By Means Applying Fluid Jet Or Blast To Unconfined Liquid Material Patents (Class 425/7)
  • Patent number: 8197729
    Abstract: A granulator, having a granulation unit having a bottom floor with a perforated plate as its bottom part; an upper air-supplying pipe for supplying a fluidizing air to the bottom floor of the granulation unit; a lower air-supplying pipe; air-spouting pipes, each of which is branched from the lower air-supplying pipe, and has an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, for jetting the air into the granulation unit; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid, which each are provided in the center of an air outlet of the air-spouting pipe, or a granulator, having: the bottom floor; the air-supplying pipe; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid each of which are provided in an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, and use a high-pressure atomizing air as an auxiliary gas, wherein, in each granulator, the spray nozzles are provided in a triangular arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kojima, Takahiro Yanagawa
  • Publication number: 20120091606
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fine polymer including: generating superheated steam by a superheated steam generating unit (101); adjusting the pressure of the generated superheated steam by a pressure adjusting unit (102); receiving a polymer by a reception unit (103); heating the received polymer to a predetermined temperature by a heating unit (104); discharging the heated polymer through a first discharge port (111); and discharging the superheated steam through a second discharge port (121) at the same time as the time when the heated polymer is discharged. Here, the second discharge port (121) surrounds the first discharge port (111), and the first discharge port (111) and the second discharge port (121) face the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro TAKAHASHI, Mikio Takezawa, Yoshiaki Tominaga, Takahiro Kurokawa, Hiroto Sumida, Kazunori Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120018913
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for converting molten sulfur to powder sulfur by gas cooling of atomized sprays of molten sulfur. Certain embodiments contemplate a vertical tower that allows molten sulfur to produce an atomized spray or mist of molten sulfur descending from the top of the vertical tower. Gas introduced to the bottom of the vertical tower flows upward intimately interfacing with the descending atomized molten sulfur spray. The molten sulfur in the form of an atomized sulfur spray is cooled by the gas to form a sulfur powder. In certain embodiments, the sulfur powder formed is sufficiently small to be suitable for combination with a base fluid for producing a slurry for convenient transport of the sulfur particulates. Advantages of certain embodiments include higher efficiencies, lower cost, and production of much smaller solid sulfur average particulate sizes, which in turn allows for easier sulfur transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael E. Vienot, Lee Chin, Riley B. Needham
  • Patent number: 8079838
    Abstract: A particle generator is able to generate pure particles for solid or liquid materials with melting points over several hundred degrees Celsius. The material is heated to generate the vapor in a small chamber. Heated nitrogen or some inert gas is used as the carry gas to bring the mixture into a dilution system. As the super saturation ratio of the material is large enough and over a critical value, particles are formed in the dilution system by homogenous nucleation, and grown in the same dilution system as well. The different size distributions and concentrations of the particles can be obtained by varying dilution parameters, such as residence time and dilution ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventor: Qiang Wei
  • Patent number: 8070466
    Abstract: In a seamless capsule manufacturing apparatus that ejects a droplet from a nozzle into hardening liquid to manufacture a seamless capsule SC, tube passages which are synthetic resin tubes are provided as flexible sections between pumps and the nozzle. The vibration caused by the pumps is absorbed in the flexible sections and thus is not transmitted to the nozzle, whereby eyes or the like of the seamless capsule caused by vibration noises can be suppressed. Instead of a synthetic resin tube, a vibration absorbing block formed of an elastic member may be attached to the tube passages. Alternatively, a vibration absorbing unit, which is provided with a pad formed of an elastic member and for holding the tube passages, may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Freund Corporation
    Inventors: Narimichi Takei, Hiroshi Nagao
  • Publication number: 20110293763
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing finely powdered spherical magnesium includes a gas compressor that compresses argon gas, a gas heating unit that heats the compressed argon gas, and a tundish that receives molten magnesium. The device further includes a reactor having a nozzle injection unit that injects heated argon gas into the reactor, a recovery unit that recovers magnesium powder produced in the reactor, and a first gas cooler that cools the argon gas passing through the recovery unit. The device further includes a filtering unit that filters the cooled argon gas, a buffer tank that receives the filtered argon gas, and a compression blower that adiabatically compresses the argon gas. The device further includes a second gas cooler that cools the compressed argon gas, an adiabatic expansion duct that adiabatically expands the cooled argon gas, supplies the expanded argon gas to the reactor, and cools the magnesium powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Kyu Yeub Yeon
  • Publication number: 20110280944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to assembly of peptide amphiphiles and biopolymers into fibrous microcapsules, and uses thereof. In particular, the present invention provides devices, compositions, and methods for interfacial self-assembly of peptide amphiphiles and biopolyments into fibrous microcapsules, and uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Samuel Stupp, Dorota Rozkiewicz
  • Publication number: 20110256250
    Abstract: A process for producing metallic ultra-fine powder, which can use a raw material which is spread over a wide range, and control freely the grain size of the metallic powder to be produced, at low cost and high safety. The process for producing the metallic ultra fine powder consists of using a burner and a furnace which can generate a high temperature reductive atmosphere, and an apparatus for separating gas which is generated in the furnace from powder to recover the powder. The burner has a function of blowing a powdery metallic compound as a raw material into a high temperature reductive flame. The raw material powder is efficiently heated in airflow of a high temperature reductive flame, thereby being reduced rapidly into metallic ultra-fine powder. At this time, the grain size of the metallic ultra-fine powder is controlled by adjusting the oxygen ratio (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: TAIYO NIPPON SANSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Igarashi, Takayuki Matsumura, Shinichi Miyake
  • Patent number: 8011912
    Abstract: A positionable gas nozzle assembly for injecting and directing pressurized air or other gas having an inert nature into a pellet slurry so as to increase the velocity of the slurry from a pelletizer to and through a dryer. The variably positionable nozzle can be inserted, retracted and/or intermediately positioned to facilitate start-up of the pelletization process, reduce or eliminate pellet hang-up points, maximize and optimize the velocity of the pellet slurry throughput, and to adjust the aspiration level of the pellet slurry such that the internal heat of the pellets is retained for improved degrees of crystallization and/or drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Mann, Charles W. Simmons, Robert A. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20110209577
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for granulating a metal melt. The apparatus substantially comprises a round water tank, into which water is injected in a tangential direction with the aid of a number of nozzles, so that the water in the tank rotates and forms a parabolic surface. The nozzles are arranged such that they are distributed in height and around the circumference of the tank wall. The uppermost nozzle is located in the region of the surface of the water and produces a stream of water or fan of water lying in the surface of the water. For granulating a metal melt, it is poured continuously from a melting crucible into the stream of water or fan of water of the uppermost nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Veit Koenig, Andreas Huber, Bernd Amend
  • Patent number: 7985058
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making substantially uniformly sized liposomes and other small particles are provided. Droplets of a first liquid are ejected into a laminar flow of a second liquid, each droplet having a volume of from 0.97V to 1.03V, where V is the mean droplet volume and 1 fL?V?50 nL, wherein the first and second liquids are no more than sparingly soluble in one another, and wherein the first liquid contains a solute dissolved, dispersed, or suspended therein; and the first liquid is then removed to form a plurality of substantially uniformly sized particles. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes liquid inlet and outlet channels, a plurality of transverse liquid channels extending from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet channel, a plurality of nozzles in liquid flow communication with the plurality of transverse liquid channels, one or more nozzle actuators coupled to the plurality of nozzles, and an evaporator coupled to the liquid outlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Gray
  • Publication number: 20110171335
    Abstract: An improved electroblowing process is provided for forming a fibrous web of nanofibers wherein polymer stream is issued from a spinning nozzle in a spinneret with the aid of a forwarding gas stream, passes an electrode and a resulting nanofiber web is collected on a collector. The process includes applying a high voltage to the electrode and grounding the spinneret such that an electric field is generated between the spinneret and the electrode of sufficient strength to impart an electrical charge on the polymer as it issues from the spinning nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Allen Bryner, Jack Eugene Armantrout, Benjamin Scott Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110142975
    Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate to nozzle assemblies for conveying molten material, the nozzle assemblies comprising a body, which may be formed from a material having a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of the molten material to be conveyed, and having a molten material passageway extending therethrough. The molten material passageway comprises an interior surface and a protective layer is adjacent at least a portion of the interior surface of the passageway. The protective layer may comprise a material that is essentially non-reactive with the molten material to be conveyed. Further, the nozzle assemblies according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein may be heated, and may be self-inspecting. Methods and apparatus for conveying molten materials and/or atomizing molten materials using the nozzle assemblies disclosed herein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20110135775
    Abstract: A burner for production of inorganic spheroidized particles according to the present invention includes a first raw material supply path (1A) through which a raw material powder is supplied together with a carrier gas; a fuel supply path (4A) disposed around the outer circumference of the first raw material supply path (1A), through which a fuel gas is supplied; a primary oxygen supply path (5A) disposed around the outer circumference of the fuel supply path (4A), through which an oxygen-containing gas is supplied; a second raw material supply path (6A) disposed around the outer circumference of the primary oxygen supply path (5A), through which a raw material powder is supplied together with a carrier gas; and a secondary oxygen supply path (7A) disposed around the outer circumference of the second raw material supply path (6A), through which an oxygen-containing gas is supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Hagihara, Yasuyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7951313
    Abstract: A spinning apparatus comprising one or more exits for extruding liquid, and an exit for ejecting gas, located upstream of the exits for extruding liquid, wherein the apparatus comprises a columnar hollow for liquid, in which the exit for extruding liquid forms one end of the columnar hollow; the apparatus comprises a columnar hollow for gas having the exit for ejecting gas; a virtual column for liquid, extended from the columnar hollow for liquid, is adjacent to a virtual column for gas, extended from the columnar hollow for gas; the central axis of the columnar hollow for liquid is parallel to the central axis of the columnar hollow for gas; and there exists only one straight line having the shortest distance between an outer boundary of the cross-section of the columnar hollow for gas and an outer boundary of the cross-section of the columnar hollow for liquid, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Vilene Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuko Matsubayashi, Masahiro Amagasa, Yukio Kojima, Syuichi Murata
  • Publication number: 20110113925
    Abstract: A method of and system for processing red mud, the method comprising the step of heating red mud to form at least molten slag, and preferably at least molten iron and molten slag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Kevin Philippe Daniel Perry
  • Patent number: 7934917
    Abstract: A spinneret format, an electric-field reversal format and a process for post-treatment of membranes formed from electro-spinning or electro-blowing are provided, including a cleaning method and apparatus for electro-blowing or blowing-assisted electro-spinning technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: Benjamin Chu, Benjamin S. Hsiao, Dufei Fang
  • Patent number: 7931456
    Abstract: An improved electroblowing process is provided for forming a fibrous web of nanofibers wherein polymer stream is issued from a spinning nozzle in a spinneret with the aid of a forwarding gas stream, passes an electrode and a resulting nanofiber web is collected on a collector. The process includes applying a high voltage to the electrode and grounding the spinneret such that an electric field is generated between the spinneret and the electrode of sufficient strength to impart an electrical charge on the polymer as it issues from the spinning nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Michael Allen Bryner, Jack Eugene Armantrout, Benjamin Scott Johnson
  • Patent number: 7908997
    Abstract: A new and improved hybrid hot melt adhesive or other thermoplastic material dispensing system wherein two or more different hot melt adhesive or other thermoplastic material depositions, comprising, for example, two or more different types of patterns, two or more different types of application techniques or processes, or two or more different types of cyclical operations, can effectively be simultaneously achieved at substantially two or more different locations relative to an underlying substrate. The hybrid system comprises a metering station upon which is mounted a metering head comprising a plurality of metering head dispensing modules, and a pair or remote applicator heads comprising a pair of applicator head dispensing modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mel Steven Lessley, Daniel D. Bourget
  • Publication number: 20110049737
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing small particles of a certain substance. The device includes first inlet means (4) for a solution or a suspension containing the substance and second inlet means (3) for an atomizing agent. The device further includes mixing means (12) for the solution and the atomizing agent and outlet means (13) for the particles. First (9, 10) and second (14, 11) conduit means are provided from the first (4) and second (3) inlet means respectively to the mixing means (12). According to the invention the first (9, 10) and second (14, 11) conduit means meet each other at the mixing means (12) at an angle of at least 30°. The invention also relates to a corresponding method and to use of the device and the method as well as to particles obtained by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: CENS-DELIVERY AB
    Inventor: MUSTAFA DEMIRÜKER
  • Patent number: 7887311
    Abstract: A spinneret format, an electric-field reversal format and a process for post-treatment of membranes formed from electro-spinning or electro-blowing are provided, including a cleaning method and apparatus for electro-blowing or blowing-assisted electro-spinning technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: Benjamin Chu, Benjamin S. Hsaio, Dufei Fang
  • Patent number: 7879268
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a particulate resin, including: a fine nozzle opening configured to extrude a melted resin mixture including a resin; an extrusion output control mechanism for controlling an extrusion output of the melted resin mixture; a collision mechanism configured to collide the melted resin mixture extruded from the fine nozzle opening with a high-temperature gas stream having a temperature of not less than a T1/2 temperature of the resin, so that the melted resin mixture is granulated to provide a particulate resin; a heat retention mechanism configured to retain the particulate resin in an atmosphere having a temperature of not less than a Tg of the resin for 0.01 to 10 seconds; and a cooling mechanism configured to cool the particulate resin; and a method for manufacturing a particulate resin using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventors: Naotoshi Kinoshita, Tetsuya Tanaka, Masahiro Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20110014542
    Abstract: A carried material is carried only on a surface of nano-fibers. It includes a raw material liquid spray step that sprays raw material liquid (300), which is a raw material of nano-fibers (301), into a space, a raw material liquid electrically charging step, which applies an electric charge to the raw material liquid (300) and makes the raw material liquid electrically charged, a nano-fiber manufacturing step that manufactures the nano-fibers (301) by having the electrically'charged and sprayed raw material liquid (300) explode electrostatically, a carried material electrically charging step that electrically charges a carried material (302) carried on the nano-fibers (301) with a polarity opposite to a polarity of the electrically charged nano-fibers (301), and a mixing step that mixes the said manufactured nano-fibers (301) and the electrically charged carried material (302) in a space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroto Sumida, Takahiro Kurokawa, Kazunori Ishikawa, Yoshiaki Tominaga, Mikio Takezawa, Mitsuhiro Takahashi, Takatoshi Mitsushima
  • Publication number: 20100272840
    Abstract: A facility that is especially suited for the freezing of juices and similar products, which includes a cooling tank that supplies the product by means of an impelling pump to a freezing chamber that receives a supply of a liquefied gas at a temperature of around ?140° C., preferably nitrogen, and pressurized air through an electro-valve to transform the juice into micro-drops or pellets and to freeze the droplets or the pellets inside the freezing chamber, which then exit the chamber through one or more dispensing valves, said freezing not affecting the original characteristics of the juice, in terms of its vitamin, protein and enzyme content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Victorino Juan Mata
  • Publication number: 20100237523
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods and tools for preparing a population of monodisperse polymer microparticles, which are of particular interest in the field of drug delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Rene Bohmer, Johannes Antonius Maria Steenbakkers, Suzanna Helena Petronella Maria De Winter
  • Patent number: 7794219
    Abstract: An electrospinning device for generating a coat from a liquefied polymer, the device comprising: (a) a dispenser for dispensing the liquefied polymer; (b) a cavity having a longitudinal axis, comprising a first system of electrodes; the dispenser and the first system of electrodes being constructed and design such that the liquefied polymer is dispensed from the dispenser and forms a plurality of polymer fibers moving along the longitudinal axis; and (c) a mechanism for relocating the polymer fibers out of the cavity, in a direction of an object, so as to generate a coat on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nicast Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Dubson, Eli Bar
  • Publication number: 20100176524
    Abstract: A method and system for production of powders, such as micropowders and nanopowders, utilizing an axial injection plasma torch. Liquid precursor is atomized and injected into the convergence area of the plasma torch. The hot stream of particles is subsequently quenched and the resultant powders collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Northwest Mettech Corporation
    Inventors: Alan W. Burgess, Nikica Bogdanovic
  • Publication number: 20100167079
    Abstract: The present invention provides a jetting process for the production of flakes with uniform size distribution to be used in pigments comprising the steps of ejecting molten metal from a jet head and collecting droplets of metal on a solid collecting substrate or collecting droplets of metal in or on a collecting substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Ian Robert Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20100144670
    Abstract: A process for producing particles of a substance is described wherein a solution of the substance in a solvent is delivered in at least one shot into a supercritical fluid. The supercritical fluid is a non-solvent for the substance and is miscible with the solvent. Particles of the substance distributed in a mixture of the solvent and the supercritical fluid are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Neil Russell Foster, Roderick Peng Tze Sih
  • Patent number: 7730746
    Abstract: Apparatus to eject on demand discrete hollow microsphere droplets that are characterized by a highly regular and predictable spherical shape, devoid of tails or other irregularities common in the prior art with a selected pure gas contained in the center. With this method and apparatus, droplets may be formed of any suitable material including glass, ceramic, plastic, or metal. A variety of gases at various pressures including complete vacuums may be contained in the hollow microsphere. Microspheres filled with ionizable gas may be used as pixels in a plasma display panel. Microspheres used as a pixel elements may be referred to as Plasma-spheres. The inside of each Plasma-sphere may contain a luminescent material such as a phosphor and/or a secondary electron emission material such as magnesium oxide or a rare earth oxide introduced during the gas filling of the microsphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Imaging Systems Technology
    Inventors: Thomas J. Pavliscak, Carol Ann Wedding
  • Patent number: 7722347
    Abstract: Apparatus (100, 101, 102) and die cartridge assembly (18, 44, 45, 47) adapted for use with same for producing fibrous material (212). The apparatus (100) comprises a removably attachable die cartridge assembly (18) that adapts to conventional spunmelt equipment. The die cartridge assembly (18) is removably positionable beneath an extrusion body (10) for effecting formation of fibrous material by fibrillation of polymer films. The cartridge assembly (18) includes at least one polymer passage (19) communicating with a molten polymer source (10) for directing molten polymer onto at least one film forming surface (20, 28) defined by the cartridge assembly (18), and also defines at least one gas passage (222, 22, 30) communicating with a gas source (16) for directing pressurized gas (220) against the molten polymer (210) in the form of a film for effecting formation of the fibrous material (212).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Krause, Michael H. Johnson, Richard Ferencz
  • Publication number: 20100102467
    Abstract: In an improved polymer melt cutter a gas is added to the cooling liquid before the cooling liquid enters the cutting chamber, or is added directly through the cutting chamber wall. This forms a cooling liquid/gas mixture in the cutting chamber, which has the advantage of providing easier startups, lower operating costs, and other advantages. Processes associated with the improved polymer melt cutter are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Marion Glen Waggoner, David Neil Marks
  • Patent number: 7704420
    Abstract: A spraying device for melt granulation in a fluidized bed including a nozzle (2) with a feed channel for a liquid to be atomized, where the liquid is led through an emulsifying device and into an internal mixing chamber for gas and liquid, before it is fed to the fluidized bed. The nozzle has a separate channel for the atomizing gas fitted concentrically around the central liquid supply channel for the liquid to be atomized or nebulized. The mixing chamber surrounds the outlet zone of the liquid spray from the emulsifying device and the gas, allowing efficient mixing of high speed atomization gas and liquid, and having an external gas cap (1) where fluidization gas is channelled into a spout above the spraying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Yara International ASA
    Inventors: Rob Stevens, Luc Vanmarcke, Roeland Elderson
  • Publication number: 20100084777
    Abstract: Crystalline alumina particles are intimately mixed with a gaseous fuel, air and oxygen. The mixture is then ignited in a torch. Such blending of the powder with the combustible gas allows the alumina particles to be immediately heated to above their melting temperature and allows the particles to form into spheres. The spheres are then rapidly cooled to ambient temperature, providing high purity micron-sized polymorphic alumina spheres without the use of additives or special treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Gerard E. Parker, Andrew P. Parker
  • Patent number: 7690902
    Abstract: Melt blown or spun bond nonwoven webs are formed by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having a substantially uniform residence time and then through a plurality of orifices to form filaments, using air or other fluid to attenuate the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers as a nonwoven web. Each die orifice receives a fiber-forming material stream having a similar thermal history. The physical or chemical properties of the nonwoven web fibers such as their average molecular weight and polydispersity can be made more uniform. Wide nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities in a side-by-side relationship. Thicker or multilayered nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities atop one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stanley C. Erickson, James C. Breister, Michael G. Schwartz, Patrick J. Sager
  • Patent number: 7691297
    Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of beadlet preparations of fat-soluble substances in a water-soluble or water-dispersible non-gelling matrix, an aqueous emulsion of the fat-soluble substance(s) and the matrix component are fed through a spray nozzle in the upper section of a vertical spray tower. Through separate inlets powderous starch and a stream of hot air are also fed in the upper section of the vertical spray tower. A stream of cold air is fed in the lower section of the spray tower so as to form a fluidised bed of starch-covered beadlets comprising the matrix component as well as the fat-soluble substances. The beadlets are collected from the fluidised bed and are discharged to a dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventor: David Schaffner
  • Publication number: 20100056817
    Abstract: According to the invention, powders of low hygroscopicity are prepared by granulation of an aqueous solution (1) in a fluidized bed (140). A compound formed from crystalline grains whose moisture content is defined and stable is obtained. The invention applies especially to organometallic complexes of glycine with a metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: PANCOSMA SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'INDUSTRIE DES PRODUITS BIOCHIMIQUES
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Meunier, Sebastien Oguey
  • Publication number: 20100034910
    Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary systems and methods for producing dry powder formulations. In one embodiment, a system (10) includes at least one conditioning zone (12) having an inlet (20) to introduce an atomized formulation (18) into the conditioning zone. A controller (14, 16) controls temperature and relative humidity of the airflow into the conditioning zone to allow amorphous-to-crystalline transformation of the atomized formulation. In another embodiment, the formulation is suspended in the conditioning zone for a residence time of sufficient duration to allow surface orientation of surface active components. A dryer (24) is coupled to the conditioning zone to dry the atomized formulation, and a collector (28) collects the formulation in powder form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: NOVARTIS PHARMA AG
    Inventors: David B. Bennett, Thomas K. Brewer, Robert M. Platz, Herman Snyder
  • Publication number: 20100025872
    Abstract: Provided are a production method of liposome dispersion industrially useful and the production equipment. In a process for forming liposome dispersion by dispersing a membrane material in an aqueous medium, wherein a liquid that the membrane material is dissolved or dispersed is discharged from 161a, while discharging the aqueous medium from 161b, the discharge flows are collectively crushed by a high-speed gas stream from a liquid jet port 162 into minute droplets, then, the droplets are crashed against a flow-blocking body 190 to reaggregate for the production. According to the production of the present invention, since removal of solvent is easy, and there is no need of defoaming operation, it becomes possible to produce liposome dispersion efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: WINGTURF CO., LTD
    Inventor: Tomohiko Hashiba
  • Publication number: 20090317504
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing nanoparticles, in which method starting materials for nanoparticles are mixed at least as liquid droplets and optionally also as gases and/or vapours with at least combustion gases in a premixing chamber and the mixture is separated for liquid drops larger than size d, whereafter the mixture is conducted to at least one burner, in which the combustion gases are ignited such that a heavily mixing flame is generated, in which the starting materials react and optional solvents evaporate and generate through nucleation and/or sintering and/or agglomeration particles having a diameter of 1 to 1000 micrometres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: BENEQ OY
    Inventors: Markku Rajala, Kai Asikkala, Anssi Hovinen
  • Publication number: 20090309247
    Abstract: A positionable gas nozzle assembly for injecting and directing pressurized air or other gas having an inert nature into a pellet slurry so as to increase the velocity of the slurry from a pelletizer to and through a dryer. The variably positionable nozzle can be inserted, retracted and/or intermediately positioned to facilitate start-up of the pelletization process, reduce or eliminate pellet hang-up points, maximize and optimize the velocity of the pellet slurry throughput, and to adjust the aspiration level of the pellet slurry such that the internal heat of the pellets is retained for improved degrees of crystallization and/or drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Robert G. Mann, Charles W. Simmons, Robert A. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20090302489
    Abstract: In the case of the method for the production of polyester granulate or moulded articles from a melt which is discharged from a polycondensation (1), the melt in the discharge region (2) of the polycondensation is kept at a temperature between 270-285° C. in communication with a gas chamber at a reduced pressure in order according to the invention to achieve a low acetaldehyde content. With respect to the granulate, within the scope of the method according to the invention, a standard crystallisation (5) and drying (6) with air as drying gas suffices. The moulded articles can be produced directly from the melt, e.g. with an injection moulding machine (9). The device according to the invention comprises a polycondensation, at least the last stage of which is configured as a disc reactor in which, with extensive avoidance of a sump, the melt is transported directly from disc to disc by a combination of rotating disc and static strippers fitted on the circumference of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt Hanimann, Werner Stibal
  • Patent number: 7628941
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for making nanofiber webs, wherein a source of process air is utilized to affect the spray pattern and quality of fibrillated material expressed from a die assembly including a multi-fluid opening. Appropriately, the aforementioned process air is defined herein as an alternate or ancillary air source apart from primary process air, which primary air is simultaneously supplied with the molten polymeric material to the fiber forming multi-fluid opening. The ancillary air source of the invention is further distinct from secondary air, which is also known in the art as quenching air. The ancillary air can be described as a continuous fluid curtain of shielding or shaping air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Krause, Rick Ferencz, Rajeev Chhabra, Olaf Isele, Han Xu
  • Publication number: 20090214655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for obtaining micro and nanometric particles in a controlled, reproducible manner. The aforementioned particles have a spherical shape and a very narrow, uniform size distribution. More specifically, the invention relates to a novel method of forming emulsions and to the application thereof in micro and nanoencapsulation techniques involving the extraction/evaporation of the solvent. In particular, the invention relates to the encapsulation of the fluorescent compounds and the subsequent application thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Alfonso Miguel Ganan Calvo, Lucia Martin Banderas, Maria Flores Mosquera, Alfonso Rodriguez Gil, Sebastian Chavez De Diego, Angel Cebolla Ramirez
  • Publication number: 20090134536
    Abstract: A granulator, having: a granulation unit having a bottom floor with a perforated plate as its bottom part; an upper air-supplying pipe for supplying a fluidizing air to the bottom floor of the granulation unit; a lower air-supplying pipe; air-spouting pipes, each of which is branched from the lower air-supplying pipe, and has an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, for jetting the air into the granulation unit; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid, which each are provided in the center of an air outlet of the air-spouting pipe, or a granulator, having: the bottom floor; the air-supplying pipe; and spray nozzles for spraying a granulation raw material liquid, which each are provided in an opening in the bottom floor of the perforated plate, and use a high-pressure atomizing air as an auxiliary gas, wherein, in each granulator, the spray nozzles are formed in triangular arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kojima, Takahiro Yanagawa
  • Publication number: 20090091056
    Abstract: A fiber making device, fiber making method, and apparatus which incorporates a series of two or more stacked, thin circular die plates, two end plates and two enclosure plates, where all of the plates cooperate to form a chamber having opposite ends and define a first end and a second end. The first end will receive material to be formed into fibers and the second end will receive a fiberizing fluid, although the second end could be used to supply a second fiber forming fluid to form composite fibers. All of the die plates have a central opening to receive fiber forming material, and at least one of the die plates has an outflow edge peripheral to the plate which will define a spinneret orifice, which is in fluid communication with said central opening, and which will allow the flow of material along a radial path through which fibers can be extruded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: SPINDYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Fabbricante, Jack S. Fabbricante, Thomas J. Fabbricante
  • Publication number: 20090091049
    Abstract: The invention relates to an agglomeration apparatus comprising a fluid bed, a source of descending particles, one or more nozzles for atomizing an agglomeration fluid and an outlet for discharging the agglomerated particles. In the fluid bed, the particles are guided towards the outlet and pass an outer and an inner zone. The apparatus provides for the production of an improved agglomerated particulate product with a low content of fine particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: NIRO A/S
    Inventor: Peter Schultz Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7514145
    Abstract: A method for producing resin particles using a dispersion liquid in which a dispersoid mainly made of a resin material is finely dispersed in a dispersion medium, the method comprising a dispersion liquid ejecting step for ejecting the dispersion liquid in the form of droplets and a dispersion medium removing step for removing the dispersion medium from the dispersion liquid in the form of droplets, wherein a granulation prevention agent for preventing or suppressing fine particles derived from the dispersoid from being agglomerated and then granulated is applied to the dispersion liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Akioka, Toshiaki Yamagami, Hiroshi Kaiho, Ken Ikuma
  • Patent number: 7465159
    Abstract: A fiber spinning apparatus for charging a polymer-containing liquid stream, having at least one electrically charged, point-electrode positioned adjacent the intended path of said liquid stream and creating an ion flow by corona discharge to impart electrical charge to the polymer-containing liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jack Eugene Armantrout, Benjamin Scott Johnson, Colby Abraham Rude, Michael Allen Bryner
  • Publication number: 20080272508
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing spherical particles from a melted mass of plastic. According to the invention, said melted mass is transformed into droplets by means of a droplet-forming nozzle (10); after falling a certain distance, the droplets are crystallised at least on the surface thereof; the droplets are then supplied to a crystallisation stage in which they are fully crystallised; and are then supplied to an postcondensation stage wherein solid phase polycondensation takes place. In order to ensure surface crystallisation without the risk of adhesion both among the drops and to parts of the device, the drops fall in a crystallisation stage (45) having a cloth element or a sheet metal element comprising openings or a fluidised bed chamber through which gas flows in order to swirl the drops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: BUEHLER AG
    Inventors: Brent Allen CULBERT, Andreas Christel, Erhard Krumpholz, Theodor Juergens, Rudolf Geier