fluidized bed boiler, thereby heating some particulate material; transferring at least some of the heated particulate material or some other heated particulate material to a pyrolysis reactor to pyrolyze some pyrolyzable material in the pyrolysis reactor; and conveying at least some pyrolytic vapor through a catalyst bed comprising catalyst material; and conveying at least part of the formed side products upstream back to the process; thereby producing the catalytically treated pyrolytic vapor product in an resource efficient manner. In addition, a system configured to produce catalytically treated pyrolytic vapor product from pyrolyzable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jukka Heiskanen, Sara Kaerki, Erkki Vaelimaeki, Reyhaneh Sheenassa, Jussi Maentyniemi, Pekka Jokela, Andrea Gutierrez, Juakim Autio, Janne Asikkala
  • Publication number: 20180057754
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for converting carbonaceous material contained in one or more feedstocks into a liquid hydrocarbon product, said feedstocks including the carbonaceous material being in a feed mixture including one or more fluids, said fluids including water and further liquid organic compounds at least partly produced by the process in a concentration of at least 1% by weight, where the process comprises converting at least part of the carbonaceous material by pressurising the feed mixture to a pressure in the range 250-400 bar; heating the feed mixture to a temperature in the range 370-450° C., and maintaining said pressurized and heated feed mixture in the desired pressure and temperature ranges in a reaction zone for a predefined time; cooling the feed mixture to a temperature in the range 25-200° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: STEEPER ENERGY APS
    Inventor: Steen Brummerstedt IVERSEN
  • Publication number: 20180057755
    Abstract: A system for converting hydrocarbon materials into a product includes a hydrocarbon feedstock source, a process gas source, an energy generator, and a cylindrical reaction chamber. The reaction chamber has a conductive inner surface that forms a resonant cavity. The resonant cavity is configured to support a standing TM010 electromagnetic wave. The reaction chamber is also configured to receive feedstock from the feedstock source, process gas from the process gas source, and convert the feedstock into a product stream in the presence of the TM010 electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: George L. Skoptsov, James J. Strohm, Benjamin Q. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20180057756
    Abstract: A method of making a hydroprocessing catalyst composition that includes impregnating a support material with metals and an organic acid compound followed by a controlled drying of the impregnated support and incorporation thereafter of a polar additive into the dried, impregnated support. The hydroprocessing catalyst is made by this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Karl Marvin KRUEGER, Thomas WEBER
  • Publication number: 20180057757
    Abstract: An improved vortex-type mixing device for a down-flow hydroprocessing reactor is described. The device provides improved overall mixing efficiency of an existing mixing volume in the mixing of gas and liquid phases in two-phase systems while reducing the pressure drop through the device, as compared with prior art devices. Typical hydroprocessing applications include hydrotreating, hydrofinishing, hydrocracking and hydrodewaxing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Steve Xugi Song, Parimi Krishniah, Timothy D. Breig, Brett Michael Safford
  • Publication number: 20180057758
    Abstract: According to an embodiment disclosed, a feedstock hydrocarbon may be processed by a method which may include separating the feedstock hydrocarbon into a lesser boiling point hydrocarbon fraction and a greater boiling point hydrocarbon fraction, cracking the greater boiling point hydrocarbon fraction in a high-severity fluid catalytic cracking reactor unit to form a catalytically cracked effluent, cracking the lesser boiling point hydrocarbon fraction in a steam cracker unit to form a steam cracked effluent, and separating one or both of the catalytically cracked effluent or the steam cracked effluent to form two or more petrochemical products. In one or more embodiments, the feedstock hydrocarbon may include crude oil and one of the petrochemical products may include light olefins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sameer A. Al-Ghamdi, Essam Al-Sayed, Ibrahim Abba, Abdennour Bourane, Alberto Lozano Ballesteros
  • Publication number: 20180057759
    Abstract: A process is described for upgrading pyrolysis tar, such as steam cracker tar, by hydroprocessing in the presence of a utility fluid. The hydroprocessing conditions comprise a pressure >8 MPa and a weight hourly space velocity of combined pyrolysis tar and utility fluid >0.3 hr?1 and are selected so that the hydrogen consumption rate is in the range of 270 to 445 standard cubic meters/cubic meter (S m3/m3) of pyrolysis tar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kapil Kandel, Reyyan Koc-Karabocek, Teng Xu, Frank Cheng-Yu Wang, David Thomas Ferrughelli
  • Publication number: 20180057760
    Abstract: A feedstock delivery system transfers a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas generation system. The feedstock delivery system includes a splitter for splitting bulk carbonaceous material into a plurality of carbonaceous material streams. Each stream is processed using a weighing system for gauging the quantity of carbonaceous material, a densification system for forming plugs of carbonaceous material, a de-densification system for breaking up the plugs of carbonaceous material, and a gas and carbonaceous material mixing system for forming a carbonaceous material and gas mixture. A pressure of the mixing gas is reduced prior to mixing with the carbonaceous material, and the carbonaceous material to gas weight ratio is monitored. A transport assembly conveys the carbonaceous material and gas mixture to a first reactor where at least the carbonaceous material within the mixture is subject to thermochemical reactions to form the product gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi CHANDRAN, Daniel A. BURCIAGA, Daniel Michael LEO, Shawn Robert FREITAS, Dave G. NEWPORT, Justin Kevin MILLER, Kaitlin Emily HARRINGTON, Brian Christopher ATTWOOD, Emily Jane SCHULTHEIS, Kelly Ann KISHTON
  • Publication number: 20180057761
    Abstract: A system includes a slurry inlet of the gasifier that receives a feedstock slurry and a gasification section of the gasifier that gasifies the feedstock slurry to produce syngas. The system includes a quench chamber to cool the syngas produced in the gasification section using a liquid feed to produce a quench blow down and quenched syngas. The quench blow down has solids produced as a by-product from gasification. The system includes a quench blowdown outlet which discharges the quench blow down and a slag sump liquid such that the solids concentration of the quench blowdown is reduced. The system includes a syngas outlet which discharges the syngas and a syngas scrubber fluidly coupled to the syngas outlet and to the quench chamber. The syngas scrubber includes a syngas inlet, a scrubbed syngas outlet, and a scrubber blow down outlet fluidly coupled to a fluid inlet of the gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Manuja Nunna, Uma Chinnadurai, Chandrakala Radhakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20180057762
    Abstract: Processes for producing high biogenic concentration Fischer-Tropsch liquids derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (MSW) feedstock that contains a relatively high concentration of biogenic carbon (derived from plants) and a relatively low concentration of non-biogenic carbon (derived from fossil sources) wherein the biogenic content of the Fischer-Tropsch liquids is the same as the biogenic content of the feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen H. Lucas, Peter G. Tiverios, Lewis L. Rich
  • Publication number: 20180057763
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from a coal-fired power plant by using electrical energy from a renewable energy source to increase the energy density in a beneficiated coal are provided. The system includes at least one renewable energy source; a coal processing plant, wherein the renewable energy source is configured to power a coal beneficiation process; and a coal-fired power plant to combust beneficiated coal to produce electricity on demand with decreased emissions. The non-carbon thermal energy source may include solar thermal energy, geothermal energy, waste energy and combinations of the foregoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Michael D. Durham
  • Publication number: 20180057764
    Abstract: Sustainable lubricant compositions made from recycled thermoplastic polyesters and other reclaimed or biorenewable reactants and a method of formulating them are disclosed. The lubricant compositions comprise a polyester base oil, which incorporates recurring units from a digested thermoplastic polyester, a low-molecular-weight polyol, and C8-C24 fatty acid. The base oil has a number-average molecular weight within the range of 300 to 5000 g/mol, a hydroxyl value less than 50 mg KOH/g, and a viscosity at 40° C. less than 5000 cSt. Some of the lubricant compositions comprise the polyester base oil and one or more additives including anti-wear agents, corrosion inhibitors, antioxidants, thickeners, detergents, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Woo-Sung Bae, Jack R. Kovsky, Rick Tabor
  • Publication number: 20180057765
    Abstract: A marine diesel cylinder lubricating oil composition includes a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity. The lubricating oil composition further includes a non-sulfur containing aromatic amine. The marine diesel cylinder lubricating oil composition has a total base number (TBN) of about 5 to about 100 mg KOH/g. Furthermore, the contribution of the non-sulfur containing aromatic amine to the TBN of the marine diesel cylinder lubricant oil composition is greater than about 30%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Cornelis Hendrikus Maria Boons, Ronald Theodorus Fake Jukes
  • Publication number: 20180057766
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mixed composition for a refrigerator, the mixed composition containing: a refrigerant containing at least one unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbon compound selected from compounds represented by the following molecular formula (1): CpFrHs (1), provided that the compound has one or more carbon-carbon unsaturated bond in a molecule: and a refrigerator lubricating oil containing, as a major component, a polyoxyalkylene glycol compound represented by the following general formula (2), and containing a phenothiazine compound in an amount of 1.0% by mass or more based on the total amount of the refrigerator lubricating oil: R1—[(OR2)m—OR3]n (2). A mixed composition for a refrigerator is provided having a lower possibility of autoignition in a high temperature environment even during unexpected leakage in a refrigerator using a refrigerant containing a slightly flammable refrigerant. A refrigerator lubricating oil is provided that is capable of being applied to the mixed composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masato KANEKO
  • Publication number: 20180057767
    Abstract: A lubricant composition has an increased oxidation induction time. The lubricant composition includes a base oil present in an amount of greater than 85 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the lubricant composition. The lubricant composition also includes an antioxidant component including particular first, second, and third antioxidants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Bridgett RAKESTRAW, Mary DERY, Kevin DESANTIS, Michael HOEY, Roger KUHLMAN
  • Publication number: 20180057768
    Abstract: Provided herein is a grease composition capable of reducing an amount of wear in sliding parts of various members of automobiles, electrical devices, and the like. The grease composition includes a lubricant base oil, a thickener, an amide compound, and at least one of an ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid metal salt, and an ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid metal salt. The hydroxycarboxylic acid metal salts are contained in a total content of 0.1 to 2 mass % with respect to the total amount of the grease composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: JXTG NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazumi SAKAI, Hisayuki WADA, Yusuke AYAME
  • Publication number: 20180057769
    Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing engine knock or pre-ignition in a high compression spark ignition engine lubricated with a lubricating oil by introducing to a combustion chamber of the engine from 0.1 to 5% by volume of the gasoline used a lubricating oil as a formulated oil, said formulated oil having a composition comprising (i) a major amount of a lubricating oil base stock comprising at least 80% by weight of one branched ester having at least 15% of the total carbons in the form of methyl groups, and (ii) a minor amount of at least one ashless amine phosphate antiwear additive. Also provided is a lubricating engine oil for high compression spark ignition engines including (i) a major amount of a lubricating oil base stock comprising at least 80% by weight a trimethylol propane ester of 50:50 mixture of isobutyric acid and 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic acid and (ii) a minor amount of at least one amine phosphate ashless antiwear additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Zhisheng Gao, Luca Salvi, Eugine Choi, Matthew W. Boland
  • Publication number: 20180057770
    Abstract: Compositions are provided that include a matrix and a polymeric composite particles disposed in the matrix. The polymeric composite particles include a porous polymeric core and a fragrance positioned within the porous polymeric core. Polymeric composite particles are also provided including a porous polymeric core, a fragrance positioned within the porous polymeric core, and a coating layer around the porous polymeric core. Further, a method of determining a minimum temperature of a composition is provided including providing a composition including polymeric composite particles disposed in a matrix, heating the composition, releasing at least a portion of the fragrance as a vapor from the porous polymeric core of the polymeric composite particles at or above the minimum temperature, and detecting at least a portion of the fragrance vapor in a location outside of the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael W. Kobe, Mary M. Caruso Dailey, Luke E. Heinzen, Hassan Sahouani
  • Publication number: 20180057771
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides a process for treating a soapstock. The present invention more particularly provides systems and methods for treating a soapstock to generate free fatty acids and/or fatty acid derivatives, e.g. fatty acid alkyl esters. The present invention more particularly provides systems and methods for realizing the full fatty acid yield of a soapstock by first converting substantially all of the saponifiable material in a soapstock to salts of fatty acids (soaps) and acidulating the soaps to generate free fatty acids and/or fatty acid derivatives, e.g. fatty acid alkyl esters, wherein the soapstock comprises soaps and saponifiable lipids, e.g. glycerides and/or phospholipids, and the generating of free fatty acids and/or fatty acid is achieved without the use of a mineral acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: William R. SUTTERLIN, Nathan KILLINGSWORTH, Cory BLANCHARD, Ryan LONG, Christopher Thomas CHECK
  • Publication number: 20180057772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric enhancer compositions as well as the methods of making and using same. Such fabric enhancer compositions comprise a quaternary ammonium ester fabric softening active, a branched, ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and perfume. Such fabric enhancer compositions exhibit improved freeze-thaw stability while also delivering the softening benefits that are desired by consumers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Pieter Jan Maria SAVEYN, Dries VAES, Marc Johan DECLERCQ
  • Publication number: 20180057773
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an aqueous alkaline cleaner composition comprising: an iron cation, a molybdenum cation, a cobalt cation, or combinations thereof; and an alkaline component; wherein the pH of the aqueous alkaline composition is at least 10, and the aqueous alkaline composition includes no more than 50 ppm of phosphate. Also disclosed are treatment systems comprising an aqueous alkaline composition for treating at least a portion of a substrate, and a pretreatment composition for treating at least a portion of a substrate. Also disclosed are substrates treated according to the disclosed treatment systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mark W. McMillen, Steven J. Lemon, Kevin T. Sylvester, Justin J. Martin, Michel Sudour
  • Publication number: 20180057774
    Abstract: A method of sanitizing a surface is described that includes: (a) providing a pH control composition that includes at least one pH control agent (such as sodium bisulfate); (b) contacting a first feed aqueous stream with the pH control composition, thereby forming a first treated aqueous stream; (c) combining at least a portion of the first treated aqueous stream with a feed sanitizing aqueous stream that includes free available halogen, thereby forming a treated sanitizing aqueous stream that includes free available halogen (such as free available chlorine). The surface sanitizing method further includes, (d) elevating the temperature of the treated sanitizing aqueous stream, thereby forming a heated treated sanitizing aqueous stream having an elevated temperature that includes free available halogen. The heated treated sanitizing aqueous stream is applied to a surface to be sanitized (such as a poultry carcass surface).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Richard H. Ferguson, Christopher M. Kareis, Walter Neal Stanford, Michael Eugene Allen
  • Publication number: 20180057775
    Abstract: A cleaning material for use in a device comprising a grinder comprises at least one organic material processed to retain hygroscopic properties while having reduced components leading to gelling or thickening of the at least one organic material, as well as a binder and a humectant. In an embodiment, the cleaning material comprises about 80-89 wt % of the at least one organic material, about 10-15 wt % of the binder and about 1-5 wt % of the humectant. In another embodiment, the at least one organic material may comprise malted wheat grain that is heated for 30-40 minutes at approximately 150° F., followed by further heating in successive 30 minute intervals in which temperature is increased in each interval by 50° F. until 400° F. is reached, followed by further heating for approximately 2.5 hours at 400° F., followed by introduction of water into the rotating drum and forced air cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kofi Amoako
  • Publication number: 20180057776
    Abstract: Processes for making unitized dose pouches that have improved water solubility due to modifications at a seal region of the pouch, such as perforations. Unitized dose pouches having modifications at a seal region. Process of treating a fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Miguel BRANDT SANZ
  • Publication number: 20180057777
    Abstract: The invention provides a formulation and method for the treatment of a substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the substrate with the formulation, the formulation comprising a multiplicity of solid cleaning particles and a multiplicity of dosing particles, wherein the dosing particles comprise at least one host material and at least one releasable material, wherein the host material comprises at least one partially or completely water soluble polymeric material and the at least one releasable material comprises at least one cleaning or post-cleaning agent or other treatment additive for the treatment of the substrate. The method and formulation are advantageously applied to the cleaning of textile fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Alan John WADDON, Robert Andrew BIRD, Stephen Derek JENKINS
  • Publication number: 20180057778
    Abstract: A beer making system may adjust the beer making process based on the age and provenance of hops to achieve a designed flavor profile. Hops may be analyzed and packaged, with the analysis stored for recall by a beer making system. When the hops are used during beer making, compensations may be made to the recipe parameters to compensate for estimated changes in the hops performance. In one use case, hops may be analyzed and sealed into single-use packages, which may be subsequently used with an automated or semi-automated beer making machine. A database lookup may be performed at beer making to adjust a recipe to increase or decrease time, temperature, or other parameters of a beer making process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: James B. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20180057779
    Abstract: A gluten-free fermented beverage for human consumption includes a mixture including tea and alcohol. The alcohol is formed by a single culture yeast and fermentable sugar not derived from grain. A method for making the beverage includes steeping a form of tea leaves in water to form a tea, adding a form of yeast nutrient to the tea, adding a fermentable sugar not derived from grain to the tea, adding a single culture yeast to the tea, fermenting the tea mixture, adding citric acid before and/or after the step of fermenting, filtering the fermented tea, and carbonating the fermented tea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Employee Brewing Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason Kusowski, Richard Durham, Russell Pinto
  • Publication number: 20180057780
    Abstract: Accelerated spirit/beverage aging methods and systems are disclosed. Two accelerated aging methods are provided. The first aging method is to soak selected wood fibers/chips with spirits/beverages in situ in presence of subcritical/critical/supercritical carbon dioxide. The second aging method is to process selected wood fibers/chips in subcritical/critical/supercritical carbon dioxide to obtain activated wood fibers/chips. The activated wood fibers/chips are then soaked with spirits and/or beverages. A system for spirit/beverage aging and/or wood activation is also provided. It is comprised of a carbon dioxide supply device with a pump and a filter; a subcritical/critical/supercritical carbon dioxide performance vessel with a temperature/pressure control element; a mesh cage device for holding wood fibers/chips; and a carbon dioxide separation and recycle device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mark DeCaro, Guobao Wei
  • Publication number: 20180057781
    Abstract: A container assembly (10) for retaining a liquid (16) during aging of the liquid (16) comprises a container (12) and an oxygenator (230). The container (12) includes a container body (14) that defines a chamber (14A) that receives and retains the liquid (16). The oxygenator (230) is positioned substantially within the chamber (14A). The oxygenator (230) includes a fluid source (662), one or more diffusers (672), and a valve (670). The one or more diffusers (672) are in fluid communication with the fluid source (662). The valve (670) selectively controls the introduction of a fluid from the fluid source (662) into the liquid (16) through the one or more diffusers (672). The container assembly (10) further comprises an insert retainer assembly (338) and one or more flavor inserts (440) that are received and retained by the insert retainer assembly (338). The container (12) further includes a container aperture (20) that extends through the container body (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Jonathan Roleder
  • Publication number: 20180057782
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a photobioreactor system. Algae for using producing alternative energy is typically grown using circular raceway ponds, tubular photobioreactors, and/or ultracompact waveguide photobioreactors. These methods require a supply of conventional energy for mixing, pumping fluids, distributing light, and/or other operations. The conventional energy required for these algae growth methods is high compared to the alternative energy eventually harvested from a particular system. Thus, the energy return on investment for these systems is low. The present photobioreactor system facilitates passive fluid flow through growth chambers. The passive fluid flow may be caused by gravity. Advantageously, the present system may decrease the energy costs of cultivating algae and/or other biomasses using photobioreactors because the present system requires little to no power for operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Syed Saad Ahsan
  • Publication number: 20180057783
    Abstract: A bioreactor system may include (a) two or more fluidically coupled vessels configured to collectively carry out a bioreaction; (b) one or more fluidic paths coupling the two or more vessels to one another, where the fluidic paths are configured to provide flow of culture medium between the two or more vessels; (c) one or more fluid transfer devices along at least some of the one or more fluidic paths; and (d) a control system. The control system may be configured to (i) read or receive values of one or more parameters characterizing the culture medium in one or more of the vessels, and (ii) use the values to determine an adjusted flow rate in at least one of the fluidic paths to maintain substantially uniform values of the one or more parameters in the culture medium from vessel-to-vessel among the two or more vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Barbara Paldus, Mark Selker
  • Publication number: 20180057784
    Abstract: A bioreactor for culturing of cells is described. Screens suitable as a cell growth scaffold may comprise crossed fibers. Screens may be contained loosely in a screen holder, which in turn may be contained inside a manifold assembly. A lower manifold, screen holder and upper manifold may have identical or similar interior open cross-sections. Flow of liquid medium can occur upwardly through the array of screens, then flowing over a weir in the presence of an air pocket, and into a moat and a pump. The screen holder may have slots whose exterior-facing ligaments are rounded, and may have grooves whose interior-facing edges are rounded. These components may be located inside an incubator suitable to maintain desired environmental conditions and cleanliness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: 3D Biotek, LLC
    Inventors: Zongsen Wang, Wing Lau, Faribourz Payvandi, Peng Yue
  • Publication number: 20180057785
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a cell culture includes one or more electrochemical sensors configured to be positioned adjacent to or embedded within a medium of a cell culture. The one or more electrochemical sensors are configured to generate signals in accordance with the cell culture. A data storage device is configured to receive and store the signals from the one or more electrochemical sensors. A computation device is configured to analyze the signals from the one or more electrochemical sensors to determine cell activity over time using sensitivity information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Amos Cahan, Guy M. Cohen, Theodore G. van Kessel, Sufi Zafar
  • Publication number: 20180057786
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and materials for producing biofuels under nanoscale control (“nanobiofuels”) are provided. In one aspect, the invention provides method for producing a biofuel, including providing a hydrocarbon producing organism; exposing the biological hydrocarbon producing organism to conditions effective to cause substantial release of the hydrocarbon from the biological hydrocarbon producing organism; and isolating at least a portion of the hydrocarbon. At least one of the actions of providing, exposing, and isolating is performed using a corresponding nanoscale control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventor: Anita Goel
  • Publication number: 20180057787
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure assist with management of tubes and hoses during surgical procedures. The systems, devices, and methods provide for the proper opening and closing of tubes to facilitate performance of steps in a surgical procedure. Systems, devices, and methods of the present disclosure control fluid delivery to and from a medical device, including devices for tissue processing and cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Evan Friedman, Israel James Jessop, Kai-Roy Wang, Aaron Barere, Brendan P. Collins, Derek Hugger, Christopher Labak, Scott Woodruff
  • Publication number: 20180057788
    Abstract: The invention relates to culturing brain endothelial cells, and optionally astrocytes and neurons in a fluidic device under conditions whereby the cells mimic the structure and function of the blood brain barrier. Culture of such cells in a microfluidic device, whether alone or in combination with other cells, drives maturation and/or differentiation further than existing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Jordan Kerns, Norman Wen, Carol Lucchesi, Christopher Hinojosa, Jacob Fraser, Geraldine Hamilton, Gad Vatine, Sam Sances, Clive Svendsen, Daniel Levner, Dhruv Sareen
  • Publication number: 20180057789
    Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for producing functional neurons, astroctyes, oligodendrocytes and progenitor cells thereof are provided. These methods, compositions and kits find use in producing neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and progenitor cells thereof for transplantation, for experimental evaluation, as a source of lineage- and cell-specific products, and the like, for example for use in treating human disorders of the CNS. Also provided are methods, compositions and kits for screening candidate agents for activity in converting cells into neuronal cells, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and progenitor cells thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Marius Wernig, Thomas C. Sudhof, Thomas Vierbuchen, Austin Ostermeier, Zhiping Pang
  • Publication number: 20180057790
    Abstract: Hair follicle bulge region/LLP region CD34(+) MeSCs can be isolated from mammalian skin bearing hair follicles. These cells are multipotent and retain the ability to differentiate into cells of neural crest lineage, including glia-like cells that express the glial marker Gfap, and are able to express myelin basic protein, and to remyelinate naked (unmyelinated or demyelinated) neuronal processes with a functional, dense myelin sheath. These cells of neural crest lineage can be used to produce a dense myelin sheath on neurons which lack myelin due to genetic defect, trauma, toxin, infection, or disease process. Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide methods for preparing such cells, the cells themselves and compositions containing the cells, as well as methods for using the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Hornyak, Sandeep Joshi
  • Publication number: 20180057791
    Abstract: Provided are methods and kits for activating T cells, the method comprising providing a population of T cells, adding a plurality of first agents, where the first agent comprises a T-cell activator and a first binder moiety, and adding a second agent comprising a plurality of capture oligomers, where at least a segment of at least one of the plurality of capture oligomers is capable of associating with the first binder moiety. The method further comprises incubating the population of T cells, whereby at least a portion of the population of T cells is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Ernest William Kovacs, Anup Sood, Reginald Donovan Smith, Evelina Roxana Loghin, Padmaparna Chadhuri, Vandana Keskar, Chrystal Mae Chadwick, Martin James Brown
  • Publication number: 20180057792
    Abstract: A blood product containing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in an amount of at least 4 million cells per milliliter and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG in an amount of at least 150 international units (IU) per milliliter. A method of preparing the blood product, including applying HCG to a female patient, then obtaining PBMCs from the female patient, then adding HCG to the obtained PBMCs. A method of culturing PBMCs, including applying HCG to a female patient, then culturing PBMCs obtained from the female patient at a time after the HCG was applied to the patient. A method of in vitro fertilization, including applying HCG to a female patient, culturing PBMCs obtained from the patient after the HCG was applied to the patient, introducing the cultured PBMCs into the uterus of the patient, and transferring at least one embryo into the uterus of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Progena Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander FESKOV, Ievgeniia ZHYLKOVA, Stanislav ZHILKOV, Irina FESKOVA, Vladislav FESKOV
  • Publication number: 20180057793
    Abstract: Provided is a method for isolating and proliferating autologous cancer antigen-specific CD8+T cells, and more particularly, a method for selecting an epitope recognized by CD8+ T cells from autologous cancer antigens present in blood of individual cancer patients; and isolating autologous cancer antigen-specific CD8+ T cells by using a peptide of the selected epitope, and a method of massively proliferating CD8+ T cells by using the method. According to the present invention, it is possible to isolate autologous cancer antigen-specific CD8+ T cells by using the peptide of the CD8 T cell epitope of the autologous cancer antigen present in blood of individual cancer patients instead of a heterologous antigen. Therefore, by using T cells recognizing the autologous cancer antigen, it is possible to effectively select and eliminate cancer cells derived from the cancer patient's own cells. Thus, T cells can be applied to treatment and alleviation of cancer diseases without side effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Byoung Se Kwon, Hyun-Guy Kang, Kwang-Hui Kim, Young-Woo Kim, Young-Ho Kim, Byung-Kiu Park, Sang-Yoon Park, Sang-Jae Park, Hyeon-Seok Eom, Ho-Sik Oh, Heon Yoo, Don-Gil Lee, Seung-Hoon Lee, Young-Joo Lee, Jin-Soo Lee, Beom-Kyu Choi
  • Publication number: 20180057794
    Abstract: Cells, such a T-cells, are provided that comprise cytokine receptors having increased activity in response to their ligand. For example, cell can comprise IL-2 and/or IL-15 receptors having increased surface expression or signaling activity. Cells of the embodiments have a significant growth advantage in the presence of cytokines and can be used, e.g., for enhanced adoptive cell transfer therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: MUSC FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Mark RUBINSTEIN, David COLE
  • Publication number: 20180057795
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are method of producing NK cells that include one or more heterologous nucleic acids. The methods include culturing a population of isolated NK cells in the presence of one or more cytokines to produce a population of activated NK cells. The population of activated NK cells are transduced with a viral vector comprising the one or more heterologous nucleic acids, for example by contacting the activated NK cells with viral particles including the viral vector. The resulting transduced NK cells are then cultured in the presence of one or more cytokines, and optionally in the presence of irradiated feeder cells, to produce a population of expanded transduced NK cells. Also disclosed are methods of treating a subject with a disorder (such as a tumor or hyperproliferative disorder) by administering to the subject NK cells produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Richard W. Childs, David S.J. Allan
  • Publication number: 20180057796
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a three-dimensional cell and tissue culture system for the female reproductive tract. In particular provided herein the system includes individual female reproductive cultures in a dynamic microfluidic setting or integrated using a microfluidic microphysiologic system. In some embodiments, the present invention provides ex-vivo female reproductive tract integration in a three dimensional (3D) microphysiologic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Teresa K. Woodruff, Ji-Yong Julie Kim, Joanna E. Burdette, Spiro Getsios, Sevim Yildiz Arslan, Shuo Xiao, Jie Zhu
  • Publication number: 20180057797
    Abstract: The described invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic amount of an educated mononuclear cell product, a process for preparing the educated mononuclear cell product, and a method for treating a disease characterized by lymphocyte autoreactivity. Mononuclear cells from a diseased subject are co-cultured with a viable population of adherent umbilical cord blood stem cells at at least 80% confluence to form an educated mononuclear cell product. A therapeutic amount of the educated mononuclear cell product is returned by infusion intravascularly to the subject. The therapeutic amount is effective to modulate autoreactivity in a T cell compartment of the subject and to reduce symptoms of the disease characterized by lymphocyte autoreactivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Yong Zhao, Robert Korngold, Michele Donato