Means Making Particulate Material Directly From Liquid Or Molten Material Patents (Class 425/6)
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Patent number: 6551532Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming particles of a substance, comprising the step of introducing into a mixing chamber (8), in which the temperature and pressure are controlled, a fluid gas (4) and at least one vehicle system (1) comprising at least one substance in solution or suspension such that droplet formation and extraction of the vehicle occur substantially simultaneously by the action of the fluid gas (4). Turbulence is induced in at least one of said fluid gas (4) and said vehicle system (1) so as to create a controlled disorder in the flow of the at least one of the fluid gas (4) or the vehicle system (1) in order to control the particle formation in said mixing chamber (8), said controlled disorder being created by at least one flow perturbation means (11).Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: AstraZeneca ABInventors: Catherine Boissier, Håkan Glad
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Patent number: 6533563Abstract: Method for making polymer particulates, such as spherical powder and whiskers, by melting a polymer material under conditions to avoid thermal degradation of the polymer material, atomizing the melt using gas jet means in a manner to form atomized droplets, and cooling the droplets to form polymer particulates, which are collected for further processing. Atomization parameters can be controlled to produce polymer particulates with controlled particle shape, particle size, and particle size distribution. For example, atomization parameters can be controlled to produce spherical polymer powders, polymer whiskers, and combinations of spherical powders and whiskers. Atomizing apparatus also is provided for atoomizing polymer and metallic materials.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Joshua U. Otaigbe, Jon M. McAvoy, Iver E. Anderson, Jason Ting, Jia Mi, Robert Terpstra
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Publication number: 20030044481Abstract: An improved working die and method of producing it are disclosed wherein a die blank presents a relatively smooth surface and has ceramic material molded on its smooth surface in a configuration corresponding to the design of the product to be cut or formed by the die.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventor: Wallace J. Beaudry
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Patent number: 6499979Abstract: Disclosed is a pelletizer vessel and a prilling head assembly for use in the pelletizer vessel for prilling a hard resid material. The pellitizer vessel has an has an upright pelletizing vessel with an upper prilling zone, a sphere-forming zone below the prilling zone, a cooling zone below the sphere-forming zone, a bath below the cooling zone, and a prilling head in the prilling zone rotatable along a vertical axis and having a plurality of discharge orifices for throwing molten material radially outwardly. A vertical height of the sphere-forming zone is sufficient to allow material discharged from the prilling head to form substantially spherical liquid pellets. Nozzles are provided for spraying water inwardly into the cooling zone to cool and at least partially solidify the liquid pellets to be collected in the bath.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.Inventors: Aldrich Holt Northup, Jr., Cameron O. Olson, Robert A. Robinson, Murugesan Subramanian, Chris W. Taylor, Jon C. Moretta
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Publication number: 20020182279Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for pelletizing polycarbonate oligomers and polymers. A heated pressurizable cylinder holds aggregate polycarbonate oligomers or polymers which becomes a melt. The bottom of the cylinder is connected to a distributor plenum having nozzles. A funneling device receives the polymer droplets that emerge from the plenum and channels them into a container that has a screen on the top that collects the product pellets. Finally, a blowing agent, such as phenol, can be added to the melt to impart small voids in the product pellets.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventor: James Day
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Publication number: 20020182280Abstract: Disclosed is a pelletizer vessel and a prilling head assembly for use in the pelletizer vessel for prilling a hard resid material. The pellitizer vessel has an has an upright pelletizing vessel with an upper prilling zone, a sphere-forming zone below the prilling zone, a cooling zone below the sphere-forming zone, a bath below the cooling zone, and a prilling head in the prilling zone rotatable along a vertical axis and having a plurality of discharge orifices for throwing molten material radially outwardly. A vertical height of the sphere-forming zone is sufficient to allow material discharged from the prilling head to form substantially spherical liquid pellets. Nozzles are provided for spraying water inwardly into the cooling zone to cool and at least partially solidify the liquid pellets to be collected in the bath.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Aldrich Holt Northup, Cameron O. Olson, Robert A. Robinson, Murugesan Subramanian, Chris W. Taylor, John C. Moretta
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Patent number: 6475524Abstract: The invention provides a process for crystallization of amorphous and/or meta-stable crystalline regions of preformed particles by treating the particles with a supercritical or subcritical fluid containing an anti-solvent and a solvent. The invention further provides formulations comprising particles produced according to the present process containing one or more pharmacologically active substances and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, use of said formulations in the treatment of an allergic and/or inflammatory condition of the nose or lungs and methods for treatment of such conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: AstraZeneca ABInventors: Mikael Bisrat, Saeed Moshashaee, Håkan Nyqvist, Mustafa Demirbüker
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Publication number: 20020140118Abstract: A method and device for generating solid particles using focused acoustic energy are provided. A solution of a compound of interest is provided in a solvent, which may be an aqueous fluid, a nonaqueous fluid, or a supercritical fluid. Focused acoustic energy is used to eject a droplet of the solution, which is then directed into or through an antisolvent that upon admixture with the solution droplet causes the compound in the droplet to precipitate. In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is an aqueous or organic liquid, and the antisolvent is a supercritical fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: David Soong-Hua Lee
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Patent number: 6458297Abstract: Method for producing pressure die-cast or injection moulded articles having a unit for producing salt grains, a press for forming salt filler cores by compressing the said salt grains, a pressure die-casting machine for making the said articles by injecting a material in the liquid state into a mould having at least one salt filler core, and a salt removal and washing unit designed to remove the salt filler cores that have been trapped within the said articles; the said unit for producing salt grains being designed to atomize a saline solution which is supersaturated with salt into a plurality of drops so as subsequently to cause the salt present in solution/suspension in each drop of solution to solidify into a corresponding salt grain.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1998Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.Inventor: Renzo Moschini
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Publication number: 20020130430Abstract: This invention is for an improved process to formulate polymeric microspheres/nanospheres and encapsulate therapeutic proteins and other useful substances. Non-toxic supercritical or near-critical fluids with/without polar cosolvents are utilized to solubilize biodegradable polymers and form uniform polymer microspheres and nanospheres to encapsulate proteins with controlled-release characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventor: Trevor Percival Castor
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Publication number: 20020125591Abstract: A process for producing atomized powder, such as a metal powder, using a recirculating atomization gas, such as helium, and the apparatus used for producing the atomized powderType: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2000Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Scot Eric Jaynes, Lawrence Edward Schottke, James Joseph Volk, Robert Bruce Davis
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Publication number: 20020127291Abstract: Fibers of improved quality can be produced with a reduced energy input in a device for producing synthetic fiber materials which has a polymer melt feed leading to a rotating hollow reactor (1), the wall of which can be heated and which widens conically in order to guide a film melt toward an open side that can be closed with a lid (13), and which has ribs (4) for dividing the melt film into fibers that grow rigid after leaving the hollow reactor (1); and said improved quality call be achieved specifically in that the hollow reactor (1) is vertically oriented and exhibits a continuously curved inner wall and at the curved upper side exhibits an opening (3) for introducing the polymer melt, and in that a rotating distributor plate (12) is positioned opposite the opening (3), at a slight distance from the inner wall of the hollow reactor (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Gennady Volokitin, Viktor Gapeev, Serguey Zolov
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Publication number: 20020119310Abstract: A process and apparatus for making densified glass fiber pellets substantially encapsulated in a polymeric shell from chopped segments of multi-filament glass strand is described. The densified pellets may be advantageously produced by hydrating chopped glass strands and then pelletizing them by tumbling in a rotary drum, densifying the resulting pellets by tumbling in a rotating zig-zag or undulating tube, drying the pellets and encapsulating them in a polymeric composition. The resulting pellets exhibit enhanced degradation resistance during bulk storage and handling.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Michael A. Strait, Homer G. Hill, Robert A. Schweizer, Stephen Seng, Leonard J. Adzima
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Patent number: 6435079Abstract: A machine for preparing food products, for example lasagne, comprising a feeder which is suitable to take a plurality of lines of product and to feed each line to a respective product conveyor; each line comprises product distribution units suitable to distribute the product in respective containers fed by a conveyance device. The product conveyors extend parallel to each other and one above the other and have different lengths, each product conveyor having a delivery end at a distribution station which is suitable to deposit the product, which arrives from the respective product conveyor, in a container which is supplied to the distribution station by the conveyance device.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: G. Mondini S.p.A.Inventor: Giovanni Mondini
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Patent number: 6432330Abstract: A system and method for making very small (e.g., 1 millimeter diameter) spherical shaped devices is disclosed. The system includes a supply system for providing predetermined amounts of raw material into a chamber, which is used for melting the raw material. The melted raw material is then provided to a dropper for measuring predetermined amounts of the melted raw material (droplets) and releasing the droplets into a drop tube, where they are cooled and solidified into spherical shaped silicon devices. The system includes a container of silicon powder in which the solidified spherical shaped devices are received from the drop tube, the container including a stirring mechanism for agitating the silicon powder. The system also includes a separating device for separating the powder from the solidified spherical shaped devices after the devices have been received into the container.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Ball Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Murali Hanabe, Nainesh J. Patel
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Publication number: 20020084877Abstract: A bi-chromal ball production apparatus and method where the bi-chromal ball material is fed from opposite sides of the disk, reconfiguring the internal geometry of the apparatus, and precisely configuring the bi-chromal ball material feeding slit. The bi-chromal ball production apparatus has a disk that rotates, a first supply structure that supplies a first bi-chromal ball material to the disk from a first direction, a second supply structure tube that supplies a second bi-chromal ball material to the disk from a second direction and a motor that rotates the disk. The bi-chromal ball production apparatus includes a first reservoir and a first slit defined by the disk and a top body, a second reservoir and a second slit defined by the disk and a bottom body. An inner surface of each of the first and second reservoir is parabola shaped.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2000Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Dennis Martell, Nicolas K. Sheridan, Joseph M. Crowley, Matthew E. Howard, Michelle Ann Remus
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Patent number: 6398989Abstract: A drop former includes a rotary screen forming an internal chamber into which a flowable chemical is introduced, the chamber being kept at atmospheric pressure. The screen has a thickness in the range of 0.05 to 0.4 mm. As the screen moves, the flowable chemical is caused to impinge against a pressure member disposed within the chamber to create a hydrodynamic force which forces the chemical through openings of the screen, thereby forming drops which are transferred onto a transfer surface. The drops harden into particles on the transfer surface and are subsequently removed therefrom and collected. The screen may be formed of a photochemically etched, or laser-drilled, metallic sheet.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Sandvik Process Systems, Inc.Inventor: Kristen A. Bergstrom
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Publication number: 20020063351Abstract: A system and method for making very small (e.g., 1 millimeter diameter) spherical shaped devices is disclosed. The system includes a supply system for providing predetermined amounts of raw material into a chamber, which is used for melting the raw material. The melted raw material is then provided to a dropper for measuring predetermined amounts of the melted raw material (droplets) and releasing the droplets into a drop tube, where they are cooled and solidified into spherical shaped silicon devices. The system includes a container of silicon powder in which the solidified spherical shaped devices are received from the drop tube, the container including a stirring mechanism for agitating the silicon powder.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2002Publication date: May 30, 2002Applicant: Ball Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Murali Hanabe, Nainesh J. Patel
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Publication number: 20020064572Abstract: A mist of liquid coolant is introduced into the path of atomized, molten, solder droplets. The mist and other conditions within the chamber are engineered to enable the liquid coolant droplets in the mist to contact the surfaces of molten solder droplets and be flash vaporized upon contact, thereby rapidly extracting heat from the molten solder droplets and accelerating cooling and solidification to produce an enhanced solder ball as a product of this process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventor: Gerard R. Minogue
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Publication number: 20020056931Abstract: A method for obtaining urea prills in a prilling tower (1) comprising the step of making a plurality of melt urea droplets to fall from a urea melt distributing device (4) towards an urea prills collecting bottom (6) of the prilling tower, further comprises the step of cooling the collecting bottom (6).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: May 16, 2002Applicant: UREA CASALE S.A.Inventors: Federico Zardi, Domenice Romiti
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Patent number: 6375873Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing stably fine-particle powders. The invention starts from a process for producing stably fine-particle powders in which one or more substances A and one or more substances B are dissolved in supercritical fluids, and the solutions are decompressed along a holdup section. In the process, substances A and B are each dissolved in separate supercritical compressible fluids, and the holdup sections interpenetrate, with the solubility limit of A in the appropriate fluid being exceeded at an earlier time than is the solubility limit of B in the appropriate fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1999Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christian Lockemann, Erik Lüddecke, Dieter Horn
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Patent number: 6361298Abstract: Apparatus for the production of seamless capsules in which capsule forming material passes from a heated carrier fluid to a cooled carrier fluid during formation and solidification of the capsules.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Warner-Lambert CompanyInventors: Jesse J. Kiefer, Blake H. Glenn, Suhas V. Patankar
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Patent number: 6361720Abstract: I have developed an agglomeration process by which granules are formed by the steps of: (a) injecting polymer having sufficient viscoelasticity, and (b) impacting particles on the polymer at the injection point. The present invention is advantageous because it overcomes the problems of previous granulation process and subsequent art processes by having a very low recycle rate and allowing for control of granule size. It is particularly useful for fertilizer granule formation using a ureaform polymer and particles comprised of ammonium sulfate.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Ronald Earl Highsmith
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Publication number: 20010046599Abstract: A method of producing fibers comprises providing a stream of a solidifiable fluid, injecting the stream with a net charge so as to disrupt the stream and allowing the stream to solidify to form fibers. An apparatus for providing a stream of a solidifiable fluid is disclosed, as well as electrostatically formed fibers produced by the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Applicant: Charged Injection CorporationInventor: Arnold J. Kelly
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Patent number: 6319434Abstract: In a process for granulating and disintegrating molten slags, in particular blast furnace slags, with water, a compressed water jet is directed into the slag and the slag is ejected as the jacket of the compressed water jet. The device for carrying out the process comprises a slag vessel for molten slag including an outlet opening for the molten slag, wherein a lance opens into the axis of the slag outlet opening such that the molten slag is ejected by compressed water or vapor introduced through the lance.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: “Holderbank” Financière Glarus AGInventor: Alfred Edlinger
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Publication number: 20010005516Abstract: A die for manufacturing resin pellets capable of processing a die plate easily, and achieving simplification of a construction of heat channels and enhancement of heating efficiency. A die 1 for manufacturing resin pellets provided with a number of nozzle orifices 7 in the outer surface of the die, there are provided a plurality of rows of heat channels 8 which extend in a direction crossing the resin channels 5 in the vicinity of the outer surface of the die and are arranged along the resin channels 5. At least one of an introducing course and a discharging course for a heat medium in the plurality of heat channels 8.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2000Publication date: June 28, 2001Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)Inventors: Yasuo Yoshii, Shinichi Fukumizu, Osamu Ikeda, Nobuhiro Yamasaki, Yoshiaki Nakata
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Publication number: 20010005515Abstract: A pelletizing die for a pelletizer comprises a base body with holes for melt to pass through; the holes are disposed in rows. Allocated to the holes are wearing-protection inserts, having holes which are in alignment with the holes in the base body. The inserts which are disposed to adjoin each other in a row have a chordal surface where they are turned toward an adjoining insert and are provided with at least one surface of an arcuate segment of a cylinder laterally of the chordal surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2000Publication date: June 28, 2001Inventors: Friedrich Schneider, Ulrich Wiesner, Jurgen Bartl
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Patent number: 6162036Abstract: A drop former includes a supply vessel having bottom discharge openings for discharging a free-flowing viscous mass. An endless perforated belt rotates around front and rear guide drums such that a lower run of the belt travels toward the rear guide drum while passing across the discharge openings of the vessel to periodically open those openings and allow drops of the mass to fall onto a cooling conveyor. A collecting space is formed beneath the rear guide drum for collecting residual mass from the belt. A recirculation mechanism recirculates that collected residual mass back to a location adjacent the discharge openings.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Santrade Ltd.Inventor: Reinhard Froeschke
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Patent number: 6162377Abstract: The present invention relates to an atomization apparatus and method for the formation of substantially uniform, at least nearly spherical particles, particularly for the formation of metal particles. The present invention provides an atomization apparatus having a nozzle positioned at the bottom of a cooling chamber. Rayleigh wave instability may be induced by imparting vibrations to a stream of molten material which is released in an upward direction. This produces uniform droplets having an initial velocity sufficient to increase the residence time of the droplets in an inert atmosphere. The parabolic trajectory of the droplets over a 2 m vertical displacement is approximately five times longer than a freefall, thus significantly increasing the cooling time without increasing the cooling chamber height. Further the kinetic energy of each droplet is much lower throughout its trajectory which serves to improve the formation of spherical shaped particles and to lower the impact velocity.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Alberta Research Council Inc.Inventors: Debabrata S. Ghosh, Kristian P. Olsen
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Patent number: 6148641Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing dried, chopped strands from a supply of continuous fiber strands by the direct deposition of wet, chopped strands ejected from a chopping assembly into a drying chamber is disclosed. A transition chute is interposed between the chopping assembly and the drying chamber to guide the chopped strands to pass directly into the drying chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.Inventors: John R. Blough, Jerry B. Noftsger, Ronald L. Hawkins
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Patent number: 6135746Abstract: Prills of ammonium dinitramide (ADN) are prepared by melting this salt with a stabilizer and, by dry nitrogen pressure, injecting the molten salt i an inert, perfluorinated carrier liquid of greater specific gravity which, initially, is above the solidification temperature of the salt. The molten salt and carrier liquid pass together in turbulent flow through a heated conduit in which stationary vanes disperse the salt into droplets. The liquid and salt then pass in turbulent flow through a cooled conduit for solidification of the salt into prills without agglomeration. The prills are then separated from the liquid by flotation and any liquid carried with the prills recycled. The main flow of carrier liquid is pumped through a preheater and then back to the molten salt injector. The cooled conduit is provided with compression refrigeration, the refrigerant passing in parallel flow along the conduit and the compressed refrigerant passing to the preheater before condensation.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Stanley E. Wood, Robert A Weinhardt
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Patent number: 5976428Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating bichromal balls includes a means for fabricating droplets from electrically conductive hardenable liquids. The liquids have different colors. A forward end of the hardenable liquids becomes unstable and breaks up into the droplets. Each droplet includes hemispheres of different colors. An RF signal generator produces electrical pulses which increase the instability of the forward end of the hardenable liquids. A capacitance in the conductive liquids causes current to flow from the signal generator to the hardenable liquids. A diameter of the droplets is reduced to form substantially spherical balls. Each of the balls includes hemispheres of different colors. The bichromal balls are collected.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Edward A. Richley
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Patent number: 5958329Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing nanoparticles at a high rate is provided. The system uses two chambers separated by a narrow duct. Contained within the lower chamber is the source material, preferably heated with an electron gun and fed with a continuous feeder for extended nanoparticle production runs. The upper chamber is used to nucleate the nanoparticles, the nanoparticles formed when the source vapor collides with a gas contained within the upper chamber. Depending upon the desired nanoparticles, the gas within the upper chamber is either inert or reactive. The duct connecting the upper and lower chambers is narrow enough to allow differential pumping of the chambers. Furthermore the vapor stream flowing though the duct at high speed provides a pumping action which helps to maintain the differential pressures within the two chambers. At least a portion of the top surface of the upper chamber is cooled, thus providing a condensation site for the nanoparticles.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: United States Enrichment CorporationInventor: Donald Lee Brown
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Patent number: 5900192Abstract: A bichromal ball includes a first hemisphere. The first hemisphere includes a first pigment having a first color and a first polarity. The first pigment is added to a carrier fluid and polymer mixture during formation of the bichromal ball. A second hemisphere includes a second pigment having a second color and a second polarity. The second pigment is added to the carrier fluid and polymer mixture during formation of the bichromal ball. The carrier fluid and polymer mixture have a lower viscosity than the polymer alone. The carrier fluid is substantially removed after the first and second hemispheres are formed. The polymer is left along with the first and second pigments which form the bichromal ball. A diameter of the bichromal ball is reduced after the carrier fluid is substantially removed.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Edward A. Richley
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Patent number: 5868973Abstract: The disclosure is a more economical process for producing fibrets of superior quality by directing a dope comprising a cellulose derivative and a suitable solvent therefor into a coagulant and exposing it there to a shearing field to coagulate of the dope and form the fibrets. The fibrets, the solvent and the coagulant are then separated off. The suspension formed from the dope and the coagulant is alternately accelerated and decelerated in the shearing field at least once, preferably at least twice. This makes it possible to maintain a high average degree of turbulence over a long distance, so that a dope of high viscosity can be processed. In the apparatus for producing fibrets, the at least one nozzle (46-49) is disposed within a dispersing facility (40) comprising rotor (44) and stator (43, 45) and further comprising at least two sprockets (50-53), of which at least one sprocket (50) is part of the rotor (44) of the dispersing facility (40).Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1997Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignee: Seitz-Filter-Werke FMBHInventors: Heinz-Joachim Muller, Rudiger Leibnitz, Udo Holzki
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Patent number: 5854067Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting hexokinase enzymes in mammalian cells. Specifically provided are proteins that stimulate the production of trehalose-6-phosphate and their respective genes; hexokinase-specific ribozymes and genes encoding such constructs; and agents that competitively reduce hexokinase activity, e.g., by displacing hexokinase from mitochondria, and their respective genes. The latter group of agents includes inactive hexokinases and fragments thereof that retain mitochondrial binding functions and hexokinase-glucokinase chimeras that further substitute glucokinase activity for hexokinase activity. Mammalian cells including such hexokinase inhibitors, methods of making such cells and various in vitro and in vivo methods of using cells with reduced hexokinase activity are also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of texas System, Betagene, Inc.Inventors: Christopher B. Newgard, He-Ping Han, Karl D. Normington
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Patent number: 5851453Abstract: A method for the dewatering of a material layer of paper fibers in a double-screen former, where the sheet weight (oven-dried sheet weight (otro)) is more than 100 g/m.sup.2 and/or the screen circulates with a speed of at least 100 m/min. Two screens are guided at two guide surfaces that, for example, belong to open forming cylinders. In this arrangement forming cylinders of this kind are so dimensioned and positioned that no dewatering elements that contact one of the screens are present between the run-out line of the screens from the first guide surface and the run-in line at the second guide surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1996Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: University of BradfordInventors: Mazen Hanna, Peter York
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Patent number: 5778964Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a solid spherical body of solder having high sphericity and high dimensional accuracy comprising a flat plate having a plurality of holes which penetrate the flat plate opening at its upper and lower surfaces, said upper surface being made of material which is not easily wetted by moltens or semi-molten substances, a space to be filled with said molten or semi-molten substance, a cylinder connected with said space, a piston which can elevate within said cylinder pressing said substance in said space upwards and ejecting it at said upper surface of said flat plate through the plurality of holes and a driving device which can move said piston up and down and the spherical bodies are formed by the action of the surface tension of the substance ejected.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1997Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Nihon Almit Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toranosuke Kawaguchi, Akikazu Maezono
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Patent number: 5766642Abstract: A mechanism for making granulated material from a viscous substance includes a vessel charged with the substance and having a discharge arrangement such as a slit through which the substance can flow onto a cooling surface. A belt disposed above the cooling surface is passed across the slit of the vessel. The belt has openings arranged to periodically come into alignment with the slit to allow the substance to flow therethrough. The belt is a thin metal belt strengthened by sleeves projecting from respective ones of the openings in a direction away from the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1995Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Santrade Ltd.Inventor: Reinhard Froeschke
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Patent number: 5759228Abstract: A nozzle for an electric dispersion reactor includes two coaxial cylindrical bodies, the inner one of the two delivering disperse phase fluid into a continuous phase fluid. A potential difference generated by a voltage source creates a dispersing electric field at the end of the inner electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Warren G. Sisson, Michael T. Harris, Timothy C. Scott, Osman A. Basaran
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Patent number: 5743930Abstract: The apparatus for manufacturing inorganic spherical particles according to the present invention consists of a vertical sphering furnace, a sphering burner disposed at the top of the furnace, a particle outflow pipe through which spherical particles formed in the furnace are drawn out therefrom and an air inflow pipe for introducing air for carrying the spherical particles toward the opening of the particle outflow pipe; wherein the particle outflow pipe and the air inflow pipe are arranged to oppose each other horizontally at a lower position of the furnace. The opening diameter of the particle outflow pipe is designed to be larger than that of the air inflow pipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1997Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Nippon Sanso CorporationInventors: Shinichi Miyake, Takeru Yajima
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Patent number: 5736073Abstract: A process for vapor depositing an evaporant onto a substrate is provided which involves:presenting the substrate to a deposition chamber, wherein the deposition chamber has an operating pressure of from 0.001 Torr to atmospheric pressure and has coupled thereto a carrier gas stream generator and an electron beam gun capable of providing an electron beam at the operating pressure and contains an evaporant source;impinging the evaporant source with the electron beam to generate the evaporant;entraining the evaporant in the carrier gas stream; andcoating the substrate with the carrier gas stream which contains the entrained evaporant, and an apparatus for performing the process.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1996Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: University of Virginia Patent FoundationInventors: Haydn N. G. Wadley, James F. Groves
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Patent number: 5730329Abstract: A drop former comprises a drum assembly including a stationary inner drum and a rotatable outer drum mounted coaxially around the inner drum. The outer drum has holes which periodically become aligned with holes in the inner drum to allow a flowable substance to flow from the inner drum onto a cooling belt traveling beneath the outer drum. In order to redirect into the outer drum, residual portions of the substance which have not fallen off the outer drum, a directing device is disposed around a portion of the circumference of the outer drum. The directing device is mounted on a frame which pivots toward and away from the outer drum. In order to secure the directing device to the drum assembly, a ring is mounted on an end of the inner drum which projects beyond a respective end of the outer drum. The ring, which is rotatable and movable axially relative to the inner drum, carries a radial projection which is received in a recess of the frame when the frame is in an operating position.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1996Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Santrade Ltd.Inventor: Reinhard Froeschke
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Patent number: 5725888Abstract: An apparatus for the large-scale and continuous production of gel beads containing a biocatalyst. The apparatus is a columnar system based on the chemical cross-linking of hydrocolloidal gels that contain and immobilize a biocatalyst, the biocatalyst being a microorganism or an enzyme. Hydrocolloidal gels, such as alginate, carrageenan, and a mixture of bone gelatin and modified alginate, provide immobilization matrices that can be used to entrap and retain the biocatalyst while allowing effective contact with substrates and release of products. Such immobilized biocatalysts are generally formulated into small spheres or beads that have high concentrations of the biocatalyst within the gel matrix.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles D. Scott, Timothy C. Scott, Brian H. Davison
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Patent number: 5722479Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for manufacturing a free standing solid metal part. In the present invention metal droplets are ejected in a nozzleless fashion from a free surface pool of molten metal by applying focused acoustic radiation pressure. The acoustic radiation pressure is produced by high intensity acoustic tone bursts emitted from an acoustic source positioned at the bottom of the pool which directs the acoustic energy at the pool surface. The metal droplets are electrostatically charged so their trajectory can be controlled by electric fields that guide the droplets to predetermined points on a target. The droplets impinge upon the target and solidify with the target material. The accretion of the electrostatically directed solidified droplets forms the free standing metal part.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Richard Oeftering
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Patent number: 5720985Abstract: In order to form separate particles from a flowable mass, the flowable mass is fed through a pipe and extruded through holes formed along a longitudinal axis thereof. The pipe is oscillated by an agitator in a direction transversely of the longitudinal axis to cause the extruded mass to be sheared-off in the form of particles. Stop members can be positioned adjacent respective sides of the pipes to be contacted by the pipe and thereby define change-of-direction points for the pipe during its oscillation. The agitator may include piezoelectric ceramics attached to the stop members.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Santrade Ltd.Inventor: Michel Roche
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Patent number: 5705627Abstract: The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in a sample can be detected and the HPV typed by a method that involves the amplification of HPV DNA sequences by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primers used in the method are consensus primers that can be used to amplify a particular region of the genome of any HPV. The presence of HPV in a sample is indicated by the formation of amplified DNA. The HPV nucleic acid is detected by consensus probes that may be short oligonucleotide probes or long generic probes. The HPV is typed by the use of type-specific DNA probes specific for the amplified region of DNA.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.Inventors: M. Michele Manos, Heidi M. Bauer, Catherine E. Greer, Robert M. Resnick, Yi Ting
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Patent number: 5698142Abstract: A method for the production of finely particulate solid chemical products from a molten stock comprises the steps of: (a) feeding the product, as molten stock, to an elongated treatment space, sealed from the ambient; (b) causing the product to flow as a flowable mass within space, while leaving a free portion of said space above the surface of said mass; (c) maintaining in said space an atmosphere that is non-reactive with said product; (d) subjecting said product to a stirring and mixing action by rotary means; (e) concurrently cooling said product as it proceeds along said space, whereby to solidify it; (f) concurrently detaching any product that adheres to surfaces within said space; and (g) discharging the solidified product, in the form of solid particles, from said elongated treatment space.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Bromine Compounds, Ltd.Inventors: Avi Prager, Moti Veinberg, Baruch Grinbaum, Yehuda Keren, Rafael Shemer, Iulio Bitherfeld, Leonid Zaslavsky
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Patent number: 5665277Abstract: Method and apparatus for making nanoparticles of a material having a diameter of 100 nanometers or less wherein the material to be formed into nanoparticles is evaporated to form a vapor plume therein, a non-reactive entrainment gaseous atmosphere suitable for evaporation conditions is introduced to a first chamber, a gaseous jet is directed through the vapor plume in a direction to carry nanoparticles formed by quenching of the vapor plume through a flow restriction orifice between the first chamber and a second chamber downstream of the first chamber, recirculation of the gaseous jet and nanoparticles entrained therein from the second chamber to the first chamber is substantially prevented to thereby provide a second stage of the gaseous jet downstream of the orifice and substantially isolated from said first chamber for flow to the second chamber, and collecting the nanoparticles from the second stage of said gaseous jet in a collection chamber downstream from the orifice.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Northwestern UniversityInventors: D. Lynn Johnson, Vinayak P. Dravid, Mao-Hua Teng, Jonathon J. Host, Jinha Hwang, Brian R. Elliott
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Patent number: 5628937Abstract: A process for producing solid particles by drying a spray of liquid droplets. The droplets are formed by projecting a liquid formulation as a plurality of jets J (FIG. 6) in such a way that each jet breaks up into droplets of narrow size distribution. Prior to the onset of coalescence the droplets are contacted with a gas flow (G) which is arranged to reduce coalescence by disrupting slip streaming of the droplets and/or accelerating the droplets.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1995Date of Patent: May 13, 1997Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLCInventors: Raymond Oliver, Anthony R. N. Fairclough, Alejandro M. Antonini, Robert J. Munro, Lynn W. Lipscombe