Beads Patents (Class 501/33)
  • Patent number: 10577709
    Abstract: Process for deposition of a dense thin film comprising at least one material Px on a substrate, in which: (a) a colloidal suspension is procured containing nanoparticles of at least one material Px, (b) said substrate is immersed in said colloidal suspension, jointly with a counter electrode, (c) an electrical voltage is applied between said substrate and said counter electrode so as to obtain the electrophoretic deposition of a compact film comprising nanoparticles of said at least one material Px on said substrate, (d) said compact film is dried, (e) said film is mechanically consolidated, (f) thermal consolidation is carried out at a temperature TR that does not exceed 0.7 times (and preferably does not exceed 0.5 times) the melting or decomposition temperature (expressed in ° C.) of the material Px that melts at the lowest temperature, preferably at a temperature of between 160° C. and 600° C., and even more preferably at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: I-TEN
    Inventors: Frédéric Bouyer, Bruno Vuillemin, Fabien Gaben
  • Patent number: 10500570
    Abstract: Provided is a formed body containing at least one carbonate compound (A1) selected from Na2CO3 or K2CO3, the formed body having a volume of pores with a pore diameter of from 0.05 ?m to 10 ?m of from 0.10 mL/g to 0.30 mL/g and a crushing strength of from 1.8 kgf to 10.0 kgf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ichikawa, Naoya Takahashi, Masami Murakami
  • Patent number: 10352059
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a shelter includes an impact-resistant panel having an energy-absorbing core positioned between two outer layers, wherein the energy-absorbing core includes a syntactic foam material that has a plurality of hollow microspheres compounded with a polymeric resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: THE UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Uday Vaidya, Selvum Pillay, Haibin Ning, Krishnan Balaji Thattai Parthasarathy
  • Patent number: 10232335
    Abstract: The ?-eucryptite fine particle production method of the invention includes spraying, into an atmosphere at 50° C. to a temperature lower than 300° C., a solution containing a water-soluble lithium salt, a water-soluble aluminum salt, and colloidal silica, in such amounts that the mole proportions among lithium atoms, aluminum atoms, and silicon atoms (Li:Al:Si) are adjusted to 1:1:1, to thereby dry the solution, and, subsequently, firing the dried product in air at 600 to 1,300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: NISSAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kato, Tadayuki Isaji, Yoshiyuki Kashima, Jun-ichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10053387
    Abstract: Glass microbubbles include on an average weight basis: from 25.0 to 37.4 percent by weight of silicon; from 5.7 to 8.6 percent by weight of calcium; from 5.2 to 14.9 percent by weight, on a total combined weight basis, of at least one of sodium or potassium; from 0.3 to 0.9 percent of boron; and from 0.9 to 2.6 percent of phosphorus, wherein the weight ratio of phosphorus to boron is in the range of from 1.4 to 4.2, and wherein the glass microbubbles comprise less than 0.4 percent by weight of zinc. A raw product including the glass microbubbles, and methods of making the raw product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Geoffrey P. Morris
  • Patent number: 9731996
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of manufacturing a controlled pore glass, including: (a) adding an acidic solution to a column containing borosilicate glass; (b) flushing the column from step (a) with an aqueous solution until the pH of the effluent is greater than about 6; (c) adding a basic solution to the column from step (b); and (d) flushing the column from step (c) with an aqueous solution until the pH of the effluent is less than about 9 to produce a controlled pore glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: INTERGRATED DNA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn Walsh, Kye Roth, William E. Martin, III, Shawn Allen
  • Patent number: 9312045
    Abstract: A conductive paste composition for a solar cell contains a conductive powder, a glass frit, and a vehicle. The glass fit includes glass containing SO2 within a range of 0.05 to 5.0 (mol %) in terms of oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: NORITAKE CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasushi Yoshino, Yusuke Kawamoto, Kosuke Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 9200500
    Abstract: A method comprising placing a composition comprising a wellbore servicing fluid and a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensor in a subterranean formation, whereby the MEMS sensor is coated with an elastomer. The elastomer-coated MEMS sensor is used to detect one or more parameters, including a compression or swelling of the elastomer, an expansion of the elastomer, or a change in density of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Roddy, Ricky L. Covington
  • Patent number: 9144475
    Abstract: The present invention provides a curable composition allowing a cured product having high aesthetic quality, strength and durability along with having high surface lubricating property. A curable composition in the present invention comprises: an inorganic powder and a polymerizable monomer, wherein the inorganic powder contains a spherical composite powder, the spherical composite powder has a complex of silicon dioxide and at least one of alumina and zirconia, and an amorphous part and a crystalline part are mixed in the spherical composite powder. A refractive index difference is not more than 0.05 between the spherical composite powder and a cured product obtained by curing only a compound excluded the spherical composite powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignees: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE CO., LTD., KAO, CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Tsujimoto, Mikio Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9109108
    Abstract: A hybrid underlayment, includes a thermoplastic making up between 92.0% by volume to 95.5% by volume of the hybrid underlayment. A plurality of expanded microspheres is dispersed through the thermoplastic. The microspheres are expanded to a volume in a range of between 180 square micrometers and 1450 square micrometers. The microspheres makeup between 1.0% by volume to 7.5% by volume of the hybrid underlayment. The hybrid underlayment is extruded into a flat sheet having a thickness of between 1.0 mm and 2.0 mm and a density from 7 pcf to 25 pcf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Pak-Lite, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ford, Richard Allgood
  • Patent number: 9016090
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of glass microspheres comprises: melting a batch into a first glass melt in a melter system, processing the first glass melt into a second glass, pulverizing the second glass into a plurality of glass fragments, thermally processing the plurality of glass fragments into a plurality of glass microspheres, providing at least one of a plurality of redox reactions and a plurality of events in at least one of the first glass melt and a melt of the second glass, and the plurality of redox reactions and the plurality of events are induced by a plurality of redox active group (RAG) components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Hamid Hojaji, Laura Gabriela Kocs
  • Patent number: 9012047
    Abstract: The shape and number of surface defects are controlled so that the occurrence of failure is suppressed in an HDD device in which a magnetic head with a very small flying height, such as a DFH head, is mounted. A magnetic disk substrate is characterized in that when laser light with a wavelength of 405 nm and a laser power of 25 mW is irradiated with a spot size of 5 ?m and scattered light from the substrate is detected, the number of defects detected to have a size of 0.1 ?m to not more than 0.3 ?m is less than 50 per 24 cm2 and, with respect to the defects, there is no defect in which, in a bearing curve obtained by a bearing curve plot method using an atomic force microscope, a portion from an apex of the defect to 45% thereof is located in an area of defect height higher than a virtual line connecting from the apex of the defect to 45% thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kitsunai, Hiroshi Takeda, Yukari Senda
  • Patent number: 8853112
    Abstract: A sintered bead presenting the following chemical analysis, in percentages by weight and for a total of 100%: ZrO2+HfO2: 78%-85%; CeO2: ?15%; Al2O3: >0.1%; additive: >0.1%; impurities: <1%; the additive being selected from MnO, MnO2, Fe2O3, CuO, TiO2, Y2O3, Sb2O3, ZnO, and mixtures thereof. Application to microgrinding and to microdispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes Europeen
    Inventors: Emmanuel Nonnet, Rimma Khodakovskaya, Moshe Link, Marcel Yancu, Andrei Schon, Eric Hanus
  • Patent number: 8609244
    Abstract: A low density material and a method for preparing a low-density material and precursor for forming a low-density material are provided. An aqueous mixture of inorganic primary component and a blowing agent is formed, the mixture is dried and optionally ground to form an expandable precursor. Such a precursor is then fired with activation of the blowing agent being controlled such that it is activated within a predetermined optimal temperature range. The firing conditions are also controlled to provide a low density sphere containing a heterogeneous sphere wall structure comprising a combination of amorphous glass and a crystalline phase or gas phase or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: James Hardie Technology Limited
    Inventors: Huagang Zhang, Hamid Hojaji, Shannon Marie Labernik, David L. Melmeth, Thinh Pham, James A. McFarlane
  • Patent number: 8476353
    Abstract: Provided are an amorphous polyamide resin composition having high transparency, and is excellent in heat resistance and stiffness, and a molded product thereof. The glass filler contains, expressed in terms of oxides by mass %, 68 to 74% of silicon dioxide (SiO2), 2 to 5% of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), 2 to 5% of boron oxide (B2O3), 2 to 10% of calcium oxide (CaO), 0 to 5% of zinc oxide (ZnO), 0 to 5% of strontium oxide (SrO), 0 to 1% of barium oxide (BaO), 1 to 5% of magnesium oxide (MgO), 0 to 5% of lithium oxide (Li2O), 5 to 12% of sodium oxide (Na2O), and 0 to 10% of potassium oxide (K2O), where a total amount of lithium oxide (Li2O), sodium oxide (Na2O), and potassium oxide (K2O) is 8 to 12%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Fiber Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hideyuki Higashiyama, Keiji Sekine
  • Patent number: 8338524
    Abstract: Disclosed is a glass composition which can be suitably used as a glass filler to be blended into a polycarbonate resin. This glass composition contains, in mass %, 50?SiO2?60, 8?Al2O3?15, 0?MgO?10, 10?CaO?30, 0?Li2O+Na2O+K2O<2, and 5<TiO2?10, and does not substantially contain B2O3, F, ZnO, SrO, BaO and ZrO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kosuke Fujiwara, Akihiro Koyama
  • Patent number: 8329806
    Abstract: The method for producing flaky-glass granules of the present invention is a method for producing flaky-glass granules by allowing a plurality of glass flakes to be bonded to each other so as to be granulated. The method includes the steps of: (I) adding at least one liquid selected from water and a volatile organic solvent to the plurality of glass flakes and stirring a resultant mixture, and (II) drying the plurality of glass flakes stirred with the liquid added thereto. Unlike conventional flaky-glass granules, the flaky-glass granules produced by this method contain neither a binder nor a surface treatment agent for bonding the glass flakes to each other. Thus, when mixed into a thermoplastic resin to be molded at a high temperature, the flaky-glass granules cause neither foam inclusion nor discoloration in a molded article of the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Maeda
  • Patent number: 8304484
    Abstract: Disclosed is a glass composition having a stable quality, which can be easily obtained. This glass composition can be used as a glass filler to be blended into a polycarbonate resin, and enables to reduce the load imposed on a glass manufacturing apparatus. Specifically, this glass composition contains, in mass %, 50?SiO2?60, 8?Al2O3?15, 0?MgO?10, 5?CaO<21, 0<SrO+BaO?25, 10<MgO+SrO+BaO?30, 0?Li2O+Na2O+K2O<2, 2<TiO2?10 and 0?ZrO2<2 and does not substantially contain B2O3, F, and ZnO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kosuke Fujiwara, Akihiro Koyama
  • Patent number: 8261577
    Abstract: There is provided a method for making hollow microspheres including heating a feed under conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of the feed into hollow microspheres, where the heating is conducted under a vacuum. There is also provided hollow microspheres made using this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Gang Qi
  • Publication number: 20120202049
    Abstract: The invention relates to an object containing at least one glass spacer between a first element of said object and a second element of said object, said spacer having a concentration gradient in alkali metal ions from its surface and perpendicular to its surface. The object may be a solar collector under vacuum. The invention also relates to a glass bead having a concentration gradient in alkali metal ions from its surface and perpendicular to its surface and its use as a spacer withstanding a pressure force between two elements, said pressure pushing the two elements together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Serge Valladeau, Xavier Brajer
  • Patent number: 8209999
    Abstract: Silica glass granule having the following features: Area: 100 to 5000 ?m2, ECD: 5 to 100 ?m, Circumference: 20 to 400 ?m, Maximum diameter: 10 to 140 ?m, Minimum diameter: 5 to 80 ?m, where all values are medium values, Specific BET surface area: <1 m2/g Impurities: <50 ppm It is prepared by a) compacting pyrogenic silicon dioxide powder with a tamped density of 15 to 190 g/l to slugs, b) subsequently crushing them and removing slug fragments with a diameter of <100 ?m and >800 ?m, c) the slug fragments having a tamped density of 300 to 600 g/l, and d) subsequently treating them at 600 to 1100° C. in an atmosphere which comprises one or more compounds which are suitable for removing hydroxyl groups, and e) then sintering them at 1200° C. to 1400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Kai Schumacher, Christian Schulze-Isfort, Paul Brandl, Mitsuru Ochiai
  • Patent number: 8158035
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a light diffusing member which has excellent optical transparency and light resistance and has excellent light diffusibility despite of a small amount of filler to be added, and a method for producing the same. The light diffusing member of the present invention is a light diffusing member including a base material and ceramic particles contained in the base material, wherein the ceramic particles have a composition in which the total amount of MgO and Al2O3 is 80% by weight or more and the weight ratio [MgO/Al2O3] of MgO and Al2O3 is 0.05 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Sakaguchi, Kazuo Oki
  • Patent number: 8080490
    Abstract: The invention relates to an antimicrobial phosphate glass having the following composition in percent by weight on an oxide basis: P2O5>66-80 percent by weight; SO30-40 percent by weight; B203 0-1 percent by weight; Al2O3>6.2-10 percent by weight; SiO2 0-10 percent by weight; Na2O>9-20 percent by weight; CaO 0-25 percent by weight; MgO 0-15 percent by weight; SrO 0-15 percent by weight; BaO 0-15 percent by weight; ZnO>0-25 percent by weight; Ag2O 0-5 percent by weight; CuO 0-10 percent by weight; GeO2 0-10 percent by weight; TeO2 0-15 percent by weight; Cr2O3 0-10 percent by weight; J 0-10 percent by weight; F 0-3 percent by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Jörg Hinrich Fechner, José Zimmer, Karine Seneschal
  • Patent number: 8030232
    Abstract: A titanium-containing oxide glass having a bulky form and substantially having a chemical composition represented by the formula: (M1)1-x(M2)x(Ti1-y1(M3)y1)y2O2 [wherein M1 represents an element selected from Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Na and Ca; M2 represents at least one element selected from Mg, Ba, Ca, Sr, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Na, Sc, Y, Hf, Bi and Ag; M3 represents at least one element selected from V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Al, Si, P, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Sb and Te; and x, y1, y2 and z satisfy the following requirements: 0?x?0.5, 0?y1<0.31, 1.4<y2<3.3, and 3.9<z<8.0, provided that x+y1?0 when M1 represents Ba, and y1?0 when both M1 and M2 represent Ba].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Kentei Yono, Yasutomo Arai, Atsunobu Masuno, Takehiko Ishikawa, Shinichi Yoda
  • Patent number: 7960300
    Abstract: A titanium-containing oxide glass having a bulky form and substantially having a chemical composition represented by the formula: (M1)1-x(M2)x(Ti1-y1(M3)y1)y2Oz [wherein M1 represents an element selected from Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Na and Ca; M2 represents at least one element selected from Mg, Ba, Ca, Sr, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Na, Sc, Y, Hf, Bi and Ag; M3 represents at least one element selected from V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Al, Si, P, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Sb and Te; and x, y1, y2 and z satisfy the following requirements: 0?x?0.5, 0?y1<0.31, 1.4<y2<3.3, and 3.9<z<8.0, provided that x+y1?0 when M1 represents Ba, and y1?0 when both M1 and M2 represent Ba].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Kentei Yono, Yasutomo Arai, Atsunobu Masuno, Takehiko Ishikawa, Shinichi Yoda
  • Publication number: 20110132882
    Abstract: A filler made of glass beads is provided. The glass improves the absorption and the distribution of the energy of the beam such that an internal wall of the hollow component is not damaged. A process for producing a through-hole in a hollow component is provided. Also, an apparatus for laser drilling is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Wolfgang Dorn, Francis-Jurjen Ladru, Michael Riemann
  • Patent number: 7947616
    Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g., polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g., glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Kenton D. Budd
  • Patent number: 7900474
    Abstract: Hollow glass microspheres are made using selenium oxide as the blowing agent. The use of selenium oxide provides two unique advantages: lower density and smaller hollow microspheres are obtained because loss of selenium oxide gas out of the liquid glass bubble during formation is slow, and the hollow microspheres will contain a vacuum due to the condensation of selenium oxide gas blowing agent upon cooling of the spheres below 315 deg. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Warren R. Beck
  • Patent number: 7744689
    Abstract: An alkali resistant glass composition having improved durability to withstand highly alkali environments at elevated temperatures, such as curing of cementitious products in an autoclave, is conveniently formed from economical and abundant materials. The glass composition includes increased levels of calcium and iron, and relatively low levels of alkali metals, as compared to many other alkali resistant glass products, and comprises essentially of, by weight, >35% Si2O3, 1-25% CaO, 1-15% Fe2O3, 1-10% R2O, and an amount of Al2O3 such that the ratio of Si2O3:Al2O3 is greater than or equal to 1. Alkali resistance can be improved by forming a passivity layer on the surface of glass articles by treating the articles hydrothermally in a basic environment. Optionally zirconia and/or titania may be added to the composition to further improve alkali resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: James Hardie Technology Limited
    Inventors: Hamid Hojaji, David Leslie Melmeth
  • Patent number: 7745360
    Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g., polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g., glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Kenton D. Budd
  • Publication number: 20100041537
    Abstract: Method of making particle compositions exhibiting improved floodability and/or flowability properties. The compositions generally contain particles and non-surface modified nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Jimmie R. Baran, JR., Madeline P. Shinbach
  • Patent number: 7585799
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to microspheres (i.e., beads) having a high index of refraction. The disclosure also relates to retroreflective articles, and in particular pavement markings, comprising such microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Billy J. Frederick, Jr., Terrance L. Bescup
  • Patent number: 7579293
    Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g., polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g., glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Kenton D. Budd
  • Patent number: 7524779
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres (i.e., beads) having a high index of refraction. The invention also relates to retroreflective articles, and in particular pavement markings, comprising such microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Billy J. Frederick, Jr., Terrance L. Bescup
  • Patent number: 7513941
    Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g. polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g. glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Kenton D. Budd
  • Patent number: 7498283
    Abstract: A glass powder having an average particle size of at least 0.5 ?m and smaller than 5.0 ?m, having a specific surface area of at least 1.5 m2/cm3, and having a glass transition temperature higher than 200° C. and lower than 400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Asahi Fiber Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hideki Nakagawa, Hideki Endou
  • Patent number: 7494610
    Abstract: A method of activating a zeolite membrane comprising a step of placing the membrane in contact with a fluid mixture containing ozone, wherein when the fluid mixture is a gaseous mixture, the fluid mixture has a temperature of at least 423K, and wherein when the fluid mixture is a liquid mixture, the fluid mixture has a temperature of 353K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: King Lun Yeung, Koon Fung Lam, Samuel Heng, Lik Hang Joseph Chau
  • Patent number: 7312168
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Mark T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7297646
    Abstract: Ceramics comprising (i) at least one of Nb2O5 or Ta2O5 and (ii) at least two of (a) Al2O3, (b) REO, or (c) at least one of ZrO2 or HfO2. Embodiments of ceramics according to the present invention can be made, formed as, or converted into optical waveguides, glass beads, articles (e.g., plates), fibers, particles (e.g., abrasive particles), and thin coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Craig R. Schardt
  • Patent number: 7285508
    Abstract: The present invention provides a glass flake that is substantially free of boron trioxide (B2O3), barium oxide (BaO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and fluorine (F) and has sufficient heat resistance and good formability for glass flake. The glass flake of the present invention includes a glass composition that contains the following components, expressed in mol %; 50?SiO2?65; 4?Al2O3<12; 5?SrO?25; 10<(MgO+SrO)?30; 20?(MgO+CaO+SrO)?45; and 0<(Li2O+Na2O+K2O)<2; wherein the glass composition is substantially free of B2O3, BaO, ZnO, and F. This glass flake is useful for resin compositions, paints, cosmetics, ink compositions, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kosuke Fujiwara, Akihiro Koyama
  • Patent number: 7045475
    Abstract: Glass formulations, and a method of converting such glass formulations to glass beads having a refractive index of at least 1.59 and a high level of retroreflectivity, are provided. The methods and formulations provide beads also having high levels of resistance to degradation by environmental exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: PQ Corporation
    Inventors: Ufuk Senturk, Michael P. Lanci, Raymond Jackson, John W. Lau
  • Patent number: 6914024
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Mark T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6899827
    Abstract: Sintered, translucent ceramic microbeads, preferably alumina, titania, zirconia, yttria, zirconium phosphate, or yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) are doped with one or more optically active species. The beads may be added to substances such as explosives in order to create a distinctive optical signature that identifies a manufacturer, lot number, etc. in the event of the need for forensic analysis. Because the beads have a generally spherical surface, the radius of curvature provides an additional distinguishing characteristic by which a particular sample may be identified. The beads could also be formulated into paints if needed to create distinctive optical signatures for camouflage, decoys, or other countermeasures and could also be applied as a dust to track the movement of personnel, vehicles, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Lauf, Kimberly K. Anderson, Frederick C. Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20040259713
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres (i.e., beads) that comprise titania and bismuth oxide. The glass microspheres further comprise zirconia. The invention also relates to retroreflective articles, and in particular pavement markings, comprising such microspheres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Matthew H. Frey
  • Patent number: 6831028
    Abstract: This invention provides an antimicrobial glass which exhibits excellent dispersing ability into a resin and excellent transparency besides generating small yellowing and a method for manufacturing the antimicrobial glass. In the antimicrobial glass capable of releasing an Ag ion, a shape of the antimicrobial glass is formed into a polyhedron and, at the same time, an average particle size of the antimicrobial glass is set to a value within a range of 0.1 to 300 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: KOA Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Ishii, Kenichi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040209756
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark T. Anderson, Kenton D. Budd, James R. Onstott
  • Patent number: 6800574
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Mark T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6734297
    Abstract: A labeling reagent for use in oligonucleotide (“oligo”) synthesis, as well as a method of preparing such a labeling reagent, a method of using such a reagent for synthesizing a labeled oligonucleotide, and an oligonucleotide prepared using such a reagent. The reagent can be used to label either the 3′ or 5′ termini of a synthesized oligo, and/or for one or more positions along the oligo. The labeling reagent can be prepared by a reaction scheme that involves the initial preparation of hydroxyacids, tritylated hydroxyacids and coupling of such derivatives to diamine, wherein the amine function serves at an attachment point for labels and the hydroxyl groups can either be used to immoblize the molecules to support or can be converted to provide a phosphorylating reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Barrskogen, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomas Kempe
  • Patent number: 6695908
    Abstract: A method of producing an improved aggregate product from in inferior initial aggregate material base material. A percentage weight of crushed glass material is introduced into the initial aggregate material to form said aggregate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas E. Raisch
  • Publication number: 20030155055
    Abstract: A vehicle tire balancing material comprising beads (1) formed from a first material (1′) having a higher tribo-electric work function, the beads (1) further having a permanent coating (1″) formed from a second material having a lower tribo-electric work function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Roger Leblanc