Patents Issued in January 14, 2020
  • Patent number: 10532322
    Abstract: Elastic microfiltration membranes are provided. These membranes may be used in a membrane bioreactor. Due to the elastic nature of the membranes, removal of fouling materials is improved, thereby increasing the efficiency and longevity of the membranes. Methods for forming such membranes and uses of the membranes are also provided, including their use in membrane bioreactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York
    Inventors: Benjamin Chu, Benjamin S. Hsiao, Ying Su
  • Patent number: 10532323
    Abstract: The group of inventions relates to technologies for purifying liquid, primarily water for the domestic and/or drinking water supply in domestic and/or industrial conditions and in allotments and gardens. The characterizing feature of the group of inventions is that the design of a hollow fibre membrane device envisages, and a method for the manufacture thereof enables, the formation of a protective layer consisting of a single polymeric fixing material on the internal surfaces of mono-fibre sections which are incorporated into a binding unit, and the formation of sections which are in the form of a composite in the binding unit, which increases the strength of the hollow fibre membrane device, wherein open channels in the binding unit, formed with the aid of protective elements of an assembly base, make it possible to increase the specific filtering surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Electrophor Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lvovich Shmidt, Nikolaj Victorovich Erukov, Stanislav Sergeevich Kuznetsov
  • Patent number: 10532324
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides instruments, modules and methods for improved detection of edited cells following nucleic acid-guided nuclease genome editing. The disclosure provides improved automated instruments that perform methods—including high throughput methods—for screening cells that have been subjected to editing and identifying cells that have been properly edited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Inscripta, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Masquelier, Phillip Belgrader, Andrew Garst, Richard Fox, Matthew Estes, Bruce Chabansky
  • Patent number: 10532325
    Abstract: Many hand-held diagnostics are limited in their functionality due to the challenging physics associated with small dimensional systems. An example of this is capillary forces in hydrophilic systems, such as the tight retention of liquid passing through a small pore filtration membrane, or capillary force driven microfluidics where, to keep liquid flowing the dimensions of the system become so small that the flow rates are too low to be useful, or the manufacturing of such devices becomes uneconomical. This disclosure details methods to ‘reset’ the capillary force condition to avoid the requirement of transient pressure spikes associated with the breakthrough pressure of small pore membranes, and avoid the necessity of extremely small microfluidic channels, which can be useful in applications such as filtration of whole blood to plasma using only suction pressure or passive capillary pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GattaCo, Inc
    Inventor: Michael Ryan McNeely
  • Patent number: 10532326
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, a modified surface comprising an optically active monomer, a polymeric material having a surface onto which the optically active monomer is covalently bound. In one aspect, a membrane comprising an optically active monomer, a poly(aryl sulfone) membrane having a surface onto which the optically active monomer is covalently bound. The present disclosure also relates to a method of modifying a surface, the method comprising applying sufficient energy to a surface to induce covalent bonding with an optically active monomer, and contacting the optically active monomer with the surface. In one aspect, a method of modifying a surface of a poly(aryl sulfone) membrane is disclosed. In another aspect, a method of synthesizing an optically active monomer is disclosed. In one aspect, a method of filtration of chiral compounds is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Georges Belfort, Joseph Imbrogno
  • Patent number: 10532327
    Abstract: Methods of conditioning a membrane utilized for water purification are provided. The methods monitor membrane performance during water purification or membrane conditioning via fluorometric measurement. The monitoring allows for the detection of removal efficiency of the fluorescing substance. A conditioner is introduced in the feed stream to increase the detected removal efficiency of a fluorescing substance by the membrane. The conditioner generally extends the useful life of the membrane being conditioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Seong-Hoon Yoon
  • Patent number: 10532328
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to chlorine-resistant filtration membranes comprising n-alkyl substituted polyaniline derivatives for use in, for example, water purification, and methods for making and using same. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Xinwei Huang, Brian T. McVerry, Shaily Mahendra
  • Patent number: 10532329
    Abstract: Microporous polyamide-imide membranes and methods for making them are disclosed. The microporous membrane includes polyamide-imide polymer, wherein the membrane has an HFE bubble point, and an IPA flow-time. The microporous membrane has an HFE bubble point from about 25 psi to about 200 psi and has an IPA flow-time from about 400 second to about 40,000 seconds. Another microporous polyamide-imide membrane includes a polyamide-imide polymer, wherein the membrane has a HFE bubble point from about 25 psi to about 200 psi. The membrane is asymmetric—and has a tight layer with a thickness of <10 microns. Filter and purification devices incorporating such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventor: Sina Bonyadi
  • Patent number: 10532330
    Abstract: Filtration membrane comprising polymeric nanofibers and/or microfibers attaching dendrimer component presenting reactive sites selective for chemicals to be filtered, and related nanofibers and microfibers, composite materials, compositions, methods and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mamadou S. Diallo, William A. Goddard, III, Seong-Jik Park, Manki Cho
  • Patent number: 10532331
    Abstract: An artificial-whirlpool generator includes a whirlpool generating member including at least one water inlet, a whirlpool generating chamber communicating with the water inlet, and a whirlpool outlet that is formed at a lower end portion of the whirlpool generating member and communicates with the whirlpool generating chamber; a position-fixing means that fixes the whirlpool forming member such that the entirety of the whirlpool generating member or only a portion of the whirlpool generating member, including the whirlpool outlet is submerged; and a swirling flow forming unit that forces water in a waterbody to be introduced into the whirlpool generating chamber through the water inlet and rotates the introduced water in one direction around an axle provided at a center portion of the whirlpool generating chamber to form a whirlpool that descends toward the whirlpool outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: KOREA AQUOSYS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shi Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 10532332
    Abstract: A continuous ready mix joint or texture compound manufacturing system and a method for continuously manufacturing a ready mix joint or texture compound includes a continuous mixer having an inlet and an outlet, a pump disposed at the outlet of the continuous mixer, and a disperger having an inlet and an outlet. The continuous mixer is adapted to receive at least one dry ingredient and at least one wet ingredient at the inlet and continuously mix the at least one dry ingredient and the at least one wet ingredient to form a mixed composition. The pump is adapted to pump the mixed composition from the outlet of the continuous mixer to the inlet of the disperger. The disperger is adapted to receive the mixed composition and apply a shear force to the mixed composition to form a homogenized, disperged composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY
    Inventors: Lori Tuttle, Clinton Hattaway, Erin Finley, Salvatore Immordino, Pamela Hargrove
  • Patent number: 10532333
    Abstract: The present invention describes a rotating mixing/stirring device that includes a shaft (1) connectable to a rotational drive element, the rotating shaft (1) having sufficient length to accommodate at least one integral, substantially orthogonal blade or impeller (5). The blade or impeller (5) is driven to rotate by the rotating shaft (1) and thereby mix and stir any liquid in which the device is used. The blade or impeller (5) includes a plurality of apertures (6) arranged perpendicular to the rotating shaft (1) and these apertures are tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DARCOURTS LTD
    Inventors: Courtenay Merchant, Philip Allinson-James
  • Patent number: 10532334
    Abstract: Described in detail herein is an automated paint mixing system. The paint mixing system includes a mobile device which can receive an input associated with a color of a paint. The mobile device can transmit the input associated with a color to a first computing system. The first computing system can receive the input associated with a color. The first computing system retrieve an identifier associated with the color based on the input. The first computing system can transmit the identifier associated with the color to a second computing system. The second computing system can instruct a paint dispenser to mix and generate a specified amount of paint of the requested color based on the received identifier. The second computing system can instruct a 3-D printer to fabricate a three-dimensional container configured to store the generated paint. The paint dispenser can deposit the generated paint in the three-dimensional container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Montgomery Blair, II, William Ross Allen, Christopher Soames Johnson
  • Patent number: 10532335
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system for enabling dynamic mixture of hair colorant for individuals within a local retail establishment or salon. The system utilizes a dynamically-updatable database of hair colorant mixtures, based upon input data regarding natural hair color and current state to generate a suitable mixture. The same system and database can be used for subsequent refill orders from a remote manufacturing site. The remote manufacturing system operates in much the same way, but at a larger scale, and can be used for subsequent refill orders submitted online. Whichever system is used, the same user and colorant mixtures will be generated, and any updates or changes to the colorant mixture will appear on any system reliant upon the same database of colorant combinate instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: eSalon.com, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Chan, Anthony Brzozowski, Francisco Gimenez, Rabih Zaouk
  • Patent number: 10532336
    Abstract: A system for measurement of quantity (density) of particles/solid materials in wastewater, and dilution of particle quantity based on the intended application. Currently enabling quick and serial measurement of particle quantity in laboratory environment, this system is placed inside the desired step of the process of an industrial facility. This way, the system yields quick results and in turn reduces the analysis and evaluation costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: OZBEKOGLU ITH. IHC. INS. MUH. LTD. STI.
    Inventor: Mustafa Sen
  • Patent number: 10532337
    Abstract: A container is disclosed. The container includes a canister body, at least one heating device and at least one safety device. The canister body includes an inner space for storing a gas storage material. The at least one heating device is accommodated within an inner space of the canister body for heating the gas storage material, so that the gas storage material releases a gas. The at least one safety device is connected with the corresponding heating device and installed on an end part of the canister body. When a temperature of the inner space is higher than a predetermined temperature value or a pressure of the inner space is higher than a predetermined pressure value, a portion of the gas is released through the safety device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ASIA PACIFIC FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Jefferson Y S Yang, Wu-Yao Wei
  • Patent number: 10532338
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Arkema Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Decourcy, John L. Steinbach, Nicolas Dupont, Roger L. Roundy
  • Patent number: 10532339
    Abstract: A method for calcining diatomaceous earth may include adding at least one lattice interfering agent to the diatomaceous earth to form a composite material. The method may further include heating the composite material at a temperature of at least about 800° C. for at least about 15 minutes to form an at least partially calcined composite material. The at least one lattice interfering agent may include at least one cation of at least one of aluminum and titanium. A diatomaceous earth product may include the at least partially calcined composite material formed from the above-noted method for calcining diatomaceous earth. A filter aid may include the diatomaceous earth product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Imerys USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Jie Lu
  • Patent number: 10532340
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a high performance thermoplastic polymer binder material for immobilizing adsorptive materials, such as activated carbon, in gas storage devices. The use of these binders, especially polyamide binders, polytetrafluoroethylene binders, or polyvinylidene fluoride binders such as Kyblock® resin, provides for high sorbent packing density, low fouling solid structure that maximizes the volume of gas to the volume of the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Arkema Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M. Stabler, Azaz A. Vahora, Denis Kato De Almeida, Florence Mehlmann, Ramin Amin-Sanayei
  • Patent number: 10532341
    Abstract: A particulate water absorbing agent having a polyacrylic acid (salt)-based water-absorbing resin as a main component, being surface-crosslinked and satisfying physical properties (1) to (3) below: (1) a proportion of particles with a particle diameter of not less than 150 ?m and less than 850 ?m is not less than 90% by weight; (2) an elastic modulus index (EMI) of particles with a particle diameter of not less than 500 ?m and less than 600 ?m is not less than 5500; and (3) a recovery rate defined as Rec.CRC/CRC is 1.05 to 1.20, the particulate water absorbing agent being particularly useful for absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Omori, Kazushi Torii, Nobuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10532342
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a zeolite adsorbent having an external surface area of between 20 m2·g?1 and 70 m2·g?1, a mesopore volume (Vmeso) of less than or equal to 0.20 cm3·g?1, and a content of non-zeolite phase (NZP) of less than or equal to 6%, and in which at least one of its dimensions is greater than or equal to 30 ?m. The invention also relates to the process for preparing said zeolite materials in agglomerated form and to the uses thereof for gas-phase or liquid-phase separation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Arkema France
    Inventors: Ludivine Bouvier, Cècile Lutz, Sylvie Szendrovics
  • Patent number: 10532343
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to nickel/aluminum-containing catalyst materials useful, for example, as reforming catalysts, processes for making them, and processes for using them in molten carbonate fuel cells. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a catalyst material including an alumina carrier in an amount in the range of about 5 wt % to about 75 wt %; and a mixed metal oxide in an amount in the range of about 25 wt % to about 95 wt %, the mixed metal oxide including at least about 90 wt % of oxides of nickel and aluminum, the mixed metal oxide having an atomic ratio of nickel to aluminum in the range of about 60:40 to about 90:10, the mixed metal oxide being substantially free of zirconium, in the form of a composite of the alumina carrier and the mixed metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CLARIANT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chandra Ratnasamy, Jon P. Wagner, Yeping Cai, David B. Rogers, Jason E. Spencer, Jeffery L. Braden
  • Patent number: 10532344
    Abstract: A NOx trap catalyst is disclosed. The NOx trap catalyst comprises a noble metal, a NOx storage component, a support, and a first ceria-containing material. The first ceria-containing material is pre-aged prior to incorporation into the NOx trap catalyst, and may have a surface area of less than 80 m2/g. The invention also includes exhaust systems comprising the NOx trap catalyst, and a method for treating exhaust gas utilizing the NOx trap catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Guy Richard Chandler, Paul Richard Phillips, Stuart David Reid, Wolfgang Strehlau, Daniel Swallow
  • Patent number: 10532345
    Abstract: The invention has as its object a method for preparation of catalysts based on cobalt substrates, implementing a concatenation of stages for impregnation, drying and calcination under particular conditions. The invention also relates to the use of said catalysts in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Sylvie Maury, Adrien Berliet
  • Patent number: 10532346
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing metal-supported thin layer skeletal catalyst structures, to methods for producing catalyst support structures without separately applying an intermediate washcoat layer, and to novel catalyst compositions produced by these methods. Catalyst precursors may be interdiffused with the underlying metal support then activated to create catalytically active skeletal alloy surfaces. The resulting metal-anchored skeletal layers provide increased conversion per geometric area compared to conversions from other types of supported alloy catalysts of similar bulk compositions, and provide resistance to activity loss when used under severe on-stream conditions. Particular compositions of the metal-supported skeletal catalyst alloy structures can be used for conventional steam methane reforming to produce syngas from natural gas and steam, for hydrodeoxygenation of pyrolysis bio-oils, and for other metal-catalyzed reactions inter alia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ALLOY SURFACES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent A. Durante, Rajinder Gill, Andrew Davis, Elaine C. Soltani
  • Patent number: 10532347
    Abstract: Embodiments of processes for producing propylene utilize a dual catalyst system comprising a mesoporous silica catalyst impregnated with metal oxide and a mordenite framework inverted (MFI) structured silica catalyst downstream of the mesoporous silica catalyst, where the mesoporous silica catalyst includes a pore size distribution of at least 2.5 nm to 40 nm and a total pore volume of at least 0.600 cm3/g, and the MFI structured silica catalyst has a total acidity of 0.001 mmol/g to 0.1 mmol/g. The propylene is produced from the butene stream via metathesis by contacting the mesoporous silica catalyst and subsequent cracking by contacting the MFI structured silica catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventors: Sulaiman Saleh Al-Khattaf, Arudra Palani, Tazul Islam Bhuiyan, Sohel Shaikh, Mohammad Naseem Akhtar, Abdullah M. Aitani, Mohammed A. Al-Yami
  • Patent number: 10532348
    Abstract: A hydrogen oxidation catalyst is provided, comprising a zeolite that contains at least one catalytically active noble metal or a compound thereof, wherein said zeolite is a hydrophobic zeolite. A use of the catalyst and a method for hydrogen recombination in nuclear power plants, reprocessing plants or fuel element repositories is also specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CLARIANT PRODUKTE (DEUTSCHLAND) GMBH
    Inventors: Patrick Mueller, Arno Tissler, Frank Klose, RoderikPeter Althoff, Olaf Buettner
  • Patent number: 10532349
    Abstract: A catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx having one or more transition metals selected from Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ce, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, Re, Ir, Pt, and mixtures thereof supported on a support, wherein the support has a molecular sieve having at least one intergrowth phase having at least two different small-pore, three-dimensional framework structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Andersen, John Leonello Casci, Hai-Ying Chen, Joseph M. Fedeyko
  • Patent number: 10532350
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing small crystals of silicoaluminophosphate-34 (SAPO-34) molecular sieves with high structural purity. The method includes first forming a slurry comprising monoisopropanolamine. Then, the slurry is aged to form an aged slurry. Finally, crystallization of silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieves comprising the SAPO-34 molecular sieves is induced from the aged slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: W.R. GRACE & CO.-CONN
    Inventors: Qiuhua Zhang, Manoj Koranne
  • Patent number: 10532351
    Abstract: A system and method configured to restore ion exchange kinetic properties and purify resin is described. Degraded ion exchange kinetic properties of anion resin will eventually result in impurity slippage through resin charges. This system and method employs an acid catalyst in combination with sulfite cleaning solution to remove organic material and to protonate iron oxides for deconstruction and removal from anion resins. The cleaning solution, when applied via a cleaning vessel utilizing an eductor(s)/plenum and wedge-wire screen draw chamber, while controlling all phases of cleaning by electronic monitoring, yields complete restoration of ion exchange kinetics on usable resin. As such, the system and method provides a safe, effective, and vastly improved method for restoring anion resin kinetics and improving regeneration quality, for improved resin performance and minimizing resin replacement costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas O. Miller
  • Patent number: 10532352
    Abstract: An integrated sample analysis system is disclosed. The sample analysis system contains (1) a sample preparation/analysis module having sample purification device comprising a monolith that binds specifically to nucleic acids and a sample analysis device comprising a microarray enclosed in a reaction chamber having a hydrophilic interior surface; (2) a temperature control module comprising a thermocycler having a thermally conductive temperature-control bladder; and (3) an imaging device capable of capturing an image of the microarray in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Akonni Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Cooney, Phillip Belgrader, Arial Bueno, Steve Garber, Nitu Harshendu Thakore, Peter Qiang Qu
  • Patent number: 10532354
    Abstract: In certain aspects of the invention, a stackable device includes multiple elements stacked sequentially. A chamber is formed in each of the elements or between adjacent two of the elements, and each chamber is in fluid communication with an input channel and an output channel. The chambers are aligned with each other, and adjacent two chambers are separated from each other by a membrane. In certain aspects of the invention, a system includes at least one stackable device, each stackable device having multiple chambers; and at least one of a perfusion controller, a microformulator, and a microclinical analyzer in fluid communication with the at least one stackable device. In other aspects of the invention, the use of four microformulators, electrodes and an impedance analyzer can measure the impedance spectrum of each barrier in a multi-transwell plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John P. Wikswo, Dmitry A. Markov, Ronald S. Reiserer
  • Patent number: 10532355
    Abstract: Microfluidic plate comprising a plurality of microfluidic networks and inlets providing access to the microfluidic networks, wherein each microfluidic network comprises a capillary pressure barrier and extends through a first plane, each inlet is formed by an inlet chamber having a bottom surface, a support structure is provided above each inlet, which support structure defines an opening and comprises at least one support member positioned at the opening such that a circle can be defined in a second plane extending parallel to the first plane, which circle has the largest possible diameter while being completely located within the opening and in contact with the at least one support member, and the support structure is configured such that a first empty space is formed, which first empty space extends from the second plane towards the inlet chamber and has the form of a right circular cone or a truncated right circle cone, wherein the circle forms a base plane of the right circular cone or the truncated righ
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Mimetas B.V.
    Inventors: Sebastiaan Johannes Trietsch, Paul Vulto
  • Patent number: 10532356
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
  • Patent number: 10532357
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for focusing components in a fluid sample are described herein. The microfluidic device has at least one flow focusing channel where the components are focused or re-oriented by the geometry of the channel. From an upstream end of the flow focusing channel to a downstream end of the flow focusing channel, at least a portion of the flow focusing channel has a reduction in height and at least a portion of the flow focusing channel narrows in width, thereby geometrically constricting the flow focusing channel. The devices and methods can be utilized in sex-sorting of sperm cells to improve performance and increase eligibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GENUS PLC
    Inventors: Zheng Xia, Gopakumar Kamalakshakurup
  • Patent number: 10532358
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Rustem F. Ismagilov, Joshua David Tice, Cory John Gerdts, Bo Zheng
  • Patent number: 10532359
    Abstract: A circulating bath (10) including a heater (18) configured to heat a fluid (34) in a reservoir (22). The heater (18) is configured to be operatively connected to a source of power (50) by a control circuit (39) operatively coupled to the heater (18). First and second fluid level sensors (14) (16) are operatively coupled to the control circuit (39), and provide signals indicative of a low fluid condition in the reservoir (22). The control circuit (39) is configured to receive the signals from the fluid level sensors (14) (16), and disconnect the heater (18) from the source of power (50) in response to receiving a signal from either of the first and second fluid level sensors (14), (16) indicative of a low fluid condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo Neslab LLC
    Inventors: Don A. Enos, Robert L. Wiley, John L. Parker
  • Patent number: 10532360
    Abstract: The system for management of rack and tube positions for clinical chemistry laboratories includes tubes (10) capable of containing human biological material, a rack (20) configured for receiving and/or holding the tubes (10) to be stocked, a supporting base (30) configured for supporting the rack (20) thereon, a reader (50) configured for reading an identifier (RID) of the rack (20) to be put onto the supporting base (30) and an identifier (TID) of the tube to be put into the rack (20), a camera (40) for detecting the rack (20) on the supporting base (30), and at least one of the tubes (10) into the rack (20), a processing unit (60) for mapping the detected rack (20) into a plurality of allowed positions (Pi) and the detected tube (10) into a tube position (P) included in the plurality of allowed positions (Pi).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: OMNILAB TECHNOLOGIES S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Birolini, Christian Otto
  • Patent number: 10532361
    Abstract: The invention is a method for producing milled elastomer, comprising the steps of directing a liquid jet from at least one nozzle on an elastomeric material moving in an at least partially transversal direction with respect to the discharge direction of the at least one nozzle. In the method according to the invention the liquid jet directed on the elastomeric material has a pressure of 650-1350 bar, and the elastomeric material is moved with respect to the at least one nozzle such that, in a first phase adapted for disintegrating a surface of the elastomeric material, the elastomeric material has a first forward-feed rate of 10 to 20 mm/s at a point of impact of the liquid jet in a direction transverse to the discharge direction, and, in a second phase after disintegrating the surface, the elastomeric material has a second forward-feed rate being decreased with 35-65% compared to the first forward-feed rate. The invention is, furthermore, an apparatus for producing milled elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: AquaJet Zrt.
    Inventors: Gyorgy Moldovan, Gabor Kostyal, Ferenc Gyorgy Kostyal, Antal Csako
  • Patent number: 10532362
    Abstract: Static plant for preparing feed mixes for ruminant livestock, having a conveyor unit for conveying the feed mix ingredients, chain and/or screw feeders, feeders with weight sensors and supplementary conveyor belt, silos of solid ingredients, and silos of liquid ingredients, independently supplying via the conveyor unit, with dual flow, two or more high-capacity mixers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GRUPO TATOMA, S.L.
    Inventors: Fernando Torres Aso, Ramon Mallada Albiol
  • Patent number: 10532363
    Abstract: A magnetic separation device for immunoassay using a two-sided plate for multi-well microplate separation via a flat side containing a magnetic block and a back side of magnetic microplate structure containing a matrix of permanent magnets. The present invention relates to a multi-purpose magnetic separation device that has two sides of magnetic separation function. The flat side of magnetic separation device includes magnetic block, metal or plastic sheet surface top and a pin to secure the assay plate. The back side of magnetic separation device is a multi-well structure that includes a plurality of permanent magnets placed in the spaces between the adjacent wells. There are different magnetic configurations for the multi-well structure, which ensures that each well is pulled by at least one strong permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventors: Kang Yao, Nan An, Khanh Duc Huynh
  • Patent number: 10532364
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator module and a desulfurization system are capable of easily discharging wash water from a wet electrostatic precipitator module. The electrostatic precipitator module includes an arrangement of discharge electrodes and collecting electrodes alternately disposed and spaced apart from each other, the discharge electrodes configured to be charged to a predetermined voltage for generating a corona discharge between the discharge electrodes and the collecting electrodes; and tie rods for fixing the discharge electrodes and the collecting electrodes. Each collecting electrode has a lower edge inclined downward with respect to the ground. The lower edge of each collecting electrode includes separate lower edge portions respectively inclined downward from opposite side ends of the collecting electrode and a lowermost point at which wash water is concentrated and discharged to a discharge guide installed directly under the lowermost points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sangchul Moon, Jinwoon Lee, Sangrin Lee, Joonhyuk Yim, Jaedong Hwang
  • Patent number: 10532365
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for cleaning gas containing liquid impurities includes a stationary casing, enclosing a separation space through which a gas flow is permitted. The stationary casing includes a surrounding side wall, a first end wall and a second end wall. An inlet extends through the stationary casing and permits supply of the gas to be cleaned. A rotating member includes a stack of separation disks rotatable around an axis of rotation. A drive member rotates the rotating member. A gas outlet permits discharge of cleaned gas, and includes an outlet opening through the side wall. A drainage outlet permits discharge of liquid impurities separated from the gas. The outlet opening is positioned opposite to the stack of separation disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Thomas Eliasson
  • Patent number: 10532366
    Abstract: An attachment fitting is attached inside a rotor hole. The attachment fitting is made up of a main body, first and second pieces disposed in a piece placement hole formed in the main body so as to pass therethrough in a direction orthogonal to a rotation central axis of a rotor, a leaf spring including two arm portions, and a retainer that is mounted on the main body and puts a base of the leaf spring between the retainer and the main body. The first and second pieces have grooves into which the arm portions of the leaf spring are inserted. When the rotor rotates, the first and second pieces protrude from the piece placement hole by the centrifugal force against the spring force of the leaf spring and make contact with a rotor coupling portion of a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KUBOTA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Tomaru
  • Patent number: 10532367
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a fluidic oscillator 100 operating on a pressurized fluid to generate an oscillating spray of fluid droplets, and the oscillator aims fluid jets from first, second and third power nozzles 114A, 114B, 114C into an interaction chamber 118 and toward an upwardly projecting island protuberance 126 defining first, second and third island wall segments. The outermost jets 114A, 114B are aimed at an obtuse angle of 100 to 140 degrees along axes which intersect beyond the island at a Jet intersection point, J1. The upstream end of interaction chamber 118 is defined by first and second laterally offset concave wall surfaces 142, 152 which define left side and right side vortex generating areas so that fluid jet steering vortices may be alternately formed and then displaced distally and shed to steer the fluid jet laterally within interaction chamber 118.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Chunling Zhao, Andrew Cameron
  • Patent number: 10532368
    Abstract: A fluid-ejection device includes a first member having a fluid inlet; a second member that can be moved relative to the first member; and a control member arranged to be at least in a first condition, in which the control member is at least substantially inside the second member during a first stroke of the second member in which fluid flow through the second member and discharge is prevented; and a second condition, in which the control member is at least substantially outside the second member during a second stroke of the second member, allowing fluid flow through the second member and discharge. A seal member has a first surface engaged with the first member, a second surface engaged with the second member, and a third surface arranged to be engaged with the control member in the first condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: FICO TRANSPAR, S.A.
    Inventors: Miguel Mota López, Olallo Alcaide Hernández
  • Patent number: 10532369
    Abstract: A showerhead bracket having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a valve and a valve housing. The valve may be operably connected between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The valve includes a valve inlet port, a low flow exit port and a high flow exit port. The valve housing is disposed between the fluid inlet and the valve inlet port. The valve can selectively rotate within the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Quinn, Leland C. Leber, Harold A. Luettgen, Ryan Saunders
  • Patent number: 10532370
    Abstract: A tank holding a quantity of liquid releasably connects to a portable pump assembly through a connector to provide a portable sprayer. The tank connects to a feed line that supplies spray nozzle with the liquid. The connector combines a quick disconnect connector with a pressure relief valve. The portable pump assembly includes an electric pump, a switch assembly, and a check valve. The portable pump assembly directs gas through the check valve into the connector to increase the gas pressure in the tank and force the liquid in the tank to flow through the feed line and out the spray nozzle. The switch assembly turns off the electric pump when the gas pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined limit while maintaining the flow of liquid through the spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventors: Phillip B. Schrum, Mark A. Verosky, David A. Krygowski
  • Patent number: 10532371
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly for dispensing fluid generally includes a container having a handle located toward an upper portion of the container, and a sprayer having arms extending away from the sprayer. The arms of the sprayer define a channel configured to receive at least part of the handle of the container within the channel to thereby couple the sprayer to the container. Such a dispensing assembly can be made by forming the container with a handle located toward an upper portion of the container, and forming the sprayer with the arms such that the arms can be used to couple the sprayer to the handle of the container, where the arms extend away from the sprayer and define the channel for receiving at least part of the handle of the container into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Voelker
  • Patent number: 10532372
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of secondary containment panels and assembling and installing the panels in a secondary containment system of an above-ground liquid storage tank or other retention facility includes forming a plurality of flexible substrate pieces. A liquid impermeable coating is applied to the upper surface of each piece such that an edge segment of the piece remains uncoated. The coating is applied to the substrate piece in an indoor enclosure using a computer controlled robotic sprayer that applies a uniform coating. A system for coating secondary containment panels. An apparatus for spraying a coating on a secondary containment panels. The apparatus may be computer controlled and operate automatically to coat the surface of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Whitener