Roller Applicator Utilized Patents (Class 427/211)
  • Patent number: 6343501
    Abstract: The system and the method are used to determine the process viscosity (&mgr;) of a fluid (22) in a film metering device (10) used to form a film (24) to be applied on a substrate (20), such as a paper web or any other suitable flexible materials. The apparent shear rate ({dot over (&ggr;)}) of the fluid, indicative of the flow field, may also be calculated. These parameters are calculated using a pressure profile representing the pressure of the fluid between a transfer roll (12) and a metering rod (30) which controls the thickness of the coating film (24). The torque (T) applied on the metering rod (30) is also measured and taken into account in the calculations. The system and method allow the process viscosity (&mgr;) to be easily and accurately determined during the operation of the film metering device (10) without the need of testing the fluid in an external device and attempting to extrapolate the results to the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Polyvalor S.E.C.
    Inventors: Olivier Reglat, Philippe A. Tanguy
  • Patent number: 6338299
    Abstract: Four impression cylinders of first and second face-side coating units and first and second back-side coating units, and two transfer cylinders of a face-side drying unit and a back-side drying unit are arranged adjacently and nearly linearly in a paper flow direction. Above circumferential surfaces of the odd-numbered cylinders of these cylinders, the first face-side coating unit, the second face-side coating unit, and the face-side drying unit are arranged. Below circumferential surfaces of the even-numbered cylinders, the first back-side coating unit, the second back-side coating unit, and the back-side drying unit are arranged. Above the circumferential surfaces of the odd-numbered cylinders, a first face-side drying device and a second face-side drying device, each of which has one dryer, are disposed downstream of the first face-side coating unit and the second face-side coating unit, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kamoda, Mitsuhiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 6251477
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for coating a moving paper web, in which the web (2) to be coated is first guided to a coating station (7) correctly aligned and a first side of the web (2) is coated with a coat layer. Next, the web (2) is guided upwards from the coating station (7) and the first coat layer is dried using non-contact dryers (8, 9). From the dryers the web (2) is guided to the next coating station (14) correctly aligned, and the second side of the web (2) is coated with a coat layer, the web (2) is guided upwards from the coating station (14) and the coat layer on the second side of the web (2) is dried using non-contact dryers (8, 9). When the web is directed from the coating station (7) through the dryers (8, 9), it (2) is guided non-contactingly by means of air jets such that the web (2) is first non-contactingly turned in the machine direction during drying and next, similarly during drying, towards the level of the coating stations (7, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Jorma Kinnunen, Vilho Nissinen
  • Patent number: 6245383
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a prepreg in which a reinforcing substrate is impregnated with a thermosetting matrix resin. In the method, the reinforcing substrate is moved in a traveling direction. The thermosetting matrix resin is supplied to an outer circumferential surface of a transferring roller. The thermosetting matrix resin which substantially contains no solvent and which is in a molten state is transferred from the outer circumferential surface of the transferring roller to a first surface of a reinforcing substrate while the reinforcing substrate moves. The thermosetting matrix resin which is transferred to the first surface is forced to permeate through the reinforcing substrate by pressing at least one pressing roller on the thermosetting matrix resin transferred to the first surface while the reinforcing substrate moves. The reinforcing substrate impregnated with the thermosetting matrix resin is heated to semi-cure the thermosetting matrix resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Hamabe, Hiroshi Harada, Noriaki Sugimoto, Hiroyuki Mori, Toshihiro Yaji, Yoshinori Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 6200424
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for calendering a board web including a calender providing a hot and hard calendering nip formed by two calender rolls and through which the board web passes. At least one of the calender rolls is arranged to be heated to such a temperature that the surface layer of the board web placed at the side of this roll reaches its vitrification temperature in the calendering nip. A film press is arranged directly before the calendering nip in the direction of transfer of the board web and includes a film press nip through which the board web is passed. The film press nip is arranged to transfer a liquid layer onto the face of the board web so as to moisten the board web. The board web is transferred from the film press nip into the calendering nip while the surface layer of the web is at the moisture level determined by the film press in view of producing a controlled moisture gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Juhani Saari, Stefan Kuni
  • Patent number: 6190729
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for two-side coating of a light base weight printing paper web containing mechanical pulp or recycled fiber. The first side of a web (5) is coated in a first coating station (1), the coating applied to the first side is dried at least partially in a first dryer unit (3). The second side of the web (5) is coated subsequent to the drying of the first side in a second coating station (2), and the coating applied to the second side is dried at least partially in a second dryer unit (4). Both coatings are formed by applying a required amount of coating mix onto the perimeter of respective soft film-coating rolls (22) and subsequently transferring the coat film to the web (5) in a nip (N1) formed between a respective backing roll (24) and the respective soft film-coating roll (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignees: Valmet Corporation, Metsä-Serla Paperi Ja Kartonki Oy
    Inventors: Rauno Rantanen, Kai Vikman
  • Patent number: 6177137
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for coating a web in a film press nip defined by a pair of rotating rolls and through which the web runs and in which a coating agent is applied as a film onto a face of at least one of the rolls and transferred in the nip from the face of the roll(s) onto a respective side of the web to thereby coat the respective side of the web. Steam jets are applied to each side of the web that is being coated to prevent formation of coating-agent mist at a web-outlet side of the nip. The steam jets can be directed from a location after the nip to the web-outlet side of the nip and/or substantially to a point of separation of the web from contact with the roll(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Rauno Rantanen
  • Patent number: 6171653
    Abstract: An apparatus applies a liquid or viscid coating medium onto a moving material web, especially one made of paper or cardboard. A coating mechanism first applies the coating medium onto an applicator element or an applicator roll, which subsequently transfers the coating medium at a coating location onto the material web in the form of a coating layer. Furthermore, if so desired, a doctoring device can be positioned at a doctor station, adjacent to the coating location, on the downstream side relative to the movement of the material web for the purpose of smoothing and/or metering the coating. The coating apparatus incorporates an apparatus for the generation and/or supplying of a fluid, preferably steam. This apparatus is positioned adjacent to the coating location or to the doctor station on the downstream side relative to the movement L of the material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Kohl, Martin Kustermann, Oswald Satzger, R{umlaut over (u)}diger Kurtz, Harald Hess, Karl-Heinz Hannen, Hans Peter Hoffmann, Franz Kustos
  • Patent number: 6165541
    Abstract: An improvement in the immunofixation electrophoresis procedure for detecting proteins in serum, urine or cerebral spinal fluids. Samples are placed on a gel and subjected to electrophoresis for resolving or separating proteins. Thereafter, antisera are applied to the sample areas through openings located on a template. The template includes projections and, the template substantially precludes cross-contamination and the adverse effects of ambient conditions on the integrity of the fluid, such as by the projections contacting, depressing or cutting into the gel to form closed cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Helena Laboratories Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Merchant, Philip A. Guadagno, Suzan Robinson
  • Patent number: 6150181
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing ferrofluid-forming magnetic particles substituted by DMSA (FFSH) that can be covalently coupled, directly or through a difunctional reactant, to an effector, which process comprises combining DMSA with ferrofluid-forming magnetic particles to form FFSS particles having disulfide bonds, and reducing the disulfide bonds of the FFSS at basic pH to form FFSH. The invention includes a composition comprising such FFSH magnetic particles. The invention also relates to a method in which FFSH magnetic particles are incubated with an effector comprising at least one functional group which forms an S--S, C--S, C--C, or C--N bond with DMSA, so that a covalent effector-FFSH complex is formed. The invention further includes a method for separating and/or distinguishing between molecules or cells having a ligand that forms an affinity complex with an effector-FFSH particle of the invention, and those molecules or cells that do not have such a ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Universite Pierre et Marie Curie
    Inventors: Avraham Halbreich, Domagoj Sabolovic, Claude Sestier, Danielle Geldwerth, Jean-Noel Pons, Jacky Roger
  • Patent number: 6143074
    Abstract: There is disclosed a coating device which can apply varnish to both faces of paper in a simple constitution. The coating device is provided with a pressure drum 12 for receiving paper from a transfer drum 11 and holding the paper, a first varnish application device 13 for applying varnish to a surface of the paper held by the pressure drum 12 and a second varnish application device 15 which applies the varnish to a rubber blanket on a peripheral face of the pressure drum 12 on an upstream side of a position in which the pressure drum 12 receives the paper. At the same time when the pressure drum 12 receives the paper, the varnish can be applied to the rear face of the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuo Komori
  • Patent number: 6140044
    Abstract: A body 300 having a cavity 310 for mounting a substrate 120 fabricated with probe sequences at known locations according to the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,854 and PCT WO 92/10092 or others, is provided. The cavity includes inlets 350 and 360 for introducing selected fluids into the cavity to contact the probes. Accordingly, a commercially feasible device for use in high throughput assay systems is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Affymetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald M. Besemer, Virginia W. Goss, James L. Winkler
  • Patent number: 6130037
    Abstract: A biosensor apparatus for detecting a binding event between a ligand and receptor. The apparatus includes an electrode substrate coated with a high-dielectric hydrocarbon-chain monolayer, and having ligands attached to the exposed monolayer surface. Binding of a receptor to the monolayer-bound ligand, and the resultant perturbation of the monolayer structure, causes ion-mediated electron flow across the monolayer. In one embodiment, the monolayers have a coil-coil heterodimer embedded therein, one subunit of which is attached to the substrate, and the second of which carries the ligand at the monolayer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: PENCE and McGill University
    Inventors: R. Bruce Lennox, Robert S. Hodges, Randall T. Irvin
  • Patent number: 6110522
    Abstract: A blood glucose monitoring system includes a broadband light source and a specially fabricated optical filter for modulating optical radiation to be transmitted through a fleshy medium. Optical radiation which passes through the fleshy medium is detected by an optical detector which generates an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the detected light. Digital signal processing is performed on the electrical signal to extract those optical characteristics of the electrical signal due to the optical characteristics of the filter and constituents of the fleshy May 1, 1995 medium other than blood glucose concentration. The monitoring system employs a unique "double-log" transformation to minimize errors due to indeterminate path length variations of the optical radiation through the fleshy medium. The monitoring system further employs specialized signal processing to avoid inaccuracies due to the previously unidentified solvent effect which arises when glucose is dissolved into water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Masimo Laboratories
    Inventors: James M. Lepper, Jr., Mohamed Kheir Diab
  • Patent number: 6106473
    Abstract: Coatings to enhance the echogenicity of materials are especially useful for medical devices wherein the practitioner desires to locate or visualize a device by ultrasonic imaging when the device is inserted into a body cavity. These coatings can be applied to any device of virtually any composition. To accomplish this, a polymer matrix is formed containing an entrapped gas in enclosed bubbles or open surface channels or cavities. Coated needles are visible in ultrasound when inserted in animals. A pre-coat or base coat may be applied to condition the surface to enhance adhesion. A finish coat or top coat may be applied to improve durability, smoothness, and biocompatibility, lubricity, antibiotic, antimicrobial, antithrombogenic activity, and other desirable properties for the finished product. Coating liquids and methods for preparing and applying such coatings are disclosed, including forming bubbles by chemical reaction during the coating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: STS Biopolymers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Violante, Richard J. Whitbourne, John F. Lanzafame, Margaret Lydon
  • Patent number: 6096271
    Abstract: An automated slide stainer with slides mounted in a horizontal position on a rotary carousel. Reagents and rinse liquids are automatically dispensed onto tissue sections or cells mounted on slides for the purpose of performing chemical or immunohistochemical stains. The rinse liquids are removed by an aspiration head connected to a source of vacuum. The aspiration head is a hollow chamber with a flattened bottom aspect. Eight holes in the bottom of the aspiration head provide for fluid communication between the exterior and interior of the aspiration head. To aspirate liquid off of a slide, the aspiration head is lowered so that the bottom aspect contacts the liquid. The liquid is sucked into the hollow interior of the aspiration head and collected into a liquid waste collection bottle. Several different liquid waste collection bottles are placed in parallel, between the source of vacuum and the aspiration head. A solenoid valve is positioned in line with each liquid waste collection bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: CytoLogix Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Bogen, Herbert H. Loeffler
  • Patent number: 6091842
    Abstract: A cytological specimen analyzer includes an image capture apparatus, a mapper and a screening station. The mapper receives digital images of regions of a slide containing a cytological specimen and determines if each of the regions contains cytological material. The mapper analyzes the image of each region, pixel by pixel, and if the region contains cytological material then the coordinates of the region are stored along with a focal position for the region and a value indicative of the amount of cytological material in the region. Upon analysis of each region on the slide, the mapper determines the most efficient path to be traveled between regions containing cytological material to minimize the viewing time of an operator at the screening station. Upon request by the screening station, the sequence of the aforesaid coordinates, which is indicative of the most efficient path, are transmitted to the screening station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: AccuMed International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Domanik, Vladimir Dadeshidze, Lars J. Olsson
  • Patent number: 6086942
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely applying radioactive material to a substrate such as a brachytherapy device is disclosed. A radioactive fluid adapted to cure rapidly is deposited as discrete dots onto a surface with a fluid-jet printhead. The apparatus comprises a fluid-jet printhead in communication with a chamber containing radioactive fluid to be applied by the printhead. The printhead is microprocessor driven, and the microprocessor may be provided with feedback from a station where the radioactivity deposited on a preceding substrate in a batch is measured, permitting the system to be recalibrated on an ongoing basis as the batch of printed devices is produced. Compensation for attenuation of radiation by a casing may also be made part of the feedback technique. Also disclosed is a brachytherapy device having printed on a surface dots of radiation-emitting material, in a pattern comprising various bands, dots or areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: International Brachytherapy s.a.
    Inventors: John L. Carden, Jr., John L. Russell, Jr., James Edward Fox, Alan Lionel Hudd, Michael Willis
  • Patent number: 6083759
    Abstract: The present invention is a blood smearing cassette that quickly, efficiently and reliably prepares peripheral blood smears. The cassette holds two glass slides, a spreader slide and a smear slide, at specific angles to each other. The blood smearing cassette allows untrained personnel to make consistent and proper blood smears. The user slips a smear slide into the smear slide receiver, and a spreader slide into the spreader slide receiver. A small amount of blood is placed on the smear slide, which is then pulled up to the spreader slide until the drop of blood is in contact with the spreader slide. The blood is allowed to spread across the bottom of the spreader slide. The smear slide is then pulled back out of the cassette, leaving a thin film of blood on the smear slide. The length and thickness of the film are controlled by varying the speed at which the smear slide is pulled and varying angles between the two slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: University of Hawaii
    Inventor: Dick Y. Teshima
  • Patent number: 6080363
    Abstract: A liquid-processing apparatus for processing vital specimens, such as an automatic staining apparatus for staining specimens of vital tissues or the like for microscopic examination, has a cabinet (7) internally provided with a lower plate (8) and an upper plate (9). Rinsing vessels (10) and chemical solution vessels (11) are placed on the lower panel (8), and chemical solution vessels (11) are placed on the upper plate (9). A hanger arm (24) supporting a staining basket (13) containing glass slides carrying specimens affixed thereto moves longitudinally in a lower space (26) extending over the lower plate (8) or an upper space (28) extending over the upper plate (9). The staining basket (13) can be moved between the spaces (26, 28) through a passage (29) formed in the upper plate (9). The liquid-processing apparatus requires a small floor space for installation and can be installed in a small place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tiyoda Seisadusho, Sakura Finetechnical Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomio Takahashi, Mamoru Wakabayashi, Hiroe Tateya, Norihisa Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 6077408
    Abstract: Disclosed is a biosensor facilitating high accuracy quantification of a specific component in a sample solution with no adverse influence of solid substances. The biosensor comprises an electrically insulating base plate, an electrode system comprising a working electrode and a counter electrode formed on the base plate, a reaction layer containing at least one enzyme disposed on the electrode system, and an anionic filter formed on the reaction layer for inhibiting permeation of solid components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiko Miyamoto, Shin Ikeda, Toshihiko Yoshioka, Shiro Nankai
  • Patent number: 6074884
    Abstract: A stable protein-coated nickel particle useful in biological assays contains a nickel particle having removed from the surface thereof nickel oxide; a linker attached to said nickel particle, the linker having a free amino group; and a protein attached to said linker by covalently bonding to the free amino group. Methods of producing and using these oxide-free nickel-protein conjugates are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Coulter International Corp.
    Inventors: Olavi Siiman, Alexander Burshteyn, John A. Maples, James Keller Whitesell
  • Patent number: 6074725
    Abstract: Laminates having microfluidic structures disposed between sheets of the laminate are provided. The microfluidic structures are raised on a sheet of laminate, typically by printing the structure on the sheet. Printing methods include Serigraph, ink-jet, intaligo, offset printing and thermal laser printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Colin Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6054178
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fabric mesh reinforced monolithic thermoplastic membrane. The open mesh fabric is drawn into the gap between two calender rollers of a membrane extruder, a molten first thermoplastic material is extruded into the throat of the gap between the first roller and the first side of the fabric mesh, while a second molten thermoplastic material is simultaneously extruded into the throat of the gap between the second roller and the second side of the fabric mesh. The composite material is then drawn through the gap between the first and second rollers to force the molten first and second thermoplastic materials into and through the open mesh of the fabric to fuse and bond the molten first and second thermoplastic materials in and about the fabric mesh to form the fabric mesh reinforced monolithic thermoplastic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Serrot International, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey A. Howells
  • Patent number: 6042874
    Abstract: This invention relates to the processing of organic tissues to prepare them for further investigation such as by light microscopy, electron microscopy, microwave staining, immunostaining, decalcification, hybridisation etc.The present invention discloses a process for processing organic tissue, which comprises the steps of fixing an organic sample to be processed, dehydrating and clearing the sample and subsequently infiltrating and embedding the sample in a supporting medium to prepare it for further examination wherein the steps of dehydrating and clearing are carried out simultaneously by applying a mixture of a dehydration agent and an essentially lipophilic agent simultaneously to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Milestone S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francesco Visinoni, Werner Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 6040006
    Abstract: Sheets to be coated with water-based coating material, for example a primer and a low adhesion backsize, are supplied from a feeder (1), in end-to-end overlapping relationship, to a dual coater (3) in which the sheets are coated individually on both sides. A sheet inserter (2) is provided, upstream of the dual coater, to insert sheets from a second supply into the sheets from the feeder (1). The dual coated sheets are dried as individual sheets or as a pseudo-web of overlapped sheets. The sheets are then overlapped, unless previously overlapped, and the direction of overlap changed, if necessary, to provide the trailing edge of each sheet on top of the leading edge of each succeeding sheet. The overlapped sheets are conveyed through an adhesive transfer station (7) where stripes (236) of at least partially dried adhesive are coated onto the dual coated sheets from a transfer belt (71).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Frederic Pierre Alain Le Riche, Bernard Raymond Pierre
  • Patent number: 6040196
    Abstract: An evaluating method of a testing element having an immobilized antigen or antibody on an immobilizing carrier thereof, which immobilized antigen or antibody has yet to react with another antigen or antibody, which involves contacting the testing element with a solution containing an antibody or antigen reactive with the immobilized antigen or antibody, specifically binding a labelling compound to the reactive antibody or antigen to thereby cause a color-developing reaction of the labelling compound, and determining an amount of the antigen or antibody immobilized on the testing element as a function of a level of produced color. Using this evaluation method, a quantitative determination of the immobilized antigen or antibody can be carried out, and thus the performance of the testing element for antigens or antibodies can be evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ayumi Mitoh, Tsuneo Hiraide
  • Patent number: 6033784
    Abstract: A method of immobilizing a ligand (L) to the surface (P) of a carbon-containing substrate material; said method comprising: a photochemical step of linking of one or more photochemically reactive compounds (Q) to a carbon-containing material surface (P); wherein the photochemically reactive compound (Q) is a quinone compound containing a cyclic hydrocarbon, or from 2 to 10 fused cyclic hydrocarbons, with at least two conjugated carbonyl groups; and wherein the photochemical step comprises irradiation of the photochemically reactive compound (Q) with non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range from UV to visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventors: Mogens Havsteen Jacobsen, Troels Koch
  • Patent number: 6017586
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer/monomer (P/M) formulated system and method of making products from that system. The products have superior properties to and are substitutable for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based products, as well as a variety of other polymeric coating systems. The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of these P/M based coated substrates where the process takes place in a substantially inert atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Catalyst Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Clyde F. Payn, James Temple
  • Patent number: 6013359
    Abstract: A printing paper, especially a newsprint base paper, comprising: a base paper; and a coating layer for improving surface strength of the coated paper and releasing-property when two sheets of the coated paper are stacked, which coating layer is formed on the base paper by using a coating-transcription system such as a gate roll coating system, which coating layer comprises at least either a homopolymer polyacrylamide or a nonionic-copolymer polyacrylamide in a coating weight of from 0.01 g/m.sup.2 to 0.2 g/m.sup.2, wherein the homopolymer polytcrylamide and the nonionic-copolymer polyacrylamide have a weight average molecular weight ranging from 20,000 to 250,000, thereby improving not only surface strength but also releasing-property in a printing paper, especially in a newsprint paper having a basis weight less than 46 gm.sup.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignees: Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., Seiko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Takano, Motoi Fukuda, Toshimi Satake, Masahide Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 6013312
    Abstract: A coating apparatus is disclosed for applying a coating material on one or more zones of a substrate material. In one embodiment, the coating applicators have fluid-wicking strips that apply the coatings directly to the substrate, while in another embodiment, the fluid-wicking strips indirectly apply the coatings to the substrate via feed rolls. Metering mechanisms supply predetermined amounts of coating material to the fluid-wicking strips. Each coating applicator has a housing with a recess for receiving one the fluid-wicking strips therein. One of the fluid-wicking strips is mounted in each housing which has a plurality of transversely spaced passageways. Each passageway of each applicator housing is fluidly coupled to its own separate air actuated metering mechanism which dispenses coating material to the portion of the fluid-wicking strip adjacent thereto. A desired quantity of coating material is simultaneously delivered via the metering mechanisms to each of the applicator housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin H. Cornell, W. Craig Huffman
  • Patent number: 6010573
    Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an intravascular stent with endothelial cells and/or engineered endothelial cells which may have genetically altered DNA to minimize failure rates includes an external conductor sleeve, an insulating tube held therein, and a pair of insulated end caps, each detachably securable over each end of said insulating tube. Each insulated cap has a substantially centered aperture therethrough and a stent holder extending transversely therefrom to hold opposite ends of the stent therebetween. The insulated end caps and the insulating tube hold a solution containing the endothelial cells inside the insulating tube to surround exposed surfaces of the stent. An insulated internal conductor is received through the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University
    Inventor: Gary L. Bowlin
  • Patent number: 6004623
    Abstract: A coating device for coating a size-press roll, paper or board or an equivalent moving base including a revolving coating bar which rests against a moving base. The coating bar extends across the machine width and is supported on a cradle substantially over its entire length. The coating bar spreads and smooths a coating agent introduced into the coating device and applied onto the moving base before the moving base contacts the coating bar. The coating bar in accordance with the invention is a smooth bar of large diameter, fitted against the moving base so that the profile of coating quantity of the coating agent can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Rauno Rantanen
  • Patent number: 6001421
    Abstract: A dry end of a paper machine and a method for drying paper in which a paper web to be dried is passed from a press section of the paper machine into a forward dryer section including only single-wire groups with normal single-wire draw. The web is dried from the side of its bottom face in the dryer groups in the forward dryer section. From the forward dryer section, the web is passed into a finishing section in which the web is coated/surface-sized by a coating/surface-sizing device and then dried in an after-dryer by passing through at least one dryer group that applies a normal single-wire draw. Thereafter, the web is calendered and passed to a reeling station. Curling of the web is controlled by the operation or construction of components and/or by assemblies and combinations formed out of these components provided in connection with the forward dryer section and/or the finishing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Pasi Ahonen, Jaakko Kallioniemi, Juha Kaihovirta, Ville Korhonen, Matti Luontama
  • Patent number: 5981203
    Abstract: An enzyme sandwich immunoassay, device and cassette therefor for determining a target analyte are described. The enzyme sandwich immunoassay cassette (B) comprises a microporous membrane support (m) having coated thereon a conductive metal layer overlaid with a capture antibody layer (e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Mark E. Meyerhoff, Chuanming Duan
  • Patent number: 5980709
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for defining an area (4) of a layer on a porous substrate comprising compressing a volume of the substrate to produce a compressed region (8) which defines, or which in combination with an edge (7) of the substrate or of the layer defines, a boundary of the area and which substantially prevents the transport of material through or across its surface. The present invention also relates to an electrochemical sensing device comprising: a porous substrate; and an electrode (1) on one side of the substrate; wherein a region of the substrate is compressed to an extent which forms a barrier to migration of electrolyte within the substrate, the compressedregion defining, or in combination with an edge of the substrate or the electrode defining, a zone on the electrode of predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: USF Filtration and Separations Group
    Inventors: Alastair McIndoe Hodges, Oddvar Johansen, Thomas William Beck
  • Patent number: 5958135
    Abstract: Sheets to be coated with water-based coating material, for example a primer and a low adhesion backsize, are supplied from a feeder (1), in end-to-end overlapping relationship, to a dual coater (3) in which the sheets are coated individually on both sides. A sheet inserter (2) is provided, upstream of the dual coater, to insert sheets from a second supply into the sheets from the feeder (1). The dual coated sheets are dried as individual sheets or as a pseudo-web of overlapped sheets. The sheets are then overlapped, unless previously overlapped, and the direction of overlap changed, if necessary, to provide the trailing edge of each sheet on top of the leading edge of each succeeding sheet. The overlapped sheets are conveyed through an adhesive transfer station (7) where stripes (236) of at least partially dried adhesive are coated onto the dual coated sheets from a transfer belt (71).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Bernard Raymond Pierre
  • Patent number: 5955379
    Abstract: A biosensor apparatus for detecting a binding event between a ligand and receptor. The apparatus includes an electrode substrate coated with a high-dielectric hydrocarbon-chain monolayer, and having ligands attached to the exposed monolayer surface. Binding of a receptor to the monolayer-bound ligand, and the resultant perturbation of the monolayer structure, causes ion-mediated electron flow across the monolayer. In one embodiment, the monolayers have a coil--coil heterodimer embedded therein, one subunit of which is attached to the substrate, and the second of which carries the ligand at the monolayer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignees: McGill University, Pence
    Inventors: R. Bruce Lennox, Robert S. Hodges, Randall T. Irvin, Glen Armstrong, David R. Bundle, Pavel Kitov, Craig Railton
  • Patent number: 5952239
    Abstract: There is provided a method and system for transferring biological material samples from the point of collection to a chamber for placement into a centrifuge for processing and analysis. A container is used to hold the sample from the point of collection and during transport to a sample chamber which is placed into the centrifuge. The container is provided with a threaded open end, the threads being complementary with screw threads on a lid and also with threads around a port in the chamber. Thus, the user collects the sample, places it within the container, and engages the lid to close the open end of the container. The container is transported to the laboratory, where the lid is removed, and the threads on the container engaged with the threads on the chamber to attach the container to the chamber. The container is then inverted to permit the sample to pass from the container into the chamber. The chamber may then be placed into a known centrifuge for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Shandon, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Hayes, Daniel R. Thornton
  • Patent number: 5952035
    Abstract: A biological sensor 10 having a beam/light shaper 30 which is adapted to inject light into the sensor at substantially the critical angle with respect to the side surface of the sensor. The sensor 10, of the preferred embodiment of the invention, further may undergo a surface treatment which reduces/eliminates non-specific binding to the sensor surface and a treatment process to reduce light energy losses occurring by mounting and/or inserting the fiber portion of the sensor into the medium of interest. Both the light injection and surface treatment methodologies have utility apart from the biological immunoassay sensor embodiment described and claimed in this Application and may be independently applied to a biological sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: IA, Inc.
    Inventors: Judith Erb, James Downward, IV
  • Patent number: 5922161
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of modifying or tailoring the surface of polymers and or polymer-based materials to control surface and interface chemistry and molecular structure. In particular a method of modifying at least a part of the surface of a polymer including: (i) oxidising at least part of the surface of the polymer and (ii) treating the oxidised surface with at least one multifunctional amine-containing organic compound to bind said compound to the oxidised polymer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Dong Yang Wu, Sheng Li, Gutowski Wojciech Stanislaw
  • Patent number: 5922402
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing adhesive tape by applying a coating of liquid adhesive to a surface of a continuous web substrate moving in a longitudinal direction to create an adhesive-free zone on the web substrate that extends in a longitudinal direction between areas of adhesive coating on the web substrate and by contacting the surface of the moving continuous web substrate carrying the applied liquid adhesive coating with a rotating metering rod to obtain an adhesive coating with a predetermined specific thickness, wherein the metering rod has an elastomeric wiper contacting the rod and wiping the rod at a location along the length of the rod that corresponds to the transition between the adhesive-free zone and the adhesivecontaining zone on the coated web substrate, to prevent edge buildup of applied adhesive at the transition on the coated web substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Michael J. Speeney
  • Patent number: 5922534
    Abstract: An assay plate for detecting the presence of a mobile reactant that binds to a immobilized reactant and the methods of making and using the same. An assay plate according to the present invention includes a substrate and at least one dried aliquot of the immobilized reactant, the immobilized reactant being bound to the surface of the substrate. The immobilized reactant binds the mobile reactant when a solution containing the mobile reactant is brought into contact with the immobilized reactant. The mobile and immobilized reactants may be any pair of biological compounds that have a specific affinity for one another. For example the reactants may be nucleic acids or antibody-antigen pairs. The preferred embodiment of an assay plate according to the present invention includes a plurality of assay spots, each spot having a different immobilized reactant or concentration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Kay Lichtenwalter
  • Patent number: 5919517
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extrusion coating both sides of a metal strip. A metal strip, such as aluminum alloy strip, is moved through a pre-conditioner, two extrusion dies, a post-heater and a cooling system. Both sides of the strip are coated with thin coatings of thermoplastic polymers. The coated metal strip is useful for containers, such as cans and can ends, as well as for automobiles, appliances, aerospace, construction and electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Thomas L. Levendusky, Robert B. Larsen, Vincent J. Downard, Roy B. Steidley, Dawn A. Armfield, Paul H. Fournier, John B. Kapustay, Jr., Jeffrey B. Pezick
  • Patent number: 5919712
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for evanescent light fluoroimmunoassays are disclosed. The apparatus employs a planar waveguide with an integral semi-cylindrical lens, and has multi-analyte features and calibration features, along with improved evanescent field intensity. A preferred embodiment of the biosensor and assay method have patches of capture molecules each specific for a different analyte disposed adjacent within a single reservoir. The capture molecules are immobilized to the patches on the waveguide surface by site-specific coupling of thiol groups on the capture molecules to photo-affinity crosslinkers which in turn are coupled to the waveguide surface or to a non-specific-binding-resistant coating on the surface. The patches of different antibodies are produced by selectively irradiating a portion of the waveguide surface during the process of coupling the photo-affinity crosslinkers the selective irradiation involving a mask, a laser light source, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: James N. Herron, Douglas A. Christensen, Hsu-Kun Wang, Karin D. Caldwell, Vera Janatova, Shao-Chie Huang
  • Patent number: 5916420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin printing paper with a weight per unit area in the range below 49 g/m.sup.2 and which contains wood and which is provided with surface pigmentation and which incorporates a mixture of a swellable coating silicate (sodium bentonite) and, for the remainder, conventional coating pigments as the pigment and which, in addition, contains only bonding agent that is a natural organic bonding agent, essentially starch. Even if only lightly calendered, the paper is equally well suited for rotogravure printing and for rotary offset printing. It is preferred that the paper also contain a proportion of processed fibres obtained from old-paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Haindl Papier GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Wurster, Hans-Peter Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5916637
    Abstract: This invention relates to substrates for paperboard packaging having a press-applied barrier coating. Such structures of this type, generally, reduce the edgewick in the paperboard package such that catastrophic failure of the paperboard package is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: Robinson Camden Perkins Claytor
  • Patent number: 5916630
    Abstract: Sheets to be coated with water-based coating material, for example a primer and a low adhesion backsize, are supplied from a feeder (1), in end-to-end overlapping relationship, to a dual coater (3) in which the sheets are coated individually on both sides. A sheet inserter (2) is provided, upstream of the dual coater, to insert sheets from a second supply into the sheets from the feeder (1). The dual coated sheets are dried as individual sheets or as a pseudo-web of overlapped sheets. The sheets are then overlapped, unless previously overlapped, and the direction of overlap changed, if necessary, to provide the trailing edge of each sheet on top of the leading edge of each succeeding sheet. The overlapped sheets are conveyed through an adhesive transfer station (7) where stripes (236) of at least partially dried adhesive are coated onto the dual coated sheets from a transfer belt (71).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Frederic Pierre Alain Le Riche, Bernard Raymond Pierre, Gregory Francis Stifter, Mark Steven Vogel
  • Patent number: 5905024
    Abstract: A method for fractionating and sequencing DNA via affinity interaction is provided comprising contacting cleaved DNA to a first array of oligonucleotide molecules to facilitate hybridization between said cleaved DNA and the molecules; extracting the hybridized DNA from the molecules; contacting said extracted hybridized DNA with a second array of oligonucleotide molecules, wherein the oligonucleotide molecules in the second array have specified base sequences that are complementary to said extracted hybridized DNA; and attaching labeled DNA to the second array of oligonucleotide molecules, wherein the labeled re-hybridized DNA have sequences that are complementary to the oligomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: University of Chicago
    Inventors: Andrei Darievich Mirzabekov, Yuri Petrovich Lysov, Svetlana A. Dubley
  • Patent number: 5895628
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating cytological or histological specimens has numerous treatment stations in the form of containers, and a transport device by which the specimens to be treated are transported and deposited in the treatment stations. The transport device has a pivotable unit that can be brought under the specimens while the specimens are being transported. This pivotable unit is provided with a suction underlay on which the specimens or specimen holders are deposited during transport, and by which treatment fluids that run out of the specimens or the specimen holders are received. Carry-over of liquid residues from one treatment container to the next is thereby greatly reduced. The specimens or specimen slides are thereby fixed in the specimen holders so that noise during transportation is reduced. The individual treatment containers are provided with covers, and the pivotable unit is designed to remove covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Microm Laborgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Heid, Jerome Sejournet