Pore Forming In Situ (e.g., Foaming, Etc.) Patents (Class 264/41)
  • Publication number: 20130042475
    Abstract: Polymer-based materials and processes suitable for producing panels, for example, panels for use in a fan shroud abradable seal of a turbofan engine. Such a process includes introducing constituents of an expandable foam material into a continuous forming apparatus that continuously compounds the constituents into a partially-cured compounded polymeric material, which is then continuously formed with the continuous forming apparatus to produce a continuous form having a constant cross-sectional shape transverse to a continuous forming direction of the continuous forming apparatus. A portion of the continuous form is then deformed to produce a preform, and the preform is cured within a restricted volume to cause the preform to expand and produce the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Dominic Schulte, Eric Joseph Aho, Peter Kennedy Davis, Wendy Wen-Ling Lin, Michael Joseph O'Brien, Brian Dominic Stephens
  • Patent number: 8377172
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new fibers, new processes of using said fibers, and new sheath dope compositions for multi-layer spinning processes. The fibers comprise a porous core and a sheath surrounding said porous core. The fibers may be useful in, for example, processes for removing low level contaminants like sulfur compounds from a gas stream like natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: William John Koros, Dhaval A. Bhandari
  • Publication number: 20130034777
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microporous polymeric membrane including: heat-setting the microporous polymeric membrane in at least a first stage and a final stage, the first stage being upstream of the final stage and a temperature of the first stage being at least 15° C. cooler than a temperature of the final stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Toray Battery Separator Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Takita, Kohtaro Kimishima, Norimitsu Kaimai
  • Publication number: 20130032962
    Abstract: The present specification discloses porogen compositions comprising a core material and shell material, methods of making such porogen compositions, methods of forming such porous materials using such porogen compositions, biocompatible implantable devices comprising such porous materials, and methods of making such biocompatible implantable devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventor: Allergan, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8366979
    Abstract: A carbon monolith includes a robust carbon monolith characterized by a skeleton size of at least 100 nm, and a hierarchical pore structure having macropores and mesopores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: UT-Battelle, LLC, University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Sheng Dai, Georges A. Guiohon, Chengdu Liang
  • Publication number: 20130028949
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cosmetic sponge and a method of providing a cosmetic sponge incorporating a non-denatured collagen and other additives for skin care, cleaning, and cosmetic application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: DIVERSIFIED GLOGAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne CELIA
  • Publication number: 20130026670
    Abstract: Cavities are partially or entirely filled with a polymer foam. A flexible, porous mesh tube is introduced into the cavity. The mesh tube has a volume smaller than that of the cavity and has openings. A foamable liquid mixture is introduced into the mesh tube. Despite the presence of the openings, the foamable liquid mixture does not pass through the openings in the mesh tube. The captured liquid composition then expands. As the composition expands, it flows through the openings in the mesh tube and makes contact with the walls of the cavity. After curing, a polymer foam is obtained which adheres to the cavity walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Adrian J. Birch, Katja Oswald
  • Patent number: 8361361
    Abstract: Ultra-fine sodium bicarbonate powder (mean particle size less than 5 microns) is produced by the mixing and reaction under agitation at control temperatures of solutions of ammonium bicarbonate and sodium chloride. Precipitated sodium bicarbonate is separated by filtration as a slurry which is dried to produce ultra-fine sodium bicarbonate. Ultra-fine sodium bicarbonate produced by this method also exhibits a narrow particle size distribution which is advantageous in blowing agents for thermoplastic resins, to produce a foamed resin with small cells of a narrow size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ingenia Polymers Corp.
    Inventors: Art Tinson, Salvatore D'Uva, Jianzhong Hu, John Lefas
  • Publication number: 20130023596
    Abstract: Polymeric composite materials, particularly highly filled polyurethane composite materials are described herein. Such highly filled polyurethane composite materials may be formed by reaction and extrusion of one or more polyols, one or more di- or poly-isocyanates, and from about 45 to about 85 weight percent of inorganic filler such as fly ash. Certain polyols, including plant-based polyols can be used. Certain composite materials also contain chain extenders and/or crosslinkers. The polyurethane composite material may also contain fibers such as chopped or axial fibers which further provide good mechanical properties to the composite material. Shaped articles containing the polyurethane composite material have been found to have good mechanical properties, such that the shaped articles are suitable for building applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Century-Board USA, LLC
    Inventor: Century-Board USA, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130011604
    Abstract: A method of forming a templated casting involves incorporating a liquid feedstock into the channels of a honeycomb substrate to form a feedstock-laden substrate, and directionally solidifying the liquid feedstock within the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Prantik Mazumder, Frederick Ernest Noll, John Forrest Wight, JR.
  • Patent number: 8343396
    Abstract: A pipe insulating section includes a generally cylindrical hollow phenolic foam body of substantially uniform cross section with an inner facing web and an outer facing web. The phenolic foam body is slit longitudinally to provide section halves which can be opened to facilitate wrapping around a pipe to insulate the pipe. The section halves are linked by the outer web at one side and facing ends of the section halves at the other end are faced with the inner facing web. The inner web may be of paper and the other web may be of an aluminum foil. An apparatus used in manufacturing the elongate shaped phenolic section includes an outer mold for forming the outer facing into a cylindrical shape and an inner mandrel for forming the inner facing into a cylindrical shape, which is of smaller diameter than that of the cylinder defined by the outer facing. The facings define a hollow core therebetween into which liquid foam reactants are injected through an injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kingspan Holdings (IRL) Limited
    Inventors: John Tottey, David Anthony Oliver, Thomas McCabe
  • Patent number: 8343894
    Abstract: Fluid systems may contain elements to provide changes in bulk fluid density in response to various environmental conditions. One environmental driver to the variable density is pressure; other environmental drivers include, but are not limited to, temperature or changes in chemistry. The variable density of the fluid is beneficial for controlling sub-surface pressures within desirable pore pressure and fracture gradient envelopes. The variability of fluid density permits construction and operation of a wellbore with much longer hole sections than when using conventional single gradient fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry A. Watkins, Roger W. Fincher
  • Patent number: 8343348
    Abstract: A method for producing a carbon membrane of the present invention is a production method where a carbon membrane obtained by subjecting a carbon-containing layer to thermal decomposition in an oxygen inert atmosphere while sending a gas mixture containing an oxidizing gas thereinto is thermally heated. The carbon membrane is subjected to a heating oxidation treatment with controlling the ratio of the flow rate of the gas mixture to the areas of the carbon membrane to 0.5 cm/min. or more to control (temperature ° C.)2×time (h)/10000, which is the relation between the temperature of the gas mixture and the flow time, to 9 to 32. This enables to obtain a carbon film which selectively separates alcohols having 2 or less carbon atoms from a liquid mixture of the alcohols having 2 or less carbon atoms and organic compounds having 5 to 9 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Aya Satoh, Nobuhiko Mori
  • Publication number: 20120319317
    Abstract: A method of making an anisotropic filtration media includes foaming a media, straining the media in a selected direction, and relieving strain of the media in the selected direction
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Nicholas Carrejo, Michael H. Johnson, Randall V. Guest
  • Publication number: 20120313278
    Abstract: The invention relates to monobloc frames moulded in an expansible insulating plastic material, particularly frames for moulded insulating collectors. The invention also relates to said collectors, and particularly to moulded insulating collectors for solar thermal or photovoltaic panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: SUMIKA POLYMER COMPOUNDS (FRANCE) SA
    Inventors: Hideaki Nishio, Anis Gaaloul, Franck Bollaert
  • Patent number: 8329601
    Abstract: A biodegradable and renewable film that may be employed in a wide variety of applications is provided. The film is formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains at least one starch and at least one plant protein. Even at a high renewable material content, the present inventors have discovered that films may be readily formed from plant proteins and starches by selectively controlling the individual amount of the starch and plant proteins, the nature of the starch and plant proteins, and other components used in the film. Balancing the amount of starches and plant proteins within a certain range, for instance, can reduce the likelihood of plant protein aggregation and enhance the ability of the composition to be melt processed. The composition also contains at least one plasticizer that improves the thermoplastic nature of the protein and starch components. The selection of the plasticizer may also help reduce the tendency of the plant protein to aggregate during melt processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Shi, Sarah A. Funk, James H. Wang, Gregory J. Wideman, Ross T. Kaufman, Vasily A. Topolkaraev
  • Publication number: 20120308872
    Abstract: A separator for use in a lithium ion battery to provide a physical and electrically insulative mechanical barrier between confronting inner face surfaces of a negative electrode and a positive electrode may be formed predominantly of heat-resistant particles. The heat-resistant particles, which have diameters that range from about 0.01 ?m to about 10 ?m, are held together as a thin-layered, handleable, and unified mass by a porous inert polymer material. The high content of heat-resistant particles amassed between the confronting inner face surfaces of the negative and positive electrodes provides the separator with robust thermal stability at elevated temperatures. Methods for making these types of separators by a phase-separation process are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Xiaosong Huang
  • Publication number: 20120295154
    Abstract: A cross-linked microporous polysulfone or polysulfone copolymer battery electrode separator membrane are described. Such membranes, which would otherwise be soluble above a particular, generally high temperature in selected battery electrolyte systems, once at least in part cross-linked, swell in the electrolyte at the particular higher temperature instead of dissolving. When the membrane separators are restrained between solid electrodes in a battery, the separator cannot increase in bulk volume, and the swelling occurs within the pores with the pore volume decreasing from its original bulk volume. The drop in pore volume causes the battery current density to drop, thereby reducing the heat generation within the hot area of the battery. This process provides a measure of safety against overheating and fires, and the battery is capable of continued usage if the overheating is localized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Ray L. Hauser
  • Patent number: 8309256
    Abstract: Provided is a microporous film formed of a thermoplastic resin composition comprising 100 parts by mass of (a) a polyolefin resin and from 5 to 90 parts by mass of (b) a polyphenylene ether resin; the microporous film having a sea-island structure with the polyolefin resin as a sea portion and with the polyphenylene ether resin as an island portion and having a air permeability of from 10 sec/100 cc to 5000 sec/100 cc. The microporous film does not break easily even at high temperatures and has good heat resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei E-materials Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Kikuchi, Shunichiro I
  • Patent number: 8308592
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a treadmill belt with foamed cushion layer and method of making same. In one embodiment, the treadmill belt includes a fabric base layer and a foamed cushion layer foamed on and integral with the fabric base layer. The foamed cushion layer includes a thermoplastic composition and has a Shore A hardness of about 20 to about 80. In one example, the first foamed cushion layer is from about 0.05 inches to about 0.35 inches thick. The thermoplastic composition, prior to being foamed, includes about 1 part to about 5 parts of a foaming agent, e.g., a chemical foaming agent, based on 100 parts thermoplastic material, e.g., polyvinyl chloride. An outer wear layer is securely adhered on the foamed cushion layer to sandwich the foamed cushion layer between the fabric base layer and outer wear layer thereby defining the treadmill belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Peter E. Radding, Steven Wayne Mutch
  • Publication number: 20120283347
    Abstract: A noncrosslinked polyethylene resin expanded particle is provided having a bulk density in a range of 10 g/L to 100 g/L, the particle being obtained by expanding a polyethylene resin particle whose density is in a range of 0.920 g/cm3 to 0.940 g/cm3, the noncrosslinked polyethylene resin expanded particle having a shrinkage factor in a range of 2% to 30%, the shrinkage factor being obtained by the following formula (1): Shrinkage Factor=(BD?VBD)×100/VBD??(1), wherein: the BD of the noncrosslinked polyethylene expanded particle is a bulk density at 23° C. and at 0.1 MPa (at a normal atmospheric pressure); and the VBD of the noncrosslinked polyethylene expanded particle is a bulk density at 23° C. and at a reduced pressure of 0.002 MPa or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20120282530
    Abstract: An energy storage device includes a first electrode comprising a first material and a second electrode comprising a second material, at least a portion of the first and second materials forming an interpenetrating network when dispersed in an electrolyte, the electrolyte, the first material and the second material are selected so that the first and second materials exert a repelling force on each other when combined. An electrochemical device, includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector; a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector; and an ionically conductive medium in ionic contact with said first and second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the first and second electrodes form an interpenetrating network and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode structure providing two or more pathways to its current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, William Douglas Moorehead
  • Patent number: 8298465
    Abstract: Provided is a microporous film which is made of a thermoplastic resin composition comprising (a) 100 parts by mass of a polypropylene resin and (b) 5 to 90 parts by mass of a polyphenylene ether resin, and which has a sea island structure comprising a sea portion comprising the polypropylene resin as a principal component and an island portion comprising the polyphenylene ether resin as a principal component, wherein pores are formed at an interface between the sea portion and the island portion and within the sea portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei E-Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Kikuchi, Hidetoshi Masugi
  • Publication number: 20120270052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coating composition, foam particles coated therewith, processes for producing foam moldings, and their use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Benjamin Nehls, Tatiana Ulanova, Sabine Fuchs, Klaus Hahn, Bernhard Schmied
  • Publication number: 20120264886
    Abstract: A polypropylene resin and a polypropylene resin composition are provided, which have excellent fluidity and foaming properties, and particularly in use for foam injection molding, allow molding with a narrow initial cavity clearance even if a large mold is used, and therefore can provide a thin, large-area foam-injection-molded article having good appearance. The invention relates to a polypropylene resin obtained by melt mixing a linear polypropylene resin, a radical polymerization initiator and a conjugated diene compound, wherein the polypropylene resin has a melt flow rate of more than 30 g/10 min and not more than 250 g/10 min as measured at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg; a melt tension at 200° C. of not less than 0.3 cN; and a loss tangent (tan ?) of not more than 6.0, the loss tangent being a ratio of loss modulus to storage modulus at an angular frequency of 1 rad/s in dynamic viscoelasticity measurement at 200° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuo Okura, Terumasa Abe, Ryoji Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8277719
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of thermoplastic auxetic foams comprising the steps of: a) taking conventional thermoplastic foam; b) subjecting said foam to at least one process cycle wherein the foam is biaxially compressed and heated; c) optionally subjecting the foam to at least one process cycle wherein the biaxial compression is removed and the foam mechanically agitated prior to reapplying biaxial compression and heating; d) cooling said foam to a temperature below the softening temperature of said foam; and e) removing said compression and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Auxetic Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Alderson, Kim Lesley Alderson, Philip John Davies, Gillian Mary Smart
  • Publication number: 20120235781
    Abstract: A method of forming a film is described. The method begins by forming a mixture including a polymer and a plurality of unordered nanomaterial. The film is dried and a plurality of pores is formed within the film. A sensitive film transducer capable of detecting changes in pressure and applied force can be made using this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Zuruzi Bin Abu Samah
  • Patent number: 8262957
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing a ceramic porous body with high porosity and continuous macropores, which comprises mixing a ceramic powder with an aqueous solution of a gelable water-soluble polymer to form a slurry, gelling for a while to fix the tissue structure, freezing it to produce ice crystals in the gel tissue and creating structures that become continuous pores, thawing the ice by controlled atmospheric substitution-type drying method with the resulting water being replaced without damaging the gel, and then sintering it to produce a ceramic porous body having various porosities, pore diameters and pore shapes, while conventionally cracks and contraction were likely to occur during drying when the solids concentration of the slurry is less than 20 vol %, with the method of the present invention it is possible to control these problems even at a solids concentration of 10 vol % or less, manufacture and provide a ceramic porous body with a porosity of 72% to 99% and a compression stren
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Manabu Fukushima, Masayuki Nakata, Yuichi Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 8257624
    Abstract: A method for making a porous material, includes melt-blending two or more non-miscible polymers to obtain a co-continuous melt, solidifying the melt to obtain a solid mass consisting of two co-continuous polymer phases, and selectively extracting one of the co-continuous phases thereby creating within the solid mass an essentially continuous pore network having an internal surface. The method further includes replicating the internal surface of the pore network within the solid mass by coating the internal surface with successive layers of materials, and selectively extracting the solid mass without extracting the layers of materials, to thereby yield the product porous material, formed of the layers of materials. The material has a void fraction higher than about 75%, and mainly having essentially fully interconnected sheath-like non-spherical pores and essentially non-fibrous walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventors: Basil D. Favis, Pierre Sarazin, Xavier Roy
  • Publication number: 20120220443
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to ceramic-body-forming batch materials comprising at least one pore former and inorganic batch components comprising at least one silica source having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods. The disclosure additionally relates to methods for reducing pore size variability in ceramic bodies and/or reducing process variability in making ceramic bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Edward McCauley, Anthony Nicholas Rodbourn, Patrick David Tepesch, Christopher John Warren
  • Patent number: 8241539
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of patterning, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a porous film; and (b) adding at least one structure to the porous film. The present invention also provides a patterned film prepared according to the method of the invention. The present invention also provides a method of preparing a porous film, and a porous film prepared according to the method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Yong Zhang, Meihua Lu
  • Patent number: 8236211
    Abstract: A method for preparing an asymmetric porous material by depositing a porous material film on a flexible substrate, and applying an anisotropic stress to the porous media on the flexible substrate, where the anisotropic stress results from a stress such as an applied mechanical force, a thermal gradient, and an applied voltage, to form an asymmetric porous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Eric N. Coker
  • Patent number: 8236210
    Abstract: Corrugated fluid treatment packs and methods of making corrugated fluid treatment packs are disclosed. The fluid treatment packs may comprise a non-woven fibrous structure and/or porous membrane having a tubular configuration and a longitudinal axis, the fibrous structure and/or porous membrane being corrugated to define at least one crest, at least one trough, and at least one corrugation, each corrugation including first and second webs, the first and second webs extending into one another along a crest or a trough. The crests, troughs, and corrugations may include webs may which extend circumferentially or helically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Hartmann, Stephen Geibel
  • Publication number: 20120193284
    Abstract: Method for preparing a filtration membrane and a filtration membrane prepared by the method. According to one embodiment, the method involves casting a polymer solution onto a porous support to form a coated support. The coated support is then quenched to form a membrane/support composite, and the membrane/support composite is then dried. Next, a first end of a first piece of adhesive tape is applied to the membrane side of the composite, and the second end of the first piece of adhesive tape is applied to a first rotatable winder. In addition, a first end of a second piece of adhesive tape is applied to the support side of the composite, and the second end of the second piece of adhesive tape is applied to a second rotatable winder. The two winders are then rotated so as to pull apart the membrane from the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Ja-Young Koo, Doowon Lee, Sungpyo Hong
  • Publication number: 20120195966
    Abstract: The invention essentially relates to oral dosage forms comprising a JAK3 inhibitor, preferably tasocitinib, suitable for modified release, and processes of preparing such oral dosage forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Frank SIEVERT, Ralph STEFAN
  • Patent number: 8231263
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for making a foam having a controlled size distribution of gas bubbles in a liquid matrix. The invention utilizes a porous material having a controlled pore size and pore distance to produce a substantially uniform size distribution of gas bubbles; a gas pumping device for directing a flow of gas to and through the porous material to form the gas bubbles; a fluid pumping device for directing a flow of liquid matrix past the porous material and a rotating element moving in the vicinity of the membrane surface causing an additional flow to detach, collect accumulate and entrain the gas bubbles in the liquid matrix to form a foam having gas bubbles of generally uniform size and a substantially uniform gas bubble size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Erich Josef Windhab, Nadina Patrizia Müller-Fischer, Karl Uwe Tapfer
  • Patent number: 8226862
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an approach for making mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) and methods for using these membranes. These MMMs contain a continuous polymer matrix and dispersed microporous molecular sieve particles. This invention also pertains to control of the thickness of the thin dense selective mixed matrix membrane layer that is equal to or greater than the particle size of the largest molecular sieve particles for making large scale asymmetric MMMs. In particular, the invention is directed to making asymmetric flat sheet MMM by a phase inversion technique. The MMMs of the present invention exhibit at least 20% increase in selectivity compared to the polymer membranes prepared from their corresponding continuous polymer matrices. The MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a variety of liquid, gas, and vapor separations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, Stephen T. Wilson, David A. Lesch
  • Patent number: 8226861
    Abstract: A method of producing nanoporous material includes the steps of providing a liquid, providing nanoparticles, producing a slurry of the liquid and the nanoparticles, removing the liquid from the slurry, and producing a monolith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Ryan Hayes, Gregory Walker Nyce, Joshua David Kuntz
  • Publication number: 20120184662
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition: (a) from 10 to 80 wt. % of a polybutylene terephthalate; (b) from 10 to 80 wt. % of a copolyestercarbonate component, comprising a first copolyestercarbonate having a number average molecular weight of 15,000 to less than 28,000 Daltons, and a second copolyestercarbonate having a number average molecular weight of more than 28,000 to 40,000 Daltons, wherein a weight ratio of the first polyestercarbonate to the second polyestercarbonate is 95:5 to 20:80; (c) from 3 to 30 wt. % of a particulate filler; (d) from 0.1 to 10 wt. % of a fluoropolymer; and (e) from 3 to 25 wt. % of a polymeric impact modifier. A method of making the composition and an article comprising the thermoplastic composition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
    Inventors: Mark van der Mee, Josephus Gerardus M. van Gisbergen
  • Publication number: 20120184661
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, (a) from 10 to 80 wt. % of a polybutylene terephthalate; (b) from 10 to 80 wt. % of a copolyestercarbonate having a number average molecular weight of more than 21,500 Daltons; (c) from 7 to 30 wt. % of a particulate filler; (d) from 0.1 to 10 wt. % of a fluoropolymer; and (e) from 3 to 25 wt. % of a polymeric impact modifier. A method of making the composition and an article comprising the thermoplastic composition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
    Inventors: Mark van der Mee, Josephus Gerardus M. van Gisbergen
  • Patent number: 8221661
    Abstract: The invention relates to the building material industry and to the use of labor saving tools of industrial continuous and batch brick kilns. Said invention makes it possible to develop a process for producing large-sized clay ceramic products consisting in carrying out rapid and high-quality baking and to accelerate a construction process. The inventive method for producing a clay house or another clay construction consists in forming, during construction, through and blind voids in a wall and a ceiling in such a way that they are closed with a noncombustible material from outside, in covering window and door apertures in the ready clay construction with a noncombustible material, and in baking the construction to a ceramic state in such a way that hot gas penetrates into the voids and that the body of the product is uniformly heated. During baking the construction is used in the form of a furnace (combustion chamber).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Konstantin Igorevich Mechkovsky
  • Publication number: 20120164425
    Abstract: A thermoplastic extruded foam sheet having a thickness in the range from 15 mm to 200 mm and cells having an average cell size in the range from 20 to 2000 ?m, wherein the cell membranes have a fibrous structure with fiber diameters below 1500 nm is useful for example as insulating material, especially in the building construction industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Holger Ruckdäschel, Jens Aßmann, Carsten Schips, Klaus Hahn, Georg Gräßel, Jürgen Lambert, Christof Zylla, Peter Merkel, Geert Janssens
  • Publication number: 20120149795
    Abstract: The invention relates to polyurethane foams with incorporated phase change material, especially for reinforcing the back of deep-drawn films and components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Stephan Schleiermacher, Heike Niederelz
  • Patent number: 8196755
    Abstract: A process for the production of a composite membrane, one or more microporous separation layers comprising a zeolite of the MFI type being produced by hydrothermal synthesis on a porous substrate, wherein one or more additives from the group consisting of linear (C1-C4)-alcohols, ammonia, primary, secondary and tertiary amines having in each case (C1-C4)-alkyl radicals, (C1-C4)-aminoalcohols and (C3-C4)-ketones are added to the synthesis solution for the hydrothermal synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Armin Diefenbacher, Hartwig Voss, Gunter Schuch, Manfred Noack, Ingolf Voigt, Hannes Richter, Juergen Caro
  • Patent number: 8187514
    Abstract: A bowl-shaped container (10a) which is as a biodegradable molded article adheres a coating film (12) mainly made of biodegradable plastic and having at least hydrophobicity to the surface of the main body (11a) of the container mainly made of starch. The main body (11a) is molded through steam expansion of a slurry or dough molding material containing high-amylose starch and water, or a slurry or dough molding material containing starch, polyvinyl alcohol and water. For these reasons, it is possible to accomplish sufficient strength and at least sufficient water resistance, to exert a very excellent biodegradability and further to provide a biodegradable molded article having excellent moisture absorption strength mainly made of starch even if the biodegradable molded article has a complicated shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Nissei Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Ozasa, Akihisa Hashimoto, Shinji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120128909
    Abstract: In order to produce molded foam parts from foam systems, such as soft, semi-hard and integral foam, foaming molds are typically used, which are produced from different base materials, depending on the intended purpose and required output or service life. Molds for producing molded foam parts are produced from steel or aluminum. A negative or undesirable property during the production of molded foam parts is that the foam adheres to the foaming molds and can often only be removed mechanically. In order to prevent this, the invention proposes a mold insert for a molded part mold, comprising a cavity, wherein the mold insert can be arranged on the molded part mold such that a volume-reduced cavity is formed in the arranged state and the mold insert contributes to creating the shape of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Otto Wiesmayer
  • Patent number: 8177978
    Abstract: An interfacial polymerization process (IFP) for preparing a highly permeable TFC RO membrane by contacting on a porous support membrane for IFP, a polyfunctional acyl halide monomer and a polyamine monomer and recovering a highly permeable thin film (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membrane. At least one of solutions may contain nanoparticle additives which may release ions into solution and at least one of the solutions may contain additional ions from a second additive. The presence of the nanoparticle additives during IFP may increase the hydrophilicity and/or permeability of the recovered membrane compared to a control membrane. The presence of the additional ions from the second additive may also increase the permeability of the recovered membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: NanoH20, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Kurth, Jeffrey Alan Koehler, Meijuan Zhou, Brett Anderson Holmberg, Robert Leon Burk
  • Publication number: 20120115049
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an air cathode having a porous membrane with at least one hydrophobic surface that contacts a conductive catalytic film that comprises single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) where the nanotubes are in intimate electrical contact. The conductive film can include fullerenes, metals, metal alloys, metal oxides, or electroactive polymers in addition to the SWNTs. In other embodiments of the invention the air cathode is a component of a metal-air battery or a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Gabriel Rinzler, Rajib Kumar Das, John R. Reynolds, Ryan M. Walczak
  • Patent number: 8168114
    Abstract: A process for producing cellular thermoplastic articles. The process comprises the steps of treating a solid parison made from a thermoplastic material with a saturating gas at an elevated pressure for a period of time to provide a gas-saturated parison; heating the gas-saturated parison to prepare a cellular parison; placing the cellular parison in a mold; and blowing a molding gas into the cellular parison to expand the cellular parison into the shape of the mold to provide a shaped cellular article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Vipin Kumar, Krishna Nadella, Michael Waggoner
  • Patent number: 8168096
    Abstract: A process for producing polystyrene foam particles having a bulk density in the range from 40 to 400 g/l by extrusion of a polystyrene melt comprising carbon dioxide and/or water as blowing agent through a nozzle and underwater pelletization, wherein the underwater pelletization is carried out at a pressure in the range 1-30 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Markus Allmendinger, Klaus Hahn, Joachim Ruch