Modified Condition Of Atmosphere (e.g., Steam, Air Movement, Etc.) Patents (Class 427/377)
  • Publication number: 20080134960
    Abstract: An integrated optical waveguide has a first optical waveguide, a second optical waveguide, and a groove. The second optical waveguide is coupled to the first optical waveguide and has a refractive index that is different from the first optical waveguide. The groove is disposed so as to traverse an optical path of the first optical waveguide and is separated from an interface between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide by a predetermined spacing. The spacing from the interface and the width of the groove are determined such that reflection at a boundary between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide is weakened. A semiconductor board may be disposed at a boundary between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kasu, Toshiki Makimoto, Kenji Ueda, Yoshiharu Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20080131584
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for the modification of the surface structure of a metal body, more preferably for the increase of the surface porosity, wherein a surface of the metal body is initially exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere and subsequently is exposed to a reducing atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Christoph Laumen, Anders Salwen, Soren Wiberg
  • Publication number: 20080115471
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modifying a layer having photocatalytic and anti-fouling properties which is based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) and which can absorb photons in the UV region and, in particular, in the UVA region, in order to render same capable of absorbing photons in the visible spectrum, said TiO2-based layer being applied to a substrate either directly or with the insertion of at least one functional sub-layer. The invention is characterised in that the TiO2-based layer is subjected to a heat treatment in an atmosphere comprising nitrogen or nitrogen and at least one reducing gas for a sufficient period of time in order to obtain the desired visible photon absorption property, said substrate and, if necessary, said sub-layer(s) having been selected for their ability to withstand the heat treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Laurent Labrousse, Lethicia Gueneau, Nicolas Nadaud
  • Patent number: 7361377
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of making a fluorinated precursor of a superconducting ceramic. The method comprises providing a solution comprising a rare earth salt, an alkaline earth metal salt and a copper salt; spraying the solution onto a substrate to provide a film-covered substrate; and heating the film-covered substrate in an atmosphere containing fluorinated gas to provide the fluorinated precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Wiesmann, Vyacheslav Solovyov
  • Publication number: 20080075867
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for drying an applied film formed by applying an application liquid containing an organic solvent to a traveling long support medium, wherein the temperature Tb of the long support medium before application is not less than 2° C. lower than the temperature Tc of the application liquid and the wind velocity in the vicinity of the applied film after application is not more than 0.5 m/s, thereby the applied film is dried uniformly in the initial drying of the applied film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo HAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 7335234
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing repellency of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are disclosed. Compositions used to enhance the repellency of fibers, carpet yarns and carpets are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventor: Dennis J. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7335391
    Abstract: A method of forming a coating for an implantable medical device, such as a stent, is provided which includes applying a composition to the device in an environment having a selected pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Pacetti
  • Publication number: 20080044574
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nano-crystalline silicon dot layer is provided. A silicon layer is formed over a substrate. The silicon layer includes crystalline silicon region and amorphous silicon region. An oxidation process is performed to oxidize the amorphous silicon region and the surfaces of the crystalline silicon region to form a silicon oxide layer containing nano-crystalline silicon dots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chi-Pin Lu
  • Patent number: 7326443
    Abstract: A method for heating and fixing an inking, particularly a toner powder on a plate-shaped support. Heat is applied and fixes the inking to a coated upper side of the support. The method of this invention can be used to fix and adhere toner inkings on thick-walled supports. In one method step of this invention, the coated upper side and/or an uncoated underside of the plate-shaped support each is subjected to infrared radiation and/or a hot air stream and/or a microwave radiation. At least a portion of the infrared radiation and/or the hot air stream and/or the microwave radiation directed onto the uncoated underside of the support passes through while another portion is absorbed, such as if the support has a high weight per unit area of the support. A ceramic or thermosetting toner forms the applied ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Bernd Schultheis, Rainer Solbach, Birgit Lattermann, Hans-Jürgen Hommes, Dieter Jung
  • Patent number: 7326437
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of coating a polymer solution on a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus includes a coating chamber having a rotatable chuck to support a substrate to be coated with a polymer solution. A dispenser to dispense the polymer solution over the substrate extends into the coating chamber. A vapor distributor having a solvent vapor generator communicable with the coating chamber is included to cause a solvent to be transformed into a solvent vapor. A carrier gas is mixed with the solvent vapor to form a carrier-solvent vapor mixture. The carrier-solvent vapor mixture is flown into the coating chamber to saturate the coating chamber. A solvent remover communicable with the coating chamber is included to remove excess solvent that does not get transformed into the solvent vapor to prevent the excess solvent from dropping on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventor: Andrew Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080026152
    Abstract: Water-borne amine-based preservative-impregnated wood is post-treated by: (a) contacting the preservative-impregnated wood in a closed vessel with live steam; (b) collecting a water-containing condensate generated in the vessel; and (c) recovering the post-treated wood from the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: James A. Brient, Kenneth M. Hardy, Gerald E. Davis
  • Patent number: 7285307
    Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for producing catalyst-coated polymeric electrolyte membranes and membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells. The process of the invention uses an ionomer membrane having a polymeric backing film on the back side. After the first coating step, the membrane is dried, during which the residual solvent may be almost completely removed. After this, the polymeric backing film is removed and the back side of the membrane is coated in a second step. The front and back sides of the membrane can be coated by various methods, such as screen printing or stencil printing. Two gas distribution layers are applied to the two sides of the catalyst-coated membrane to produce a 5-layer membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assemblies are used in polymeric electrolyte membrane fuel cells and in direct methanol fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner, Franz Greinemann, Peter Seipel
  • Patent number: 7259055
    Abstract: A method for forming a high-luminescence Si electroluminescence (EL) phosphor is provided, with an EL device made from the Si phosphor. The method comprises: depositing a silicon-rich oxide (SRO) film, with Si nanocrystals, having a refractive index in the range of 1.5 to 2.1, and a porosity in the range of 5 to 20%; and, post-annealing the SRO film in an oxygen atmosphere. DC-sputtering or PECVD processes can be used to deposit the SRO film. In one aspect the method further comprises: HF buffered oxide etching (BOE) the SRO film; and, re-oxidizing the SRO film, to form a SiO2 layer around the Si nanocrystals in the SRO film. In one aspect, the SRO film is re-oxidized by annealing in an oxygen atmosphere. In this manner, a layer of SiO2 is formed around the Si nanocrystals having a thickness in the range of 1 to 5 nanometers (nm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tingkai Li, Pooran Chandra Joshi, Wei Gao, Yoshi Ono, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 7253130
    Abstract: A method for making transparent continuous zeolite film is provided. First a transparent precursor sol is prepared, and the precursor sol is processed to a specific concentration. The precursor solution is coated on a surface of a substrate which is heated under an ambiance of 120˜250° C. in temperature and a humidity less than saturated humidity. The packing of zeolite nanocrystals in the film converted from coated precursor sol has preferred orientation and the film shows super-hydrophobic property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Anthony S. T. Chiang, Gorden Shu, Jaming Liu, Rosilda Selvin
  • Patent number: 7250219
    Abstract: A multilayered article is disclosed, which includes, in sequence: (1) a substrate (S), e.g., of thermoplastic polycarbonate; (2) a scratch-resistant layer (SR); and (3) a top layer (T). The scratch-resistant layer is prepared by curing a scratch-resistant coating composition comprising a polycondensate prepared from at least one silane, said polycondensate being prepared by a sol-gel process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Peter Bier, Peter Capellen
  • Patent number: 7208203
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a metal oxide film comprising, when a metal oxide film is formed by conducting a thermal treatment on a coating film containing an organic metal compound formed on an inner wall of a tube, performing an ultraviolet irradiation treatment or an ozone treatment on the coating film prior to or simultaneously with the thermal treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi Yamada, Akira Tokai, Manabu Ishimoto, Akira Nakazawa, Kenji Awamoto, Tsutae Shinoda
  • Patent number: 7208194
    Abstract: A film sheet which has a polymer layer formed of a coating solution is drawn from a balk roll and transported toward a rubbing apparatus. Thereby, first and second blowers sequentially disposed respectively apply to the polymer layer an air of temperature 45±2° C. and humidity 50%–60%, and an air of temperature 25±1° C. and humidity 30%–35%. Thus, damages which occurred in transporting and rolling the film sheet are removed. Thereafter, a rubbing action is performed to the film sheet such that the polymer layer has alignment. Then a liquid crystal layer is formed on the polymer layer, to obtain an optical compensation film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetomo Itoh
  • Patent number: 7205025
    Abstract: In drying a coating liquid such as a resist applied to a substrate under reduced pressure, a coating film in a peripheral portion tends to lose good shape regardless of duration of a drying period, and it is difficult to set an appropriate exhaust flow rate. After the substrate is loaded in an airtight container, a pressure is reduced from atmospheric pressure to a pressure slightly higher than the vapor pressure of a solvent, for example. Then, the solvent actively evaporates from the coating liquid. Here, evacuation is performed initially based on a first flow rate set value Q1, and thereafter, it is performed based on a second flow rate set value larger than Q1. Rounding of the surface in the peripheral portion is corrected by evacuation based on Q1, and more active evaporation of a solvent component is attained by switching to Q2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shinji Kobayashi, Takahiro Kitano, Shinichi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7205024
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Patent number: 7179504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing method for processing a substrate, and comprises a step of coating a coating solution on a surface of the substrate while relatively moving a coating solution discharge nozzle and the substrate and discharging the coating solution from the nozzle onto the substrate. Thereafter, the substrate is exposed to a solvent atmosphere of the coating solution or the pressure is temporarily applied thereto in a container. Thereafter, the pressure inside the container in which the substrate is housed is reduced to dry the coating solution on the substrate. According to the present invention, it is possible to narrow the so-called edge cutting width, which is at a periphery part of the substrate and is not commercialized, and to maintain an in-plane uniformity of the coating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Kitano, Shinichi Sugimoto, Shinji Kobayashi, Naoya Hirakawa, Akira Fukutomi, Nobukazu Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 7147928
    Abstract: The invention concerns a stain resist composition comprising: (a) a component selected from the group consisting of (1) a naphthalene condensate, (2) a lignin sulfonate, (3) a phenol sulfonate derivative, a mixture thereof and (4) a (meth)acrylic polymer comprising residues of acrylic or methacrylic acid; and (b) a polyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Arrow Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Collier, J. Todd Mull
  • Patent number: 7147805
    Abstract: The composition of the present invention is one for forming a transparent conducting film, the composition comprising a water-soluble indium compound, a halogen-containing water-soluble organotin compound and a water-soluble organic high molecular compound. A method for forming a transparent conducting film according to the invention comprises the steps of i) applying to a substrate a solution for forming a transparent conducting film containing the composition in water or a solvent comprising water and an organic solvent, and ii) firing the coating film. This method may further include iii) the step of subjecting the film obtained in the firing step ii) to a reducing heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7147669
    Abstract: Excellent water repellency and Oil repellency are imparted to a textile by a method including (1) preparing a treatment liquid comprising a water- and oil-repellent agent, (2) adjusting pH of the treatment liquid to at most 7, (3) applying the treatment liquid to a textile, (4) treating the textile with steam, and (5) washing the textile with water and dehydrating the textile, wherein the water- and oil-repellent agent comprises at least one fluorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing polymer and a fluorine-containing low molecular weight compound, and the water- and oil-repellent agent or the treatment liquid contains a cationic emulsifier and/or a salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Yamaguchi, Ikuo Yamamoto, Kayo Kusumi
  • Patent number: 7128944
    Abstract: The invention relates to thermally tempered safety glass comprising an non-abrasive and porous SiO2 layer which is stable during sintering and has a refractive index of between 1.25 and 1.40. The inventive safety glass can be obtained by coating standard soda-lime glass with an aqueous coating solution having a pH value of between 3 and 8 and containing between 0.5 and 5.0 wt. % of [SiOx(OH)y]n particles (0<y<4 and 0<x<2) having a particle size of between 10 and 60 nm, and a surfactant mixture. The coated glass is then dried, thermally hardened at temperatures of at least 600° C. for several minutes, and thermally tempered by a flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Flabeg Solarglas GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Becker, Armin Dauwalter, Andreas Gombert, Walther Glaubitt, Thomas Hofmann, Monika Kursawe
  • Patent number: 7090716
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for reducing pattern distortions in imprinting layers by reducing gas pockets present in a layer of viscous liquid deposited on a substrate. To that end, the method includes varying a transport of the gases disposed proximate to the viscous liquid. Specifically, the atmosphere proximate to the substrate wherein a pattern is to be recorded is saturated with gases that are either highly soluble, highly diffusive, or both with respect to the viscous liquid being deposited. Additionally, or in lieu of saturating the atmosphere, the pressure of the atmosphere may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignees: Molecular Imprints, Inc., Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ian M. McMackin, Nicholas A. Stacey, Daniel A. Babbs, Duane J. Voth, Michael P. C. Watts, Van N. Truskett, Frank Y. Xu, Ronald D. Voisin, Pankaj B. Lad
  • Patent number: 7087269
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-component composite separate membrane and a method for preparing the same, and to a multi-component composite membrane comprising a support layer and active layers, wherein the support layer is located between the active layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: LG Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Young Lee, Byeong-In Ahn, Soon-Yong Park, You-Jin Kyung, Heon-Sik Song
  • Patent number: 7067176
    Abstract: Silicon carbide structures are fabricated by fabricating a nitrided oxide layer on a layer of silicon carbide and annealing the nitrided oxide layer in an environment containing hydrogen. Such a fabrication of the nitrided oxide layer may be provided by forming the oxide layer in at least one of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide and/or annealing an oxide layer in at least one of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide. Alternatively, the nitrided oxide layer may be provided by fabricating an oxide layer and fabricating a nitride layer on the oxide layer so as to provide the nitrided oxide layer on which the nitride layer is fabricated. Furthermore, annealing the oxide layer may be provided as a separate step and/or substantially concurrently with another step such as fabricating the nitride layer or performing a contact anneal. The hydrogen environment may be pure hydrogen, hydrogen combined with other gases and/or result from a hydrogen precursor. Anneal temperatures of 400° C. or greater are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Mrinal Kanti Das, Lori A. Lipkin
  • Patent number: 7060361
    Abstract: A film is provided which can be applied to high-temperature processes and can fill microspaces between wirings without forming voids and prevent the occurrence of side etching, and also causes less degassing due to increase of an atmospheric temperature. A coating solution containing a reaction product which is obtained by hydrolyzing at least one first alkoxysilane compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by general formula (I) and compounds represented by general formula (II) in an organic solvent in the presence of an acid catalyst is applied on a target material to form a coating film, and then the coating film is baked in an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of 1000 ppm or less to form a silica-based organic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Shibuya, Yasushi Fujii
  • Patent number: 7052738
    Abstract: A fibrous solid carbon manifold assembly and a method for producing the fibrous solid carbon manifold assembly are provided. The fibrous solid carbon manifold assembly has fibrous bodies carbonized, and a limitless number of superfine graphite filaments grown on surfaces of the carbonized fibrous bodies, in the inside of each of said fibrous bodies and in a gap between adjacent ones of said fibrous bodies. With such a configuration, the number of superfine graphite filaments can be increased more greatly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Hokkaido University
    Inventors: Koichi Mukasa, Teruyuki Tsunabuchi, Kazuhisa Sueoka
  • Patent number: 7011888
    Abstract: Process for protecting fiber-reinforced, carbon-containing composites whose matrix comprises, at least in the outer layer, silicon carbide (SiC) and also silicon (Si) and/or silicon alloys against oxidation, which comprises the steps a) impregnation of the composite with an aqueous, phosphate-containing solution, b) drying, c) heat treatment at a temperature which is at least sufficient to convert the dried solution into insoluble compounds which are suitable for forming a self-healing glass, wherein the composite is treated oxidatively to form silicon oxide (SiO2) either prior to step a), between steps a) and b) or during or after step b) and/or c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Moritz Bauer, Martin Christ, Udo Gruber, Andreas Kienzle, Jens Rosenlöcher, Rainer Zimmerman-Chopin
  • Patent number: 7001641
    Abstract: Seed layer treatment to remove impurities in the seed layer that might lead to the formation of voids in interconnect circuit features. In one embodiment, the seed layer is heated in a reducing environment. In another embodiment, the seed layer is washed with a surfactant that is compatible with a surfactant used when forming the remainder of the circuit feature on the seed layer. Yet another embodiment combines both techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Valery M. Dubin, Christopher D. Thomas, Vinay B. Chikarmane
  • Patent number: 6979474
    Abstract: When a substrate coated with a coating solution which oxidizes at high temperatures is heat-treated, an oxygen concentration of a treatment atmosphere is lowered when the temperature is low. Next, the substrate is heat-treated in the treatment atmosphere of which the oxygen concentration is lowered. Sequentially, the treatment atmosphere is returned to that with the original oxygen concentration after the passage of a predetermined time after completing the heat treatment. Thereby, the substrate can be heat-treated, with the oxidization of the coating solution being controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Matsuyama, Yoji Mizutani, Shinji Nagashima, Akira Yonemizu
  • Patent number: 6977098
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for coating a substrate with a polymer solution to produce a film of uniform thickness, includes mounting the substrate inside an enclosed housing and passing a control gas, which may be a solvent vapor-bearing gas into the housing through an inlet. The polymer solution is deposited onto the surface of the substrate in the housing and the substrate is then spun. The control gas and any solvent vapor and particulate contaminants suspended in the control gas are exhausted from the housing through an outlet and the solvent vapor concentration is controlled by controlling the temperature of the housing and the solvent from which the solvent vapor-bearing gas is produced. Instead the concentration can be controlled by mixing gases having different solvent concentrations. The humidity of the gas may also be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Emir Gurer, Tom Zhong, John Lewellen, Ed Lee, Robert P. Mandal, James C. Grambow, Ted C. Bettes, Donald R. Sauer, Edmond R. Ward
  • Patent number: 6946160
    Abstract: A method of forming a fluorescent screen where a pigment film and a fluorescent film are deposited on a surface of a light transmissive substrate, is presented. The method includes coating a pigment dispersion liquid on the surface of the light transmissive substrate to form a coated film and forming the pigment film by drying the coated film. The drying of the coated film is performed under conditions that a temperature of the corner portions of the light transmissive substrate is controlled to 36° C. to 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Norihisa Nakao
  • Patent number: 6939580
    Abstract: A textile having durability of maintaining water- and sufficient oil-repellency and soil releasability before and after cleaning can be obtained by a method of preparing a treated textile, having steps of: (1) preparing a treatment liquid containing a water- and oil-repellent agent, (2) adjusting pH of the treatment liquid to at most 7, preferably at most 3, (3) applying the treatment liquid to a textile, (4) treating the textile with steam, and (5) washing the textile with water and dehydrating the textile, wherein the water- and oil-repellent agent is an emulsion containing a fluorine-containing compound and an emulsifier, the fluorine-containing compound is a fluorine-containing polymer and/or a fluorine-containing low molecular weight compound, and the emulsifier contains an anionic surface active agent having pKa of at least 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Enomoto, Ikuo Yamamoto, Norihito Otsuki, Teruyuki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6936301
    Abstract: Oxygen partial pressure may be controlled during annealing of a perovskite dielectric layer by providing an oxygen-absorbing layer adjacent the perovskite dielectric layer, and annealing the perovskite dielectric layer in an ambient that includes an ambient oxygen partial pressure, such that the oxygen-absorbing layer locally reduces the oxygen partial pressure adjacent the perovskite dielectric layer to below the ambient oxygen partial pressure. Thus, a perovskite dielectric layer can be annealed without the need to provide ultra-high vacuum and/or ultra-high purity ambient environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Jon-Paul Maria, Angus Ian Kingon
  • Patent number: 6926919
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating coatings for implantable medical devices are disclosed. The coatings include blends of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers. The methods provide for treatment of the coatings to cause enrichment a region close to the outer surface of the coating with the hydrophilic polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Syed F. A. Hossainy, Yiwen Tang, Andrew C. Tung, Stephen D. Pacetti
  • Patent number: 6921557
    Abstract: Provided are low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures. The invention provides solid state electrochemical device substrates of novel composition and techniques for forming thin electrode/membrane/electrolyte coatings on the novel or more conventional substrates. In particular, in one embodiment the invention provides techniques for firing of device substrate to form densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick. In another embodiment, densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick may be formed on a pre-sintered substrate by a constrained sintering process. In some cases, the substrate may be a porous metal, alloy, or non-nickel cermet incorporating one or more of the transition metals Cr, Fe, Cu and Ag, or alloys thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. DeJonghe
  • Patent number: 6887513
    Abstract: A double perovskite type oxide film is formed on a given single crystalline substrate. Then, the oxide film in set in an oxygen-including atmosphere, thereby to be oxidized. As a result, oxygen is introduced excessively into the oxide film, to form half metal/insulator/half metal junction and thus, create a MR effect therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Nagoya University
    Inventors: Yutaka Moritomo, Xiaojun Liu
  • Patent number: 6884460
    Abstract: A method for applying a coating system that is applied to a surface of a component for preventing or at least substantially preventing interdiffusion between the component surface and a protective thermal layer applied to the component surface when the thermal layer is exposed to elevated temperatures. The method includes applying a carrier layer containing aluminum to the component surface. Next, the layer is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period of time in the substantial absence of oxygen to bond the aluminum with the component surface, the heat dissolving the carrier portion of the aluminum layer. The remaining portion of the aluminum layer is then heated to a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined period of time to form an oxidized aluminum layer. Finally, at least one protective thermal layer is applied over the oxidized aluminum layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Frederick Ackerman, Paul Arszman, Andrew J. Skoog
  • Patent number: 6884461
    Abstract: A method for applying a coating system that is applied to a surface of a component, such as a turbine nozzle, for preventing or at least substantially preventing interdiffusion between the component surface and a protective thermal layer applied to the component surface when the thermal layer is exposed to elevated temperatures. The method includes applying a carrier layer containing aluminum to the component surface. Next, the layer is heated to a first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period of time in the substantial absence of oxygen to bond the aluminum with the component surface, the heat dissolving the carrier portion of the aluminum layer. The remaining portion of the aluminum layer is then heated to a second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined period of time to form an oxidized aluminum layer. Finally, at least one protective thermal layer is applied over the oxidized aluminum layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Frederick Ackerman, Paul Arszman, Andrew J. Skoog
  • Patent number: 6878414
    Abstract: A flexible and self-adhesive repositionable dry erasable markerboard is disclosed, together with a method for making such repositionable dry erasable markerboard. The repositionable dry erasable markerboard is made of a second layer, comprising a paper layer, with a first layer, comprising a dry erasable layer applied to the upper surface of the second layer, and a third layer, comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, applied to the lower surface of the second layer. The dry erasable first layer may be either a coating cured under the presence of a nitrogen blanket or a film. The pressure sensitive adhesive of the third layer may be applied to the entire surface of the second layer or selectively zone-coated. The pressure sensitive adhesive of the third layer may be covered with a fourth layer, comprising a removable liner. The paper second layer may be coated and/or printed. The repositionable dry erasable markerboard is flexible and may be rolled into a tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: InVision Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A Meccia, Gregg A Steliga
  • Patent number: 6875466
    Abstract: The wafer coated with the resist is deliberately placed in the vapor before being transferred to an aligner that exposes the resist on the wafer, the vapor, for example, the moisture, uniformly adheres onto the resist on the wafer. As a result, the substrate can uniformly be exposed in the following exposing process, and the uniformity of the line width and the like can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hidefumi Matsui, Junichi Kitano
  • Patent number: 6875472
    Abstract: A system and method for applying a material for improving the adhesion between the surface of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) elements and a coating applied thereto is disclosed. The system comprises the mixing of an adhesion promoter with de-ionized water and applying it to the surface of the TPO elements to be coated. Preferably, the application occurs in an atmospherically controlled enclosure. The application of the adhesion promoter is preferably accomplished by distributing the mixture over the TPO elements through a series of nozzles. Multiple parameters of the application system may be monitored and regulated. Upon completion of the application process, the treated TPO elements are preferably dried in an oven, leaving a thin layer of adhesion promoter over the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shubho Bhattacharya, Laura McBride, Yoshihiro Yamamoto, Shojiro Takeuchi, Saul Gonzalez Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 6872418
    Abstract: A method for forming a film using a rotating cup application apparatus in which a rotatable inner cup is provided within an outer cup, the upper openings of the inner cup and the outer cup are closed with corresponding lids, and the lid for the inner cup is integrally rotated together with the inner cup, the method comprising the steps of setting a material to be treated, on which wiring layers have been formed, in the rotating cup application apparatus, applying SOG onto the surface of the material to be treated, thereafter closing the upper openings of the inner cup and the outer cup with the lids, rotating the inner cup in this state to thereby uniformly diffusing the SOG, repeating the SOG application and diffusing steps, and thereafter baking the material to be treated in a heat treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Endo
  • Patent number: 6866887
    Abstract: Electro-optic structures are constructed by spin coating water based emulsions or solvent based sensor materials, preferably a solvent-based polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), onto a substrate under conditions of controlled solvent evaporation. In a particular process, the uniformity of the PDLC coating is achieved by 1) spin coating in a semi-sealed chamber, 2) “converting” a square substrate into round substrate by using a fixture; 3) providing a controllable distance between the substrate and a spin coater top cover; and 4) providing a controllable solvent evaporation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Photon Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Xianhai Chen, Alexander Nagy
  • Patent number: 6852357
    Abstract: A radiation image storage panel composed of a support and a phosphor film of a stimulable europium activated cesium bromide phosphor having the formula (I): CsBr.MIX?aMIIX?2+bMIIIX?3:zEu ??(I) [MI is an alkali metal element; MII is an alkaline earth metal element or a divalent metal element; MIII is a rare earth element or a trivalent metal element; each of X, X? and X? is a halogen; and 0?a<0.5, 0?b<0.5, 0?c<0.5, and 0<z<1.0] is prepared by the steps of depositing on the support a prismatic europium activated cesium bromide phosphor crystal layer on the support in a gas phase; and heating the crystal layer at a temperature of <300 ° C. but >50° C. for 1 to 8 hours in an inert gas atmosphere which may contain a small amount of oxygen or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Isoda, Yasuo Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 6849305
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a photoresist-free method for depositing films composed of metals, such as copper or silica, or their oxides from metal complexes. More specifically, the method involves applying an amorphous film of a metal complex to a substrate. The metal complexes have a metal and a photo-degradable ligand. A preferred ligand is acac or alkyl-acac, expecially in combination with acetate ligands. These films, upon, for example, thermal, photochemical or electron beam irradiation may be converted to the metal or its oxides. By using either directed light or electron beams, this may lead to a patterned metal or metal oxide film in a single step. Low temperature baking may be used to remove residual organics from the deposited film. If silica is the metal, the deposited film has excellent smoothness and dielectric properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan-Pablo Bravo-Vasquez, Ross H. Hill
  • Patent number: 6844027
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for environmental exchange control for a polymer on a wafer surface. An apparatus for controlling an exchange between an environment and a polymer on a surface of a wafer located in the environment includes: a chamber adapted to hold the wafer, define the environment, and maintain the polymer in an adjacent relationship with the environment; and a heater coupled to the chamber. A method for improving performance of a spin-on material includes: forming the spin-on material on a surface of a wafer; then locating the spin-on material in an environment so that said environment is adjacent said spin-on material; and then controlling an exchange between the spin-on material and said environment. The systems and methods provide advantages because inappropriate deprotection is mitigated by careful control of the environmental temperature and environmental species partial pressures (e.g. relative humidity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Emir Gurer, Ed C. Lee, Tom Zhong, Kevin Golden, John W. Lewellen, Scott C. Wackerman, Reese Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6835422
    Abstract: A method of producing an adhesive article including the steps of applying release coating compound(s) to a second side of a liner backing; applying an adhesive onto a first side of said coated liner backing; crosslinking said adhesive with E-Beam radiation applied through the second side of said liner backing; and winding said article into a roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James J. Kobe, Junkang Jacob Liu, Jolin A. Harrison, Bradley S. Momchilovich, Raymond R. Rivera