Pore Forming In Situ (e.g., Foaming, Etc.) Patents (Class 264/41)
  • Publication number: 20090127731
    Abstract: A foamed heat insulating material made of paper, starch and a polymer resin, specifically, polypropylene, and methods of manufacturing the same. The method includes providing paper powder, starch, and polypropylene as a major component of the foamed insulating material by setting a weight amount of the starch to be higher than that of the paper powder, setting a weight ratio of the polypropylene not greater than about 50 weight percent (%) of the major component, and the setting of a melt flow rate of the polypropylene to be between about 1 and about 15 g/10 min; and foaming the major component by adding water to the extruder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Shushi Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20090127921
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of cellular polyurethane (PUR) casting elastomers and moulded articles based on 1,5-naphthalenediisocyanate (NDI)-prepolymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventor: Jens Krause
  • Publication number: 20090127730
    Abstract: There are provided a dry aggregate mixture wherein the binder, even when heated, does not evolve unpleasant odor or gas hazardous to human health; a method of foundry molding wherein a space for foundry molding, up to minute portion thereof, can satisfactorily be filled with an aggregate mixture composed of a binder and granular aggregate; and a method of foundry molding wherein the mold used in molding of an aggregate mixture composed of a binder and granular aggregate can retain satisfactory properties even in high humidity. In the method of foundry molding, a mold is formed by the use of a dry mixture obtained by providing an aggregate mixture composed of granular aggregate, a water soluble binder and water and evaporating the water contained in the aggregate mixture through heating, pressure reduction or aeration while mixing so as to effect separation into single granules, or with the addition of a lubricant and a crosslinking agent thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Toshihiko Zenpo, Yusuke Kato, Norihiro Asano, Masahiko Nagasaka, Kazuyuki Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20090130321
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a CO2 capture element comprises providing a mixture of a monomer or monomer blend or a polymer binder, a miscible liquid carrier for the binder and a CO2 sorbent or getter in particle form, forming the mixture into a wet film or membrane, evaporating the liquid carrier to form a film or membrane, and treating the wet film or membrane to form pores in the body of the film or membrane. Also disclosed is a process of forming a CO2 capture element which comprises the steps of applying a mixture including a sorbent material and a polymer to an underlying material; polymerizing the mixture in place on the material; and aminating the polymer-coated material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Ping Liu
  • Patent number: 7528089
    Abstract: The present invention includes a microporous or mesoporous composition of matter in which the composition is formed continuously or semi-continuously in a heated reactor zone, including a rotary calciner or a rotary screw as a means for conveying the synthesis mixture, at a temperature between 200° C. and 500° C. with a residence time less than 24 hours. The reagents are solid and liquid reagents in which the solid reagents have a weight percent between 45% and 98% of the total reagents. The invention also includes a continuous or semi-continuous process for the hydrothermal manufacture of the microporous or mesoporous composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ivy D. Johnson, Kirk D. Schmitt, Steven T. Ragomo, Stephen G. Casmer
  • Publication number: 20090107908
    Abstract: A thermally, heat and chemically stable polyimide asymmetric ultrafiltration membrane, is a porous film or a hollow fiber, having an anisotropic structure a selective surface layer and a substrate, wherein the selective ultraporous surface layer has size of pores 70-800 ? with thickness 0.1-10 mcm and is composed of insoluble rigid-chain aromatic (co)polyimide based on dianhydride of aromatic tetracarbonic acid and aromatic diamine and located on the microporous substrate with thickness 50-250 mcm, and the membrane has water permeability Q=(2-500)·10?4 cm/sec atm and nominal molecular weight cutoff ML=(5-500)·103 g/mol, and method for producing an ultrafiltration membrane as disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Galina A. Polotskaya, Tamara K. Meleshko, Alexandr E. Polotsky, Andrey N. Cherkasov
  • Patent number: 7517482
    Abstract: A method for preparing polymeric membranes is disclosed, which has the following steps: (a) forming a casting solution by dissolving cellulose triacetate (CTA) and polyether-sulfone (PES) in a solvent mixture containing n-methyl pyrroridone (NMP) and hydrogen chloride (HCl); (b) forming a membrane from said casting solution; and (c) recovering said membrane. The method of present invention provides an asymmetrical, microporous, polymeric membrane with a high recovery rate of nucleic acids and desirable bulk and surface properties. Also, the membrane so-produced is useful to the application of material separations by filtration and the like, especially the condensation of nucleic acids from a crude sample by filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Tung-Liang Huang, Ting-Huei Wang, Chun-Wei Lai, Tai-An Lin
  • Publication number: 20090087750
    Abstract: A microporous membrane having a structure in which its pore size distribution curve obtained by mercury intrusion porosimetry has at least two peaks, which is produced by extruding a combination of a diluent or solvent and a polyolefin resin composition comprising (a) from about 74 to about 99% of a first polyethylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 2.5×105 to about 5×105 and a molecular weight distribution of from about 5 to about 100, (b) from about 1 to about 5% of a second polyethylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 5×105 to about 1×106 and a molecular weight distribution of from about 5 to about 100, and (c) from 0 to about 25% of a polypropylene resin having a weight average molecular weight of from about 3×105 to about 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Kotaro Takita, Shintero Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20090079102
    Abstract: A method for producing a microporous polyolefin membrane by extruding a melt blend comprising a polyethylene resin, polypropylene having a mass-average molecular weight of 1×105 or more and an ethylene content of 5% by mass or less, and a membrane-forming solvent through a die, slowly cooling the resultant extrudate to form a gel-like sheet, stretching the gel-like sheet, and removing the above membrane-forming solvent, the slow-cooling speed of the extrudate being 30° C./second or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: TONEN CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kotaro Takita, Kazuhiro Yamada, Norimitsu Kaimai, Teiji Nakamura, Koichi Kono
  • Publication number: 20090075539
    Abstract: Fire-retardant, heat-resistant, smoke-suppressant plastic materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, having incorporated therein an intumescent material are disclosed. The intumescent material comprise and intumescent catalyst selected from the group consisting of salts of phosphoric acid and salts of sulfuric acid; and a carbonific material selected from the group consisting of starches, sugars, sugar alcohols, oils, and plasticizers. The fire-retardant, heat-resistant, smoke-suppressant plastic materials may be in the form of a foamed or non-foamed plastic. Methods of making such plastic materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: TPR2 Vinyl Corporation
    Inventors: Felix A. Dimanshteyn, Richard J. Barone
  • Publication number: 20090075030
    Abstract: A soft and resilient, cold-water dispersible polyurethane foam suitable for disposable personal care products is produced by the combination of corn syrup, glycerin, polyether diamine, PEG, a diisocyanate, water and a catalyst. The formulation and reaction conditions for forming the inventive foam are judiciously selected and carefully controlled to achieve water dispersibility and the desired mechanical properties. The characteristic resiliency, or percent rebound for the foams was generally over 75% and the foams are readily produced as soft foams, exhibiting a relative compression value of from 20% to 150% of that of a commercial polyurethane foam cosmetic pad which is not water dispersible. The foam may be incorporated into webs or stackable products or nestable three-dimensional products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP
    Inventors: Bruce J. Kokko, Lynn M. Daul, Dinesh M. Bhat, Joseph H. Miller
  • Patent number: 7504034
    Abstract: A method of producing a hollow fiber membrane includes discharging a polyvinylidene fluoride solution comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride resin and a poor solvent at a temperature above a phase separation temperature into a cooling bath at a temperature below the phase separation temperature to coagulate the polyvinylidene fluoride resin. The hollow fiber membrane comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride resin having spherical structures that have an average diameter in the range of 0.3 to 30 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shin-Ichi Minegishi, Masahiro Henmi, Toshiyuki Ishizaki, Koichi Dan
  • Publication number: 20090068402
    Abstract: The present invention provides a foamed sheet for a reflector which can be transformed to a reflector having a desired shape by thermoforming. A foamed sheet A for a reflector of the present invention is characterized by being a foamed sheet for a reflector including a polypropylene-based resin foamed sheet 1 which has an average cell diameter of from 50 to 650 ?m and at least one surface which is an uneven surface 12 formed by cells 11 located in the vicinity of the surface, and a polypropylene-based resin non-foamed sheet 3 integrally laminated on the polypropylene-based resin foamed sheet 1 in conformity with the uneven surface 12 and having an uneven surface 31, wherein the foamed sheet A for a reflector contains an inorganic filler in an amount of from 50 to 200 g/m2, the whole or part of the inorganic filler is contained in the polypropylene-based resin foamed sheet 1, a refractive index of an inorganic filler 2 differs by 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Kenichi Yoshida, Masahiro Shindo, Kazutoshi Hitomi, Hiroyuki Tarumoto
  • Patent number: 7501084
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing fabric-reinforced capillary membranes, particularly for ultrafiltration, in which a fabric tube (1) is coated with a polymer solution and is guided through a precipitation bath (6), where the polymer solution is converted into a microporous layer in the precipitation bath (6), and a membrane that is reinforced by the fabric tube is formed. According to the invention, the fabric tube coated with the polymer solution passes through the precipitation bath (6) from top to bottom, without mechanical contact, and exits through a nozzle (7) at the bottom. Liquid flows out of the nozzle (7), which liquid exerts a tensile force stabilizing the course of the coated fabric tube, on the capillary membrane (8) leaving the precipitation bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Vossenkaul, Stefan Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20090053960
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a roof lining for a vehicle and a manufacturing method thereof, and in particular, to the roof lining for a vehicle using a composite material having basalt fibers mixed into a thermoplastic resin as a substrate. The resulting roof lining can be lightweight, have enhanced sound absorbency and increased heat insulating properties. Due to the use of basalt fibers, which do not coat incinerator walls like glass fibers do, the roof lining is more easily recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicants: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mary Dovell, Masato Ishibashi, Yoshihiro Asano
  • Publication number: 20090048360
    Abstract: A process and article for use as a substitute for natural cork. The article has a cork substitute material comprising an expanded polyolefin foam having a density of about between 6.6 lb/ft3 and 12.5 lb/ft3 and a compressive strength of about between 126 Psi and 406 Psi (0.86 MPa and 2.8 MPa) at 25% Strain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Gregg E. Thorne
  • Publication number: 20090042008
    Abstract: A microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a polyethylene resin, and having (a) a shutdown temperature of 135° C. or lower, at which the air permeability measured while heating at a temperature-elevating speed of 5° C./minute reaches 1×105 sec/100 cm3, (b) a maximum melting shrinkage ratio of 40% or less in a transverse direction in a temperature range of 135 to 145° C., which is measured by thermomechanical analysis under a load of 2 gf and at a temperature-elevating speed of 5° C./minute, and (c) a meltdown temperature, at which the air permeability measured while further heating after reaching the above shutdown temperature becomes 1×105 sec/100 cm3 again, being 150° C. or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Tonen Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Kotaro Kimishima, Norimitsu Kaimai
  • Patent number: 7485227
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer films and a polymer membrane having an improved mechanical property profile produced therefrom, to a process for producing them and to their use. The polymer films, polymer membranes and separation membranes of the invention are produced from selected polymer raw materials and have excellent chemical, thermal. and mechanical properties as are required for use as polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) in PEM fuel cells or in apparatuses for the filtration and/or separation of gases and/or liquids or for reverse osmosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Kiefer, Oemer Uensal, Jochen Baurmeister, Frauke Jordt
  • Patent number: 7485233
    Abstract: Polymer-ceramic mixed matrix compositions contain one or more organic polymers and a nano-sized dispersion of inorganic metal oxide particles which are dispersed throughout the composition. Materials have use in making membranes that act as transfer agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Leland Morris Vane, Ravi Prasad Ponangi
  • Patent number: 7479300
    Abstract: A composite polyamide reverse osmosis membrane and method of producing same. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is made by coating a porous polysulfone support with an aqueous solution containing 2 wt % m-phenylenediamine (MPD), and 0.1 wt % di(ethylene glycol) hexyl methyl ether. Next, the excess solution is removed, and the coated support is dipped in 0.1 wt % organic solvent solution of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) in a mixture of alkanes having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms. After draining the TMC solution off, the resulting composite membrane is air dried and then rinsed in a basic aqueous solution. The resultant membrane exhibits a flux of 21.3 gfd and a salt rejection of 98.9% when used at 225 psi for an aqueous solution containing 2000 ppm of NaCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Woongjin Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ja-Young Koo, Sung Pyo Hong, Jong Hwa Lee, Jun Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 7479243
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane of high permeability and novel structure, and also provides a method of producing the same, wherein its average pore size is gradually decreases from at least one membrane surface towards its center. The method of producing the microporous polyolefin membrane comprises the steps of extruding the solution, composed of 10 to 50 weight % of (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing this polyolefin and 50 to 90 weight % of a solvent, into a gel-like formed article and removing the solvent therefrom, wherein a treatment step with a hot solvent is incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Tonen Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiko Funaoka, Kotaro Takita, Norimitsu Kaimai, Shigeaki Kobayashi, Koichi Kono
  • Patent number: 7476636
    Abstract: Mixed matrix composite (MMC) membranes with minimal macrovoids and defects are provided by the current invention. MMC Membranes are needed that have minimal macrovoids and defects, provide consistent and good selectivity and permeability performance, provide the mechanical strength required to withstand high membrane differential pressures, and exhibit sufficient flexibility and can easily be formed into desirable membrane forms. MMC Membranes made from a spinning dope that is stabilized with an electrostabilizing additive, particularly an acid additive, results in membranes, particularly hollow fiber membranes that have minimal macrovoids and defects. Thus, membranes of the current invention are particularly suitable for high trans-membrane pressure applications, particularly for separating oxygen/nitrogen, hydrogen/hydrocarbon, and carbon dioxide/hydrocarbon components of a stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploration des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Sudhir S. Kulkarni, David J. Hasse, Dean W. Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20090007532
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite ceramic body with occluding a plurality of pores that are open at its surface of a porous ceramic body, the method includes the steps of impregnating a polysilazane solution including polysilazane having a repetition structure of fundamental units of at least one of [—Si(H)(CnH2n+1) —NH—] and [—Si(CnH2n+1)2—NH—], and a predetermined organic solvent, into the plurality of pores of the porous ceramic body, and heating the porous ceramic body to convert the polysilazane in the plurality of pores into ceramic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: NORITAKE CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Keita Miyajima, Yasunori Ando
  • Publication number: 20080296794
    Abstract: A pelletizing machine for forming pellets from extruded material includes an extruder having at least one exit port and a body defining a cutting chamber through which high-temperature liquid flows, flooding the cutting chamber. The exit port of the extruder opens into the cutting chamber, which includes a cutting section defining a flow path for liquid through the cutting section. A cutter in the cutting section of the cutting chamber is mounted for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular to the first direction and disposed for cutting the extruded material exiting the exit port into the pellets. The axis of rotation of the cutter is parallel to or coincident with the flow path of the cutting section. A method for forming pellets of thermoplastic material with a foaming agent is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Inteplast Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi An Lin, Ming-Tsai Liang
  • Patent number: 7459121
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for the continuous production of a network of nanotubes or other nanoscale fibers. The method includes making a suspension of nanoscale fibers dispersed in a liquid medium, optionally with surfactant and/or sonication, and filtering the suspension by moving a filter membrane through the suspension, such that the nanoscale fibers are deposited directly on the filter membrane as the fluid medium flows through the filter membrane, thereby forming a continuous membrane of the nanoscale fibers. The deposition of the nanoscale fibers can occur when and where the filter membrane moves into contact with a static, porous filter element or a dynamic, porous filter element. The filtering can be conducted within a magnetic field effective to align the nanoscale fibers, and/or with the aid of vacuum to pull water through the filter membrane, applied pressure to press water though the filter membrane, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Florida State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zhiyong Liang, Ben Wang, Chun Zhang, Jonnattan T. Ugarte, Chih-Yen Lin, James Thagard
  • Patent number: 7459109
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing foam pads includes a first step of preparing a proper amount of PVC power, DOP curing agent, light calcium carbonate, kaolin, foaming agent and pigment and pouring them into a blending device to be blended and form a liquid starchy material. Next, the liquid starchy material is conveyed into an intermediate material barrel and kept stationary for pre-foaming at normal temperature for about 8 hours and then coated on a conveyer pelt to form a starchy material layer. Subsequently, the starchy material layer is kept stationary and heated at 80-90° C. for about 3-10 minutes and then continuously heated at 185-200° C. for about 20-30 minutes to form an integral-sheeted foam pad. After cooled, the integral-sheeted foam pad is thermo-compressed and cut into various foam pad products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: Wen Shan Lin
  • Patent number: 7455799
    Abstract: A production method comprising the step of charging prepolymer, a foaming agent and an active hydrogen-containing compound in specified amounts into a tank and foaming/mixing them for a specified time by a mixer, and the subsequent step of pouring the mixture liquid into a metal mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Seyanagi, Kaoru Inoue
  • Patent number: 7455772
    Abstract: A vinylidene fluoride resin having a weight-average molecular weight as relatively high as 300,000 or higher is mixed with a plasticizer and good solvent for the vinylidene fluoride resin to obtain a composition. A molten extrudate of the composition in a hollow-fiber membrane state is contacted, on its outer side, with a cooling liquid inert to the vinylidene fluoride resin to thereby cool the extrudate. During the solidification, the vinylidene fluoride resin is moderately and mildly crystallized. Thus, a hollow-fiber porous vinylidene fluoride resin membrane is produced which has a high crystallinity represented by an enthalpy of crystal melting 58 J/g or higher. The hollow-fiber porous membrane obtained is excellent in mechanical strength represented by tensile strength and elongation at break and in chemical resistance. It is effectively used as a water microfiltration membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kureha Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tada, Takeo Takahashi, Masayuki Hino, Shingo Taniguchi, Kenichi Suzuki, Toshiya Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20080286549
    Abstract: A method of preparing nanothin polymer films having uniform and selectively sized pores utilizing pore forming templates. Lipids and pore forming templates are dissolved into a first solution. The solvent is removed thereby creating a lipid bilayer with pore forming templates dispersed throughout. The bilayer is hydrated and monomers and crosslinkers are added to create a second solution. A nanothin film with pore forming templates is created through polymerization of said second solution. The pore forming templates are dissolved into a third solution by addition of a chemical in which the pore forming template is soluble, but the lipid bilayer is insoluble. This third solution is separated from the mixture leaving a nanothin polymer film with pores of a uniform thickness and surface area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Evgueni Pinkhassik, Delia Cesara Danila, Larry Todd Banner
  • Patent number: 7449112
    Abstract: A novel polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer membrane is disclosed. The novel polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer membrane of the present invention comprises two different compounds which are crosslinked by irradiating light such as UV or electronic beams or heat treatment to form a covalent bond between double bonds thereby providing improved properties such as chemical resistance and durability. This invention also relates to a process its preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Soo-Bok Lee, Jeong Hoon Kim, In Jun Park, Dong-Kwon Kim, Jong-Wook Ha, Bong-Jun Chang, Kwang-Won Lee, Kwang-Han Kim, Sang-yun Lee, Sang-Man Ahn, Seung-Hak Choi
  • Publication number: 20080274346
    Abstract: Methods for reducing the density of thermoplastic materials and the articles made therefrom having similar or improved mechanical properties to the solid or noncellular material. Also disclosed are improvements to foaming methods and the cellular structures of the foams made therefrom, and methods for altering the impact strength of solid or noncellular thermoplastic materials and the shaping of the materials into useful articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: WASHINGTON, UNIVERSITY OF
    Inventors: Dustin Miller, Vipin Kumar
  • Patent number: 7445712
    Abstract: There is disclosed a membrane formulation having high flux for forward osmosis applications. There is disclosed a forward osmosis filtration membrane having a salt rejection 99+% or greater, and comprising an asymmetric hydrophobic porous backing and cellulosic fibers. The membranes of the present invention find use in a variety of applications including osmotic-driven water purification and filtration, desalination of sea water, purification of contaminated aqueous waste streams, and the like. Specifically, there is disclosed a forward osmosis filtration membrane having a skin layer for salt rejection and a porous scaffold layer having a woven or non-woven mesh embedded within it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hydration Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Herron
  • Patent number: 7429343
    Abstract: Process for producing an integrally asymmetrical hydrophobic polyolefinic membrane with a sponge-like, open-pored, microporous support structure and a separation layer with a denser structure, using a thermally induced liquid-liquid phase separation process. A solution of at least one polyolefin is extruded to form a shaped object. The solvent used is one for which the demixing temperature of a solution of 25% by weight of the polyolefin in this solvent is 10 to 70° C. above the solidification temperature. After leaving the die, the shaped object is cooled using a liquid cooling medium that does not dissolve the polymer up to the die temperature, until the phase separation and solidification of the high-polymer-content phase take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Membrana GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Kessler, Thomas Batzilla, Friedbert Wechs, Frank Wiese
  • Publication number: 20080220674
    Abstract: An environment protective multi-color pad and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing and smoothening a middle net fabric and continuously outputting the middle net fabric; (b) coating environment protective soft materials on the smoothened middle net fabric according to at least one predetermined pattern through a plurality of material dispenser/flow control systems, which is for controlling the environment protective soft materials having different hues and disposed on at least one side of the middle net fabric; and (c) providing a predetermined high-temperature to the middle net fabric coated with the environment protective soft materials, wherein the predetermined high-temperature enables the environment protective soft materials to foam so that the environment protective multi-color pad having more than two colors is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Su-Tuan Hsu Tang
  • Patent number: 7422686
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of cellulose hydrate ultrafiltration membranes having improved filtration performance and the ultrafiltration membranes produced by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Nussbaumer, Hans-Heinrich Hörl
  • Publication number: 20080214686
    Abstract: A process for producing a zeolite membrane comprising a seed crystal forming step of placing, in a pressure-resistant vessel, a seeding sol containing silica, water and a structure-directing agent and a support in a state that the support is immersed in the seeding sol and heating the heat-resistant vessel to form a zeolite seed crystal on the surface of the support, and a membrane formation step of allowing the zeolite seed crystal to grow to form a zeolite membrane on the surface of the support. In the seed crystal forming step, the molar ratio of water/silica in the seeding sol is set 10 to 50 and the heating of the pressure-resistant vessel is conducted at 90 to 130° C. The crystal c-axis of the present zeolite membrane is oriented in a direction vertical to the surface of the support and its thickness is uniform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji SUZUKI, Shinji NAKAMURA, Miyuki YABUKI, Toshihiro TOMITA
  • Patent number: 7410065
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane for the separation of material mixtures by the principle of vapor permeation or pervaporation, in particular for the dewatering of organic solvents, comprising at least one support layer and at least one material-selective separation layer located thereon, and a method for production of such a membrane. The material-selective separating layer is made from polyvinyl alcohol, containing at least one metallic element and/or a derivative thereof. The method includes the addition of polyvinyl alcohol to a solvent, adding an organometallic compound to the solvent/polyvinyl alcohol mixture, and then applying the solvent/polyvinyl alcohol/organometallic compound mixture to the support layer as the material-selective separating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
    Inventors: Katrin Ebert, Bastian Ruffmann, Joachim Koll, Axel Wenzlaff
  • Patent number: 7407609
    Abstract: Membranes comprising an aromatic ether ketone polymer (e.g. polyetherketone) in sheet or hollow fibre form are made by preparing at least a 12 wt % solution of the polymer in a solvent which is chemically inert to the polymer (e.g. concentrated sulphuric acid); forming a film of the solution in sheet or hollow form; and contacting the film with a non-solvent (e.g. more dilute sulphuric acid or acetic acid) thereby to precipitate the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Victrex Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: Philip J. Brown
  • Publication number: 20080179248
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making porous cross-linked cellulose membranes and processes for coupling a chromatography ligand to cross-linked cellulose membranes. The invention provides methods for separating a first component from a second component in a solution based upon a difference in the size of the first and second components, and methods for separating target molecules from other components in a solution comprising use of membranes obtainable by the process of the invention. The method has particular utility in separating proteins from cell lysates and cultures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB
    Inventors: Andreas Axen, Anders Hagvall, Anders Larsson, Nicolas Thevenin
  • Publication number: 20080179774
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a forming device for producing a bar of synthetic material, for example of expansible plastic material, intended for the production of synthetic caps. The device comprises a first chain of half-moulds and a second chain of half-moulds that couple along the common portion of an annular path. The half-mould is delimited by a front face and by a back face and the half space inside the half-mould is free from projections and/or grooves between the faces. The forming device allows producing a bar of constant diameter of expansible material, then cut for producing synthetic caps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Capuzzi System S.r.l.
    Inventor: Claudio Capuzzi
  • Publication number: 20080168900
    Abstract: Membrane, methods of making membranes, and methods of separating gases using membranes are provided. The membranes can include at least one hydrophilic polymer, at least one cross-linking agent, at least one base, and at least one amino compound. The methods of separating gases using membranes can include contacting a gas stream containing at least one of CO2, H2S, and HCl with one side of a nonporous and at least one of CO2, H2S, and HCl selectively permeable membrane such that at least one of CO2, H2S, and HCl is selectively transported through the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventor: W.S. Winston Ho
  • Patent number: 7393878
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reducing monomer loss during curing of a high internal phase emulsion. The method has the steps of: forming a water-in-oil emulsion, curing the monomer component in the emulsion in a saturated steam environment, and forming a saturated polymeric foam material. The water-in-oil emulsion has an aqueous phase and an oil phase comprising a monomer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Allen Desmarais, Mark Lewis Agerton, Paul Martin Lipic, Daniel Joseph Valerio
  • Publication number: 20080146129
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fast break-in polishing pad, which chemically and/or physically allows for a high rate of absorption of water and/or chemical slurry by decreasing the maximum absorption distance into the pad. In a preferred embodiment, this decrease in distance is achieved by forming a plurality of holes in the pad. In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the hole edges is no greater than twice the pad thickness. In other exemplary embodiments, the maximum distance can be decreased by applying a chemical foaming agent to the open-air mix while in the liquid phase. In another exemplary embodiment, the maximum distance can be decreased by including the addition of a cell-opening surfactant applied to the open-air mix while in the liquid phase. In another exemplary embodiment, the maximum distance can be decreased by directly injecting microbubbles into the open-air mix while in the liquid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Makoto Kouzuma, Scott B. Daskiewich, Peter Renteln
  • Patent number: 7384552
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can, because of its excellent chemical and thermal properties, be used in a variety of ways and is particularly useful as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) to produce membrane electrode units for PEM fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH
    Inventors: Gordon Calundann, Michael J. Sansone, Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20080128937
    Abstract: This invention relates to foamed structures prepared from a polyethylene having a high density, high melt index and narrow molecular weight distribution. In general, it is very difficult to prepare uniform foams from this particular type of polyethylene. We have discovered that the use of a nucleating agent mitigates this problem, particularly in a combined rotomolding/foaming process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: XiaoChuan Wang
  • Publication number: 20080128932
    Abstract: Methods of forming supple tissue dressing assemblies from hydrophilic polymer sponge structures, such as chitosan, by uniformly cooling the sponge structure and freezer from above freezing to below freezing. The supple tissue dressing assemblies are characterized by suppleness or multi-dimensional flexibility. The assemblies can be flexed, bent, folded, twisted, and even rolled upon itself before and during use, without creasing, cracking, fracturing, otherwise compromising the integrity and mechanical and/or therapeutic characteristics of the assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Lance David Hopman, Clinton Boyd Pepper, Michael S. Radovan, Simon J. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20080114087
    Abstract: Hydrophobic, asymmetric membranes are formed integrally from elastomeric polymers. The membranes have a dense, discriminating layer and a thick, porous support layer and require not other support. The membranes of the invention provide an economic advantage over prior art composite membranes used for separating target organics from a mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Subhas K. Sikdar, John O. Burckle, Binay K. Dutta, Alberto Figoli, Enrico Drioli
  • Patent number: 7364659
    Abstract: A porous polyethylene hollow fiber membrane having a pore-size gradient across the inner and outer surfaces thereof is prepared by introducing, during the cooling step of a melt-spun polyethylene hollow fiber, a nitrogen flow and a solvent having a boiling point in the range of 30 to 80° C. to the inner and outer surfaces of the melt-spun hollow fiber, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: KMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moon-Seog Jang, Sung-Soo Kim, Myung-Nam Han, Jin-Ho Kim, Min-Soo Park
  • Patent number: 7351338
    Abstract: There is provided a porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin which has pores of appropriate size and distribution and also excellent mechanical strength represented by tensile strength and elongation at break and is useful as a microfiltration membrane or a separator for batteries. The porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin is characterized by the presence in mixture of a crystalline oriented portion and a crystalline non-oriented portion as confirmed by X-ray diffraction, and is produced by subjecting a melt-extruded composition obtained by mixing a vinylidene fluoride resin having a molecular weight distribution which is appropriately broad and high as a whole with a plasticizer and a good solvent for vinylidene fluoride resin, to cooling for solidification from one surface, extraction of the plasticizer and stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kureha Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tada, Takeo Takahashi, Toshiya Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7344750
    Abstract: An electrophoretic display device includes a display layer comprised of a binder having a multiplicity of individual cavities therein that contain a display medium, and conductive substrates, at least one of the conductive substrates being transparent, wherein the display layer is located in between the conductive substrates, and wherein the display medium comprises one or more set of colored particles in a dielectric fluid and has an electrical conductivity of about 10?11 to about 10?15 S/m. The display device may be made by forming composite particles comprised of a sacrificial binder and the one or more set of particles of the display medium; mixing the composite particles with the binder to form a mixture; forming a layer from the mixture; removing the sacrificial binder from the composite particles in the layer to form cavities in the layer that contain the one or more set of colored particles; and filling the cavities with the dielectric fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Naveen Chopra, San-Ming Yang, Ahmed Abd Alzamly, Peter M. Kazmaier, Man-Chung Tam
  • Patent number: 5051646
    Abstract: In a scanning device producing an image from data obtained from a nonlinear piezoelectric scanner having an attached end and a free end providing the data from a lateral scanning motion of the free end a distance about a center position as a result of the connection of a changing scan voltage to elecrodes carried by the piezoelectric scanner, a method of making the scanning motion of the free end linear with time and increasing the speed at which the data is provided for producing the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Digital Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil B. Elings, John A. Gurley