Removing A Liquid To Form A Cellular Product Patents (Class 521/64)
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Patent number: 6822010Abstract: A method for producing a porous material excelling in stability of preservation is produced. A method for the production of a porous material comprising a step for obtaining a porous polymer by polymerizing an HIPE containing a polymerizable monomer is disclosed, which method comprises a step for adding a compound capable of reacting with a polymerization initiator and/or a compound capable of reacting with an unsaturated double bond to said emulsion, said porous polymer and/or said porous material having a conversion of not less than 70%. According to this invention, it is made possible to produce a porous material excelling in stability in storage and to decrease the polymerization initiator and the residual monomer very simply.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirotama Fujimaru, Hiroki Inoue, Kenji Kadonaga, Kinya Nagasuna
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Patent number: 6808672Abstract: A process for the continuous coagulation and drying of rubber latex includes feeding the latex onto an endless conveyor belt which feeds the latex through a coagulator. A combination of microwave energy and hot air raises the temperature of the latex causing it to coagulate in a coagulation time of less than five minutes. The coagulated rubber from the coagulator is fed into a conveyor belt of a stretch unit which stretches the rubber by increasing its speed of travel. The stretched rubber is then conveyed onto the upper belt of a drying unit. The drying rubber is passed from the upper belt onto an intermediate belt and then on to a lower belt before leaving the drying unit. A combination of microwave energy and hot air in the drying unit is used to dry the rubber to a moisture content of less than 1.5%.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Linatex Rubber Products SDN BHDInventors: Robert Michael Stewart, Chan Pak Kuen, Ralph Nicholas Spearman, Norhisham MD Sanusi, David William Fountain
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Publication number: 20040209338Abstract: This disclosure describes the first viable non-enzyme protein encapsulated within an aerogel. In this, a large excess of cyt. c is added to a commercial buffered Au sol solution ( ) which results in the formation of a gold˜protein-protein superstructure in the absence of separation techniques which destroy the superstructure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Debra R. Rolison, Jean M. Wallace, Jeremy J. Pietron, Jane K. Rice, Rhonda M. Stroud
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Patent number: 6806299Abstract: Synthetic methods for the preparation of hydrophobic organics aerogels. One method involves the sol-gel polymerization of 1,3-dimethoxybenzene or 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene with formaldehyde in non-aqueous solvents. Using a procedure analogous to the preparation of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) aerogels, this approach generates wet gels that can be dried using either supercritical solvent extraction to generate the new organic aerogels or air dried to produce an xerogel. Other methods involve the sol-gel polymerization of 1,3,5 trihydroxy benzene (phloroglucinol) or 1,3 dihydroxy benzene (resorcinol) and various aldehydes in non-aqueous solvents. These methods use a procedure analogous to the one-step base and two-step base/acid catalyzed polycondensation of phloroglucinol and formaldehyde, but the base catalyst used is triethylamine. These methods can be applied to a variety of other sol-gel precursors and solvent systems.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Theodore F. Baumann, Joe H. Satcher, Jr., Alexander E. Gash
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Patent number: 6800666Abstract: Hydrophilic open-celled resilient foams containing melamine-formaldehyde resins, characterized by a droplet absorption rate of less than 5 seconds and an EU standard EN ISO 14184-1 formaldehyde emission of less than 100 mg of formaldehyde/kg of foam, and obtainable by (a) heating an aqueous solution or dispersion each containing at least a melamine-formaldehyde precondensate, an emulsifier, a blowing agent and a curing agent to form a foam and crosslink the precondensate, (b) then conditioning the foam at from 120 to 300° C. for from 1 to 180 minutes to remove volatiles, and (c) treating the foam during the conditioning or thereafter with at least one hydrophilicizer and/or with ozone, a corona discharge or a plasma, are useful in hygiene articles to acquire, distribute and immobilize body fluids.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hans-Joachim Hähnle, Horst Baumgartl, Martin Beck, Norbert Herfert, Bernhard Mohr, Jürgen Huff
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Patent number: 6797735Abstract: A method of production is provided which is capable of efficiently producing in a very short period of time a porous polymer possessing a uniform foam structure and truly excelling in absorption properties and physical properties. It is a method for the production of a porous polymer, characterized by comprising (a) an emulsifying step for forming a water-in-oil type high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) by mixing and stirring an oil phase containing a polymerizing monomer component and a surfactant as essential components, (b) a shaping step for shaping the HIPE in a specific form, and (c) a polymerizing step for polymerizing the shaped HIPE and controlling the temperatures of the emulsion at the component steps (a)-(c) so that they may not produce a change exceeding 10° C. or controlling all the component steps so that they may proceed at temperatures of not lower than 80° C.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kinya Nagasuna, Kenji Kadonaga, Hirotama Fujimaru, Kozo Nogi, Kenji Minami
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Patent number: 6774151Abstract: A method of producing a porous, liquid absorbent, open-cell polymeric foam material having properties which makes it suitable for use as an absorbent structure in absorbent articles such as diapers, pant diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence guards, wound dressings, bed protections etc, comprising dissolving a polymer in a solvent, adding a surfactant and causing foaming, after which the polymer is crosslinked in the foamed mixture by means of a crosslinking agent. The temperature of the foam thus formed is lowered to a temperature below the freezing point of the solvent and the crosslinking reaction is continued during the freezing step, and after the main part of the solvent is removed from the formed foam material.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventors: Kent Malmgren, Bengt Widberg
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Methods of forming polymeric structures using carbon dioxide and polymeric structures formed therapy
Patent number: 6765030Abstract: Methods of forming a polymeric structure having a plurality of cells therein that include contacting a polymeric material that includes a first phase and a second phase with a composition comprising carbon dioxide to form the polymeric structure having a plurality of cells therein are described. Polymeric materials and microelectronic devices formed by such methods are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillInventors: Joseph M. DeSimone, Sara Naomi Paisner -
Patent number: 6765029Abstract: A method for dehydrating a porous cross-linked polymer conveniently to a low final water content is provided. A porous cross-linked polymer sheet is produced by a method which comprises causing a porous cross-linked polymer obtained by forming and polymerizing a water-in-oil type higher internal phase emulsion to be dehydrated by the use of non-woven fabric rolls furnished with an aspiration mechanism. Properly in this case, the porous cross-linked polymer is subjected to preliminary squeezing. In accordance with the present invention, a porous cross-linked polymer abounding in a water absorbing property to be dehydrated to a low final water content with a small number of rolls.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignees: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., The Proctor & Gamble CompanyInventors: Masazumi Sasabe, Katsuhiko Sakamoto, Kozo Nogi, Motohiro Arakawa
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Patent number: 6759445Abstract: The present invention relates to form materials comprising polymeric material wherein the structure of the polymeric material contains elastic amorphous areas of nano-scale-size reinforced with self arranged crystalline domains of nano-crystals.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Valery Alexandrovich Dyatlov, Bernhard Hanke, Bernhard Rieger, Judith Preuschen
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Patent number: 6759080Abstract: The invention discloses methods for making foams by photopolymerizing emulsions comprising a reactive phase and a phase immiscible with the reactive phase components. Foams made from water-in-oil emulsions, including high internal phase emulsion are disclosed. Articles and uses for the foams are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kristin La Velle Thunhorst, Mark David Gehlsen, Robin Edgar Wright, Eric Wayne Nelson, Steven Dean Koecher, Douglas Gold
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Patent number: 6756413Abstract: The present invention relates to an O/W type aqueous dispersion which comprises mixing a radical polymerization type thermosetting resin and water together to uniformly disperse particles of the resin in the aqueous phase; the aqueous dispersion is stable and thixotropic and has excellent workability; moreover, as with a normal radical polymerization type thermosetting resin, the aqueous dispersion can be cured at ambient temperature or with heating in the presence of a curing agent and if necessary an accelerator, and the cured material obtained is a porous cured material having fine particles bound together and fine interconnected pores between the bound particles.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Japan U-PICA Company, Ltd.Inventor: Keizo Masawaki
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Patent number: 6750263Abstract: This invention provides a method of producing a porous cross-linked polymer by horizontal continuous polymerization of a water-in-oil higher internal phase emulsion (HIPE), which includes using a weir at the opposite end parts in the width direction of an emulsion supporting member for use in the polymerization. This invention also provides a method of producing a porous cross-linked polymer by horizontal continuous polymerization of an HIPE, which includes using a supporting member of the lower side of the emulsion and a sheet material on the upper side of the emulsion, and performing the polymerization by exerting a tensile force in the width direction and/or the travel direction of the sheet material.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masazumi Sasabe, Katsuhiko Sakamoto, Kozo Nogi
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Patent number: 6750262Abstract: Water-absorbing, expanded, crosslinked polymers obtainable by (I) foaming a polymerizable aqueous mixture which comprises (a) monoethylenically unsaturated monomers which contain acidic groups and are optionally neutralized, (b) optionally other monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, (c) crosslinkers, (d) initiators, (e) 0.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hans-Joachim Hähnle, Ulrich Schröder, Wolfgang Heider, Gunnar Schornick, Thomas Anstock
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Patent number: 6750261Abstract: This invention relates to foams made by polymerizing high internal phase emulsions (HIPE) containing polyelectrolytes. The emulsions comprise a continuous oil phase and a co- or discontinuous aqueous phase. The resulting foams are useful as a separations medium.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Susannah C. Clear, Ranjani V. Parthasarathy, Ravi K. Sura, Philip P. Soo
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Patent number: 6730711Abstract: A method for the production of a porous cross-linked polymer material by the polymerization of an HIPE containing a cross-linking agent, characterized by the fact at least one species of the cross-linking agent is a compound having a double bond equivalent f not less than 120 g/mol. The cross-linking agent is preferred to be a compound possessed of an alkylene oxide moiety or a vinyl polymer containing not less than two polymerizing double bonds in the molecular unit. Thus, it is made possible to produce a porous cross-linked polymer material excellent in absorbency and flexibility, permit the HIPE to be polymerized in a short time, and therefore improve the efficiency of production.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignees: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., The Proctor & Gamble CompanyInventors: Masazumi Sasabe, Kenji Kadonaga, Hiroki Inoue, Akiko Mitsuhashi, Hirotama Fujimaru, Masatoshi Yoshida, Masuji Izubayashi, Kazutomo Takahashi
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Patent number: 6730712Abstract: A method for producing a porous cross-linked polymer sheet capable of slicing quickly is provided. This method comprises a step for obtaining a porous cross-linked polymer by forming and polymerizing an HIPE, a step for dehydrating the porous cross-linked polymer, and a step for subsequently slicing the dehydrated porous cross-linked polymer. According to this invention, by performing the step of dehydration prior to the conventional step of slicing, it is made possible to prevent the porous cross-linked polymer from adhering to the blade and the guides provided for a slicer, and allow the slicing to be attained quickly. By removing the salt from the polymer, it is further made possible to prevent a production device from gathering rust and the porous cross-linked polymer from permitting adhesion of rust thereto.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masazumi Sasabe, Katsuhiko Sakamoto, Kozo Nogi, Motohiro Arakawa
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Patent number: 6689465Abstract: Disclosed is substantially spherical porous beads of an aromatic polyether ketone resin, which have an average particle diameter of 50 to 5,000 &mgr;m and a porosity of 40 to 99%. Also disclosed is a method for producing porous beads, which comprises: mixing, while heating, an aromatic polyether ketone resin with a sol vent capable of dissolving the resin to thereby obtain a resin solution; dispersing the resin solution in a liquid dispersion medium which is incapable of dissolving the resin and is non-miscible with the solvent, to thereby obtain a dispersion having the resin solution dispersed therein in the form of globules; cooling the dispersion while maintaining the dispersed form of the resin solution in the liquid dispersion medium, to thereby solidify the resin in the resin solution; and separating the solidified resin from a mixture of the solvent and the liquid dispersion medium, thereby obtaining substantially spherical porous beads of the aromatic polyether ketone resin.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akihiro Omori, Yohsuke Koizumi
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Patent number: 6664305Abstract: A process of manufacturing of a chromatography material comprising the steps of (i) reacting a polymerizable at least bifunctional monomer A with a ligand also having a functional group which binds covalently with one of the functional groups of said polymerizable bifunctional monomer A, (ii) to form a compound B comprising at least one polymerizable functional moiety (iii) polymerizing the compound B essentially alone or with the polymerizable monomers in presence of porogenes to obtain a block of porous polymerizate which is self-supporting or (iv) reacting the ligand and a spacer via a covalent bond which is cleavable to form a ligand-spacer conjugate and binding the ligand-spacer conjugate to the surface of a chromatographic support or reacting the ligand-spacer conjugate via a covalent bond to the at least bi-functional monomer A and polymerizing it essentially alone or with the polymerizable monomers in presence of porogenes to obtain a block of porous polymerizate which is self-supporting.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: BIA Separations d.o.o.Inventors: Alois Jungbauer, Rainer Hahn, Ales Podgornik, Milos Barut, Ales Strancar
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Patent number: 6649665Abstract: In producing a porous cross-linked polymer by forming a water-in-oil type high internal phase emulsion and subsequently polymerizing the emulsion, a method for the production of a porous cross-linked polymer material which comprises a step of polymerizing a water-in-oil type high internal phase emulsion obtained in the presence of a polyglycerine fatty acid ester. This invention permits an HIPE to be polymerized at a high temperature for the purpose of stabilizing the HIPE and consequently warrants quick production of a porous cross-linked polymer material possessed of an excellent water absorbing property.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignees: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., The Proctor & Gamble CompanyInventors: Kenji Kadonaga, Akiko Mitsuhashi, Kazutomo Takahashi
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Patent number: 6632849Abstract: A porous carbonized film with fine continuous pores, obtained by carbonization of a highly heat-resistant resin porous film in an anaerobic atmosphere, and a process for its production.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: UBE Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Yao, Shyusei Ohya, Yukihiko Asano
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Patent number: 6632361Abstract: The invention describes hydrophilically acting shaped objects, in particular semipermeable membranes for pyrogen retention, comprising a synthetic polymer component and an additive made from a copolymer made from vinylpyrrolidone and a vinylimidazole compound, and furthermore processes for manufacturing the shaped objects. The shaped objects of the invention exhibit such a high pyrogen retention capacity that the pyrogen concentrations present in the filtrates are in part below the detection limit of the gel clot LAL test.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Membrana GmbHInventors: Thorsten Niklas, Friedbert Wechs, Annekatrin Nothdurft
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Patent number: 6630519Abstract: This invention concerns a method for the production of a porous polymer from a water-in-oil type high internal phase emulsion (HIPE). By using an oil-soluble polymerization initiator as the polymerization initiator, the method for producing a porous polymer with outstanding characteristics in a very short period even when the porous polymer is produced from an HIPE exhibiting a viscosity of not more than 500 mPa second at the emulsion formation temperature or when the porous polymer to be produced possesses a number-average pore diameter of not less than 80 &mgr;m is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirotama Fujimaru, Kenji Kadonaga, Kinya Nagasuna, Kenji Minami
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Patent number: 6627670Abstract: A durable, conformable, absorbent, hydrophilic, polymeric latex foam composition having a free absorbent capacity of at least 5 grams of a 0.9 weight percent aqueous saline solution per gram of foam and capable of vertically wicking said aqueous saline solution to a height of greater than about 5 cm. In a preferred embodiment, after compression, the latex foam composition remains thin until wet, whereupon it expands and exhibits a high free absorbent capacity and high vertical wicking height.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Mork, Andrew T. Graham
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Patent number: 6627669Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, compositions and methods are provided in which the mechanical strength and durability of a precursor material having a plurality of pores is increased by a) providing a precursor material; b) treating the precursor material to form a nanoporous aerogel, preferably by using a supercritical drying process; c) providing a blending material having a reinforcing component and a volatile component; d) combining the nanoporous aerogel and the blending material to form an amalgamation layer; and e) treating the amalgamation layer to increase the mechanical strength of the layer by a substantial amount, and to ultimately form a low dielectric material that can be utilized in various applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Shyama Mukherjee, Roger Leung, Kreisler Lau
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Patent number: 6620356Abstract: Methods for producing open-pore polymeric matrices prepared via gas induced phase inversion are provided. Matrices produced by these methods for various uses including medical implant devices, filtration/separation aids, and porous supports are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Corp.Inventors: Betty Wong, John E. Kemnitzer
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Publication number: 20030162853Abstract: The invention is directed to fluorinated particles having adsorbent properties for superior performance as the stationary phase for use in chromatographic separations. In particular, the fluorinated surface of such particles of the invention presents unusual and unexpected polarity that is beneficial in performing chromatographic separations such as that used for DNA.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventor: Leonard H. Smiley
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Patent number: 6608117Abstract: What is disclosed herein are physically cross-linked, cellular hydrogels and methods for their preparation. The cellular materials are highly resilient, hydrophilic materials having broad uses. The cellular materials are prepared by the physical crosslinking of frothed polymers and providing materials that have cellular pores provided by the use of removable materials during the formation of the cellular materials.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Nanosystems Research Inc.Inventor: Nedeljko Vladimira Gvozdic
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Patent number: 6605229Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an element comprising a substrate and at least one anti-reflection coating with pores. The dimensions of the anti-reflection coating are below the wavelength of visible light or the neighboring spectral ranges. The invention also relates to an element produced according to this method with at least one anti-reflection coating, for example optical lenses, mirrors or other optical components. The optical anti-reflection coating of these elements is essentially improved.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2000Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Universitat KonstanzInventors: Ullrich Steiner, Stefan Walheim, Erik Schäffer, Stefan Eggert, Jürgen Mlynek
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Patent number: 6605648Abstract: A method of producing an open, porous structure having an outer surface defining a shape having a bulk volume and having interconnecting openings extending throughout said volume and opening through said surface, and products resulting from the method. The method comprises preparing a viscous mixture comprising a sinterable powder dispersed in a sol of a polymer in a primary solvent, replacing the primary solvent with a secondary liquid in which the polymer is insoluble to produce a gel comprising an open polymeric network having the sinterable powder arranged therein, removing the secondary liquid from the gel; removing the polymer network, and sintering the sinterable powder to form the open, porous structure. Also disclosed are shaped, porous products resulting from methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1999Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Phillips Plastics CorporationInventors: James R. Johnson, Michael Edward Frencl
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Publication number: 20030146548Abstract: The invention provides micro- and nano-porous materials made from crosslinked polymers crystallized from supercritical fluids. The resulting products show an open cell porous network, and can be used for a variety of applications in medical fields, textiles, separation science and others. The invention also provides methods for obtaining such products.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: University of Massachusetts a Massachusetts corporationInventors: H. Henning Winter, Griffin Gappert
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Patent number: 6599951Abstract: Disclosed are organo polysilica dielectric materials having low dielectric constants useful in electronic component manufacture are disclosed along with methods of preparing the porous organo polysilica dielectric materials. Also disclosed are methods of forming electronic devices containing such porous organo polysilica dielectric materials without the use of antireflective coatings.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Shipley Company, L.L.C.Inventors: Anthony Zampini, Michael K. Gallagher
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Patent number: 6576713Abstract: The present invention provides a production process for a water-absorbent resin powder which is excellent in particle diameter distribution and properties, wherein the production process not only inhibits adhesion and aggregation in the production steps, but also is excellent in energy efficiency, drying efficiency, and productivity.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kunihiko Ishizaki, Teruyuki Kanto, Nobuyuki Harada, Takumi Hatsuda, Shinichi Fujino
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Patent number: 6573307Abstract: A process to make particles by anaerobic reaction of a water-insoluble solution of organic compounds comprising (a) a monomer selected from C2-4 alkylene glycol esters of a C3-6 acrylic acid and a divinyl benzene; (b) a polyfluorinated vinyl monomer; (c) a monomer selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and esters thereof; (d) a free radical initiator; and (e) a water-insoluble, organic solvent-soluble porogenic material, the weight ratio of comonomers (a) plus (b) plus (c) to the porogenic material being from 0.5:1 to 2:1. The adsorbent particles produced by the process are useful in carrying out chromatographic separations, or in the production of medical devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Prometic Biosciences, Inc.Inventors: Leonard H. Smiley, Christopher Lowe, Julie Tucker
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Publication number: 20030096933Abstract: In forming pressure sensitive adhesive microspheres by copolymerizing a non-ionic monomer of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester of a non-tertiary alcohol and an acid monomer copolymerizable with said non-ionic monomer, an electrolyte is present during the polymerization to promote formation of solid rather than hollow microspheres.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Jong-Shing Guo, Augustin T. Chen, Sharon D. Trembley
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Patent number: 6565962Abstract: A polyimide porous film obtained by drying and imidizing a polyimide precursor porous film which is substantially homogeneous on both sides, the polyimide porous film having pores on both sides wherein the pores all satisfy the conditions: 1) the difference in the mean pore size of both sides is less than 200% based on the smaller average value of the mean pore size, 2) the coefficient of variation for the pore size on each side is smaller than 70%, 3) the coefficient of variation for the pore centroid distance on each side is smaller than 50%, and 4) the mean pore size on each side is 0.05-5 &mgr;m.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shyusei Ohya, Yuuichi Fujii, Shigeru Yao, Yukihiko Asano, Kimio Nakayama, Kenji Fukunaga
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Patent number: 6559192Abstract: Semipermeable porous membranes having an average pore diameter in the range 0.01-3 &mgr;m, and porosity in the range 30%-90%, based on semi-crystalline fluoropolymers and the respective preparation process, wherein the semi-crystalline fluoropolymers comprise: (a) from 10 to 70% by moles of ethylene, (b) from 30 to 90% by moles of a fluorinated monomer selected from tetrafluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, or mixtures thereof, (c) from 0.1 to 30% by moles, with respect to the total amount of monomers (a) and (b), of a hydrogenated monomer of formula: CH2═CH—(CH2)n—R1 (I) wherein R1=—OR2, or —(O)tC(O)pR2 wherein t and p are integers equal to 0.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Ausimont S.p.A.Inventors: Patrizia Maccone, Paolo Fossati
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Patent number: 6525106Abstract: This application relates to flexible, microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses. This application particularly relates to methods particularly suitable for continuously curing high internal phase emulsions to form such foams.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Thomas Allen DesMarais, Thomas Michael Shiveley, John Collins Dyer, Stephen Thomas Dick, Bryn Hird
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Patent number: 6503958Abstract: The present invention relates to porous polymers incorporating dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the like and their production. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and like compounds, in both porous and non-porous forms, as substrates for the attachment and growth of mammalian cells and tissue. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates as components of medical devices and prostheses, including implanted devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Timothy Charles Hughes, Gordon Francis Meijs, Hassan Chaouk, John Gerard Steele, Graham Johnson
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Patent number: 6503655Abstract: A thin, flat, and porous carbon gas diffusion electrode having a side in contact with a supply of gas and a side in contact with an electrolyte, comprises a pyrolysis product of a composite of an organic aerogel or xerogel and a reinforcing skeleton consisting at least in part of organic material. The porosity of the carbon gas diffusion electrode according to the invention can be regulated at will while the surface of the electrode is smooth.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Raino Petricevic, Jochen Fricke, Rainer Leuschner, Matthias Lipinski
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Patent number: 6500401Abstract: A method of making carbon foam is described which involves pyrolizing a mixture containing at least one pyrolizable substance and at least one unpyrolizable material and then removing the unpyrolizable material to obtain the carbon foam. Carbon foam made by this process is also described. Incorporating the carbon foam in a variety of end use applications including electrodes, thermal insulation material, polymers, and the like is also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Cabot CorporationInventors: Steven R. Reznek, Robert K. Massey
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Patent number: 6486285Abstract: A water-swellable polymer gel prepared by reacting an ester of a carboxyl group-containing polysaccharide with a compound having at least two &agr;-amino groups, which is derived from a natural amino acid, and a foamed article thereof. The water-swellable polymer gel can be used in the fields such as industry, agriculture, food and medicine. The applications of the water-swellable gel in the medical field include wound dressings, adhesion-preventing materials, dialysis membranes, hemostatic materials, adhesive materials, sealants, contact lenses, materials for tissue regeneration, microcapsule materials and drug delivery systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akio Fujita
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Patent number: 6486240Abstract: An asymmetric support membrane can be prepared by using a phase separation method. The method includes immersing a polymer solvent solution into water. The polymer solution is made by dissolving 15 to 35% by weight of the polymer into a solvent that lets the polymer solution become a gel at a temperature of 0 to 50° C. The solution is then allowed to gel and brought into a final membrane form in water for phase separation and formation of the asymmetric support membrane. The polymer may be poly(vinyl chloride), polyethersulfone, polyetherimide and polyamic(methylester). The solvent is &ggr;-butyrolactone alone as a major solvent or is a mixed solvent with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as a cosolvent. The asymmetric support membrane is a porous support membrane of a sponge form having open pores that are connected to one another with a narrow pore size distribution. Thus, the asymmetric support membrane has an improved permeance and mechanical strength.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1999Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Jong Ok Won, Yong Soo Kang, Hyun Chae Park, Un Young Kim, Seong Hyun Yoo
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Publication number: 20020169225Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, compositions and methods are provided in which the mechanical strength and durability of a precursor material having a plurality of pores is increased by a) providing a precursor material; b) treating the precursor material to form a nanoporous aerogel, preferably by using a supercritical drying process; c) providing a blending material having a reinforcing component and a volatile component; d) combining the nanoporous aerogel and the blending material to form an amalgamation layer; and e) treating the amalgamation layer to increase the mechanical strength of the layer by a substantial amount, and to ultimately form a low dielectric material that can be utilized in various applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Shyama Mukherjee, Roger Leung, Kreisler Lau
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Patent number: 6479065Abstract: The invention relates to a sustained release composition and methods of forming and using said composition for the sustained release of biologically active agent. The sustained release compositions of the invention comprise a biocompatible polymer and a biologically active agent characterized by a porous center and a less porous outer layer wherein the center and outer layer consist of essentially the same materials. The sustained release compositions can be prepared by annealing at least a substantial portion of the exterior surface of a polymer/active agent matrix. The compositions which have been annealed exhibit a decrease in the release of agent over the first 24 hours following administration (i.e., reduced burst) and as a result can show an increase in the duration of sustained release thereby providing increased therapeutic benefits.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Warren E. Jaworowicz, James I. Wright
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Patent number: 6472443Abstract: Highly crosslinked monolithic porous polymer materials for chromatographic applications. By using solvent compositions that provide not only for polymerization of acrylate monomers in such a fashion that a porous polymer network is formed prior to phase separation but also for exchanging the polymerization solvent for a running buffer using electroosmotic flow, the need for high pressure purging is eliminated. The polymer materials have been shown to be an effective capillary electrochromatographic separations medium at lower field strengths than conventional polymer media. Further, because of their highly crosslinked nature these polymer materials are structurally stable in a wide range of organic and aqueous solvents and over a pH range of 2-12.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Sandia National LaboratoriesInventor: Timothy J. Shepodd
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Patent number: 6465532Abstract: The present invention includes a composition having a co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology for controlled gas transmission rate. These co-continuous interconnecting channels are predominately occupied with a polymer and particles that control the percolation through the composition. The polymer composition may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: CSP Tecnologies, Inc.Inventor: Ihab M. Hekal
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Patent number: 6462100Abstract: The invention discloses methods for making foams comprising functionalized metal oxide nanoparticles by photopolymerizing or thermally polymerizing emulsions comprising a reactive phase and a phase immiscible with the reactive phase components. Foams made from water-in-oil emulsions, including high internal phase emulsion are also disclosed. Articles and uses for the foams are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kristin LaVelle Thunhorst, Douglas Alan Hanggi
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Patent number: 6455600Abstract: A water-absorbing, expanded, crosslinked polymer obtainable by (I) foaming a polymerizable aqueous mixture which comprises (a) monoethylenically unsaturated monomers which contain acidic groups and are optionally neutralized, (b) optionally other monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, (c) crosslinkers, (d) initiators, (e) 0.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hans-Joachim Hähnle, Ulrich Schröder, Martin Beck, Wolfgang Heider, Gunnar Schornick, Thomas Anstock
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Publication number: 20020132869Abstract: The present invention includes a composition having a co-continuous interconnecting channel morphology for controlled gas transmission rate. These co-continuous interconnecting channels are predominately occupied with a polymer and particles that control the percolation through the composition. The polymer composition may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventor: Ihab M. Hekal